Dominican Republic Trip Update – Day Four

Some of the team ties rebar.

Today was a great day here in the Dominican Republic.  A little cooler but still nice and warm! Nothing like what you are experiencing at home in mid-Missouri.  Did we mention the beaches and hot weather here?

We had a little earlier start today which isn’t as early as some of the guys would like.  But thankfully, Dominicans are like me about mornings so we can really get going until 8:30 am or so.  We spent the morning at the worksite continuing to dig the trenches deeper and cutting away at rock.  We are so very thankful for the local church members who have volunteered and helped.  We truly could not do this without them.  Our progress would be significantly slower than I think any of us expected if it were for these hard working men and young boys.   The cement, sand and gravel were delivered as well as all the steel rebarb. Some of the team sawed the rebarb to smaller sizes and some tied the rebarb together with wires to make the frames that lie in the trench to reinforce the concrete. (sound like I know what I’m talking about, don’t I?)

At the lunch break, Lory and I (Melissa) came back to the hotel and met with Donna Williams for the afternoon.  We made plans for our June trip, some important changes we need to make, and also discussed and made plans on things we need to do to help make the clinic more professional and streamlined.  I’m working on some forms and databases for them to use and Lory is helping them develop a formulary for the medicine and also researching local needs and costs of medicine so we know what to bring with us and what to buy here.

We just finished our meeting and the team came back and is showering after a long work day.  They began mixing and pouring concrete this afternoon and have some of the bases done.  Concrete is in store for tomorrow for most of the team.  Lory and Melissa will be heading to the Danica Clinic to help with patients, organization and computer work.

Enjoy some pictures again here. I didn’t take very many today.

Franzo sharing scripture with the group.

About last night:  The team did meet with Franzo after supper to hear a little bit about his hope for Haiti.  He went back to Haiti after the earthquake and as we shared, he had five family members (uncle, aunt, cousins) that were killed in the earthquake.  He saw a lot of horrible things.  He also found out that two little girls that he had been sponsoring so they could go to school were also killed in the earthquake.  His faith is strong and he is resilient.  He knows that a lot of hard work is ahead of the Haitians and he is focused on that. He will be headed back to Haiti in the next week and with him will be all the money you donated and most of the care packages we assembled with your donations.  He will ensure that they are given to those who are in great need.

Our prayers are with you all and our families.  We are halfway through the week and it truly has been an amazing journey.  God is blessing us through not only His presence but through the amazing people here who teach us about faith and about God’s provisions.

The DR Team