Dominican Republic, June 9, 2012

          Yesterday began the First Baptist Sarasota Youth mission trip to the Dominican Republic. We left Sarasota for Miami and had a LONG bus ride! The whole group could barely contain its excitement on the bus (most were singing Spanish songs non-stop). When we got to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home campus, we were greeted warmly by Howie and were fed a much appreciated snack.

Most of us slept for only a couple hours before we woke up at 4am and were shuttled off to the airport for our first flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico. That flight was very comfy, and most of the missionaries took naps. In San Juan we had a four hour lay over in which we explored, ate Subway and Cinnabons, and Matt won Phase 10! We then boarded a puddle hopper to Santiago, D.R.. This flight was a little scary for most of us, including a couple of people who had to pray not to throw up.  

When we arrived in the D.R. our team made it through customs fairly smoothly. After we paid our entry tax, and obtained our passport stamps, all 16 of us piled into (what seemed like a 12 person) our van, complete with luggage piled high on top! Pastor Ruddy was more than excited to meet us upon our arrival. He even bear-hugged Mark! Ruddy adds even more intensity to our excitement of being here serving.

We were treated to a dinner of chicken, bread, veggies, and plantains. We have been spending the whole night thus far practicing songs for tomorrow’s church service and coming up with a schedule for how we will run it.

Now we are getting ready to root for the Celtics in Game 7 before bed!!!  Ruddy also stopped by the hotel around 8:30 to talk to us and get us even more pumped. Mr. Ruddy is a wonderful man who is completely faithful to God. He is bursting with excitement for us to be here with him and his children at the "Cien Fuegos Center" this week. Please pray for our team and Pastor Ruddy.