Sorry for not posting on day two! We arrived at the hotel late after an amazing local church service, hard work throughout the day, and a lovely dinner with Mission Emanuel!
On day three, we spent more time getting to know the people of Cielo and the history of Santo Domingo. The day began with recess at the Mission Emanuel Elementary School. Playing with the kids on the playground was extremely rewarding. The kids were happy, and they enjoyed being with “the Americanos” (words of the little ones). Likewise, we were given the opportunity to assist the students during their gym class. We ran, stretched, and led a few races (another fulfilling experience). After our time with the kids at the school, we spent time playing baseball with many young kids around the neighborhood. We learned that the children in Cielo are very talented and can hit balls out of the park! This cultural experience came with much gratification. In a similar fashion, we headed to Colonial Town and partook on an enriching tour. We saw many historical buildings like the first cathedral ever built in America and we learned valuable information about the Dominican Republic. We learned about the conflict between the DR and Hatti, how and when they received their independence, the meaning of their flag (Blue=the sky and sea, Red= blood, & white=peace), ect. We ended the night with a dinner at a local restaurant and ate authentic dishes! We’ve gained so much knowledge and are looking forward to learning more as we approach the final day of the trip!
What a wonderful learning experience for these young men!
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