Wednesday July 3 - St. Anne's Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic - Martha Furniss

It's quiet right now in the Hotel Colonial lobby. There is a gentle mist, my cafe con leche is cooling on the arm of the chair as I write. Our band of 7 missioners has been busy! In the mornings we work with, and stay out of the way of, a crew of local workers as we rehabilitate Dora's house. Perched on the side of a steep hill, it now has a center dividing wall that will provide private bedrooms for the family. Work has also started on the bathroom and kitchen. There is a little concrete patio in front of the house but the space there is taken up by building supplies and used as a mortar mixing site. Those of us not "working" try to take up as little space as possible.

We are quite the entertainment for the neighbors. They watch from the doors and windows of their houses as we make our way down the steep, irregular steps and through some especially slippery spots. Hands are offered to me but I usually say no, as I don't want to take anyone down with me if I slip! There is a tree that is my particular friend. I grab it, plant my feet cautiously and smile with joy and relief at the sight of Dora's patio just down the path. 

While we stay out of the way, we make friends with the neighborhood children. Yesterday they taught Susan and me a hand clapping game. We take their pictures and they laugh to see themselves in the cameras. Dora shared a book written about the barrio. Too soon it is lunch time and we head back up the hill to the church.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is going well. We have the usual challenges of 15 kids crowded into a pew that might fit 10 children comfortably and crafts that are either really cool and kids want more or a little complicated and we find ourselves helping more than we expected. The saving grace is that we have had Poly and his family ALL week! A master musician, priest of the Diocese of the DR, son of Padre Hipólito and long time friend, Poly is our song leader and so much more. We sing and dance, laugh and sigh, it's the usual routine for this trip.

Breakfast is ready. Café con leche, fresh mango, piña, papaya. Then we'll hop into the van and be on the way to church. We've got more to do. And we have so much more to share with you! We'll try to write more soon.

Two of the smaller VBS kids.

Bob hangs the rainbows.