Completed Latrines!

We received some photos of the completed latrines in Batey 106 from Moises.

Latrine #1 - Larger "Quad" unit

Latrine #2 - the Smaller "Double" unit

Per Glenn, the sugarcane executives/landowner have decided they will proceed with "relocating" the portion of the batey that includes the Gethsemane Baptist Church.  However, they did agree to allow the water filtration system to go in near the Nazarene Church and the school in the portion of batey 106 that is further off the road.

Heading Home

Recuperation Day

After 5 hard work days in the bateys, the team enjoyed dinner Friday night at the Shish Kabob restaurant - a taste of the Middle East in the Dominican Republic.  For future reference, the mixed kabobs (chicken, shrimp, beef and veggies) were a hit.  Also, Josh Melton gives a thumbs up to the hummus and baklava.

Saturday's blog post is by Lisette Colson:

Seems like we just got here and now it’s already time to start packing up. Wow it’s been a good week!  This is a beautiful country and the people  we met have a beautiful spirit. But today was a play day! We were able to sleep in a little later this morning then all walked to Trigode Oro, a local bakery and eatery, for breakfast. Nothing like starting the day off with a load of carbs!! We then boarded our trusty yellow school bus and took a trip to the Good Samaritan Hospital to take a tour. An impressive facility in the midst of a 3^rd world. Our next stop  was the neighboring girl's orphanage of La Romana. The kids were excited to have visitors and we enjoyed singing songs and playing games with them the short time we were there. Back to the mission house for lunch and changing into bathing suits cause we’re headed to the beach baby!! As we drove to the beach we passed several resorts and tourist areas that are a lifetime away from the bateys that we have been working in all week.  The beach  was relaxing but a real eye opener. Glad we were able to have a little down time before going back to the real world. I have missed my boys and will be glad  to get back home but I will have memories about this trip that will last a life time. I am so thankful to have been able to come on this trip.  Thanks for praying and supporting our group this week.

Team photo in La Romana Park

Paseo de los Inmortales - Andrés Galarraga

Glenn showing the form that made him a legend in Little League

Good Samaritan Hospital in La Romana

Renee with friends from the Girls Orphanage in La Romana

Jeff with Franchesca and Camilla

Dustin, Stephen and Patricia with their friends

Louis, Emilio and Glenn with the cooking staff in the Mission House

Beach Day

Final Day in the Batey

Today's blog post is by Susan Spencer:

Today was our last day in the batey. Overnight I was having a lot of thoughts about leaving the guys that we have been working closely with all week and leaving the sweet children. We all worked hard today and "left it all on the field.".  The upper latrine got its roof today and we laid a lot of block in the lower latrine.  In Batey 105, the foundation was poured for a third latrine.

When we finished work today, we all gathered in the church where we had lunch, VBS, and rested. We honored the men who worked with us all week and shared tearful goodbyes.  I got the best hugs from Augustine, the block mason, who was so patient with me all week as I helped him.  We were boarding the bus, one of the little boys shouted,"Adina!"  We all started laughing.

Here is a random list of things/sayings that stuck with members of our team. Many are inside jokes to the team.


1. "Adina, Adina, Adina - Kiss Me Baby!"
2. "Princesa" Katie
3. The tongs in the bathroom are for what?
4. No pantilones!
5. Piggy back ride - Carrigito
6. You put the cement mixer where?
7. Is that 6 inches or 16 inches?
8. Digging up granite to put in concrete.
9. Porta Juan - Glenn's Office
10. The Apostolic church across the street from the Mission House sings LOUDLY!
11. Water pressure is everything!
12. Batey kids fighting to come to VBS
13. Eggplant pizza
14. Is that goat?
15. Chicken foot!
 

Starting a third latrine in Batey 105

Latrine #3 with footing poured

Latrine #1 nearly completed

Dixie helping to do the walls of latrine #2

Katie and Corrie painting roof panels

Glenn and the pastor of the church that our team used for VBS

Our bus driver Louis

Construction workers that helped our team

Our interpreters

Marcos - the construction team boss

Emilio

Anna and her family

Here are more pictures of the people of the bateys:

Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord

Today's blog post is from Dixie Paschal:

Thursday already!  This week is going by too quickly.  Breakfast is always a great way to begin our day.  Today we enjoyed oatmeal, bacon, bread and fresh pineapple.  At batey 106 Chuck Rehage started us off with a great devotional about paths.  Whether we are American or Dominican, the right path is Jesus.

VBS included the story about Jesus teaching us how to pray.  Then we all sang How Great Is Our God translated that would be Cuan Grande Es Dios.  This is a moment I will always remember.  The 70 something children were familiar with this song and sang loudly enough for the workers outside to hear  I have never had chill bumps on my knees until today.  Next, I had to hold back the tears as we finished the song.  Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.


Construction work today consisted of more rock digging , concrete mixing, brick laying, and sunscreen applying.  The upper latrine (#1) is getting outer stucco over the block.  The lower latrine (#2) is getting block walls.  We also began a new latrine today in batey 105.  We had a possible setback on the water purification system.  The details might be worked out tomorrow.  Regardless, we feel that we have made great progress so far.  Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.


Friendships are getting stronger.  The children cheer when they see our bus.  They leave their moms to hug us.  They rejoice when the teacher releases them from school.  Today I put a band-aid on a girl's arm and she dragged me to meet her family.  Katie Colson and I painted girls' fingernails.  Dustin has taught the kids hand games.  We hold babies s if they are our own.  As we drove off today Dustin said "Man, it's going to be hard to say goodbye."  Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Bruce with his Batey 106 friends on Thursday morning

Dustin teaching the kids hand games

Corrie, Susan and Adina helping to take dried corn off the cob

A "street" in Batey 106

The Batey kids love "Princesa" Katie and she is wonderful with them

Chuck and Susan building the walls on Latrine #2

Mike and Josh walking to the water purification site

Steve and Bruce trying to anticipate mason's needs

Marie Lisa with pink fingernails

Here are more pictures of the people of Batey 106.  Their ramshackle houses and poverty could be depressing; however, the spirit, joy and love they show our team each day is one of the most uplifting things I've ever experienced.