65 HOURS!!

The time has finally arrived (or, almost arrived)! The Alexanders will be leaving Morgantown in 65 hours in route to the Dominican Republic! It's still a little surreal to me. I am very anxious about going! I packed last night (**finally**), so the reality has started to hit, but I still can't quite fathom what it will be like to be in a third world country. While most Americans are making Thanksgiving plans and travel arrangements, my husband and I will be in another country - where our traditional "Thanksgiving" doesn't exist. While everyone we know will be overindulging in turkey, dressing, homemade casseroles and pies, we will be eating rice and beans! While my family watches football, I will be elbow deep in concrete and construction! I have no doubt that I will be able to adapt flexibly into the DR culture, but I don't think I'm completely prepared for the shock that lies ahead of me. I don't think you can be. I've never been outside of the USA as most of you know, so I have absolutely nothing to compare this to. I am already beginning to think about what I'll be thinking! Weird, I know - but what will go through my head when I see children running around naked, knowing that I have more clothes than will fit in my TWO closets (literally, I have to store some downstairs)! When I see the tiny, leaky houses they live in - when I myself feel like my 900sq ft. house is so small. When I experience the absolute poverty of these people, while wishing that I made more money. I'm praying that God would ready me for these moments and that He would so humble me and teach me during these times!

I'm praying that God will not only do a work in the hearts and lives of the Dominican people, but that he would move in us as a group - and as individuals. That we would come back changed!! I will be journaling frequently while I'm there and upon my return I plan on posting some of my entries.. to share my experience with you all (along with photos, of course)! We just ask that you lift us up while we are gone, praying that God's purposes would be accomplished!!