Celebrating 90 🥳

Yesterday was the 90th birthday for a very special person in our lives here in the Dominican Republic (DR).

Amarilis' mum is a much-loved matriarch, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother in our family.

Our two youngest daughters were able to make a (brutal) one-day journey to Santo Domingo the day before the celebrations and will be with us until Friday when they are to head back to Ireland.

All Amarilis' siblings and some spouses made it to the Italian restaurant where we shared a joyous lunch yesterday, and afterwards to the family home for more intimate celebrations for "Mamá Flor's" life and years of faithful love, kindness, generosity and spiritual faithfulness.

Our oldest daughter, unable to be physically present, was able to 'join' us via video call on the big screen of my iPad. She and her children were also able to greet and send their love to their grandmother/great grandmother via modern tech and the tears flowed.

Our time here continues when we hope for more family time and opportunity to see some of our many friends in the DR from years ago, when I came as a single with a team of 21 to start what is now YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Dominican Republic.

God has been so faithful and we rejoice easily and gladly in gratitude for all He has done and is doing in our family and in this nation!