Our team member, Lee, was able to capture this special moment with some of the children that gathered to listen to Juan Ernesto, the pastor who accompanied us to deliver rice and beans near El Cercado.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Pictures from our trip!
The pictures are beginning to come in from our trip to the Dominican Republic last week. Here are just a few so far.
Pictures from Eileen
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Journey Continues
This morning we attended the flag raising ceremony at CCED. Everyday three flags are raised to begin the school day, the Dominican, the US, and the Canadian. The school recognizes the US and Canadian flags because of all the support they receive from these two countries.
We then had the opportunity to visit the outdoor market in San Juan where the locals buy almost anything they might be needing. Shoes, machetes, fresh produce and cuts of meat were just a handful of the goods being sold.
This afternoon we headed to the local orphanage. Unfortunately, the children were in class when we were visiting and we were not able to play in the yard with them as we have done during past visits. However, we were able to deliver a bag full of toys and candy for the children and also take a tour of the facilities.
We learned from our guide that most of the children who end up at the orphanage do have parents but their parents have no means of supporting them. Some of the children living at the facility have been abandoned, such as two boys with down syndrome. Many of the other children are left there when they are young and only claimed by their parents years later when the children become old enough to start earning an income. The youngest child living there was a little girl who was just one years old; her parents could not afford to keep her. Once again, the stories we heard and the tour of the orphanage was an extremely sobering experience for us.
Tonight is our last night at the guesthouse here in San Juan. Tomorrow we head back to Santo Domingo. We will be staying overnight before heading back to North Carolina on Saturday. Please continue praying for each member of our team. Our adventure in the Dominican Republic is slowly winding down. This chapter of the story is coming to a close, but we don't want this journey to end when we board the plane and come home. Our desire is to carry this experience back with us. We are looking forward to sharing it with you!
We then had the opportunity to visit the outdoor market in San Juan where the locals buy almost anything they might be needing. Shoes, machetes, fresh produce and cuts of meat were just a handful of the goods being sold.
This afternoon we headed to the local orphanage. Unfortunately, the children were in class when we were visiting and we were not able to play in the yard with them as we have done during past visits. However, we were able to deliver a bag full of toys and candy for the children and also take a tour of the facilities.
We learned from our guide that most of the children who end up at the orphanage do have parents but their parents have no means of supporting them. Some of the children living at the facility have been abandoned, such as two boys with down syndrome. Many of the other children are left there when they are young and only claimed by their parents years later when the children become old enough to start earning an income. The youngest child living there was a little girl who was just one years old; her parents could not afford to keep her. Once again, the stories we heard and the tour of the orphanage was an extremely sobering experience for us.
Tonight is our last night at the guesthouse here in San Juan. Tomorrow we head back to Santo Domingo. We will be staying overnight before heading back to North Carolina on Saturday. Please continue praying for each member of our team. Our adventure in the Dominican Republic is slowly winding down. This chapter of the story is coming to a close, but we don't want this journey to end when we board the plane and come home. Our desire is to carry this experience back with us. We are looking forward to sharing it with you!
The Door Men
As you all know, we spent the first two days of the week doing construction work at CCED. Two of our team members, Lee and Aaron, did some impressive work not only with the electrical wiring that needed to be done, but they also made nine doors for the bathrooms at the school.
Great job guys!
Great job guys!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Our day in El Cercado
What a day! Today we spent our time with Pastor Morales-the missionary that New Community Church supports in El Cercado. With our vehicles loaded with bags of beans, rice, and other articles such as shampoo, tooth paste and towels, Pastor Morales led us up into the hills to deliver our gifts to one of the most impoverished areas surrounding his community.
It's difficult to convey to you all what this experience meant to each of us. It was humbling. It was eye-opening. And, it was an extremely emotional day for many of us. The people who received our gifts were truly grateful. One memorable exchange happened as our team members Michelle and Nyvia handed a bag of beans and rice to two boys standing outside their home. The oldest boy became very emotional and began to cry...which, of course, caused a ripple effect of emotion in the rest of us. It was a moment we won't soon forget.
Another memorable moment would be when Juan Ernesto, the pastor from the clinic here in San Juan, who accompanied us on the trip called 20 or 30 of the onlooking children over and delivered a very animated and entertaining impromptu message of salvation with them. The children were so attentive to his words. It was amazing to watch. Juan later told a few of our team members that he likes to seize any opportunity to share the message of Christ with others.
The one phrase that keeps coming to mind as I write this post is "being the hands and feet for Christ." That's what this is all about. Love God, Love People, Turn the World Upside Down.
It's difficult to convey to you all what this experience meant to each of us. It was humbling. It was eye-opening. And, it was an extremely emotional day for many of us. The people who received our gifts were truly grateful. One memorable exchange happened as our team members Michelle and Nyvia handed a bag of beans and rice to two boys standing outside their home. The oldest boy became very emotional and began to cry...which, of course, caused a ripple effect of emotion in the rest of us. It was a moment we won't soon forget.
Another memorable moment would be when Juan Ernesto, the pastor from the clinic here in San Juan, who accompanied us on the trip called 20 or 30 of the onlooking children over and delivered a very animated and entertaining impromptu message of salvation with them. The children were so attentive to his words. It was amazing to watch. Juan later told a few of our team members that he likes to seize any opportunity to share the message of Christ with others.
The one phrase that keeps coming to mind as I write this post is "being the hands and feet for Christ." That's what this is all about. Love God, Love People, Turn the World Upside Down.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Greetings!
What a productive day in the DR! This morning we divided into several different teams to accomplish the work needing to be done. Our "photography" team Beth, Mike and Virginia- along with their trusty interpreter Nyvia headed to The Jim Smith School in El Rosario and the Lucille Rupp School to take pictures of the children for Solid Rock Missions. In addition to snapping many more adorable pictures, they also delivered much needed school supplies to the school in El Rosario.
The construction team divided their efforts this morning as well. One team, armed with machetes and work gloves, chopped trees and pulled weeds. The final team returned to CCED to continue working on the sidewalk, wall and electrical work. The NCC Mission team is becoming quite handy with a shovel, a bucket of water and a bag of cement.
Tomorrow we will be taking a break from our construction projects and heading west to El Cercado. We will have the opportunity to meet the students we sponsor at the school in El Cercado and we will also be delivering rice and beans to many families in the area.
We are looking forward to more adventures tomorrow... none of which involve a shovel or cement. :)
The construction team divided their efforts this morning as well. One team, armed with machetes and work gloves, chopped trees and pulled weeds. The final team returned to CCED to continue working on the sidewalk, wall and electrical work. The NCC Mission team is becoming quite handy with a shovel, a bucket of water and a bag of cement.
Tomorrow we will be taking a break from our construction projects and heading west to El Cercado. We will have the opportunity to meet the students we sponsor at the school in El Cercado and we will also be delivering rice and beans to many families in the area.
We are looking forward to more adventures tomorrow... none of which involve a shovel or cement. :)
Monday, November 15, 2010
Pictures and thoughts from team members
This is just a taste of the many pictures we have to share with you all when we return home.
After dinner tonight, team members shared some highlights of their day:
Lee- a little boy came over to several of our team members and just started hugging them
Sophie- a little girl gave her a scarf and in return Sophie gave the little girl her bracelet
Virginia- touched by how the kids connected so comfortably with us despite the language barrier
Greg- Fellow team member, Nyvia "mixes a mean mortar!"
Michelle- was tackled by 50+ kids in a crazy game of freeze tag
Casie- a cool moment when one of the teachers at the school remembered Casie from when he used to be a student at the school and Casie came to the school on a mission trip 10+ years ago.
Casie- received a big hug from one of the children she and Clay sponsor.
From Group- Thankful for Nyvia...our bilingual team member!
That's all for today...more tomorrow!
After dinner tonight, team members shared some highlights of their day:
Lee- a little boy came over to several of our team members and just started hugging them
Sophie- a little girl gave her a scarf and in return Sophie gave the little girl her bracelet
Virginia- touched by how the kids connected so comfortably with us despite the language barrier
Greg- Fellow team member, Nyvia "mixes a mean mortar!"
Michelle- was tackled by 50+ kids in a crazy game of freeze tag
Casie- a cool moment when one of the teachers at the school remembered Casie from when he used to be a student at the school and Casie came to the school on a mission trip 10+ years ago.
Casie- received a big hug from one of the children she and Clay sponsor.
From Group- Thankful for Nyvia...our bilingual team member!
That's all for today...more tomorrow!
Hello Again from San Juan!
We are coming to the close of Day 3 in the Dominican. The neighborhood rooster continues to keep us all entertained this year, singing to us once again through the early morning hours. We are very thankful we remembered to pack earplugs!
Today we worked at the school. Some highlights of our day included hauling dirt, moving bricks, pouring concrete to make sidewalks and a wall, installing electrical wiring and capturing sweet photos of grinning school children who loved getting their pictures taken. It's also been fun just putting down our shovels for a few minutes to spend some time getting to know the youngsters and playing games of freeze tag and catch with them.
Tomorrow will be another day of construction work at the school and we will also spend time clearing a vacant lot that has been overrun with trees and tall grass. We've been told that machetes will be involved. Oh yes, the fun is just beginning. :)
We are hoping to get some pictures posted later tonight.
Stay tuned!
Today we worked at the school. Some highlights of our day included hauling dirt, moving bricks, pouring concrete to make sidewalks and a wall, installing electrical wiring and capturing sweet photos of grinning school children who loved getting their pictures taken. It's also been fun just putting down our shovels for a few minutes to spend some time getting to know the youngsters and playing games of freeze tag and catch with them.
Tomorrow will be another day of construction work at the school and we will also spend time clearing a vacant lot that has been overrun with trees and tall grass. We've been told that machetes will be involved. Oh yes, the fun is just beginning. :)
We are hoping to get some pictures posted later tonight.
Stay tuned!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
DR Day 2
We are now at the guesthouse in San Juan! Today before heading west, we attended Sunday morning church services at Principe de Paz (Prince of Peace)in Santo Domingo. The worship time and message were in Spanish but despite the language difference a couple of the songs were very familiar to us, You Are Good and I Can Only Imagine. Even though the service was in a different language we could still feel His presence. It was a fun experience.
After the service, we boarded our bus to San Juan. We had a lunch break on the way and many of us tried some authentic Dominican food. Yum!
Tomorrow we will be heading over to the school here in San Juan to work on many different projects including electrical, pouring concrete and building a block wall. Our designated team photographers will be taking pictures of many of the students at the school.
It should be another fun-filled day!
Here are some final thoughts about today from some team members.
Barbara says, "It's already been a great experience. And to George, I love and miss you!"
Nyvia says, "I had a blessed day today. Kiss and love to my husband and kids!"
Virginia says, "Hi! Love you all. Glad I brought my D300. Gonna take LOTS of pictures."
Eileen says, "Hi Seaners and Roger... love you both!"
Lee says, "It's been a good but long trip so far and looking forward to a productive day tomorrow. I love you guys and miss you all."
And a group hello from everyone!
Thank you guys for all the prayers and support.
After the service, we boarded our bus to San Juan. We had a lunch break on the way and many of us tried some authentic Dominican food. Yum!
Tomorrow we will be heading over to the school here in San Juan to work on many different projects including electrical, pouring concrete and building a block wall. Our designated team photographers will be taking pictures of many of the students at the school.
It should be another fun-filled day!
Here are some final thoughts about today from some team members.
Barbara says, "It's already been a great experience. And to George, I love and miss you!"
Nyvia says, "I had a blessed day today. Kiss and love to my husband and kids!"
Virginia says, "Hi! Love you all. Glad I brought my D300. Gonna take LOTS of pictures."
Eileen says, "Hi Seaners and Roger... love you both!"
Lee says, "It's been a good but long trip so far and looking forward to a productive day tomorrow. I love you guys and miss you all."
And a group hello from everyone!
Thank you guys for all the prayers and support.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
We Are Here!
Just a quick post to let you all know that we have arrived in Santo Domingo! Our travels went smoothly for which we are all very thankful. We will be spending the night in Santo Domingo and attending church in the morning. Then we will heading to the guesthouse in San Juan de la Maguana.
Looking forward to updating you all once we get settled tomorrow night.
Looking forward to updating you all once we get settled tomorrow night.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
48 hours to lift off!
Supplies have been bought and bags are being packed. At our last team meeting our fearless trip coordinator, Casie Stevens, made us all a big pot of homemade chili. Yum!! As we enjoyed a bowl, she discussed final preparations and our itinerary for the first day.
We were reminded that the most important item we needed to remember to pack would be our passports. Don't leave home without it! Final passport check will happen at 2:30am Saturday morning when the team will meet at the church and head up to the airport.
Please continue praying for us. Pray for the families each of us will be leaving for a week, that the team stays healthy, that we reach our destination safely and that God will continue to prepare our hearts and the hearts of the Dominican people.
Thanks for supporting us!
We were reminded that the most important item we needed to remember to pack would be our passports. Don't leave home without it! Final passport check will happen at 2:30am Saturday morning when the team will meet at the church and head up to the airport.
Please continue praying for us. Pray for the families each of us will be leaving for a week, that the team stays healthy, that we reach our destination safely and that God will continue to prepare our hearts and the hearts of the Dominican people.
Thanks for supporting us!
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