Well, what now?

This is the end of our time working in the communities in the DR. We have done a lot this past week: become educated on poverty, microfinancing, HOPE international, etc; attend bank meetings and interview clients; play with kids, paint fingernails, and take LOTS of photos; sift sand, lift bricks, lay cement, plaster walls, and get dirty. We have asked ourselves and our teammates tough questions with notsoeasy answers, sometimes nonexistent answers. One of those questions is "Well, what now?" Life in the DR is so different than our lives in northwest Iowa. We are so comfortable in our lives that it will be easy to ease back in and forget about our experiences, or we will find it extremely difficult to merge the two worlds and we will experience reverse culture shock. How will we respond? What actions will we take based on our experiences and our newly formed beliefs? We are trying to figure out some way to effectively share out clients' stories and encourage our friends and family to live their lives with a purpose, with thought, and going with the calling of God. Be sure to ask us for details about our trip, and ask us about what are newly formed thoughts and beliefs are - especially related to poverty and charity and community development. Maybe even ask us about our thoughts on the Pentacostal church... although we probably will just shake our heads and not be able to give you an answer.