On February 27th, the Dominicans celebrated their Independence day. Holidays are no rarity here in the Dominican Republic, but this being a special one, I decided to join some new friends for a road trip along the northern coast.
We left on a Saturday and took in views of the ocean as we drove from Sosua along the perimeter of the island to just north of Samana in the peninsula.
The sights were breathtaking. We stopped at several beaches along the way to take pictures. The roadtrip was similar to one we might take in the states, but the roads are more rocky and the pit stops are less cleanly... but definitely an adventure, no less!
Then we got to the stretch of highway that reminded me of home... smoothly paved! The road wound up the mountain and we took in an even grander view of the north coast as we began our drive onto the peninsula.
So what were we doing driving all the way out to Samana? Well, let me tell you. From January 15th to March 25th is whale-watching season. Hundreds of Humpback whales visit the warm coastal waters to breed and give birth during the winter months before traveling back up the eastern coast into the northern Atlantic Ocean.
I was stoked! Not only did we see a whale, we saw a mother whale, her 3 week old baby, and her male "escort" (the males protect and pursue females in hopes to be considered for the following mating season).
Check out some photos I took that weekend!
What a beautiful display of God's creation!
During the weekend away from doing, doing, doing, God really placed in me a holy reverence for His commands. Coming from a culture in America where we're always striving to succeed and to do more, it's easy to get tangled in a path of life that is meaningless. But God really spoke to me about His Holiness and how He calls us to be holy as He is holy.
I was reading through Leviticus at the time and God was unrelenting in speaking the importance of keeping His Sabbath day holy. I mean, really... He says that in our disobedience of His commands, He will banish us from His land so that THE LAND may keep its Sabbath Leviticus 26... He's serious about His Sabbath.
The Sabbath is not just a suggestion, it is God's holy command and expectation. He delights in us when we delight in Him, and we delight in Him when we intentionally set aside time to be restored in His presence, in His creation, in His awesomeness.
The Lord was so good to reveal one of His many wonders of the earth to me that weekend. Burnout can be so easy on the mission field, but the Lord is protecting my heart in so many ways. It was such a blessing to steal away for the weekend and enjoy fellowship with friends and to delight in His creation. Praise the Lord!
We left on a Saturday and took in views of the ocean as we drove from Sosua along the perimeter of the island to just north of Samana in the peninsula.
The sights were breathtaking. We stopped at several beaches along the way to take pictures. The roadtrip was similar to one we might take in the states, but the roads are more rocky and the pit stops are less cleanly... but definitely an adventure, no less!
Then we got to the stretch of highway that reminded me of home... smoothly paved! The road wound up the mountain and we took in an even grander view of the north coast as we began our drive onto the peninsula.
So what were we doing driving all the way out to Samana? Well, let me tell you. From January 15th to March 25th is whale-watching season. Hundreds of Humpback whales visit the warm coastal waters to breed and give birth during the winter months before traveling back up the eastern coast into the northern Atlantic Ocean.
I was stoked! Not only did we see a whale, we saw a mother whale, her 3 week old baby, and her male "escort" (the males protect and pursue females in hopes to be considered for the following mating season).
Check out some photos I took that weekend!
What a beautiful display of God's creation!
"Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths..." Psalm 148:7
During the weekend away from doing, doing, doing, God really placed in me a holy reverence for His commands. Coming from a culture in America where we're always striving to succeed and to do more, it's easy to get tangled in a path of life that is meaningless. But God really spoke to me about His Holiness and how He calls us to be holy as He is holy.
I was reading through Leviticus at the time and God was unrelenting in speaking the importance of keeping His Sabbath day holy. I mean, really... He says that in our disobedience of His commands, He will banish us from His land so that THE LAND may keep its Sabbath Leviticus 26... He's serious about His Sabbath.
The Sabbath is not just a suggestion, it is God's holy command and expectation. He delights in us when we delight in Him, and we delight in Him when we intentionally set aside time to be restored in His presence, in His creation, in His awesomeness.
The Lord was so good to reveal one of His many wonders of the earth to me that weekend. Burnout can be so easy on the mission field, but the Lord is protecting my heart in so many ways. It was such a blessing to steal away for the weekend and enjoy fellowship with friends and to delight in His creation. Praise the Lord!
Oh my gosh, that last picture of the whale is incredible!!! And the beaches...gorgeous! You are really having the experience of a lifetime! Glad you are making the most of it :)
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