As we prepare for the Saturday night church service, we are all reflecting on the projects completed - Walls built, fences erected, desks repaired/refurbished, and a small home transformed - have left evrryone tired but with a satisfied sense of accomplishment. All through the work, relationships have grown with our Domincan hosts, as they have worked alongside us at every step - quite often leading the way and pulling the heaviest loads. I watched 2 young villagers push wheelbarrows full of sand and gravel 7 hours for mixing concrete - all while being cheerful and interactive with their American co-workers. It has been easy to see why many in our group have made this trip multiple times... it is the passion for the people.
Several of us have struggled a little today with our digestive systems - it is very common for this trip that the quantity of the fresh juices we enjoy to cause a little of this. Not a big deal, everyone is powering through it and it has had very little impact on the morale or efforts. Our kids never cease to amaze me - they have been awesome. I am humbled.
Today's meals included cereals, plantains prepared yet another 2 ways (I think we're up to 6 different versions so far...and only 1 method tasted anything close to banana), a pasta dish with vegetables, and a pepporoni-ish sausage for dinner. After church, we gathered to go over the week, highlighting the fact that our group has finished all the projects planned, and that we are the only group to repeatedly do so here. We are all heading to bed early.
As I write, I am listening to the excited laughter of the 4 wonderful ladies who have prepared our meals as they enjoy a lively game of dominoes. (It's a very big deal here) It only took these ladies 2 days to realize how much I was loving on their amazing coffee - then they began putting on a pot at other times of the day and letting me know. Yet another example of the graciousness, care, and consideration of a people that could certainly do more with the pesos for their own needs, than preparing extra coffee. It's hard not to fall in love with them.
Tomorrow there is a morning service, Sunday school, rest and social time with our friends, a visit into the central village area of Juan Tomas, and an evening service back at the church.
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