2005 Dominican Republic Trip: August 14

8/14/05 Sunday
I didn’t shower, as there were no shower curtains. We had breakfast, our team meeting, and piled into the van for a visit to “el Mercado” in SD. We were surprised to learn it was closed. Turns out Monday is a national holiday (Constitution Day), so the market was closed Sunday and Monday. We stopped at the FH headquarters and delivered some items and picked up other items, and then it was time for lunch. We ate at a chicken place that the team visits almost every trip. The food is good. The seating area is open, with a roof. The mustard containers didn’t seem to have mustard – it was too liquid to be mustard, so we asked what was in them. We were told it was yucca oil (they pronounce it as “yoo-kah”) and I tried some on the root vegetable on my plate. The vegetable (similar to a potato, but not a potato) was very dry, and the yucca oil was just what it needed!

Since we needed shower curtains and light bulbs, we went to a place called Ole’ – the area Wal-Mart equivalent. I found an umbrella to use for shade at the annual baseball game. It’s “Winnie the Pooh”. Then we went back to camp. We had about an hour to nap, shower, and get ready for the welcoming ceremony and evening church service.

I figured we wouldn’t be eating supper until after everything else, so I grabbed a snack bag of Fred’s Chex mix. I offered a bag to Martires, but he declined. I gave one to Andres, who is one of our interpreters. After he took a taste, his eyes lit up, and he said it was really good. He convinced Martires to eat some, too. Martires liked it so well, he asked for a bag for himself.

At the welcoming ceremony, there were many people who introduced themselves and said how happy they were to see our team once more. Most of the speeches and names I cannot remember, but Pastor Miguel had something very memorable to say: He welcomed us as members of his family, and said we were always in their hearts. There was plenty of room for the new members of the team. Then he spoke of looking around for familiar faces of old friends. He mentioned all by name, and ended with how said he was to not see his brother in Christ, Fred (my husband).

Our team also had a chance to speak, and Rick said how happy he was to see Francisco standing and walking on his own! Francisco had lost a leg in a motorcycle accident. Last year, Dr. James (an orthopedic surgeon from Madison) took measurements, and had a prosthesis made for Francisco. Francisco learned to use it without any physical therapy, and was doing great.

After the ceremony, there was a time to visit before the evening worship service. I spoke with Pastor Miguel for several minutes, and he emphasized how much he had hoped to see my husband. He also shared that he will soon be attending the Institute for English, and plans to be speaking English with next year’s team!

I also visited with a couple of young men (Eduardo and Wilfredo) who asked me NOT to try to speak Spanish, as they needed to practice their English. I was only too happy to oblige!

Pastor’s sermon was taken from Luke, and he very clearly and effectively communicated God’s immense love for us, demonstrated by taking our penalty for sin and dying on the cross. He also emphasized the responsibility of that gift, and encouraged the men of the church to join us at the school to help with construction of the kitchen, and the women to be helping with Vacation Bible School.

After the service, we took pictures, and headed back to the camp. It was easier to get on the truck, because Dr. James had gotten the inspired idea to bring along a two-shelf unit from the camp. We used it as a stepping stool, and it made it MUCH easier for me to get up and down.

We ate supper between 9:30 and 10 p.m., and headed for bed. We were all pretty well bushed. I slept quite soundly, even though our tenting neighbors were having a party. Once our lights were turned out, they were very quiet. We thought that was very considerate of them. I had forgotten my earplugs, but Jenny brought enough that I borrowed a pair from her. Made a BIG difference with the roosters! I could still hear them, but it was as if they were far away.