Tuesday Tales

Happy Tuesday evening everyone. It has been another great day here in the Dominican Republic. Lots of great work has been done. It has been a super hot day. Here’s what today brought.

This morning part of our team again returned to the school in Batey 106 to teach English. Today the topic was family and the lesson involved helping the kids know what the English words for different family members are. The construction crew began the process of mixing and then pouring concrete into the foundation. Shoveling, mixing, wheel barrowing, and sweating was the name of the game as we worked on the house. During the afternoon, half of the group taught the kids the story of Jonah and played games, colored, and simply had a good time together. In our pictures you might see a new friend of ours. Kathrine Ann is a student at Clemson University and is spending a few weeks down here. She has been a welcomed addition to our group and you will see her in pictures from the site and you will see mention of her later in the God sightings.

Tomorrow there is another group that will be coming to the Batey to hand out food and clothing and other fun things so we will all be working on the construction site all day. We hope to begin laying block tomorrow as well as finish pouring the foundation. The house is a duplex that will be enjoyed by 2 families once completed. 

 Here are the God sightings that the group shared tonight:

Sami saw God working as Kathrine Ann was able to communicate with the bus driver when the translator went to the store with Brian, Gretchen, and Jenn and in not falling into the cement mixer when she lost her footing. Her shovel was not as lucky and got a quick spin. She also saw God when 2 children assumed that she and Meara were lost and showed them the way to the work site.

Elyse saw God working when we were able to give water to the children of the batey. 

Hayden saw God working during the handing out of juice and crackers to the children and the smiles that they brought.

Meara saw God working during the English lessons as the kids learned the English words for their family members and then drew them. She also saw God as even though trash, dirt, and dust are prevalent in the batey, so are butterflies and other beautiful sights.

Mary Helen saw God working when a load of concrete was spilled and God provided the patience and problem solving ability to deal with the situation.

 Gretchen saw God at work as the children heard the story of Jonah as presented by Caleb and in Mary Helen’s prayer offered in Spanish.

Shelby saw God working when a girl gave her a big hug and said “I love you” in English.

Katherine Ann saw God working in Meara and Sami as they refilled our water bottles.

Caleb saw God when a boy gave him a huge and said “You are good” in Spanish.

Jenn saw God in a little boy who has become her best friend. She had been looking for him and when finally seeing him they both smiled huge and ran to hug one another. Jenn also saw God as the children wanted to help pick up trash around the church after their snacks without even being asked.

I (Brian) see God at work in each of the participants in our trip. They are doing a great job of being the hands and feet of Christ.

Thank you for your continued prayers. Pray for sore muscles and slight sunburns (none bad). Pray for strength and endurance.

And, leave a message in the comments. We read them each night and love to hear from you. Bedtime has crept earlier and earlier each night, so for tonight, rest well our friends.