Well, it’s been ten days now and I feel like I’m settling in- at least on some level. My Spanish has expanded considerably even during this short time. Being so immersed in the language has allowed for rapid growth.

This Sunday was one of my favorite days so far. In the morning I attended a Haitian Church in the community of Soto. Hector (the pastor and also a part of the TEARS team) and his family live in a house joined to the back of the church. For those of you who have been, you can testify that it is a very energetic atmosphere.

They sang with passion, praising the Lord with liberated hearts. At one point in the service the entire congregation fell to their knees and began crying out in prayer. I looked nervously around at the people next to me, feeling quite like a gringo at this point, and decided I would kneel as well. Hector gave the message amid many hallelujahs and amens, and at the end we all embraced each other in brotherly love.

During the afternoon I went for an adventure with my friends Aneudi and Giovanni. We walked up a vast hillside and through another barrio called Guaigui. A few hitch-hikes later we arrived at a beautiful river. I enjoyed a good solid hour of peace, soaking in the cold, refreshing water. On the way back we picked guavas off the trees, munching on the peels, the seeds- everything. Natural and delicious.

On Monday I helped a team from Minnesota build a path behind Rod’s place. The heat was incredible; I really felt like heading over to the salon and just getting a buzz cut. It was good work though, and I enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the team.

Starting work has stirred up a lot of excitement and anticipation. I have already taken about 250 photos, and we hope to use many more as we work on updating the TEARS website. Our objectives for the summer are to get all the news, text, photos etc. updated, as well as research Child Sponsorship programs and start a TEARS School blog. My job will chiefly involve journalism and computer work.

My health has been good so far, and I feel at home with my family. Praise the Lord that he has been at my side helping me along and teaching me what it means to humble myself and to serve.

P.S.-Questions? Comments? Things you would like to see posted?
Send me a message. derek.sproule@gmail.com

Week one. What a roller coaster ride.

It has been very challenging adjusting to this culture. The first day I kept thinking: “Wow, what have I gotten myself into?” Speaking Spanish all day and enduring the intense heat was exhausting; by the end of Sunday I had a headache from the noise level. But I praise God for how he has helped me adapt and bond with my family and those around me in the community.

I have spent most of this week visiting friends, hanging out, learning the language and familiarizing myself with popular games and sports. The guys my age really enjoy soccer and basketball, while the younger children are crazy about baseball. Dominoes, card games and playing marbles in the streets are common social activities.

The barrio is very crowded and children can always be found running about, climbing trees to grab mangoes or chasing after bike tires (this is another fun game for the younger children). There are also lots of dogs. Initially I was afraid of them but I soon realized they were much more afraid of me; the people teach them to fear humans. Music is always blasting out of cars, houses, or corner stores (colmados) and the people love to point their speakers out facing the street so everyone can hear.

One thing I found interesting is the people don’t seem to mind all the noise. It doesn’t matter if it’s midnight- our neighbors (the Miguel family) enjoy cranking up traditional Mexican music, bachata or salsa and chilling out- sometimes dancing or playing the accordion in front of their house.

I have really enjoyed being able to see my friends again. People here are very hospitable; upon entering they will offer you the best chair they have to sit down in and ask if you care for coffee or cola etc. They like to talk about whatever, and bringing up God or a spiritual topic right from the get-go is not a problem. I don’t know if they are more trusting or if the value intimacy more, but it has been very interesting to talk about Jesus and the Bible and learn how Dominicans view life.

Life with my family has been very different from what I’m used to. I am living in a house with eight people: Maria and Antonio, Domingo (Dudo), Geronimo, Stephanie, Roberto, Flore and Oscar. I have very little time to myself, which contrasts starkly to the way I have lived in Calgary over the last year. On Thursday I walked to Rod’s house (about 20 minutes outside the barrio) and just read for a while. That was super refreshing. But, for the most part, I am surrounded by people and the stress of trying to understand and speak a new language. It is very tiring; I find no trouble crashing around ten at night even despite all surrounding sounds.

I have a good sized room with a comfortable bed and plenty of drawers for storage. Most of my clothes are just hanging on nails along the wall. I use a bucket and a cup for showering and my diet consists mainly of rice, beans, chicken, salad, tropical fruits and plantanes.

Next week Joy, Robert and I will begin work in the afternoons. Our primary task is to work on web updates. When all is said and done, I have to say I really enjoyed my first week here. The good outweighed the bad.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

“What we do in life echoes in eternity.”
MAXIMUS

Thinking about the adventure before me has been both exciting and frightening. Who knows what I will encounter? Many challenges, no doubt, and much responsibility. But that was not the primary theme of my thoughts as I awoke this morning. As I looked out the plane, sheets of water slithering across my window and asphalt speeding by, I felt a tinge of sadness, but also a surge of determination. This is where God has called me.

My brother Eldon left me with the charge this morning: “Do great things. Be a history maker.” As the plane burst up through the clouds into a vast valley of white, I could not help but praise God. For me, it seemed to symbolize the newness and freedom that lies ahead.

Flying executive class was awesome. I was treated to a good breakfast and comfortable space. I crashed right after finishing my omelet…four hours of sleep last night was not enough. A few safety videos and seatbelt reminders later, I landed safely in Toronto- en route to Puerto Plata.

Joy and Vidal- along with some other friends- picked me up at the airport and drove me to their place for the night. I enjoyed a cold, refreshing shower and it didn’t take long for me to fall asleep after that. The last thing I heard was the hum of a fan, with a few dogs barking in the background.