Southview Grace Brethren Church

Hello and sorry for the gap in updates. The computers and internet connection here are not the same as your living room’s

We are winding up the work week here at Juan Tomas, but no body is ready to quit. Even if all of the jobs do not get finished, the people from the school are very better off because what we have done.

Every night is filled with many activities including basketball, volleyball, cards, chess and simply hanging out. It has been great to get to know the Dominicans and we are so thankful for the chance to just “hang out.”

I hope you all are excited to talk to us when we return; to ask us about our experience and what we have learned as we serve together in the D.R.  Continue to pray for us as we work hard Friday to get things done and then travel to the city on Saturday to the market and then to the beach!  Also, our travel back home on Sunday is fast approaching, so pray for our safety and a smooth transition from airport to airport.

Before I go, I have a note from another team member which was written earlier Thursday:

Priscilla Campbell

It’s my turn. I’ll start with the basics. The food is great (although some would like more meat). We’ve had fresh pineapple, avodados, yucca mashed potatoes, fried plantains, mashed plantains, fresh squeezed fruit juice (thick as a smoothie) as well as fried chicken, chocolate cake, and chocolate cookies. Alas, no goat milk ice cream – the ice cream freezer rusted away since 6 years ago.  Showers are cold, but not as cold as I was expecting.

The work – well it’s 6:30 and folks have still been working, so we can finish the many scheduled and added projects by tomorrow night. On Jane’s mural today, you can see goliath, the garden of Eden, Moses parting the Red Sea, Noah’s Ard, and Mary is beginning to be recognizable. Ben, Kory, Mike, Trevor and the Dominicans haave poured sidewalks but their most interesting task in this hot weather is to haul sand and cement in buckets up onto the roof of the house, to make a water proofing for the house. Yesterday they uploaded 30 wheelbarrels of sand and cement, all 400 buckets worth. And so it goes here in the DR.

Thanks for the daily notes. And, Vilas, your devotions are right on target for this week.

Getting to know Dominicans by names and face: Lucy, Dariana and Gregory are faithful helpers on our painting crew.  Big volleyball game last night between team and Dominicans. Roberto beat all the American challengers at chess (he is a social studies teacher here).  Ingrid tried to help me figure out Dominican strategy for Dominoes. Paster Mark can explain that to you better.

Thanks for all your prayer! We are doing well.

Priscilla

Greetings!  I have a couple notes from team members for you to read:

Doug Abel:

Spell check is broken…

Hello to everyone back home. We hope you are all well and enjoying your time with family and friends. We miss our loved ones and pray for y’all (a little southern lingo).

Thank you for your prayers and your letters from home. thos letters are something we look forward to each morning.

Mosquitoe netting is working so far for everyone. The water temperature is consistant for everyone in the showers even when the toilets are flushed.

The people here at the school are friendly which helps with the loneliness of being away from loved ones (I love and miss you, Becky).

There are no cats anywhere to be found so some are thinking that that’s what we have been having for some meals. Whatever it is it is good (most of the time).

We as a mission team are thankful for the opportunity to be here. There isn’t much interaction with the missionaries other than being directed by Paul to do the things needed.

So for now, PS 100. Back at ya.

Bryan Knowlton

This trip to the Dominican Republic has tought me a few things.

Firstly, every dominican child’s favorite phrase is “Candy?” No matter hwo old the child or how fluent they are in English, they always start a converstaion with “Candy?”

Secondly, the living conditions in this country are very bad, sometimes hopeless. The poverty that surrounds is heartbreaking, but seeing the people who live in these conditions, I find myself wiching for this level of community and friendship back in the States. The Dominicans are the happiest and kindest people I have ever met. I learned that social staus and monetary wealth have no bering on the love people show towards friends and family. The citizens of the Dominican Republic are truely wonderful people, and I just know they will change my life for the better.

Until the next time, God Bless You All

(this was Kory the past two days )

The Harbaughs hard at work

"Dad, which tool should I use?"

Hanging out on the basketball court

The guys making themselves at home

Three Amigos!

Hello from the Dominican Republic!

Since Mark last updated you, the team has taken a tour of Juan Tomas, had another church service, and one more day of hard work.

We had our eyes opened to the reality of how the people live yesterday as we traveled by foot into the village. This was a wonderful chance for us to see the people of Juan Tomas and the D.R. in their own culture. Although many of us would tell you that what we saw was sometimes sad and often sobering, I cannot go without mentioning one very big difference between the people here and those back home… they are happy! The have such joy! And what is more, the Christians here at the church are so encouraging. Continue to pray not only that we can encourage others, but that we will also be encouraged and strengthened by these amazing people.

You will see from our pictures that we have been working hard. It has been great to see how our team has joined hands and skills to complete a wide variety of tasks. Everything from painting to laying concrete, from doing electrical maintenance to building classroom furniture, we have truly made an impact already. The Dominicans are so grateful, and they also lend much needed helping hands. Let me tell you, it is very entertaining watching Ben Edwards try to communicate with a Dominican masonry expert!

I am posting a few pictures for you to enjoy. Please continue to pray for us, that God will open our eyes and hearts to His people down here, and that will every day learn to love God and love others a little more than before.

We apologize for not posting sooner.  The internet down here is not very good to say the least.

The team arrived safely, but late, and with no luggage.  There was a problem with the first plane, which caused the team to miss their connecting flight in Florida.  Thankfully we were able to catch a 5:00 flight later that day.  After arriving in the D.R. we ate a quick dinner in the airport, and headed to the village. 

Our luggage was delivered yesterday at about 1:00.  It all arrived so it was nice to be able to have tools to do the work we were trying to do, as well as be able to clean up a little.  Even without tools yesterday morning we were able to get some work done.

Church service last evening and this morning was enjoyable.  It is a wonderful experience getting to worship with brothers and sisters in the Lord from a different culture.  Our God is truly awesome.

This afternoon we will be taking a tour of the village of Juan Tomas.  Please continue to pray for us, for strength and perservance.  The team has handled the travel adversities extrememly well, and are looking forward to getting back to work tommrow.  Kory is trying to get some pictures of the trip up soon.  

Thank you for your cards and prayers.

Because of Him

Mark

Enjoy this slideshow of last year’s fun:

Personalize your own free photo slideshow

Southview would like to thank all the men and women who have or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. May God Bless your families and always be with you.

Please take time to view this incredible video:

We Will Stand from Brian B on Vimeo.