Post D.R. Trip thoughts...

So...

It's Easter Sunday morning and I've got a bit of time. So I began to think back on the trip last week. (Mostly because this morning everyone that I've met has asked me about the trip.) I began to think about the highlights of the trip... what are things that I won't ever forget about this mission trip?

First... I won't ever forget Alyssa's baptism in the Ocean. What an incredible way to end a week of mission's work and a trip... with a baptism... in the ocean nonetheless!!! I've baptized a lot of students over the years, but this one is definitely in the top 5 as far as memorable baptisms.

Second... this group of students. We had the perfect mix of students this year. They played well together... they worked well together... they got along great!! I'm sure there were some little arguments and tiffs along the way that I'm not aware of, but from my perspective, they hung well together. As the leader, it's always a blessing when it works out like that. It always seems to be the case that there are a couple of students on every trip that don't want to work or play well with others... that was not the case this year. Great, great student connections.

Third... being apart of building a church that will bring others to Christ. What we did last year was incredible... don't get me wrong. One of the greatest things about last year was where we were working. We spent all week digging a well and working in their active garbage dump. This year, we spent our week tying rebar that would support the floor of the church. Thousands of feet will cross that floor... and thousands of lives will come into contact with the living Jesus in that church that we helped to construct. Those 13 students, 4 leaders and Fox Valley Christian Church will forever have a part in that church, those people who come to Christ there and Gabriel's ministry to Santiago.

Fourth (and finally)... the continued connections with members of G.O. Ministries. Last year, we worked with Jen Goodenough (it's really her last name... seriously...) and Eric Leach. This year, we had a chance to work with Jen again and Isaias (Gabriel's youngest son). It was great to have a chance to continue to work with familiar faces. BTW: If you are reading this and you are considering doing a short term mission trip with your church, G.O. Ministries is a great organization to work with... they are truly top notch!

It was truly an incredible trip... for so many reasons that I don't have time or space to list. It will be one of my top 5 most memorable trips for sure.

BTW: This isn't the last of the pictures... if you've enjoyed these pictures, I'm going to post some more because there were many that didn't make the cut during the week. But I'm going to post up the "best of the rest" pictures this week. So check back this week for more glimpses of the trip!

Jim

D.R. Trip 2010 - Thursday (Beach Day)

Today was beach day.

Which is actually a pretty important part of the reentry portion of the trip. Today we went back to a somewhat normal pattern of life for Americans. We hung out at the beach... we went shopping and bought things to bring home... we drank pineapple drinks... and had a lot of fun hanging out together.

Here Elisabeth and Bekah are enjoying their drinks!!!






But one of the best parts of this day... we baptized Alyssa this afternoon at the beach!!!!!

Here Jackie is baptizing her while I attempt to protect her from the waves.











The weather wasn't great today. It rained most of the way up... it rained most of the morning... and into the afternoon. But after lunch, the rain stopped and the sun came out long enough for me to get a little sunburned. But the scenery is incredible!!







We wrapped up the day in the American way with some incredible pizza. And there wasn't a single slice left on the table when we got done.













Finally... One last thought about Alyssa's baptism. When the team came down last year, we went over to a church and watched Gabriel baptize a member of his church. This afternoon, he got a chance to watch us baptize a member of our's. I thought it would be great if Gabriel prayed for Alyssa after the baptism... which he was more than happy to do!

Definitely one of this trip's highlights!

More thoughts on wrap up after we get back. Team 1 rolls out for the airport at 7:15 am (local time) and I should be tweeting our return. Team 2 doesn't roll out until 1 pm (local time) and we'll be letting you know about that as well. Watch the Twitter feed on the left side of the blog for updates. See you all soon!


Jim

D.R. Trip 2010 - Wednesday 1

This morning started off with a great tour of the school.

Here we are hanging out in the courtyard/playground talking about the school. The school is three levels high... although you can't see the top level very well from this picture.








While in the library (upstairs), Alyssa found a book that she wants to read. The library is pretty cool. They have 43 laptop computers (which none of the public schools in the area even have). Which I am also grateful for this week... hence we have Internet to send out these messages each afternoon.







This is a picture of the school from the street. You can see the third level a little bit better.















Some of the students brought books to donate to the school. Books are extremely expensive to buy here. We bought several and brought them down with us. An average children's book, just to give you an idea, would cost about $10-$12. (BTW: G.O. Ministries has set up a "wish list" of books they would like to have... if you want to buy specific books that they need, go HERE.)




Then we headed over for our last morning of work. The group didn't have time for devotions before the school tour, so Justin led us over at the work site.









Then we got to work.

This picture is at the end of the day. We got a lot accomplished and a lot of rebar tied. Most of our legs, backs and hands are sore. And the beach tomorrow... it's going to feel soooooo good!!!



Tonight we are heading down to the monument and to have empanadas!!! So there will be some pictures of that... probably later tonight!


Jim



P.S.: I've noticed that huge numbers of people have been following the blog and checking out the pictures. Thanks!!! We truly appreciate your support, prayers and thoughts!!!

D.R. Trip 2010 - Tuesday 2

Yesterday was my birthday!!!

This is two years in a row that I've been in the DR for my birthday. Last year, they surprised me with a cake. This year Chris' birthday was the 29th... so they brought us both a cake... with a couple of large candles on it. We blew them out.









Since I already had my suitcase... it didn't get lost this year... Gabriel and Tata got me a painting for my birthday. Love it!!!

It's a traditional painting scene for the Dominican. Now the only question is where to put it up... my office or at home...


Jim

D.R. Trip 2010 - Tuesday

Today (Tuesday) was all work... All day... and it was hot!!!

We started off this morning moving rebar from one side of the roof to the other. (Only to find out later in the day that it was in the way... which we had to work around).

We started an assembly line to move the rebar... which was extremely humorous to the Dominicans and Haitians who were helping us.



Working with the rebar is extremely dirty. Kathryn seems to find most of the dirt and here is showing off her hands.

Bailey and Jackie didn't get AS dirty... but it's still dirty work.










Some of the rebar had to be cut to a certain length. Nico and Kyle got a lesson in how to use the giant rebar cutter.














We are beginning to move the rebar grid across the floor. What you see in the background has already been gridded and tied and is ready for a second layer of grid. Here, we were about done laying for the day and we're about halfway across.
















With the work day done, we headed across the road to pick up our stuff. We've been storing our bags and possessions in these houses which belong to G.O. Ministries.





Tonight, we are going to the Supermarket... it will be fun night of buying stuff to bring back... Vanilla... Coffee... Yumm!!!!

More pictures tomorrow... if the Internet holds out.

Jim

D.R. Trip 2010 - Monday 2

Last night, we have a little break from all the rebar work all day and went to "Bon" to get some ice cream!!! It was great and we had a lot of fun laughing and enjoying the tasty treat.

Jackie, Jemi and Isaias posed!












Kathryn, Elisabeth, Rebecca, Bailey and Bekah posed!!!














Same group... plus Lisa!!!


















This was the group that went outside... Katie, Alyssa, Nico, Kyle, Justin and Amanda!!!


The ice cream was awesome!!! At least mine was!!



Jim

D.R. Trip 2010 - Monday 1

Hey all...
Sorry for the lack of pictures. I was all set and ready to post and then the internet went out. Bummer about being in a third world country...

But we're up online now.

This is a picture of the Central Church. We are working (rebar) on the second floor... what looks like the roof. But this is what the outside looks like currently.



At lunch time today, we went to the "Hole." It's called the Hole because it is literally a hole where all the water runoff from that section of town runs down into a creek that runs through. The area is controlled by a drug lord who's allowed G.O. to serve the kids. We fed them lunch.

Bailey is posed with a couple of them. They are wild and just want to be paid attention to!





Jemi and Alyssa are helping to serve lunch. These students get a hot lunch because they are a part of the G.O. Kids program. Each kid gets a plate and they know exactly how much they are supposed to get.













Then we went for a little tour. This is what the creek looks like running through the Hole. Every once in a while a strong storm will come through and wipe out the bridge. But imagine if all the trash, garbage and whatever just ran through the streets and ended up here.








After lunch, we went back to rebar tying. Which we've been doing a lot of!!!



It was a pretty hot day. But the work was good.

After dinner, we are heading to "Bon" to get some ice cream. Watch for those pictures next!!!


Jim

D.R. Trip 2010 - Sunday

It was a beautiful day today in Santiago!!! We were up bright and early... about 9 am... for our first of two church services.

Our first service was at Edward's church... Gabriel's oldest son. Kathryn and Becca posed for this picture on the way in the back of the van.







Following the church service, we all paused while Isaias took our picture outside of the auditorium where the church service was held!!














Following church, we enjoyed some lunch! Bailey, Kathryn and Jemi helped out with the dishes... they're so helpful!!



















In the afternoon, we headed out to a beautiful waterfall!!
















And climbed some rocks!!!



Good day...
Dead battery...
Gotta go!!!

D.R. Trip 2010 - Saturday

We have had a very full day already. We started off the morning with some Children's Ministry. There was singing and clapping.

Then our group presented a skit about the fall of Jericho. Following that, we passed out some coloring book pages for the children to color.

Here Amanda is helping (which is really hard when you don't know Spanish).




Bailey was the pied piper today. She brought some bubbles... which was a huge hit this morning and this afternoon. They love to catch them and smash them!














A treat for sure!!! Real coke, made from real sugar in real glass bottles!!!

It's awesome!! Lisa, Justin, Nico and Alyssa are enjoying one!!!











Following lunch and a long siesta (which was incredible), we headed out into a more rural area where we helped with Children's church again. Pastor Nico (not the one that we brought) pastors this small church which is in process of building a feeding clinic on the other side.

After this we headed out to Nico's house for a short visit.






Right now we're changing and cleaning up some dinner. Tonight we are heading over to Gabriel and Tata's house for dinner. It will be a great time of connecting this them!!! Hopefully more tonight!

Jim (5:39 pm - Eastern)

G.O. Ministries Dominican Republic Team Tracker

It's kinda a little crazy. In 2 days, the 2010 D.R. Team will be in Miami right now waiting for our flight to Santiago!!!! Amazing!!!

We've been working on the trip for about a year and it's almost here. Pretty exciting. After all the pecan sales, chili dinner work, personal fundraising letters and the yard sale... we're almost there!

17 (13 students and 4 adults) of us will be heading to Santiago via Miami on Friday around 12:35 pm (American Airlines flight 1933) and then to Santiago (American Airlines flight 749).

We will be doing a little VBS while we're there. We'll also spend three days doing construction. It will be a great trip!!! I can't wait!!!

I hope, while we're there to be able to post some pictures and videos here on my blog. But should I not be able to get online consistently, you can keep up with us on G.O. Ministries "Team Tracker" website/blog. (Check it out HERE.)

We are grateful for your prayers and thoughts while we're gone!! It will be an amazing trip!!!

Jim