The simplest way to put it is that there is the presence of love was what purely filled the air in the towns of Cielo, and Santo Domingo. Our hearts long to be filled with hope.
And that is what we saw.
Pure love.
Overwhelming joy.
And the atmosphere was full of welcoming hearts opening us Americanos with arms thrown open.
I was held tightly. I witnessed pure laughter in every interaction. Although none of us spoke Spanish perfecto. We tried, and were greeted in every home with the widest of smiles.
As I sit here, scrolling through pictures, I can't help but to see gratitude.
I wish that I had the words to describe what I feel, but I don't. I hope these pictures overwhelm you with a sense of happiness. Because that was what I saw.
Even in the silent conversations I had just sitting in a home of a stranger. Even in the patience of those who listened to my broken Spanish. Even in the frustration of having to drive back and forth. Happiness was everywhere.
Smiles were open, and laughter was the loudest.
There are so so many stories I can write to you.
Like the time we were stopped behind a banana truck. Or the time we went to visit those in the leprosorium. Or when we commentated a soccer game. Or dropping a block of concrete on my foot. Or when I spent a day in the Dominican Jail (which I would love to tell you about over a cup of coffee). Or even when we left.
But I am not going to. I am going to show you highlights, and if you would like to hear my favorite/least favorite-hardest/easiest moments, etc. I would love to meet up for coffee/tea/food/enoing to tell you. Typing out the stories would not do them justice.
Entonces, here are some pictures:
And that is what we saw.
Pure love.
Overwhelming joy.
And the atmosphere was full of welcoming hearts opening us Americanos with arms thrown open.
I was held tightly. I witnessed pure laughter in every interaction. Although none of us spoke Spanish perfecto. We tried, and were greeted in every home with the widest of smiles.
As I sit here, scrolling through pictures, I can't help but to see gratitude.
I wish that I had the words to describe what I feel, but I don't. I hope these pictures overwhelm you with a sense of happiness. Because that was what I saw.
Even in the silent conversations I had just sitting in a home of a stranger. Even in the patience of those who listened to my broken Spanish. Even in the frustration of having to drive back and forth. Happiness was everywhere.
Smiles were open, and laughter was the loudest.
There are so so many stories I can write to you.
Like the time we were stopped behind a banana truck. Or the time we went to visit those in the leprosorium. Or when we commentated a soccer game. Or dropping a block of concrete on my foot. Or when I spent a day in the Dominican Jail (which I would love to tell you about over a cup of coffee). Or even when we left.
But I am not going to. I am going to show you highlights, and if you would like to hear my favorite/least favorite-hardest/easiest moments, etc. I would love to meet up for coffee/tea/food/enoing to tell you. Typing out the stories would not do them justice.
Entonces, here are some pictures:
This is Edwin.
Edwin was a resident at the leprosarium we got to visit.
He has the sweetest, and most caring heart of anyone I have ever met.
He couldn't see. Or feel what his skin feels. Or put weight on his legs.
Neither of us were fluent in the same language. But knew enough to piece together a conversation.
His words will forever remain with me.
He repeatedly said, "a hug is something to never take for granted. No matter what you can feel or not, there is something special about our touch. And that is magic."
So I gave him a hug.
Edwin was a resident at the leprosarium we got to visit.
He has the sweetest, and most caring heart of anyone I have ever met.
He couldn't see. Or feel what his skin feels. Or put weight on his legs.
Neither of us were fluent in the same language. But knew enough to piece together a conversation.
His words will forever remain with me.
He repeatedly said, "a hug is something to never take for granted. No matter what you can feel or not, there is something special about our touch. And that is magic."
So I gave him a hug.