It was good to arrive in the Dominican Republic, after so much traveling and the threat of weather delays, finally at 12:30 this morning. We slept well at a hotel near the airport and arrived at the community just before lunch.
The first thing we saw was the new community center, Wow! It is incredible. As you can see from the pictures, it is huge, clean, and complete with bathrooms. While we have been pleased to stay in many deferent circumstances, these are some very nice accommodations. There is no running water but the toilets flush with the help of a bucket. They are inside with clean tile floors and a nice shower space. The main room is split up by tarps to give a nice meeting/dining rom and our sleeping quarters.
Once getting settled in and being treated to a nice lunch of Holden’s favorite yellow rice and ham, we were greeted by over 80 members of the community at the welcome ceremony. There were presentations by a number of groups of young people from dance numbers to skits. And 6 or so different members of the community spoke very graciously of their thanks to God for Cornerstone sending our teams for these 8 years. As always they tell us this is our home and we are so welcome here.
We are blessed as a team to be joined by Edwin, a new Team Coordinator with Food for the Hungry and to be reunited with Nathan who was with us last year as coordinator. It is always good to be reunited with those we have grown close with over the years.
At the welcome ceremony, we saw a few of our sponsored children and their families as well as many other familiar faces both young and old. We look forward to seeing and spending time with many friends here. In the morning we will begin a work project have a VBS meeting in the afternoon and visit some sponsored kids and their families.
Bob and Austin visited Paquita, one of their sponsored kids after the welcome meeting as she attends high school far away and lives with a family member closer to her school during the week. They were able to speak with her mother and pray with the family. We also delivered a gift to Ronibell.
Web connectivity is a little tough so we are glad to just get the opportunity to post the blog.
Thank you to everyone who is praying for us and the community of Sierra Prieta.
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