The split

Hey! So here's just a quick update about all the activity here in Santiago. We had the visit of our circuit overseer last week and the congregation officially split ! We now have the Villa Olga 

EnglishCongregation as well as the Imbert English Congreagtion. Everyone was so happy to see that we finally accomplished the goal we had set out to do earlier this year. We enjoyed out last week being together  and topped it off with a nice party on Saturday. We ate (sooooo much food ), we danced (not me ) and there were other activities like a pool, pool table and volleyball. This spot was completely secluded and BEAUTIFUL. We are excited to see some old friends returning , as well as some new ones we're meeting for the first time. For sure this will be an exciting next couple weeks!

Below you'll see pocket is alive and well! He just got a bath and he was eager to get back into the house. After that is a little snapshot of the area we had the party at. I'm telling you, this picture doesn't even do it justice! 

We hope you are all doing well and think of you often. 

Nos Vemos,

Aaron

We're baaaaack

Hello friends! We hope all is well with you and we're happy to say that we're back in Dominican Republic. We really really REALLY enjoyed our visit with all of you. Honestly, I thought I'd want to return to DR IMMEDIATELY upon returning to the states. But the love, hospitality and warmth we felt from all of you was just incredible. I wanted to stay even longer! I'll give you a little recap of our trip. 

Upon arriving Saturday , we were picked up by the Ingracias from the airport and they had us stay with them for 5 days. We enjoyed so much association and encouragement from seeing our friends again , as well as making new friends. We even met a brother who had been in DR when the English congregation was first starting here in Santiago. Wednesday morning we hopped on the ferry from Long Island and went over to Connecticut. From there on my mom went to Norwich to stay with her previous French congregation  and I went to Groton to stay with my previous English congregation. I stayed with a couple , Matt and Ella , as well as their 4 cats , Roxy, Ena, Scritz and Jake. I renamed the cats Fat Cat (Roxy), Other fat cat or That one(Ena ) , Yellow Foot( Scritz) and White Foot (Jake). These cats were sooooo.... Fuffy. And they were just adorable. When Ella would call them for food , it was a cat stampede! I felt like Simba  in the lion king when the buffalo stampede was coming at him. Scared. Alone. Begging for help. HAHA I was so grateful to Matt and Ella for letting me stay with them and we definitely had some great laughs. We had burrito babies together (see photo ) and really got to know each other better. The Groton congregation has truly grown over the last 9 months. I was so encouraged by the young ones who have grown spiritually ,as well as the 7 pioneers who are eagerly awaiting pioneer school this summer. The congregation had 36 who attended the pioneer meeting with the circuit overseer ! And in the past 9 months , 4 people were baptized. What I learned from this trip, or I should say what became more apparent, was that no matter where we are, no matter what capacity that we are serving in , no matter how much we are able to preach, WE ARE ALL SERVING WHERE THE NEED IS GREAT! 

Here we are at the photo section. You'll see Fat Cat and Yellow Foot , some of the friends and then some scenery from back home. 

Nos Vemos, 

Aaron