Just Landed

We are at Dulles!!!! Getting off the plane.
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Just landed in Miami

We will go through customs and maybe have time for some American food before we board our next flight.
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Going Home!

Packing up our luggage in the van to head to the airport. Excited to be going home!
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Pictures from Amber

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Trip Coordinator Update

By Brian Show

Hi parents and friends, and now a message from the trip coordinator. As all mission trips go this one has had its challenges too. As Connie wrote about some of the health issues I was special enough to be listed among those with them. But tonight Mr Silie's worship was on joy. He asked everyone to recount an instance of happiness or joy on this trip. Despite the challenges we have had, he finally had to cut the responses off. Joy clearly is about something that happens whether or not things are going perfect or poorly or in our case going well even when we have had challenges, issues and surprises. We've been treated to some amazing moments like when Ralph spoke up at worship not once, not twice but four times. And some hysterical moments like when Meagan T. paused at the wrong time during a sentence, right after using the word pregnant. True not everyone has been happy all the time, maybe no one has, but joy and happiness come not from our situations but from ourselves. Thank you for sharing your children with us and allowing them to go on this trip. Each of them have been a joy to get to know or to know better.

Written Monday 10pm
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Nursing update!

By Connie Anderson

Greetings Parents and Friends! I thought that perhaps you might all appreciate hearing a brief nurse report. We have all cared for each other as we have endured these various maladies, listed in no particular order: Nose Bleed, Bee Sting, hundreds of mosquito bites, bruises, blisters, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, muscle pains, cellulitis, allergies, sore throats, headaches, 1 Right ear pain, 1 Left eye infection, 1 splinter, minor sunburns, and lots of swollen feet/ankles due to the heat…..sounds horrible doesn't it??? Fortunately all have been treated and are responding well, only one person has actually been unable to work, and so that you are not in suspense or worried that it is your child or spouse…it was Dani, and she seems to be improving. Aside from ALL of this, our staff and kids are amazingly resilient! They are tough! They have kept their positive attitudes with each other, on the job site and with their VBS ministries. Their own personal issues have paled in comparison to what they are witnessing here and they have remained eager to be a part of this wonderful experience! You would all be proud of your individual children! I'm sure that you have been praying for our group, please continue so that God will bless us and those whom we wish to serve.

Written Monday 9:39pm

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Update by Amber

By Amber Daahabura

Today was the last day of VBS in Sendero de Amor . It was pretty cool to see all of the children with their crowns on their heads that they have ever-so-carefully put together. Just to see them smile makes you feel so good that you are there to help give them the joy that you see on their faces. Ok let's back up a bit, construction was going good today. We were able to get up higher on the walls and we were doing so good even some of the locals came in and helped us lay block. We did pretty good for only having half of the people there. The other half of us was at Quisqueya, which is where we are doing VBS tomorrow . I can't wait to get home and get some American food!!! That is the one thing that I wish I could have here that and some good Pepsi & Arizona Green Tea. HEY MOMMY SAY HI TO CUPPY AND STAR GIRL FOR ME !!!!

Written Monday 5:27pm

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Update by Carly

‎​By Carly Pereira

Dear (insert your name here__________),
It's been quite an interesting trip (and we've only been here for 5 days). So to get to the point….it's HOT! Now when I say it's hot, I don't mean it's just hot, I mean it's HOT! We get super excited when there is a moment during the day when we don't sweat. (And that is really rare by the way). I think the showers are considered more as a cooling system than anything else because we only have cold water. The showers don't have a shower head, the top half is cement, and it's really small. (side note: I'm extremely proud of myself for finally being able to get the rhythm of showering in there!) The food, ahh the food, it's amazing (at least for me it is). The work is not as bad as I thought it would be. It still is a lot of work though especially since I've never done anything like this before.

We wake up around 6 (with the roosters, the donkey, and sometimes Tito the goose), then we have worship and breakfast, as soon as that's done with we head straight to the construction site. At around 1:30 we stop to eat lunch, then we head back to work. At around 4 the VBS people head out to start setting up, and then around 6 we leave here and head back to camp. Once we get there we clean up a bit a few people get some showers in and then we meet up for dinner. After dinner we have some time to relax but then its worship and lights out. The next day, it's all over again.

We went to the beach yesterday after we passed out Bibles in a neighborhood. Mr. Silie had a beautiful worship for us there. But what surprised me the most so far on this whole trip was the poverty. We had an opportunity to enter people's houses as we passed out Bibles and what we saw is nothing compared to what I'm used to seeing. People living is houses with dirt floors and no furniture but they were more than willing to share what they had with us, and I found it quite interesting that they would apologize for not having enough room for us or enough furniture for us. These people barely have anything but are so willing to share and give. They are extremely humble and hospitable. Anyways I have plenty of VBS things to do….have a great day! Miss and love you all! (you guys know who you are :) )
-Written March 28

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Attack of the Widow Goose

The goose climbed on Meagan's head because he thought she was his dead wife and then he bit her and scratched her.
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March 26 8:18am

Hola , it's Meagan T!

Mommy, I'm alive and sunburned :) haha. We're sitting here at camp waiting for our breakfast which is nice because we have a chance to wake up before getting to work. JC says get money and Kaiya says she misses everybody so much! I'm sure you have heard about the wonderful pool we have here at the camp but I think this place is gorgeous. The sleeping arrangements might be a little more cramped than last year's but we're all friends so it's ok. Yesterday was our first day of work and we all went to work in Sendero which is probably my favorite of the two work sites. They have done so much work on the building since last year! We had only started building the walls to the school and they have pretty much finished two whole rooms! When we got there the kids were in school and they were all so cute. I found out the first night we were here that my best friend from last year, Daleisi, has moved from Sendero into the capitol and is going to public school. They told me that they would try to arrange it so I could see her but it's unlikely. I'm praying that she is still well :) I started off the day by working with the water which was refreshing in the hot day! (It's so much hotter than last year!) At lunchtime I couldn't bring myself to eat the hot food so I had two full plates of salad and lots of juice. I sat with Connie and we talked about differences in society and also about colleges—I still don't know where I'm going in case you were wondering. Breakfast is finally here! Haha, everyone was jealous of my cocoa puffs that I ate. Anyways, after lunch I started off mixing mortar with Cassie. It's like making a giant batch of brownies with a couple shovels. By the third or fourth time mixing it's very tiring and a little bit slower of a process. There is some recovery time because after you've made one batch, you have a little time before they need some more. During one of these breaks I was sifting sand with Ashley. When the sifter is full of rocks, you dump them over one of the walls. I'll just say we had a little accident and I now have a battle scar on the other side of my nose. A little later I was dumping mortar onto the mortar boards and someone overran the wheelbarrow and bruised my leg lol. Towards 5 we started to clean up so we could head over to VBS. They told me I had to wash up but when I tried, nothing came off. I got soap and tried again—Still didn't work! All during VBS there were kids who would come up because they remembered me and they asked for their other friends from last year who either didn't come or have gone off to college. For the craft, they were supposed to make a puzzle with 6 puzzle sticks but one of the boys wrote my name on his and a picture of me and gave it to me! It was so adorable. I had Jenni Blondo as my partner so I had a translator which was verrrry helpful! Last night when we got back to camp, I ran to the shower and I had to seriously scrub to get even most of the dirt and cement out of my skin. It's kind of gross. It's been a lot of fun so far and I'm not too tired… yet… haha. Hi Hanni, KB, Mommy and daddy! Love you all!

~Meagan Thompson

Written March 26 8:18am

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March 25 3pm

By Kaitlyn Calhoun

Dear M&D, gma&gpa, JC, AJ, and KC,

The DR is amazing!!! =] we arrived here safely yesterday and are having a great time so far. The place we are staying t, Centro Silva, is absolutely gorgeous, it's like a resort with lots of trees, flowers, and playground, bball/volleyball court, and a pool! We went swimming last night before worship. I was ding acro and racing in the pool. Lol Also, as you all know, I got the reputation last year of always being late to worship or breakfast, well yesterday I was one of the first!! =] The weather is really hot and humid so we are drinking lots of water to stay hydrated. Last night the children of Quisqueya and Sendero de Amor (the two towns we are working at) came to welcome us at the place we are staying. I saw Jaraline and at first I didn't think she recognized me cuz she didn't say anything to me. And I was actually nervous to go up to her and say something but I eventually did and when I started walking over to her she was like, "KAITLYN!!" =D yayyyyy! So we've been talking some and im soooo happy to see her again. Today we have been hard at work at Sendero. I've been laying brick all day, I've actually missed laying brick and yelling for mortar. Lol The food has been excellent! We've had fried eggs, cheese empanadas (soooo good), potatoes curry (Spanish style), rice and beans (of course), bananas, fresh fruit (fresssssh lol), hard boiled eggs, salad, we actually had frosted flakes, sugar cane, and for dessert this coconut stuff and bread with raisins. We will be having our first VBS tonight so I'll let you know who it goes. The children that we've met so far are really cute and sweet. Another girl named Cataline remembered me from last year. I haven't seen the girl that gave me the bracelet last year, I hope I will soon her tonight. I've been having tons of fun with my friends. =] I hope you all are having a great day in the US of A and I miss you all very much! I've been praying for all of you and I know you all are doing the same for me. =] Justin- I hope all went well with your call backs! Btw, I think you're the best brother ever! Mom&dad- maria says I love you. Lol so do i! Adam- I hope your having a great day, and yes I'm following your 10 commandments. =P don't forget to tell grammy that I say hi!!! I miss u. Kendra- I hope your having a great day too, unlike argentina-it's HOT here. Lol I miss ya. Gma&gpa- I miss you guys! Grandpa, my ear is still ringing from your kiss on my ear. Lol

I'm looking forward to seeing you guys again and telling you all my stories. Brace yourself for a LOT of stories. =] I miss you all and love all of you!

Love always,
Kaitlyn Calhoun

Written March 25, 3pm

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March 25 9am

By Greg Coggeshall
It is Thursday morning and we are just finishing breakfast. We are getting settled in and used to our new facilities. It has a nice large pool which we all took advantage of last night even though we were dead tired. For many it served as a bath instead of taking a shower.

Last night we again were treated to a very nice welcome and program by the staff and students from Sendero and Quisqueya who came to our camp. They were very excited to see us and it was nice to meet up with friends we had made from last year.

Written March 25 at 9am

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We're here!

We made it safely to Santo Domingo and through Customs with no problems. We are now waiting for people from the Conference to get here with our bus!
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Gymnastics in the airport!

Wendell, Cedric, and Tyler doing handstands in front of the shuttle. Only Wendell didn't fall!
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Final Mission Trip Meeting

7 days until we leave! Make sure you attend our final mission trip meeting at 10:30am this Sunday at the church.

Description:

This is it, time to get final instructions, prep our VBS program, travel teams will be revealed, get travel updates, pre-exchange money* and pack our supplies into suitcases. Each participant will take one of the suitcases as their second checked bag. If you cannot be there make sure we know and that someone gets your mission suitcase! (yours will be the heaviest one, of course)


March 21 – Exchange Bonus
* Remember at the meeting we are offering a special dollar-to-peso exchange rate bonus of 20%. For every $25 (usd) you give us at the meeting you will get 1000 pesos in the Dominican. It must be in $25 increments.

Facebook Event link:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=366899772195&ref=nf