Day 6 Thankfulness

Day is done.  Gone the sun.  

Tasks are done.  Packing has begun.

Our hearts are overloaded with love.

All because of our God above.

We have experienced so much today.  The morning was spent doing VBS and construction.  After lunch we said goodbye to our friends from the worksites and we toured the El Buen Samaritano Hospital and the Orphanage.  Many tears flowed as we walked out.

We then travelled to the beach and spent time decompressing and returned back to town to eat pizza.  During our team time we talked about the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers and one returning to give thanks.  In that mode, we talked about what we are thankful for because of this trip.  Below are the things that we heard from the team members.  All didn't share, and that's ok, but you will get a good glimpse into what this trip has meant to us.

David- new perspective on life in general - thankful for his life and what he has 

Mendy- bonding with an older lady across from church- showed the lady her picture and she cried - Thankful for Scott, Lindsey and David

Shaun- kids that are willing to help 

Christian- eyes opened to the real world playing with made toys like a tire and old milk carton - not complaining about what they don't have.-having school to go to 

Jeremy- new perspective-makes him think about why God gave them the lives they have and us the ones we have and what God's plan is

Lindsey- sweet smiles- very eye opening and motivational

Zach- seeing how far attention and kindness can go 

Emily C- thankful for being able to see a different side and culture of the world- getting to go on a BCBC trip again

Eathan- seeing how attention and kindness can affect others

Christina- unconditional love for us  

Kim- international love- being able to love different people and cultures- we don't see and take advantage of the opportunities we have at home- new friendships built in our team - We take for granted getting to talk to our family- some hear don't get to talk or see their family because of distance 

Karen- getting closer to learn one another and find new things about our own team 

Traci- relationships with everyone on our team that she didn't have before- blessing she took for granted at home and ways she can use her blessings to help others. Her family 

Andrew- seeing the amazing level of content on the kids even though they have nothing

Fil- working with the group- the hard work they put in to bring the school one step closer to being build

Emily J- the love the kids showed

Cass- has reminded me what is really important-love and relationships

Scott- thankful that he came and came with his family- that God had a completely different idea for what he should be doing here than what he thought

Paige- thankful for the money paid by an unknown person and opportunity to come on the trip 

Bailey- the love that the children shared and the opportunity to play with them- how we treat each other like a family 

Christine- thankful for the chance to go to college, and have her own apartment- technology to show the kids themselves and put a smile on their faces- material things don't make you happy 

As for me, I am thankful that God allowed me to watch the eyes and the hearts of those on this team being opened to a world so different from our own.  I am thankful for all of you who helped us get here.  I am thankful for all those who offered prayers for us.  I am thankful that God gave us opportunities to share love and to be loved.  This has been such a unique experience.  Physically and mentally and emotionally challenging.  We are exhausted.  But multiple conversations tonight about when and how we can get back.

Pray for us as we travel tomorrow.  We leave the place we have been staying at 10:00 for our 1:30 flight.  We land in Atlanta at 5:00 and depending on the time to clear customs, get our bags, get our vehicles, and fight Atlanta traffic, we will be home.  The trip is concluding but the work that God is doing for the 25 of us continues.  

Goodnight for the final time from the Dominican.