Moving to the Dominican Republic amidst a pandemic has obviously brought many challenges: strict daily curfew, masks, quarantine, and many other factors that limit the freedoms that we have taken for granted. And while we know that they have aided in the safety of the people in the DR, it has made for some tough times. One of the issues that I have had to wrestle with is a major reduction of social interaction for my kids. Both Brennan and Ava are such outgoing individuals who thrive in social settings. While we knew there would be challenges for our kids in the area of friends when we committed to serving the Lord abroad, we had no idea that it would mean online school, minimal trips from the house and weeks of isolation from various quarantines.
Through it all though, they have been so perseverant and have really focused on the positive. The two of them are doing so well and are embracing the adventure of life in the DR. We check in often and they highlight the fun experiences we have had, the silly moments from their peers in their zoom meetings, and the appreciation of the new friendships they have begun to form in the five months we have been here.
They have even begun to build friendships with a couple local boys. Dominicans are very social and usually are open to embrace their neighbors. With COVID, however, that has been the opposite. Our first month we were here was the highest spike in cases for the country, so there were no kids running around the neighborhood and very little interaction with our neighbors. Slowly though, those walls have broken down and we have gotten to know our neighbors more and more, and have had our front street transform to the after school sports-complex. Recently, they had a two-on-two soccer game going on with lots of sweat, giggles and enjoyment.
No matter what the trials are, God is proving that He is faithful to break down all walls and barriers. Nothing is too small to be used in His favor, even a dirt road and a soccer ball.