27 Charcos & Retreating with the Interns

After getting oriented to the villages, school, and Puerto Plata, the interns, along with Anne, Garrett, myself, Andy, Annalie, & Emma Krone, & friends Ritchie & Brittany Sparling headed on a team-building adventure trip to 27 Charcos (27 Waterfalls). None of us had driven to the waterfalls before, so after finally spotting the TINY washed-out sign, turning around, driving through a cane field, and guessing at the fork in the road, we discovered our destination! One of the best (coolest/well-kept) tourists spots I've seen thus far, we paid our pesos, requested our guide - La Machina (The Machine), got suited up in life vests, helmets, and for those without water-type shoes, classy Dominican water shoes (yes, they are rubber and look like 1980's loafers), and were off through the jungle of the DR!

We swam/hiked/climbed/were lifted up a series of pools, waterfalls, and hills in order to get to the "top", where we proceeded to jump/swim/climb/slide down. Our guide would go before us and somehow LIFT/THROW us up from the water to the next pool or hill, then tell us exactly how and where to jump or slide down into the next pool. The natural beauty of the area was amazing, and we had so much fun that some of us are already planning on returning! We also were able to bond in the approx. 5 hours spent hiking, being magically lifted up the side of a mountain, and supporting each other as we jumped from up to 20 foot drops.

The end of the week ended with a retreat at Cabarete to further introduce the staff and their experiences thus far, discuss the roles of the interns and their projects for the summer, as well as mandatory fun and "icebreaker-vegas"...I think they might like us...and we LOVE them! It is so evident that the Lord is working and has answered prayers already.