Safe, Sound…and a Moto Driver!

I have arrived! And already the time has been full of blessings and surprises! 

The first of which was the Shauls picked me up at the airport in Santo Domingo! As I'm bee-lining for a taxi, Kristen is shouting my name and even left her baby in a waitress' care to catch me! So, I got to spend the two hour ride to San Juan catching up with Miguel, Kristen and having little Olivia suck on my finger instead of spending it on the bus! Praise God! 

When we arrived at Ronnie and Patria's apartment that evening, I was greeted to a room that had just been painted in my favorite color by some of the Dominican Rising (Amance Dominicana) students! Equipped with a bed frame, and a…3/4 bath, (It doesn't have a sink.) my heart sunk just a bit as I remembered the prayer that two friends had prayed for me the day before,

 "And Lord we just ask that Shannon has a place to hang or put her clothes. It may seem like a small thing, but it's a big thing for her."

 As I envisioned myself living out of my 3 suitcases for the summer, Ronnie said they were preparing the room for future guests so if I needed anything, to let him know. With an opening like that, I made my request known. He replied,

"Oh, I had a bookshelf in there this morning and took it out because I thought it took up too much space."

 Enter 5 shelf bookshelf here! 

After that came a couple hours of unpacking, and just when I was ready to give up, Patria walks in with a frozen pina colada! It doesn't get much better than that, let me tell you! Ronnie has also been working hard replacing an outlet that denied me a fan the first nigh and fixing a leak in the bathroom. They are truly treating me well! 

 

Their rooftop has also allowed me a relief from the heat in the evenings and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city I'm sowing into. = Bliss! 

Today, I became a moto driver. My life, nor my mode of transportation, may never be the same.  I was given a wonderful hour and a half lesson by Amance student, Laritza who drives a bike similar to my own. Gracious, patient and less nervous than I was, she led me step by step. While riding on the back of hers, she pointed out how to shift and slow down. When she had me start my own and then try to jump on with me, we both fell over! "It's ok," she said in English as she literally picked me up off the ground. I decided that was the first and last time that would happen. In fact, the fall drew attention from neighboring friends who came to tell us they didn't think what we were doing was a good idea. Laritza changed her tactics a bit at this point and had us both jump on hers again although I was driving from behind. When my steering got us onto the sidewalk, she changed again and allowed me to just practice on hers. Truly a trusting woman! I did fine on her smaller bike as she drove beside me on my own. When we transitioned back to our own motos, I did great and was ready for the road…just as it started to rain. 

Pastor Manuel is picking me up tonight, and we'll drive our motos into the village of Mogollon. Stay posted here as I meet with my friends there, and my schedule starts up this weekend. Fotos to follow!

Blessings!