Wow, how is it the end of 2025 already? It seems like it was just August last week. How does time seem to move so quickly?
December is a slower month for us, with fewer teams and less work being done. We hosted our last team of the year, a group of students from Utah! They are always a great team to work with, a youthful team that is down for any adventure you’ll let them partake in. This year’s team worked to complete a week of medical clinics.
Wait, let me back up, Katelyn, and I ended November by taking a few days to stay in the colonial zone. We were supposed to go watch the Cuban National Ballet, but that was canceled, so we saw Wicked for Good, enjoyed some time by the pool, and truly rested. When we came back to San Juan, Katelyn had been planning a surprise baby shower for our friend Hannah, who is expecting. So we spent an evening celebrating her with friends!
In December, before the team’s arrival, I made the trip to Santo Domingo to welcome the Powers! Then, we hosted our staff Christmas party. Any time spent seeing friends outside of work is fun. A double bonus is when you get a little fancy and spend time together. Katelyn planned the party, and did a beautiful job!
Then Katelyn and I went to the Capitol to see the Nutcracker Ballet and pick up her cousin Ava. I’d never seen the Nutcracker, or any ballet, in person before, but as soon as I sat down in my seat, I remembered that I found the movie to be quite creepy and that it included rats. I’m not sure how that never occurred to me until then.
A few weeks ago, I decided that I needed to come home for Christmas to be with family. Even if that means suffering through the freezing weather, I had to wear my big, heavy jacket everywhere!
I was thankful to be home for the Christmas Holiday. I was able to meet my friend’s son, Jayden, and snuggle him for a whole night while laughing with friends. I met my dear friend Hollie for breakfast on her birthday, and was able to bring her a gift for her soon-to-arrive little girl. I got to spend a Sunday at Pinehills and hang out with Lydia after service. Lunch with the Shaffer family, coffee with Mike and Julie, shopping with my mom and sister, cookie day, spa day, Christmas Eve-eve party to see friends, Christmas Eve service at church, Christmas with my family, and so much more! Time is always full when I come home, but seeing the people I love fills my heart the most. I struggled leaving Indiana in August, not knowing when I would be home again, so I think I needed to be home with my family and friends more than I realized.
I returned to the DR with a full heart, knowing that in two short weeks I’ll be welcoming friends for their first visit to San Juan, but also returning teams who will get us started into a busy season. And at the end of January, Pinehills will be in San Juan, my sister and her husband will be making the trip again this year! Some of the friends who come in January met Angel, Paul, and Baruc when they were in Indiana with me in June, so they are looking forward to seeing them as well.
I’m looking forward to 2026 and what it will bring for our ministry and personally. My prayer is that it will be a year in which God will continue to be glorified through the teams that come to serve with us, through our partnership with CCSI, and new opportunities that arise. That the Lord would continue to remind us that he is in control, and everything we walk through is for His glory. We carry His light with us, and our responsibility is to shine it into every corner of the world and bring the good news of Jesus Christ.
Hoping all of you have a Happy New Year, can’t wait to see you all here in San Juan this year!
Prayer Requests:
– Trusting God in his timing
– Health and Safety for SRI staff and Ministry Assistants
