Now that I’m leaving…

As some of you know, I’m taking a strategically timed 5 month siesta from summer in the tropics (read bugs and heat) to go back to Alaska with the park service. As I sit here with my fan barely rotating, trying to recollect a distant two weeks ago when one still got to snuggle up in bed in fleece pants, two sweatshirts, two blankets AND a sleeping bag (even tropical countries get cold) I’m realizing that my excitement to return to Alaska’s cold weather might be short-lived. Every time I mention Alaska to a Dominican, even if they don’t know where Alaska is located, I get the same response, ‘oh yeah, Alaska, that’s where there is ice’. As much as I like to pretend that I, Californian native, I, wearer of fleece and two sweatshirts in 65 degree Dominican winter nights, am thick-skinned enough to have no ‘weather-shock’ when I go north, I can only go so long without realizing that maybe a year of living on a tropical island has actually turned me into a cold weather weenie. This is a concerning fact considering that the place I’m going to in Alaska is known for not just its ice, but its plethora of ice…rivers and mountains filled with the stuff! (UpperR: the beach trip w/ the Ark kids...why am i leaving again?)

So as I take stock of all the mountains of winter clothes I’ll be packing for my ‘summer’, I thought I should also take a moment to reflect on the ‘accomplishments’ that have presented themselves along this journey here in the DR. I must admit that I love being in this ‘I’m leaving in 7 days’ period. The realization of leaving gives a new perspective and sense of gratitude for the multitude of life’s blessings that have given great comfort and encouragement. Unfortunately some of which only happen once you really start to know and understand a place and people…and of course that only happens right before you leave. So in honor of the short lived blessings…

Now that I’m leaving…

10. Now that I’m leaving…I am finally able to understand the guys talking about me as I run by…and I am now able to politely let them know of that fact.

9. Now that I’m leaving…I finally have found a store that sells caramel frappacinos that would put Starbucks out of business.

8. Now that I’m leaving…I finally know where enough kids live around town that all my running loops have an emergency toilet plan…

7. Now that I’m leaving…I finally have convinced another missionary that accompanying me on the mail run (the fortnightly mail pick-up at the airport) to the city is not only a chance to test a post-missionary career with the postal service, but is also a convenient time to take a close study of the inside of McDonalds.

6. Now that I’m leaving…I finally can travel outside of Jarabacoa, Dominican style, (aka back of a pickup) without a map and not get lost, at least not physically lost. I, of course, have no idea where I am, but thankfully Dominicans have some sort of internal database that somehow tells them where to send you…‘No I don’t know Josue, but go straight, stop at the market, and ask there’. Sure enough, it works every time. (Matt & Lindsay with Josue, their sponsor kid that we hunted down and found!)

5. Now that I’m leaving…I finally know that the key to getting the local bus price requires being a little strategic. At the opportune moment, quickly ask the lady sharing your seat what it cost to get to stop X then hand the exact amount to the driver, this shows him that you know the fare and he’s not gonna get anymore out of you. However, make sure the driver is distracted or outside when asking or else he might intercept your question and name his Americano price. Above all, do NOT wait till you’ve reached your destination and then ask your driver how much, you’ll be broke before you know it.

4. Now that I’m leaving…I finally know what signing up for a Dominican camping trip with the Ark (the kids home) little kids will entail: spaghetti…for breakfast, camping in a cow pasture, a non-flushing toilet for 61 persons, thankfulness for the cow pasture after seeing the non-flushing toilet for 61 persons, the 1.5km hike actually turning into a 1.5 hour hike, the littlest of the kids walking the 1.5 hours and us realizing that they now need to walk back, being sent to clean the kid who had a bout of diarrhea…in his pants…

(R: The cow pasture & some of the Ark kids)

3. Now that I’m leaving…I’m realizing that the mysterious small amount of food that I have been buying is not because I’ve been eating less, but because I somehow keep finding pressing reasons to visit missionary families around 6pm.

2. Now that I’m leaving…my 6^th grade terror art class, that think clothing and skin are a substitute for paper on painting day, that laugh when I ask them to be quiet- the ones that heard that is, whose work I confuse with second grade, was appalled at me not being in class this week. And of all things, when they asked, I was actually sad that I wasn’t! (L: first grade art class)

1. Now that I’m leaving…I finally can see that God has blessed me with such vast riches in the time I’ve had teaching these kids, working with them doing sponsorship, playing soccer with them, being loved by them, etc, etc, etc. God had been really good over the past 16 months. I came to the DR knowing nothing, and I’m leaving (for the time being) with a better glimpse of the heart of God.

Psalm 71:20-21

²⁰ Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.

²¹ You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.

Prayer:

That my 5 months in Alaska will be instructive in seeing if God wants me to continue with the NPS after my time in the DR

That I will have ministry and fellowship (sometimes very hard to come by) within the NPS community in Glacier Bay.

And like always, continue to pray for the kids and ministry here in the DR

(below: the highlight from the Moca zoo 2nd grade field trip)