Life at 100 mph.
As Chris and I drove away from Barahona, tears fell. After eight weeks of struggles, emotions, new friendships, teaching, organizing, meetings, tryouts, and on and on and on, I couldn't believe my time in the Dominican Republic had come to an end. As emotional as I had been from my first goodbye when Miles left, these emotions were different. It's hard to explain, but maybe the best word to describe it is shock or disbelief. Barahona had begun to feel like home. The people I worked with, my team, the kids, all started to feel like family. And now it was over. Done. Goodbye.
It's funny though, that I hadn't really started to feel any emotion until this very moment, as I stare at the screen on my laptop and write. Because I didn't want to feel it. As I drove to the airport in the capital, I told myself to stop being so emotional. I went numb. I made the tears stop. I made myself stop feeling.
So now, while living life at 100 mph, moving, starting a new job, catching up with friends and family, I haven't had time to think about Barahona. Or maybe I just didn't want to. But shutting down those feelings, makes me wonder if I've shut the door on God. What I've learned in these past two months can hardly be explained on a blog, in words. But I don't think that's why God allowed me to experience what I did. What does any of it matter if it doesn't make a difference now?
In Barahona, I was surrounded by God's presence. I had time to read my bible, to engage in deep theological discussion, to truly worship, talk to God. Here, I have hardly done any of those things. And so comes the feeling of disconnectedness. American culture is so wrapped around doing things for yourself, getting ahead, being successful, making a lot of money, having the best things, having expensive things, me, me, me... that it is so easy to lose focus on what is really important.
11:25 pm. I find myself staring at this screen trying to make sense of it all. But I don't want to feel it. The aftermath, the adjustment back to this American life, has been difficult and may continue to be that way. Until when, I'm not really sure. In the aftermath, I need Jesus...His peace, His wisdom, His strength, His security, His direction, His guidance, His grace, His love.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Meeting
I'm sitting in the office of the Country Director of COTN (Children of the Nations) the Father organization of I Love Baseball. I'm a little nervous, a little anxious and just a little overwhelmed as to what is about to happen. Changes for I Love Baseball. Discussion over my evaluation. The future of I Love Baseball is at stake...
Here we go...
Jesus, take the wheel.
Here we go...
Jesus, take the wheel.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
A Roller Coaster of Emotions
I love roller coasters. I love the rush of adrenaline that runs through your body with the sudden twists and turns and the wind in your face; the anticipation as you slowly go up the mountain and then drop for what feels like forever. Then you get off, a little shaky, a little dizzy, trying to catch your breath. And that's when I think, "Woooooooo!! Let's do it again!" FUN!
But imagine all of those feelings without the roller coaster. Hard to imagine? Nope, not when you're talking about emotions. This summer has been nothing short of just that; a roller coaster of emotions.
I love that line from one of my favorite movies, A League of Their Own. "There's no crying in baseball! There's no crying in baseball!!!!" Well sorry to break it to you Tom Hanks, but this morning there were plenty of tears.
This morning three of my four closest friends from the summer left back to the states.
At Casa Betesda, the place I've been staying this summer, there were five of us. Desiree, Ingrid, Chris, Miles and me. I couldn't have asked for a better team of people. Two great girls to have my girl time with, borrow mousse and hairdryers, begging Chris to take us for some frozen yogurt, tagging along at the beach...you know, girl stuff :) Then there were my two ILB teammates. The boys. Those two crazy boys. At times like my brothers, other times my best friends. Together, we've had our ups and downs, the rush of adrenaline, the slow rising anticipated moments, and the sudden drops...all in the name of baseball.
Working with a non-profit organization in the DR has been nothing short of amazing, but at the same time has been nothing short of hard work. From organization to communication, planning and coordinating, some of what I thought were my strongest work skills, have been tried and tested during my time here. And really, I praise the Lord for that, because I know that the testing of those skills only makes them stronger. But I, or all three of us baseball lovers rather, have had our fair share of challenges.
Yesterday at baseball practice, Miles led our time of devotion and spoke on Romans 5:1-5.
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Incredible words. Words needed for the summer we've had. Incredible words from an incredible guy. A passage that could sum up the summer. Miles has taught me so much about faith, perseverance, character and hope. So this morning when he, Desiree and Ingrid loaded their luggage onto the bus leaving for the capital, the tears began to fall. You see no matter how much hard work, frustration, or tests we've all faced, both together and individually, we knew that the work we are doing here is all for a reason far greater than what any of us could see now.
As I took the hands of Chris and Miles and we prayed for the last time as team ILB, the emotions hit us. Realizing that God had perfectly and purposefully chosen each of us to work for an organization whose goals go far beyond baseball, we thanked him and prayed for our futures.
As I waved goodbye to three of my closest friends of the summer, the rush of adrenaline hit me, feeling as though I was dropping from the top of a roller coaster. Tears, lots and lots of tears, fell this morning. I miss my friends. I miss their influence. I miss their energy. I miss their support. I just miss.
I know the roller coaster will come to a stop, as my time here is coming to an end. Just 12 more days. There is still much hard work to do in these final days. Now it's just Chris and I. But I already have a feeling...that when this roller coaster comes to a stop, and I get off...no matter how shaky, how dizzy or how hard it was to ride this roller coaster, I know I'm gonna say, "Wooooooooooo! Let's do it again!"
But imagine all of those feelings without the roller coaster. Hard to imagine? Nope, not when you're talking about emotions. This summer has been nothing short of just that; a roller coaster of emotions.
I love that line from one of my favorite movies, A League of Their Own. "There's no crying in baseball! There's no crying in baseball!!!!" Well sorry to break it to you Tom Hanks, but this morning there were plenty of tears.
This morning three of my four closest friends from the summer left back to the states.
At Casa Betesda, the place I've been staying this summer, there were five of us. Desiree, Ingrid, Chris, Miles and me. I couldn't have asked for a better team of people. Two great girls to have my girl time with, borrow mousse and hairdryers, begging Chris to take us for some frozen yogurt, tagging along at the beach...you know, girl stuff :) Then there were my two ILB teammates. The boys. Those two crazy boys. At times like my brothers, other times my best friends. Together, we've had our ups and downs, the rush of adrenaline, the slow rising anticipated moments, and the sudden drops...all in the name of baseball.
Working with a non-profit organization in the DR has been nothing short of amazing, but at the same time has been nothing short of hard work. From organization to communication, planning and coordinating, some of what I thought were my strongest work skills, have been tried and tested during my time here. And really, I praise the Lord for that, because I know that the testing of those skills only makes them stronger. But I, or all three of us baseball lovers rather, have had our fair share of challenges.
Yesterday at baseball practice, Miles led our time of devotion and spoke on Romans 5:1-5.
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Incredible words. Words needed for the summer we've had. Incredible words from an incredible guy. A passage that could sum up the summer. Miles has taught me so much about faith, perseverance, character and hope. So this morning when he, Desiree and Ingrid loaded their luggage onto the bus leaving for the capital, the tears began to fall. You see no matter how much hard work, frustration, or tests we've all faced, both together and individually, we knew that the work we are doing here is all for a reason far greater than what any of us could see now.
As I took the hands of Chris and Miles and we prayed for the last time as team ILB, the emotions hit us. Realizing that God had perfectly and purposefully chosen each of us to work for an organization whose goals go far beyond baseball, we thanked him and prayed for our futures.
As I waved goodbye to three of my closest friends of the summer, the rush of adrenaline hit me, feeling as though I was dropping from the top of a roller coaster. Tears, lots and lots of tears, fell this morning. I miss my friends. I miss their influence. I miss their energy. I miss their support. I just miss.
I know the roller coaster will come to a stop, as my time here is coming to an end. Just 12 more days. There is still much hard work to do in these final days. Now it's just Chris and I. But I already have a feeling...that when this roller coaster comes to a stop, and I get off...no matter how shaky, how dizzy or how hard it was to ride this roller coaster, I know I'm gonna say, "Wooooooooooo! Let's do it again!"
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Seattle Rain...
Some days it seems like I brought the Seattle rain. Tropical storms have to be the most fun because it's still warm enough to be outside even though the rain is falling hard. It's kind of like taking a shower...outside...with your clothes on...
So here, practice is not going to be canceled if rain starts to pour...it's like a cool off :)
Who can resist such a cute kid saying the Lord's prayer? Adoption anyone?
Rain or shine, baseball.
Dulce :)
So here, practice is not going to be canceled if rain starts to pour...it's like a cool off :)
Who can resist such a cute kid saying the Lord's prayer? Adoption anyone?
Rain or shine, baseball.
Dulce :)
Player Introductions
After a few weeks of English classes, the kids finally built up enough courage to introduce themselves in front of a camera. Although they still struggle with pronunciations, I am so proud of their progress thus far! Here are a few of my students...
Monday, July 12, 2010
Oh the joys of being a Woman!
Have you ever walked into a room and suddenly ALL eyes are on you? You're thinking, "Do I have something on my face? Is my makeup smeared? Did I step in dog poop and stink? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT!?!?!"
Well that's how I felt today. Except, it wasn't just a room, it was an entire market place! Kind of like a flea-market, but with way more people than you can imagine, all staring at the "rubia americana" passing through. I felt like an alien. If you know me pretty well, you know that one of my biggest insecurities is the color of my skin. Having to explain that you're of Mexican descent, but have light skin because you're from northern Mexico and have Spanish roots, is only fun telling the first couple times. By now I'd rather wear a sign around my neck or tattoo it on my forehead. On the flip side, however, I have to admit that I love knowing what people around me are saying and catch them totally off guard when I look at them and say..."cuidado con lo que dices por que entiendo todo." Priceless looks on their faces.
But regardless of how many times I have to say it, or smile at the comments I get, one thing always strikes me when I question why God made me the way he did. In all his power and all his glory and all his wonder, he made me with light skin, light eyes, and light hair for a reason. The Dominicans here that I've become very close to, whom are like a second family to me, absolutely love me the way I am. Something I've had to learn to do, love myself, be ok with me, look in the mirror and like what I see.
As we walked through the market, me and my new great friend Paola, we talked as if we had known each other for years. She would tell me what foods we were looking for, I would say hi to those who were selling (friends of hers, of course), and though they stared, Paola just said, "vamos Dulce, te miran porque eres bella." It's like she knew I was starting to feel uncomfortable that the people were staring. Yet, I felt comfortable with her.
When we finally got back to the casa, I headed back to the kitchen and wanted to get in on the cooking. I've been learning and loving it! Our cooks here are amazing and they have no problems letting me watch and ask questions. "Mira, mexicana, asi lo hacen en tu pais?"
"Casi igual." Not so much from scratch though, at least not in the states. I mean you're talkin' lemonade from straight lemons, sugar, and water. Tostones, fried plantains, from the tree to the bubbling oil. Legit! SO YUMMY!!!!
You won't believe this though, I've been washing by hand! Boo yaaaa, taking it WAY back! Washing my socks and underwear took me two hours, can't even lie about that. Yes, they do have a washer here, but not a dryer and I'm not about to have my chonies hanging on the line for all of Barahona to see! Are you kidding me!?!? So I took a bucket, some water from a big basin, and some detergent, headed up my bathroom and scrubbed away. Imaginate, aye Dios! Shout out to my abuelas for doing this everyday way back when! Remember when I said God was showing me things? He's showing me how to appreciate what I have, don't even worry! Ques que washing machines y water heaters, tas loca! Have I mentioned that I love cold showers? Well there ya go.
Oh, the joys of being a woman. Being stared at and talked about, then washing, cooking, cleaning, disciplining, teaching, working HARD yet being loved, appreciated and cared about. Call me old fashioned, but I love being a woman. So regardless of my skin color, I'm living every day here and will live every day back home, loving the way God made me.
"She is more precious than Rubies; nothing you desire can compare to her." -Proverbs 3:15
Dulce :)
P.S. The boys continue to learn as I continue to teach and discipline. There is desperate need of some re-structuring in this program, but I'm confident that again, God has everything under control. Please continue to pray as God is shaping the people of I Love Baseball.
Saludos y bendiciones desde la Republica Dominican!
Well that's how I felt today. Except, it wasn't just a room, it was an entire market place! Kind of like a flea-market, but with way more people than you can imagine, all staring at the "rubia americana" passing through. I felt like an alien. If you know me pretty well, you know that one of my biggest insecurities is the color of my skin. Having to explain that you're of Mexican descent, but have light skin because you're from northern Mexico and have Spanish roots, is only fun telling the first couple times. By now I'd rather wear a sign around my neck or tattoo it on my forehead. On the flip side, however, I have to admit that I love knowing what people around me are saying and catch them totally off guard when I look at them and say..."cuidado con lo que dices por que entiendo todo." Priceless looks on their faces.
But regardless of how many times I have to say it, or smile at the comments I get, one thing always strikes me when I question why God made me the way he did. In all his power and all his glory and all his wonder, he made me with light skin, light eyes, and light hair for a reason. The Dominicans here that I've become very close to, whom are like a second family to me, absolutely love me the way I am. Something I've had to learn to do, love myself, be ok with me, look in the mirror and like what I see.
As we walked through the market, me and my new great friend Paola, we talked as if we had known each other for years. She would tell me what foods we were looking for, I would say hi to those who were selling (friends of hers, of course), and though they stared, Paola just said, "vamos Dulce, te miran porque eres bella." It's like she knew I was starting to feel uncomfortable that the people were staring. Yet, I felt comfortable with her.
When we finally got back to the casa, I headed back to the kitchen and wanted to get in on the cooking. I've been learning and loving it! Our cooks here are amazing and they have no problems letting me watch and ask questions. "Mira, mexicana, asi lo hacen en tu pais?"
"Casi igual." Not so much from scratch though, at least not in the states. I mean you're talkin' lemonade from straight lemons, sugar, and water. Tostones, fried plantains, from the tree to the bubbling oil. Legit! SO YUMMY!!!!
You won't believe this though, I've been washing by hand! Boo yaaaa, taking it WAY back! Washing my socks and underwear took me two hours, can't even lie about that. Yes, they do have a washer here, but not a dryer and I'm not about to have my chonies hanging on the line for all of Barahona to see! Are you kidding me!?!? So I took a bucket, some water from a big basin, and some detergent, headed up my bathroom and scrubbed away. Imaginate, aye Dios! Shout out to my abuelas for doing this everyday way back when! Remember when I said God was showing me things? He's showing me how to appreciate what I have, don't even worry! Ques que washing machines y water heaters, tas loca! Have I mentioned that I love cold showers? Well there ya go.
Oh, the joys of being a woman. Being stared at and talked about, then washing, cooking, cleaning, disciplining, teaching, working HARD yet being loved, appreciated and cared about. Call me old fashioned, but I love being a woman. So regardless of my skin color, I'm living every day here and will live every day back home, loving the way God made me.
"She is more precious than Rubies; nothing you desire can compare to her." -Proverbs 3:15
Dulce :)
P.S. The boys continue to learn as I continue to teach and discipline. There is desperate need of some re-structuring in this program, but I'm confident that again, God has everything under control. Please continue to pray as God is shaping the people of I Love Baseball.
Saludos y bendiciones desde la Republica Dominican!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Curve ball. Going down swinging.
What a week! A mix of emotions, plenty of sun, a plethora of mosquito bites, baseball and English classes has put my mind and body on overload. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving every minute of it, but did you ever imagine that things would be one way and they end being completely different?
The first day I got here I felt aweful. The heat was a little overbearing compared to the cool, rainy weather in Seattle. After such a long day of traveling, adjusting to the time difference, feeling as though I was living in a sauna, and getting my system used to Dominican foods, my body went into freak out mode. No bueno.
After a true sabbath day of rest, I felt better and ready to take on week 1. But my, oh my, did I have any idea of what the Lord had in store for me here.
I was so excited to see the boys! They didn't know I would be coming and they were so surprised! Thier smiles were brighter than the sun and they sounded ready to begin English classes.
Once we got started, they seemed eager to learn and their assessment exams went better than I had hoped. But after a few days, the teenage boys started acting up. I guess there is a part of teaching that I hadn't thought about; the discipline part. I think I've managed pretty well so far. I've set some rules and had to make a few kids give me some laps around the field. But I can see some respect developing on their part. They raise their hands instead of shouting out answers. They call me Senora Garza during class and Dulce outside of class. They pay attention when I'm speaking. Learning is happening.
The organization is in need of some serious prayer. My team has had daily meetings about what we can do to better the program, keep people accountable, and develop some structure, but this is an incredible curve ball I didn't see coming. I'm going down swinging, no doubt, but I know I can't do it alone.
I'm excited to keep working. I'm anxious to see change. I'm praying for strength and wisdom. I've said before that God is big and I believe it, wholeheartedly. But when I experience some big obstacles, have times when I realize that the world's problems are so much bigger than me, that's when my faith becomes real to me. That is when God's purpose starts to make sense to me. That is when God is God.
The first day I got here I felt aweful. The heat was a little overbearing compared to the cool, rainy weather in Seattle. After such a long day of traveling, adjusting to the time difference, feeling as though I was living in a sauna, and getting my system used to Dominican foods, my body went into freak out mode. No bueno.
After a true sabbath day of rest, I felt better and ready to take on week 1. But my, oh my, did I have any idea of what the Lord had in store for me here.
I was so excited to see the boys! They didn't know I would be coming and they were so surprised! Thier smiles were brighter than the sun and they sounded ready to begin English classes.
Once we got started, they seemed eager to learn and their assessment exams went better than I had hoped. But after a few days, the teenage boys started acting up. I guess there is a part of teaching that I hadn't thought about; the discipline part. I think I've managed pretty well so far. I've set some rules and had to make a few kids give me some laps around the field. But I can see some respect developing on their part. They raise their hands instead of shouting out answers. They call me Senora Garza during class and Dulce outside of class. They pay attention when I'm speaking. Learning is happening.
The organization is in need of some serious prayer. My team has had daily meetings about what we can do to better the program, keep people accountable, and develop some structure, but this is an incredible curve ball I didn't see coming. I'm going down swinging, no doubt, but I know I can't do it alone.
I'm excited to keep working. I'm anxious to see change. I'm praying for strength and wisdom. I've said before that God is big and I believe it, wholeheartedly. But when I experience some big obstacles, have times when I realize that the world's problems are so much bigger than me, that's when my faith becomes real to me. That is when God's purpose starts to make sense to me. That is when God is God.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The adventure begins!
35F- my seat on the plane. "Window seat, yes!" I said to myself. At least I could lean on the window to sleep. It would be a long night. My flight left at 11:45 pm and would be arriving in Atlanta at 7:35 the next morning (4:35 Seattle time). Then come walking down the plane aisle four Asians, speaking loudly. 2 sit by me. "If they talk the whole night....les voy a decir algo por que sabes que I'm tired," I thought to myself. The plane takes off, the lights turn off and the talking continues. "Aye, Dios ayudame." About 10 minutes later, silence. Yessssss. I start to doze off and the homeboy behind me starts snoring as if he's sleeping on a King size mattress with 7 pillows. "Are you kidding me!?!?!" But it's not just the normal kind of snoring....it's the snoring with his mouth hanging open mixed with funny breathing and occasional coughs. The definition of annoying. "Ok, Candice, relax. Just turn on your ipod." So I do. But does Candice have any slow, quiet music to sleep to? Of course not! So I decide to listen to "Alpha and Omega" by Isreal & New Breed. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. So after about 5 times of listening to the song and dozing in and out of sleep a few times, I thought maybe the snoring would have stopped?
Nope...needless to say, long night.
The plane arrives on time. I get off the plane and Atlanta is up and moving. There's no way I can sleep in the airport. Great. I head to the bathroom to try and freshen up. After heading to my gate and looking over my passport and boarding pass, I noticed that my ticket didn't have a seat number. What!?!??! I'm a little worried, so I go to the service desk.
"Uh, sir, my ticket doesn't seem to have a seat number on it? I can't miss this flight!" I must have sounded very nervous. He asked for my ticket, looked at me and smiled. I gave him a nervous smile back. "There you go Miss Garza. Enjoy your flight."
"Thank you sir," I said back without even glancing at the ticket. Once the Delta staff starting announcing boarding zones, I finally looked to see when I could board. No zone number. "Aye," I thought, "they just fixed it. I'm boarding anyway." They scan my ticket and I head onto the plane. As I board the plane, I look at the seat number 1D. 1D? "Cool, I get to sit in the front!"
As I go down the aisle looking for my seat, I immediately notice that my seat is indeed at the front of the plane. The very front. FIRST CLASS FRONT. "Holy crap! Is this a mistake? Should I tell someone? Maybe they messed up? Heck no, I want to sit here! What is this is someone else's seat and then I have to wait for the next flight? Crap, what do I do?" I thought to myself.
"Uh ma'am. Is this right?" I asked the stewardess.
"Yes, Miss Garza. Here's your seat. Would you like something to drink? Champagne? Orange juice? A mimosa?"
"Uhhhhhhhhh...I'll have an orange juice?" I answered, still with hesitation.
"Fantastic. Coming right up. Let me know if there is anything else you need." There was a pillow, a blanket, and a water bottle waiting for me at my seat. Another window seat.
How did this happen? I mean what are the chances? "Really, Lord? This is too awesome!" I sat down and began reading a provided magazine. As others began boarding the plane I got countless looks like, "Dang, I wish I was sitting there." I just smiled back, thinking, "Mi Dios es Grandeeeeeeeeeeee"
After a pleasant flight, I arrived in Santo Domingo. Just walking off the plane, the humidity hit me like a ton of bricks. "Here we go!" I thought.
I had to wait at the airport for about an hour for another team from Orlando that would be traveling with me to Barahona. This would be another 3 hour bumpy bus ride. That might of been the longest hour of my life. What if they left without me? I didn't know who I was looking for! I just scanned the large crowd for White people. As funny as that sounds, it was the truth! Finally I spotted a man with a COTN shirt. COTN is the organization I was coming with. I ran over and introduced myself. "O si, Dulce, te tavamos esperando."
"Gloria Dios," dije, "ya estoy lista pa irme!" Bueno ya estan todos. Vamonos.
The bus ride was quite bumpy. The traffic in the capitol was unreal. Much worse then Seattle. Maybe because there aren't any stop lights at intersections here! Everyone just kinda goes when they want. Go. Brake! Go. Brake! I could feel the headache coming...
I started dozing off, as it had been way past 24 hours since I had actually slept. Then I started seeing some flashes. The brightness woke me up. "Is someone taking pictures back there?" I asked one of my new friends. No, that's lightning. See. She pointed outside toward the mountains. Multiple strikes of bright lightning lit up the sky. I'm talking fireworks! "No way! This is incredible!!" I stayed awake watching an incredible light show, in awe of God's might hand. Never did I think lightning could be so beautiful. We still had about another hour and a half of driving and it was getting dark. Suddenly the rain starting falling, hard. "Lord, protect this bus."
The bus driver looked like he was getting nervous and I started feeling some shaking. "Oh my God, are we having an earthquake!?!?!?!" Noooooooooooo!!"
No earthquake. But suddenly the bus turned off. "Alamangas!" In the middle of nowhere!! The driver announced. "Uh, people we're having some bus problems, but don't worry I have a backup plan!"
"Lord, start this bus! Por favooooooor!!!!"
Minuets late the driver hopped back on, turned the ignition and the bus turned on.
"Alabale quien vive!!" I shouted. The dominicans on the bus laughed and said Amen. The white people looked at me like I was talking jibberish.
"I speak Spanish," I enlightened them.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, really? How did you learn?" I gave my regular shpeal...
"I know, I look White...blah, blah, blah, but I'm Mexican, blah blah blah, my grandparents are from the ranch in northern mexico blah blah blah..."
Soon enough we arrived to the casa. I met my team, settled into my room, went over some plans for the week, showered, and hit my pillow.
"Thank you Lord for getting me here safely...please just keep me healthy..."
Nope...needless to say, long night.
The plane arrives on time. I get off the plane and Atlanta is up and moving. There's no way I can sleep in the airport. Great. I head to the bathroom to try and freshen up. After heading to my gate and looking over my passport and boarding pass, I noticed that my ticket didn't have a seat number. What!?!??! I'm a little worried, so I go to the service desk.
"Uh, sir, my ticket doesn't seem to have a seat number on it? I can't miss this flight!" I must have sounded very nervous. He asked for my ticket, looked at me and smiled. I gave him a nervous smile back. "There you go Miss Garza. Enjoy your flight."
"Thank you sir," I said back without even glancing at the ticket. Once the Delta staff starting announcing boarding zones, I finally looked to see when I could board. No zone number. "Aye," I thought, "they just fixed it. I'm boarding anyway." They scan my ticket and I head onto the plane. As I board the plane, I look at the seat number 1D. 1D? "Cool, I get to sit in the front!"
As I go down the aisle looking for my seat, I immediately notice that my seat is indeed at the front of the plane. The very front. FIRST CLASS FRONT. "Holy crap! Is this a mistake? Should I tell someone? Maybe they messed up? Heck no, I want to sit here! What is this is someone else's seat and then I have to wait for the next flight? Crap, what do I do?" I thought to myself.
"Uh ma'am. Is this right?" I asked the stewardess.
"Yes, Miss Garza. Here's your seat. Would you like something to drink? Champagne? Orange juice? A mimosa?"
"Uhhhhhhhhh...I'll have an orange juice?" I answered, still with hesitation.
"Fantastic. Coming right up. Let me know if there is anything else you need." There was a pillow, a blanket, and a water bottle waiting for me at my seat. Another window seat.
How did this happen? I mean what are the chances? "Really, Lord? This is too awesome!" I sat down and began reading a provided magazine. As others began boarding the plane I got countless looks like, "Dang, I wish I was sitting there." I just smiled back, thinking, "Mi Dios es Grandeeeeeeeeeeee"
After a pleasant flight, I arrived in Santo Domingo. Just walking off the plane, the humidity hit me like a ton of bricks. "Here we go!" I thought.
I had to wait at the airport for about an hour for another team from Orlando that would be traveling with me to Barahona. This would be another 3 hour bumpy bus ride. That might of been the longest hour of my life. What if they left without me? I didn't know who I was looking for! I just scanned the large crowd for White people. As funny as that sounds, it was the truth! Finally I spotted a man with a COTN shirt. COTN is the organization I was coming with. I ran over and introduced myself. "O si, Dulce, te tavamos esperando."
"Gloria Dios," dije, "ya estoy lista pa irme!" Bueno ya estan todos. Vamonos.
The bus ride was quite bumpy. The traffic in the capitol was unreal. Much worse then Seattle. Maybe because there aren't any stop lights at intersections here! Everyone just kinda goes when they want. Go. Brake! Go. Brake! I could feel the headache coming...
I started dozing off, as it had been way past 24 hours since I had actually slept. Then I started seeing some flashes. The brightness woke me up. "Is someone taking pictures back there?" I asked one of my new friends. No, that's lightning. See. She pointed outside toward the mountains. Multiple strikes of bright lightning lit up the sky. I'm talking fireworks! "No way! This is incredible!!" I stayed awake watching an incredible light show, in awe of God's might hand. Never did I think lightning could be so beautiful. We still had about another hour and a half of driving and it was getting dark. Suddenly the rain starting falling, hard. "Lord, protect this bus."
The bus driver looked like he was getting nervous and I started feeling some shaking. "Oh my God, are we having an earthquake!?!?!?!" Noooooooooooo!!"
No earthquake. But suddenly the bus turned off. "Alamangas!" In the middle of nowhere!! The driver announced. "Uh, people we're having some bus problems, but don't worry I have a backup plan!"
"Lord, start this bus! Por favooooooor!!!!"
Minuets late the driver hopped back on, turned the ignition and the bus turned on.
"Alabale quien vive!!" I shouted. The dominicans on the bus laughed and said Amen. The white people looked at me like I was talking jibberish.
"I speak Spanish," I enlightened them.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, really? How did you learn?" I gave my regular shpeal...
"I know, I look White...blah, blah, blah, but I'm Mexican, blah blah blah, my grandparents are from the ranch in northern mexico blah blah blah..."
Soon enough we arrived to the casa. I met my team, settled into my room, went over some plans for the week, showered, and hit my pillow.
"Thank you Lord for getting me here safely...please just keep me healthy..."
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
3 Days and counting!
Since my departure from Barahona, Dominican Republic last December, I've been praying for the day that I would get to return to that small town that I'd fallen in love with. Although my purpose for going was to do some reporting on the I Love Baseball program, God's purpose was much more meaningful.
Baseball for me was work, entertainment, fun. Baseball for these guys was HOPE. Hope for a better future, an escape from poverty, a chance to better their community. What I learned in one short week is difficult to put in words, but I can say that my faith was challenged, my heart was filled with joy and compassion, and my life would be changed forever.
Now, 6 months later, God has finally said "It's your turn, mija."
I am excited. I am anxious. I am nervous. I am................GOING!
3 more days, and I will return to the place that captured my heart to teach English, inspire a team, and work with an organization with an incredible goal, to educate future MLB players in mind, body, and spirit.
Thanks for following me on this summer adventure! I am so excited to share my heart and update you on the progress of the team. Expect to see many pictures, videos, and posts on what God is doing in Barahona, Dominican Republic.
Mi Dios es Grande!
Dulce
Baseball for me was work, entertainment, fun. Baseball for these guys was HOPE. Hope for a better future, an escape from poverty, a chance to better their community. What I learned in one short week is difficult to put in words, but I can say that my faith was challenged, my heart was filled with joy and compassion, and my life would be changed forever.
Now, 6 months later, God has finally said "It's your turn, mija."
I am excited. I am anxious. I am nervous. I am................GOING!
3 more days, and I will return to the place that captured my heart to teach English, inspire a team, and work with an organization with an incredible goal, to educate future MLB players in mind, body, and spirit.
Thanks for following me on this summer adventure! I am so excited to share my heart and update you on the progress of the team. Expect to see many pictures, videos, and posts on what God is doing in Barahona, Dominican Republic.
Mi Dios es Grande!
Dulce
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