Wednesday, June 19 Katelyn

Hello everyone! I am part of the physical therapy site which has been a very crazy and heart-warming experience. Coming into this trip, I was excited to work in physical therapy due to the fact that I love to volunteer, and I want to eventually be in the medical field. However, I was very nervous because this was my first year at Santa Fe Christian and I did not know anyone on the Dominican Republic team. But, once our team met at the airport and we began our journey, I felt that our team became very comfortable with one another and I created new friendships.

 At the physical therapy site, every weekday except Thursdays, the team spends the morning hours at the nursing home to help mobilize and give attention to the elderly. Even though the nursing home can be frustrating at times (sometimes the residents resist being mobilized), it is always amazing to hear all the people’s different backgrounds. On Thursdays when we do not attend the nursing home, our physical therapy team goes to Genesis; the special education site which is personally my favorite! I love working with the kids and seeing the smiles on their faces.

 Through this mission trip experience, I have been pushed outside my comfort zone; especially with the language barrier. Even though I do not know any Spanish, I have learned to communicate with the people in different ways. Also, I have learned to work together as a team. Before this trip, I was somewhat independent and was determined to complete tasks on my own but, during this trip, God has shown me that tasks can be completed more efficiently together.






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