This is my fourth trip to the Dominican with Shine the Light. The more I go, the more I love it…it becomes more and more like a little reunion every time I go. I love that we continue to work in the same community because for one we get to see all our friends we’ve made from the previous trips and secondly because we can see how going there is truly making a difference. We aren’t just blowing in and blowing out…we are building relationship with some beautiful people. We are asking, “what do you need?” rather than going and giving them something they don’t need. We are not making these people thrive…we are just trying to help them survive. In one day our medical team saw 140 people. They gave out medication, diapers and formula like crazy! Every day our dental team helped relieve extreme tooth pain that they could never afford to fix and our two construction teams laboured in the plus 40 temperatures building homes. One morning I got to teach 25 moms about breastfeeding and how beneficial it is for mom and the baby. Providing these people with education has a huge impact on their communities. I am so honoured to be apart of this team that goes.
This past trip some of my family got to go with me which was a huge blessing. My parents came along for their first trip, Davo and my sweet Gemma came to experience it as well. I’m sure she’ll remember every moment…hee hee.
Now that I’m home I wonder….why do we do the things we do? Why do we work, work, work to accomplish things that don’t even matter. Why do so many want the American dream? What is the point of my life here on earth. The more I go there and see such poverty, and in the face of poverty… so much happiness…I come home and wonder why why and more why’s??!!! The more I go, the more questions I have.
The only answer I have is…I know I’m called to LOVE. And for me, this is one of the ways I can live it out. I also know that if it doesn’t hurt…I haven’t given enough.
Anyway those are a bunch of random thoughts for you today! Enjoy.
I was able to take a few family photos of people while I was there. I brought a printer along and bought some frames so I could present them with a framed family photograph at the end of the week. That was definitely a highlight for me. To see them light up when I gave it to them. 
Here are my ma and pa after a hard days work!
