Cornerstone C2C Update

We began the morning with a baseball game against the local Dominican kids who train with a coach regularly.  The FH staff and a few of the older kids rounded out our team.  It was a fun time to connect on the field for the guys and off for the ladies.  We lost the first game 2-4 but won the 2^nd 7-4.  After the game the Dan shared a short testimony and we prayed with them.

Go Team!

Baseball teams posing together

Today the Country director came by to visit the team.  Tom shared with me the value that the local communities and the staff place on church visits.  He said that every time he has spoken with a staff or community leader about how they feel about teams being in their communities they have responded positively.  The team visits are an important part of inspiring the communities and encouraging the staff who work there all the time.  It was a great encouragement to me to hear that despite the tireless work it takes to bring us here and take care of us, that it is worth it to all on this end. 

After lunch Greg and Holden headed out to complete their sponsored child visits. Once again the ability to watch a child grow up over the years and to interact was a great blessing.  We can see the improving nutrition and health as well as some stabilization of family life compared to earlier years.  Being so warmly welcomed by parents and encouraged to return as soon as possible.  Today was the first day we’ve seen any sign of rain and we saw it a couple times.  While on home visits the Greg and Holden had to take cover in the home of an old man named Gregorio.  He and his son Wilson were the first people we met in Sierra Prieta and welcomed us in out of the rain on that first trip too.

Simultaneous with home visits, Bob and Lori met with some more church leaders to encourage them and share some ideas.  Bob’s theme of church unity was timely and well received and the entire event prompted some great discussion.  The discussions toady seemed to be of great help.

Bob speaking to church leaders.

Speaking at the farewell

Speaking at the farewell

The late afternoon was filled with the Farewell Ceremony.  Numerous members of the community came forward to thank us for coming, praise God for our presence and pray for our safe and happy return to our families.  A few different young girls sang songs for us and each team member was thanked personally and directly for their part in the trip.  There were many tears and lots of See you later’s.  We were told to thank our church and our families and that they hope to see us again soon. The relationships that were built anew, or renewed this week have had a great impact on all involved. I want to thank each person who has had a part in sending us be it by praying, encouraging, giving funds and our families.  It has been a worthwhile investment.

After the farewell ceremony Lori and Lisa met with the Mothers Group.  It is an organized group of women within the community who make community development and care their priority.  Each of the 16 volunteers work with up to 25 other mothers and households to provide training in essential skills including, health, cleanliness, nutrition, disaster preparedness and more.  Lori has been working for years to develop close relationships with these women for the purpose of evangelism and encouragement.  We hope to get more opportunities like this in the future.

Lori and her some of her close friends.

April was Julia's constant companion today.

This evening we planned to show a movie as kind of a celebration with the community , but it was rained out.  The FH staff have promised to return and show 2 movies on another night. 

We will miss our friends here greatly when we depart the community tomorrow to begin the long trip back home, but we already look forward to seeing our families again.