Dominican Republic 2008

Leaving for the Dominican Republic was EARLY....but exciting and nerve wreaking. Travel for a day and changing planes, & going to a place "outside" the US is always a step outside my comfort zone. But, as in past trips....its never regretted, and always uplifting. Here is a place where God is alive 24-7. Its present in the schools, the streets, the migrant workers....the poorest of the poor. Everyone here is thankful for all they have....even if to us...seems like a little.

The plane rides were great. No problems going thru customs....finding luggage....finding each other as we muddled thru the airports wondering which direction we were suppose to be going. We were ducklings following momma duck....(Thanks for being Momma duck Dave!)

There was plenty of time for taking a breather between each flight....and luckily we landed safely in the Dominican Republic...despite the fact there was a storm "looming" that struck as we drove to our "home" for the week. As you can see....there was massive flooding, which in turn created massive flooding. The 1 hour ride turned into several hours, but we made it safe and sound. (despite the traffic)

When we arrived at "home" we were greeted by familiar faces...and some new ones. Mostly friends we had left from our last trip. Friends we now feel close enough to call family. After hugs and kisses we were sung to from all the people greeting us. What a wonderful welcome. How blessed you feel when you are so welcomed with such love. I can't tell you how my heart swelled. I was overwhelmed by emotion...(as well as exhaustion) as tears welled up in my eyes. I felt like I had been blessed 100 times over again. I felt like one of the luckiest people alive. I love this place. I love these people. I LOVE it!

Of course the moment Jessi was waiting for was seeing Alba "Iris". These 2 became sisters from day one of the first trip. Alba was a fav. among us all, for she did everything and ANYTHING we needed or wanted. She was so full of personality....it GLOWED....and you just couldn't help but feel good when she was around. I think the ones who have been here before looked for the one they bonded with the last team trip. Of course, it was easy to bond.....these people are kind hearted, loving, and warm (not just because of the weather). How could you not leave this place and feel GOOD....How could you leave this place and not want to come back.....It's a wonderful place.

A Beautiful Place!

These views were at every turn. There will be more as we travel down the road...in the Dominican Republic......

The site

We stopped in at the site after we got our rooms, put our suitcases away and rested. We were totally amazed at the size of the new church. We knew it would be large...but WOW....it was very large. There were 42 holes to be dug out for pillars. 42 HOLES! Imagine that. Soooooo, where is the backhoe? Tomorrow they said....tomorrow..... Ok, thats cool..... we can take over from there....so we thought.....

Here is the end result. This is the "model" we were shown. I thought it took a LOT of talent to pull off this building built of cardboard. I wonder...was it a box from an appliance? Food? Tool? What amazed me was....it was cardboard, it WAS cardboard...it is now...a building. Why would this be so amazing? They are the KINGS of recycling.