Dominican Republic July 26 - Day 6

Today was a wonderful mix of reflection, fellowship, and celebrating everything God has done throughout this week.

We started the morning with a delicious French toast bake before gathering with our site leads at base camp for a time of devotion, prayer, and sharing prayer requests. It was a meaningful opportunity to pause, reflect, and thank God for the relationships He has built and the work He has been doing in and through each of us.

Later in the morning, we took a bus ride to a local mall where we experienced a different side of life in the Dominican Republic. We enjoyed lunch together in the food court, picked up a few local favorites—like Dominican vanilla—and simply enjoyed spending time together.

The afternoon was a great chance to slow down with some much-needed rest as a beautiful rain shower rolled through, providing the perfect backdrop for an afternoon nap before the evening festivities.

Tonight we wrapped up the week with a celebration at base camp alongside all of the site leads and volunteers. We shared an authentic Dominican meal of soup, rice, and fresh avocados before looking back on the week together. We celebrated with stories, highlights, words of gratitude, and a video slideshow that captured so many special moments. We finished the evening with cake and coffee while saying our goodbyes to our area leads. Those farewells weren’t easy, as we’ve built meaningful friendships with so many incredible people in such a short time.

As we head to bed tonight, we’re looking forward to spending tomorrow at the beach before beginning our journey home. God has shown us so much this week—through the people we’ve met, the work we’ve been privileged to be a part of, and the lessons He’s taught us along the way. We can’t wait to bring these experiences home and share them with all of you.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. They have made this journey possible, and we are so grateful to have you walking alongside us.

- Jill G.