Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Fun Fun Fun

I can't believe I'm in the Dominican Republic! Why is it so easy for us to slip into routine and so easily forget the blessings that God has given us! Sometimes I just sit back, stare at the mountains and the banana trees and think "Wow, I'm here in the Dominican Republic" and I just let it sink in.
I've been trying for awhile to get pictures loaded on here- but everytime I've tried it's been giving me trouble (partially because everything online is in Spanish!) So I'll keep trying and hopefully soon you will be able to see some pictures of the beautiful Dominican people here.
The weekend was a lot of fun. Friday night a small group of us went up to Jarabacoa Christian School and played soccer with the people there. I have never had so much fun playing soccer in my life. They are really aggressive and since I was 1 of the 3 girls playing it made things interesting (especially when I had to be goalie...Ahh!) After that our team went out for pizza and I got to experience corn pizza which was surprisingly really good!
On Saturday we hiked to two of Jarabacoa's waterfalls and I was deifinitely my element. We actually got to swim out to the waterfall, go behind it and everything!! I'm really glad that we have a pretty adventerous group! Lots of us climbed up the wall of the waterfall (maybe only 15 or 20 ft.) and jumped off into the water- it was awesome!! At the second waterfall we spent all our time trying to swim through it and it was Sooo powerful! (only a few of us made it)
All of these experiences were fun but nothing topped last night. Last night has got to be my favorite night so far. It all started when Monica and I were playing a game of dominos with Mama and Papa after dinner and i noticed that it started pouring rain outside. We kept playing and it kept raining harder and harder. Finally I had to go check it out, I have never seen rain fall so hard in my life. Then Mama gets the best idea in the world- she went and put on a shower cap over her head and took our hands and drug Monica and I out with her into the pouring rain! It was one of those God- moments that I'll never forget. We ran down the street in the pouring rain, holding hands, shouting and laughing. It was awesome. the best part was that Mama had her shower cap on! All of a sudden the power went out (what a surprise) and the whole street was pitch dark. But that didn't stop us, we kept dancing in the rain and Mama was loving it- so were we.
It's been amazing how people that just a week ago were strangers are now such close people to Monica and I. Last Sunday Mama came to church with us, so that was really encouraging!
God is so faithful. Being out of your comfort zone, I think, is the best place to be as a Christian in your walk with Christ. It lets God be God in your life. He is now in control. I will definitely be the first to say that IT's NOT EASY, but little by little, day by day it's slowly becoming worth it.

6 comments:

pkill said...

Hey, Alison. I was so glad to hear that you are safe and having so much fun. YOur faith is amazing and you are quite an inspiration. We will keep you and your friends in our prayers. Love from Idaho, Patty

Anonymous said...

Alison-we are thoroughly enjoying reading about your time of being stretched used by God on a moment by moment basis. I am honestly jealous because this is something I always wanted to do, and here I am almost 50!!! Keep posting to us. We are praying for you. God is using you in ways you don't even know about!
Love, Kory's aunt Lori ;-)

The Eby's said...

Hey Alison,
Wow - isn't God amazing!?! Look how far you have come in just one year's time. I am so proud of you and blessed to call you a friend.
Praying for you everyday. I know God has great plans for you, and I will enjoy following your adventures!....fyi the horses are still here waiting for you to come ride when you get back to the U.S.A. Love you tons!!!
Sheila

Cindi Lantz said...

Ali,
I am sitting here smiling as I picture you dancing in the rain. That is SO YOU!!! And Mama also sounds like she is not afraid of spontaneous adventure. Could God have created a sweeter match for you and Monica? And this is only the beginning of the memories. My only question...do you have pictures of the downpour dance?
Love,
Cindi

Unknown said...

You are incredible. I absolutely love you and am so proud of you my words could not even begin to describe it. You are inspiration to me and I am so excited to see what God has in store for you these next 3 months. I know it's tough at times to think it has only just begun but the cool thing to think about is, it's only just begun. :) He is faithful, Alison and He will bless you richly, probably in ways that you won't realize until years from now! But for now, my dear, just live in the moment and soak it up for all it's worth! You are a beautiful woman of God and I love you!!!

Robbie G said...

Corn pizza...who would've imagined that would be good? Isn't it fun to discover new tasty foods? And as for that rainstorm, I remember you running around in a downpour at Mancelona so it certainly doesn't surprise me that you'd be running around in rainstorms in the DR. :)