Transitions are a part of life. Many of us may not like transitions because it means change. Our 11 interns have all had to go through more transitions since arrival. Let's take a look at what some of these transitions are and how things are going for our interns.
Half of our interns are now living with Dominican families in the areas where they are serving this summer. These families mostly speak only Spanish so our interns are hearing Spanish 24/7 and needing to think in Spanish and talk in Spanish more often than just at the school or children's home. Our Dominican families provide meals for our interns, translating rice and beans. But yet the interns are becoming a part of their Dominican family and getting a more hands-on experience of Dominican culture.
The other half are living in an apartment with other interns and learning how to live and get around in their cities. Their living environment can be in English as they are not living with a Dominican family. They have to buy their food and cook for themselves or together and budget their money for the week. Some have had some water issues to where they had to fill up buckets to flush toilets. Some went to use their stove and the burner wouldn't light to find out that the gas tank is empty. Some had a mouse issue and ended up catching the mouse.
There are pros and cons to both types living situations.
Another transition is just hearing more Spanish and needing to use more Spanish than the first week of training. Building relationships with their co-workers and the kids. Trying to figure out what they will be doing in either helping and/or teaching the kids each day. Those who are not serving in Jarabacoa, it's learning their new environment after learning some of Jarabacoa during training week. Adjusting to the heat and humidity for many of our interns...are you sweating or did you just take a shower?
You may think that many of those transitions that I described are negative but there are some awesome transitions.
Connecting with kids. Connecting with co-workers. Being able to be understood in Spanish. Understanding what is being said in Spanish. Seeing some of God's beautiful creation here. Starting to be able to teach the kids. Playing with the kids. Learning to rely completely on God to give you energy and strength to make it through the day and the heat. Relying on God to give you courage and boldness to continue using and learning Spanish when you feel misunderstood, dismissed, or made fun of. Relying on God to sustain you as you walk deep in and through culture shock by hitting walls that challenge your beliefs and values.
It's been quite the week. But as I sat and listened to each and everyone sharing the hardness of their first week of summer program, they each were thankful to God for the work He is doing in their lives.
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