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Dear Friends,
We are leaving for the airport in about 10 minutes. We should arrive at the airport in 2 hours. Our flight leaves at about 4:20 PM for Miami. Then, it's a 3 hour layover until we take off again for O'Hare. (Maybe we'll get a little Dutch Blitz and Password in at Miami airport.) I believe we land at O'Hare at about 11:30 PM.
It's been a sweet trip in so many, many ways. The team unity was very special. Alison Veurink read this morning that we should "make every effort" to maintain the bond of peace (Eph. 4). I believe that happened. We all went out of our way to be gracious, kind, forgiving, loving, friendly, conversant, etc., with one another. It wasn't utopia but it was very special.
Much was accomplished through our work and we made good progress on the school. Relationships with the Dominicans in spite of the language barrier have been well established and we trust we will see them all again.
Last night was a memorable evening and today's carnival with the children was a blast (thanks to Carrie and Alison's hard work and preparation).
I'd better go. Don't want to miss the bus!!!
Blessings to you all,
Karen
Kids Camp
Here is a picture of a game we played at Kids Camp. The object of the game was to pop the balloon on Rachel's and Kerianne's laps.
This is a picture of some of the girls in the youngest group at Kids Camp.
This is a picture of the oldest group at Kids Camp. They are reviewing what they learned over the last few weeks with a competition to match fruits with the Fruits of the Spirit.
In this picture, the kids are watching a puppet show.
Now a note about a topic close to my heart: food. We are staying at a mission house run by a group called "Share The Vision". They not only provide us with shelter and beds but three meals a day. Every meal has been great. We have had a blend of American and Dominican dishes over the last week. In addition to fresh fruit and fruit-juice at every meal, we have enjoyed: enchiladas, grilled pork chops, shepherds pie, various rice dishes, stews, hot vegetables, fresh breads and rolls, fried hush-puppies, different salads, pineapple cobbler with ice cream, pancakes, sandwiches, yogurt cups, cold teas with ice, cereal with milk, chocolate muffins, plenty of fresh clean water, and coffee.
Rice with black beans, beef and carrot stew, fried plantains, cabbage salad, and fresh watermellon juice.
Chris enjoys an ice-cream cone bought from a cart vendor.
Rice with black beans, beef and carrot stew, fried plantains, cabbage salad, and fresh watermellon juice.
Chris enjoys an ice-cream cone bought from a cart vendor.
Recreation
Dear Family and Friends,
While I have a few minutes before lunch, I thought I'd talk a bit about our recreational life here in the DR. Most evenings, Alison Veurink and Karen Blaauw organize mixer games which have been a lot of fun. One evening, Hannah Lagerwey was in the midst of building her "name game" empire when Jeff, with only 5 on his team, recalled that Hannah's name was "Santa Claus" and he succeeded in a coup. Hannah's team were unable to recall that Jeff was "John Travolta".
Alison Veurink is the current Queen of Dutch Blitz with a high score of 27 in one round!!! Go Alison. Rachel Veurink is the current Password champ gaining victory with 2 different partners - Heino once, and her father, Dave, a second time. Clearly, the Veurinks dominate when it comes to games!
Heino is quickly becoming known as the quirky, loud, shall I say "obnoxious" game player. All you who have played games with Heino know what I am talking about. Enough said.
Everyone continues to get along great. It's refreshing to be away from the television and enjoy one another's company during the evenings.
Until next time,
Karen
While I have a few minutes before lunch, I thought I'd talk a bit about our recreational life here in the DR. Most evenings, Alison Veurink and Karen Blaauw organize mixer games which have been a lot of fun. One evening, Hannah Lagerwey was in the midst of building her "name game" empire when Jeff, with only 5 on his team, recalled that Hannah's name was "Santa Claus" and he succeeded in a coup. Hannah's team were unable to recall that Jeff was "John Travolta".
Alison Veurink is the current Queen of Dutch Blitz with a high score of 27 in one round!!! Go Alison. Rachel Veurink is the current Password champ gaining victory with 2 different partners - Heino once, and her father, Dave, a second time. Clearly, the Veurinks dominate when it comes to games!
Heino is quickly becoming known as the quirky, loud, shall I say "obnoxious" game player. All you who have played games with Heino know what I am talking about. Enough said.
Everyone continues to get along great. It's refreshing to be away from the television and enjoy one another's company during the evenings.
Until next time,
Karen
Work continues on the foundation of the school. As I understand it: powdered cement is mixed with sand and water to form mortar. To this same mixture is added stones which makes concrete. Different rations are used depending on the desired usage. All this is done by hand (shovels) on the ground in large piles and then transported to the correct trench with buckets.
Today we worked to add the 2nd (and in some places the 3rd) layer of brick to the 1st that we finished on Saturday.
This first picture shows the first layer of brick resting on the poured foundation. (The work we finished on Saturday.) The picture is looking down into a 5 foot trench. Mortar connects each brick in the line.
This second picture shows the bricks being filled in with concrete. This eliminates any gaps in the brick.
This third picture shows the 1st layer of brick with the holes now completely filled and dry. Notice that the rebar (steel skeletal rods) are through each brick giving it strength.
This fourth picture shows the 2nd layer of brick now being laid on top of the 1st. A steel rod goes through each brick, mortar is placed between each layer and between each brick, and concrete will fill the gaps within the brick.
Today we worked to add the 2nd (and in some places the 3rd) layer of brick to the 1st that we finished on Saturday.
This first picture shows the first layer of brick resting on the poured foundation. (The work we finished on Saturday.) The picture is looking down into a 5 foot trench. Mortar connects each brick in the line.
This second picture shows the bricks being filled in with concrete. This eliminates any gaps in the brick.
This third picture shows the 1st layer of brick with the holes now completely filled and dry. Notice that the rebar (steel skeletal rods) are through each brick giving it strength.
This fourth picture shows the 2nd layer of brick now being laid on top of the 1st. A steel rod goes through each brick, mortar is placed between each layer and between each brick, and concrete will fill the gaps within the brick.
We have water
Dear Friends and Family,
We have water. Thanks for your prayers! We began another work week this morning. Layed more brick on the foundation. A few glitches - the gas powered mortar mixer malfunctioned and we were short on cement and supplies. We are learning how to manage with the Dominican pace of life while dealing with our Dutch American work ethic. The team has excellent unity and that has been such a blessing. Everyone works and lives harmoniously together.
Later,
Karen
We have water. Thanks for your prayers! We began another work week this morning. Layed more brick on the foundation. A few glitches - the gas powered mortar mixer malfunctioned and we were short on cement and supplies. We are learning how to manage with the Dominican pace of life while dealing with our Dutch American work ethic. The team has excellent unity and that has been such a blessing. Everyone works and lives harmoniously together.
Later,
Karen
Our morning church service was wonderful. Two of our team gave personal testimonials, several of our young ladies sang a praise song, and Guille preached (in Spanish) from Romans 8 while his wife Shelley translated for the rest of us. Some of the young ladies of our team also served in the childrens' church time. We were warmly welcomed with smiles and hugs. This picture shows Guille and Shelley together.
No water
Dear Friends and Family,
We had a truly marvelous day on the beach at Puerto Plata yesterday. Most of the young ladies had their hair beaded, much bartering was done for necklaces, a delicious pineapple, purchased from a beach vendor, was consumed, and the water was very fun to play in. We enjoyed a relaxing meal at a beach restaurant in the evening. Too lovely to describe. I was very warmed to see the table of teenagers talking together long after the meal was consumed. They have really bonded and there is much unity in the group.
We awoke this morning to the news that we don't have any water. We have enough to give ourselves "cup" showers, brush our teeth, wash our faces, etc. But, there is no water for showers. That won't be much of an issue today while we worship and rest. However, it doesn't take long to work up a good sweat on the work site.
So, please pray for water on Monday!!!
Thanks!
Karen
We had a truly marvelous day on the beach at Puerto Plata yesterday. Most of the young ladies had their hair beaded, much bartering was done for necklaces, a delicious pineapple, purchased from a beach vendor, was consumed, and the water was very fun to play in. We enjoyed a relaxing meal at a beach restaurant in the evening. Too lovely to describe. I was very warmed to see the table of teenagers talking together long after the meal was consumed. They have really bonded and there is much unity in the group.
We awoke this morning to the news that we don't have any water. We have enough to give ourselves "cup" showers, brush our teeth, wash our faces, etc. But, there is no water for showers. That won't be much of an issue today while we worship and rest. However, it doesn't take long to work up a good sweat on the work site.
So, please pray for water on Monday!!!
Thanks!
Karen
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