Month 1 Update Part ONE

The DTS started exactly one month ago. It’s hard to believe I still have 4 months away from home. The time has gone by so fast, but there is still so much time left. I’m starting to get a little homesick, missing my family, my boyfriend, Ivanhoe’s (stay tuned for a complete list)…well, this will be a mini wrap-up of the last month. Here it goes:

Since this is a bi-lingual school, absolutely everything is translated. Most everyone speaks at least basic conversational English, many speak that much Spanish, and there are several bi-lingual students as well; however, because of the YWAM requirements, pretty much everything has to be changed from one language to the other. One problem with that is that it takes twice as long to say anything – when we share with each other in class about our morning devos, announcements at dinner, some prayers, and instructions for skits – everything. It was really annoying the first week, but I’m used to it now. What I do love about it is the bi-lingual worship. I could sing songs in Spanish all day; there’s just something about the way the words flow that makes praising the Lord that much sweeter. The funny thing is, some of the songs I’ve learned in Spanish, so when I go to sing them in English, if I don’t have the words to look at, I forget the words (translations aren’t always word for word exchanges, so some of the ideas are different).

I have completed 4 haircuts and have at least 2 lined up for later. Kristen said something about wanting her hair trimmed, but didn’t really want to pay for it, so I offered, as I have cut the hair of almost all of my family members. Over the next week, people wanted trims and cuts and before I knew it I had a Twix in my hand as payment for Steve’s cut. J I don’t charge, but he offered, and of course I won’t turn down a Twix! I am already known for my mom-like tendencies; Taylor calls me Mother Rachel when he sees me doing something “motherly.”

I’m sorry I haven’t included many pictures with the blog as of now. The internet connection where I upload and do everything is not the greatest, especially if there are a lot of people using it, so it takes a really long time to upload even the smallest file on this blog. If you have Facebook, I have an album just for DR pictures (they upload faster on there)!