The Lord is providing in amazing ways for our team as funds are coming in and airline tickets are purchased! We depart in under 45 days to Santo Domingo. Hard to believe that the days are dwindling down. We are set at 17 team members who are eager and excited for this outreach. We have both returning and new members who will be setting out for this journey that will be new to all of us.
We don't have too much left for fundraisers, but are counting on support letters and donations as of now. It is always amazing how God brings it all together in the end.
We appreciate all of your prayers and support!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Day 1, Part 1
Reliving parts of our last trip...
As we descended into the rugged lands of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, I thought my ears would explode and head fry of fever. Flying with a mucus-filled head isn't always the ideal way to arrive into the Caribbean, but I did, nonetheless. Of course the airport welcomed us with the classic corralling of human cattle and chaos. Mugginess hit our fa
ces as we trekked through the chaotic airport to customs. I wanted to pass out, I was so fatigued and weak. Chaos was overwhelming but the culture shock was almost nonexistant in my careless attitude.
Managing to pull my passport and appropriate documents out, I somehow ended up with my bags and following the group out the door of the airport into the Dominican atmosphere, where we were surrounded by a different type of chaos.
Constant horns and vehicles and a foreign language being shouted from every which way. My head spun and I crawled into an air conditioned van past jungles of seat belts that no one ever wore anyway in this country. I curled up next to a window, wrapped up in my blue hoodie, freezing as sweat oddly enough poured from my forehead.
Passing Spanish billboards and horses in the back of pickup trucks, and people walking in the road, selling fruit and candy, I enjoyed hearing the oohs and ahhs of our first time team members. It was all such a magical experience, even for those of us who had been down this highway multiple times. There was always something new to gawk at during the 45 minutes of stopping and going and close calls and mopeds weaving in the three f
eet that remained between you and the vehical in the next lane over. Our supposibly 4 lanes of traffic was somehow 6, as street lines were an optional suggestion.
Turning off to a bumpy, half dirt, half paved, falling apart road, we had reached the area of Los Alcarrizos. Just as many vehicles as the city and even more people and dogs running around. The 15 passenger dipped and hopped as we drove through hardcore road damage and potholes. People weaved around us in their 80s style pickup trucks with just as many people riding in the bed. Horns would beep to let the people know not to hit us, and we wouldn't hit them. Armed guards sat in plastic beach chairs, watching our van bump by. We weren't sure whether to feel safer or more alert.
Finally reaching Unto Inc.'s gate, we pulled aside and waited for it to be opened to us to enter the camp. Eyes watched us with a glimmer or curiosity, knowing full well there were Americanos in that van, since there were always Americanos staying at that camp. The van pulled up to the side of the kitchen and halted. We had arrived at our home for the next 8 days.
As we descended into the rugged lands of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, I thought my ears would explode and head fry of fever. Flying with a mucus-filled head isn't always the ideal way to arrive into the Caribbean, but I did, nonetheless. Of course the airport welcomed us with the classic corralling of human cattle and chaos. Mugginess hit our fa
ces as we trekked through the chaotic airport to customs. I wanted to pass out, I was so fatigued and weak. Chaos was overwhelming but the culture shock was almost nonexistant in my careless attitude.Managing to pull my passport and appropriate documents out, I somehow ended up with my bags and following the group out the door of the airport into the Dominican atmosphere, where we were surrounded by a different type of chaos.
Constant horns and vehicles and a foreign language being shouted from every which way. My head spun and I crawled into an air conditioned van past jungles of seat belts that no one ever wore anyway in this country. I curled up next to a window, wrapped up in my blue hoodie, freezing as sweat oddly enough poured from my forehead.
Passing Spanish billboards and horses in the back of pickup trucks, and people walking in the road, selling fruit and candy, I enjoyed hearing the oohs and ahhs of our first time team members. It was all such a magical experience, even for those of us who had been down this highway multiple times. There was always something new to gawk at during the 45 minutes of stopping and going and close calls and mopeds weaving in the three f
eet that remained between you and the vehical in the next lane over. Our supposibly 4 lanes of traffic was somehow 6, as street lines were an optional suggestion.Turning off to a bumpy, half dirt, half paved, falling apart road, we had reached the area of Los Alcarrizos. Just as many vehicles as the city and even more people and dogs running around. The 15 passenger dipped and hopped as we drove through hardcore road damage and potholes. People weaved around us in their 80s style pickup trucks with just as many people riding in the bed. Horns would beep to let the people know not to hit us, and we wouldn't hit them. Armed guards sat in plastic beach chairs, watching our van bump by. We weren't sure whether to feel safer or more alert.
Finally reaching Unto Inc.'s gate, we pulled aside and waited for it to be opened to us to enter the camp. Eyes watched us with a glimmer or curiosity, knowing full well there were Americanos in that van, since there were always Americanos staying at that camp. The van pulled up to the side of the kitchen and halted. We had arrived at our home for the next 8 days.
Monday, October 26, 2009
A Growing Team
The team is growing with every meeting we have. Many are stepping forward to take on this calling God has set before us in completing this remarkable project for the kids. There is much support for us and the project as well, as people are stepping forward to help with fund raising and getting the news around about this project.
There are still many, many fund raisers ahead as we are still doing what we can to raise the money for our team members and the products for the building project. Here are a few opportunities for you to come and support us with!
~November 8: There will be an oatmeal bar between the 9 and 11am services, and a yummy spaghetti dinner after the 11am service at Mason County Reformed Church! Give by donation for your fill!
~ November 20 & 21: Knights of Columbus art show. We will have a table set up there, selling goodies and crafts! Friday 11- 7, Saturday 9-3.
~ Apple Pie Sale: The team will be selling delicious, homemade, freezable apple pies now, until November 14. The pies cost $10 each and will be ready by November 21. Get your Thanksgiving dessert today! It'll make the whole family happy.
~Caramel Corn Sale: Looking for a great, yummy treat for your friends and family for Christmas? How about a huge canister of various flavors of caramel corn. The team is selling Christmas-themed canisters of caramel corn for $5 each. There are flavors like cranberry almond, chocolate drizzle, and toffee almond cashew. Hurry and order yours today! The sale ends November 8!
There are still many, many fund raisers ahead as we are still doing what we can to raise the money for our team members and the products for the building project. Here are a few opportunities for you to come and support us with!
~November 8: There will be an oatmeal bar between the 9 and 11am services, and a yummy spaghetti dinner after the 11am service at Mason County Reformed Church! Give by donation for your fill!
~ November 20 & 21: Knights of Columbus art show. We will have a table set up there, selling goodies and crafts! Friday 11- 7, Saturday 9-3.
~ Apple Pie Sale: The team will be selling delicious, homemade, freezable apple pies now, until November 14. The pies cost $10 each and will be ready by November 21. Get your Thanksgiving dessert today! It'll make the whole family happy.
~Caramel Corn Sale: Looking for a great, yummy treat for your friends and family for Christmas? How about a huge canister of various flavors of caramel corn. The team is selling Christmas-themed canisters of caramel corn for $5 each. There are flavors like cranberry almond, chocolate drizzle, and toffee almond cashew. Hurry and order yours today! The sale ends November 8!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Indoor Yard Sale!
Saturday, October 17, the DR team will be holding one of their famous indoor yard sales at MCRC from 8am to 3pm! There are tons of awesome pickings, including books, clothes, appliances, toys, games and much, much more! There will be lunch served and snacks throughout the day!
If you would like to donate items to our sale, bring them by MCRC Friday (tomorrow), or call Mason County Reformed Church to arrange for them to be picked up by our team!
Proceeds will go towards the kitchen project.
Hope to see you there!!!
If you would like to donate items to our sale, bring them by MCRC Friday (tomorrow), or call Mason County Reformed Church to arrange for them to be picked up by our team!
Proceeds will go towards the kitchen project.
Hope to see you there!!!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Dominican Meet & Eat
The team is gearing up for a Saturday of presenting Dominican culture and projects to the people of our church an community. There will be displays, photos, fellowship, food and a guest speaker, Cristian Santiago! He'll be sharing with us about projects and culture. Come on down and get to know our team, join the team, support the team, or just come down for some fun and learning about the missions that God has placed before us. There are some really great stories behind many of these projects and the people involved.
Saturday, October 3, 1-4pm @MCRC.
Cristian will be sharing around 3.
Hope to see you there!
Saturday, October 3, 1-4pm @MCRC.
Cristian will be sharing around 3.
Hope to see you there!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Dominican Trip May 2009 Video
Here is a video I made from our most recent trip last May. Enjoy!
Song: Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath
Song: Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Building Up for Another Adventure
As some of you may know, another trip to the Dominican Republic is being planned. We already have a solid number of individuals ready to pursue this next trip, but are still looking for more to join us in this awesome journey. We will be working more with the kitchen project and working towards getting that kitchen up and running for the next school year.
Fund raising is also a given for this trip. We have already held many events to raise money for this cause, but will be holding many more, and encourage everyone to come on out and see what we have to offer. Bring friends too!
That's all we have coming up so far! Please keep checking back here for more updates on our progress and our team! We are cooking up more events every time we meet, so come back!
Fund raising is also a given for this trip. We have already held many events to raise money for this cause, but will be holding many more, and encourage everyone to come on out and see what we have to offer. Bring friends too!
- Harvest Festival Weekend- The DR team will be working out of the Hungry Howies booth at the Scottville Harvest Festival (September 24-26). There will be many yummy snacks and goodies offered, including pizza, chili, and our delicous grilled cheese sandwiches! Stop by for lunch and dinner!
- Indoor Yard Sale- October 17 at MCRC from 8am to 3pm. We will be seeking donations, so be setting aside things you don't want anymore to give to this cause. Bring them by church starting the Thursday (Oct 15) before the sale. Come on out to the sale to get some good stuff for sale by donation!
- Dominican Republic Meet & Eat: We will be holding a special event October 3 at MCRC from 1pm-4pm, for anyone interested in what we are about, and for those who have been on previous DR trips to come and see what our current project is about. There will be food, and Cristian Santiago will be speaking at 3! Come and have some fun with fellowship and food!
That's all we have coming up so far! Please keep checking back here for more updates on our progress and our team! We are cooking up more events every time we meet, so come back!
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