I’ve lost count of how many weeks have flown by—somehow, we’re already nearing the end of October. It feels surreal to realize I’m heading into yet another month in San Pedro. Even after almost two months here, I feel like I’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of what life is truly like in this place.

These past two weeks have been a rollercoaster—filled with both challenges and moments of joy. I’ve been sick for the second time since arriving, and it’s been strange how much my body continues to struggle adjusting to the environment. I thought it would be similar to home, but it hasn’t been.

Here in San Pedro, we often experience daily power outages. The heat is intense—draining, really—and it’s left me constantly dehydrated and physically exhausted. Some days, it takes a real toll on me mentally, emotionally, and physically. I’ve had moments where I don’t quite feel like myself, and that’s been hard.

These struggles have also led me to reflect on healthcare here. Through conversations with Dominicans living in San Pedro, I’ve learned that the local healthcare system is deeply flawed. Many doctors don’t take time to explain diagnoses or build relationships with patients, and some even perform surgeries without fully understanding the patient’s condition. It’s unsettling. Knowing that the nearest reliable hospital is in the capital—over an hour away—sometimes fills me with fear. I feel grateful that back home, access to quality healthcare is something I can count on, but here, many people don’t have that privilege or even know what that would look like.

On a lighter note, I recently went to my first baseball game here, and it was such a fun experience! San Pedro’s team, the Estrellas (Stars), played against the Leones (Lions) of Santo Domingo. I didn’t grow up watching sports, so I came in with little knowledge, but I’ve quickly learned that Dominicans are passionate about baseball. I was surprised to find out how many Dominican players go on to play in the MLB. It’s such a serious pursuit here that some young people even drop out of school to train full-time, hoping to go pro and lift their families out of poverty.

The energy at the game was electric. At first, it was pretty chill—the Estrellas were in the lead—but as the Lions started catching up, the whole stadium came alive. Fans were on their feet, the tension was high, and every home run brought an eruption of joy: drums beating, music playing, people dancing and cheering. I loved seeing how sports can bring people together and create such a powerful sense of community. It truly filled me with joy. My boss and I are now thinking about taking the women from the workshop to a game, and I’m really looking forward to sharing that experience with them.

The Estrellas’ team mascot. The teams’ colors hare Green, White, Pink and Black

As I continue my time here in San Pedro, I’m learning that this experience is as much about personal growth as it is about cultural immersion. The challenges—physical, emotional, and environmental—have stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, but they’ve also deepened my empathy and appreciation for the resilience of the people around me. Moments of joy, like the baseball game, remind me that even amid difficulty, there is always space for connection, celebration, and community. I know there is still so much more to learn and experience here, and while it hasn’t always been easy, I’m grateful for every piece of it.

^“because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:3-4

My boss enjoying her lolipop.

Picture of the field.