So good its a Friday on a Monday!

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us and supporting us.  We have felt very encouraged and motivated knowing you are behind us.  We have enjoyed the growing camaraderie with those who came from Cornerstone, as well those from Food for the Hungry who are supporting us here.  Carlos, who we have known for 4 trips now has continued to grow in leadership and wisdom.  He is the team coordinator for FH in the Dominican Republic.  He has done a great job preparing for our arrival and taking care of our every need here.  In addition, he is a close friend who we enjoy being with.  You may remember that Carlos was a sponsored child growing up, and still keeps connected with his sponsoring family.  In addition, we have 2 excellent interpreters, Alex and Nathaniel.  Their language skills have blessed us greatly and are indispensable.  Working with them is a joy, they are fun young men who help us laugh at ourselves.

setting rebar

 

clearing trenches

connecting with the family

 

assisting with real precision construction

finished mornings work

Today was the first day of construction, we met Aleda and her 4 young kids.  Her husband died 5 months ago and their home is in very poor condition.  Her oldest son Melvin is 14.  He helped today as we worked to prepare the foundation.  There was some digging to finish out the foundation and then we helped place rebar for the coming cement.  In the afternoon while we led VBS(more on this later)  men from the community worked with Crucito, the contractor, to mix and pour the concrete foundation.  Crucito is a real professional.  We anticipate beginning the first courses of cinderblocks that will support the wooden foundation tomorrow.

Lori's VBS Illustration 

Bob teaching VBS 

After lunch, we gathered the children for Vacation Bible School.  Lori and Bob did a excellent job of communicating God’s work in creation.  That he was specific in making us and made us to love him.  The children were attentive to the lesson and enjoyed the songs we sang with them.  After the songs and lesson, we had a very fun time playing hook tag with all the kids.  Then we sat down again and some of the kids sang us songs they have learned in Food for the Hungry’s child discipleship program, Amo.

Part of Holden's Pose'

Before dinner we were relaxing and many of the kids came to join us on the front lawn of the Community center where we live while in the community.  Before long, Jeff and Bob had some baseball type games going, Lori and Corianne had their hair being “done” by some young friends, while Greg and Holden were being piled upon by many of the younger kids.  We really enjoyed this impromptu time.

What pretty hair!

Pick me pick me!

Magnetic Personality

Tomorrow we will be splitting up a bit, to do construction both morning and afternoon, while the rest of the team makes home visits. Wednesday will include some meetings for training with the youth group, church leaders, VBS and possibly an evening service.  We hope to have a meeting with the community leaders, play softball and will have the farwell meeting on Thursday.   Friday morning will find us leaving the community, in anticipation of our Saturday departure.

Old Familiar Friends

Everyone sends greetings to their families at home.  We love you!