DAY 5
Saturday morning began with our team heading to Quisqueya for a basketball clinic for the boys in that town. Coach Rose and Coach Woods did a great job organizing the clinic and our players did a great job teaching and interacting with the kids.
 
Even though there is a language barrier, teaching the game of basketball can be demonstrated visually and the kids did a great job of listening and mimicking the movements and fundamentals of the game. Seeing the universal nature of the sport of basketball has been a highlight of our trip, and this interaction was no different. 
 
A quick trip back to the hotel for lunch, then an early afternoon departure for Santo Domingo for our last day of competition. We competed against the club team of In Vivienda, and it was a great venue.
 
Both national anthems were played, and we met at half court for a quick handshake before the tip.  In Vivienda was by far the best competition we have faced, with good size and athleticism inside and solid guard play.  The game was a game of runs and was highlighted by a thrilling double overtime finish. 
 
Being the last game of our trip, we ended the evening trading our jersey's with the opposing team and our missionary sharing the Gospel at the conclusion of the game. It was a great four days of competition against some quality Dominican teams. We learned a lot about each other and what we need to improve on when we return to Lee.


DAY 6
Sunday morning, we had a quick breakfast and headed to Iglesias Bautista Christiana for worship. We were welcomed by pastor Sadrac Difren and took our seats for most of our teams first Dominican church service.
 
Coach Smith introduced our team and thanked the congregation for allowing us to worship with them. After a few announcements, we sang a few songs in Spanish. Even though we could only make out a few words, the heart of worship was the same.
 
We were worshiping the same Lord and that was powerful. We also were treated to a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace by a few members of our women's team. Pastor Sadrac spoke from Colossians and being "rooted" in Christ.  He spoke in English and our Score missionary interpreted in Spanish.  We concluded the service with another song and then finished our time in prayer. 
 
After lunch, our team joined the women's team to a private beach area for the afternoon. Parker and Quay found themselves taking a horse ride down the beach, and most members of our team purchased bracelets, necklaces, and sunglasses from the local Dominicans. It was our team's first trip to the beach all week and it was well needed.
 
Toward the end of the afternoon, storm clouds rolled in and our trusted driver, Danny, arrived just in time to take us back to the hotel. We concluded the evening with a nice dinner, card games, and some heated games of pool and ping pong. It was a great way to wrap up the weekend. Two more days ahead of some sightseeing, adventures, and another trip back to the girl's orphanage.