Happy Easter

Hola! ¿Como estas? Estoy bien. Este semana estaba un chin dificil para mi porque en el acomapento que estaba en, la majoritia de la hente hablan espanol y mi espanol no es muy bieno. Desculpame si tu puedes hablar espanol, como yo diga, mi espanol es horrible especialmente cuando yo nessicito lo escribe. Tambien, todo de este escribio por mi, sin la ayuda de un dictionario, otro personas, computadora (por que mi computadora no tiene la programa en “microsoft word” para correjir escribiando en espanol) y cocas como eso. Un otra cosa, paradoname otra ves, perro algono de estes palabras (estoy segeuero) eren incorrecto. El razon que yo estoy haciendo este es hacir un punto.

How was reading that? How many of you actually read it and how many just skipped down to the English part. We if you did try to read it, that was a little taste of what this past week was like for me. I was couselor for a camp. SUYO was the name of the camp and if was for children between the ages of I think about 7 to 14 and, oh yes, they spoke spanish. So it was a little frustrating. Plus, I really missed our friends that didn't come with us (the Africa team). We'ce been together night and day for the past two and a half months that this was the first time we'd really been separated. It was pretty hard BUT...I GET TO SEE THEM TOMORROW! I'm really excited.

The week wasn't all bad though. There were plenty of good times. I tell you, these kids are pretty amazing. This week for them was kind of like a little, mini DTS (that's the school that I am at if you didn't know) they had a lesson time that they practices dances and dramas and stuff like that and then on the last two days, they went out and did street evengalism (with us, the leaders of course) and we went with these kids to places that weren't exactly the best part of town. There were places were there was a pretty high crime rate, drugs, prostitution, etc. but these kids did a great job. It was really neat to see. Especially them going out and talking to the people afterwards. The were praying for people and talking to these big, bad, tough-looking thugs. and it was really really cool to see Children doing this. It was are hard camp for them too. We got up at 6:00 everyday and then had devotions, then breakfast (and by the way, they needed to eat EVERYTHING on there plate, and and they did, that was something that was hard for me too) then they had worship time and then a lesson. Then intercession, then lunch. And then they had outreach practice (mostly dancing) for three hours. They got a couple hours of free time after that and then dinner. After dinner was another worship time and then another lesson then bed time. So as you can see it was a really busy week for these guys but they did a great job. We were all very tired by the end of the end. Oh by the way HAPPY EASTER!! So that's pretty much what this week was like.

Well, we go back to the base today and then have about a week and a half more of classes and with our friends (the Africa team) that then we are off to the second part of our national outreach phase, which will be about to weeks. Then we all meet together again and go to Porta Plata for the YWAM Caribbean conference were we will be staying at and all exclusive hotel (seriously) Then....HAITI for a month (but away from our other friends, the Africa team) then....then....it's over:( But I don't want to think about that now. Though don't get me wrong, I do miss you guys very much and am excited to see you all again. However, I think I'm probably not going to go home right away after the DTS. I might go to Haiti for a little while or to the capital, I'm not sure yet. Well, and my family is coming too, for a week after I graduate. So, yeah, that's that.
umm...let's see, what else had been going on? It seems like it's been a while sense I last wrote. well, it's been raining a lot. Umm...OH, I know! I have a bone to pick with some of you. I wrote several of you emails and expected to come back after not checking my email for two weeks and only three of you replied. Those of you who did, I thank you very much. and, those of you who didn't well, you can just....write me now :) It's all good. well, I think that's about it for now. I should be able to write next weekend too so, until then. Adios!

Things are definately different here...

Well I'm at the house of Pedro and Nicole right now, we just got back from town. We eat these things called chimmies, they are really good. They're like hamburgers, kind of, but way better. We didn't really do much today. We drove around town for a while because Pedro had some business with some friends. We did get a rock thrown at our van. ummm...I also met one of Pedro's friends that is also a rapper and we heard some of his music. Oh, we also visited Pedro's aunt's house and stayed there for a while. I love the dominican culture, they are so hospitable. I recomend reading the book "Foreign to Familiar" it's really good and short but it explains a lot about Latino culture. It was also funny. something very interesting happened to be today. Pedro's aunt was visiting and I had met her before (the first time I came) and she knows some english and we were talking a little. Then she started talking to Pedro's mom and the she turned to me and asked if I knew what she said. And I kind of did, she said "oh, you look so much better, you are more-how do you say...fatter?" To be honest I didn't really know how to talk that. I think it was suppost to be a complement. I couldn't help but laugh a little. Things are so different here. The other day I was talking with Diego (a Dominican) and Mike (an American) and Diego was saying "...yeah I am more skinny and he is more-what's the word? Gordo?" And I was think "Oh my gosh, you can't say that." Then I asked Diego later if it was a insult to call someone fat and he said "oh no, of course not" and then he called over another Dominican girl and said "how would you feel if I called you fat? You're fat." And she said "Sorry I just like the foods" and they laught. And I was telling them how in American it is a big insult to call someone, especially a girl, fat. And the were amazing. A Dominica girl was telling me the other day "yeah, I like my body now, I used to be very skinny" and I was like "wow, that is so different from the US. I though all that was interesting. But yes, in case all of you are wondering I have put on some weight (as you can probably tell from the pictures) but you try living here, the food is SO GOOD.
While I was here we also went a saw this big, beautiful catholic church. They were having a service when I was there and it was kinda creepy. Also we went a saw some beautiful homes. There was this one that was like a castle and guards (statues) and everything. It also had the weird stone, creepy face looking thing. But it was really pretty. Well anyhow, I think that's about all I have to say for now. I might try to make another entry tomorrow, but I'm not sure. This is the last we of classes, after that we start are national outreach. The first week of it, we (the Haiti team) will be working at a Dominican Bible camp called SUYO (translates to "His")then I'm not really sure where we will be after that. I don't think they have internet there some it will probably be at least two weeks before I write again, but who knows. Keep the Africa team in yours prayers because they still have A LOT of money to raise and a short amount of time to do it in. Also, my spanish is getting better, but still please keep that in mind too.
Also, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT. My address here has change (sigh) yet once again. here it is:

Lauren McConkey
Unit 3027-YWAM/DR/DTS
3170 Airmans Drive
Fort Pierce, FL 34946

P.S. CONGRATULATIONS QUEEN KATIE!!! And someone please tell Jess that she looked so beautiful at Snow week!