We're Here!

Un chin.  Dominicans use this word for “a little bit”, but in reality we hope to share more than un chin of our life with you!  Just really love that word.  Sooo…we are here!  We cannot believe it.  It already feels like the time is flying by!  We arrived on the afternoon of August 30^th and have been in orientation ever since.  We went with our team to Santiago (affectionately known as the Big Metropolis to Makarios staff) for a couple of days to visit the Makarios director, where we ate some surprisingly delicious Chinese food our first night and felt like we hadn’t even left the States.  And then we came back to our home, Puerto Plata, to continue preparing for the school year that starts September 21^st. 

In the last two days, between the two of us we have visited the three villages that the Makarios school serves.  When we walked into these villages, the children were estatic to see our Makarios team members they knew, and they even ran and jumped and gave US hugs, whom they’ve never seen before.   I could spend hours in these villages playing with the children.   They love on you like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and it is so joyful to spend time with them. 

  

Chichigua

  

Pancho Mateo

In the village of Chichigua yesterday, Raquel (see picture) began to do my hair and I ended up with a lovely pig tail ‘do to which one of the boys told me, “Muy feo!” or “Very ugly!”  Like I said, it’s all about the love.  You’ll also see our friend, Holly, loving on a Chichiguan babe below too.  And Jody comparing muscles with all of the boys there.  And, of course, the little ninos have taken to Charlie – a child in Pancho Mateo held Charlie’s hand and walked with him the entire time he was in that village.  Precious.

Tonight the girls are ordering pizza and watching Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.  It’s like I am back in college, and I love it.   

-Kim

  

Kim and Raquel in Chichigua

  

Holly in Chichigua

  

Jody and the Chichigua boys showing off their muscles

  

Charlie and Pancho Mateo boys