Hannah Collins 2024

This first full day in the Dominican Republic has been full of joy and LOTS of rain! We drove for over an hour to attend a Haitian church in La Vega, and we all were amazed at the faith of their church and congregation. I was sitting in church, and Jesus kept pointing out a baby a little younger than my 1 year old, so I moved to sit near that baby and his mama. In all of her generosity, that mother let me hold her son. This sweet baby looked into my eyes, until he trusted me, and I felt him getting tired in my lap. I stroked his brow just like I do with my kids at home, and he fell asleep on my chest in the middle of church. What a privilege to experience the ways that Jesus and mothering can transcend language and culture! I am thankful. Tomorrow we will start our various work projects: building a bathroom in a Haitian church, leading a kids sports camp, and getting to know the people we are serving! 2 people in our group will also be working at Mission of Hope's medical clinic. Praise God from whom all blessings (including this large amount of rain) flow!