More Around Santo Domingo--DR Day 3

Now I have a bit more time to explain our trip for those wondering.

Our Church does humanitarian service all over the world.
Older married couples called senior missionaries are often called to serve as humanitarian missionaries.  They are sent to places throughout the world.  They spend 1-2 years serving the people wherever they are.  In the humanitarian services of the Church they focus on 5 areas of improving the lives of people-- Food, Water, Neonatal Resucitation, Wheelchairs, and Vision.  Missionary couples look for opportunities to fill these needs in whatever area they reside.  The Church will often buy equipment for hospitals and cliniques. They invite different kinds of eye specialist to come depending on the needs. David has been invited to our past two trips because they needed a Spanish speaking retina specialist. He is able to help make sure the machine is working and that the doctors that will use it have the tools and knowledge to use the equipment so they can continue to help the people in that part of  the world.

Last year when we went to Ecuador the Church donated a laser and he was able to train the ophthalmologists how to use it.  This year the Church donated a vitrectomy machine to a diabetic hospital so he came to make sure that the retina specialist here is able to use it.  During both trips he has done surgeries, seen patients, and given lectures. Although David is quite a homebody and lover of the US, he knows the importance of serving others. I on the other hand love trips and want to travel the world so I feel lucky that I get to come as his Companion. I suppose we make a good pair.  He has the skills and I have the desire to go.  I spend most of my days with the senior couple we visit hospitals, schools, as well as popular tourist sites.

So day 3 we continued around Santo Domingo

This is the market with vegetables grown in the nearby fincas

 Huge bags of spices

 And fresh meat straight from the slaughter house, yowee

 Dropped by the stinky chicken coop

 Always a wonder how electricity works here and even more of a wonder that no one is killed by the  hanging wire.  Also so impressed with the men who work on these lines and can make sense of that..

We visited this public school.  It was a very poor school. One classroom for each grade, no running water, no air, no fans, no play area.  The kids were squished into their classrooms. It was so hot all the kids were sweating.

 

5th graders learning French. The teacher stands at the back of the  classroom because there is no room by the board.  Also it is a little cooler by the door.

Old desks stacked in the corner of the play ground

Kindergarteners

This is an underground cave in the city called Tres Ojo.
There are 3 underground lakes that are fed by a fresh spring.

The water is cool and clear.

This man's job is to climb to the side of the cave and dive off.
Pretty sweet job.
I think Jared would be awesome at this.

The hidden lake.  We had to take a raft across the lake in the cavern to this lake.

Here it is from above

This is the Faro de Colon.  A museum honoring Christopher Columbus.
It is in the shape of a cross. Big, huge, concrete cross.  Kind a big obnoxious looking building.
The locals told us that at night it is very beautiful because it is all lit up and you can see the cross in the sky.  However, the ladrones (thieves) keep stealing the lights so its not very bright....

Around Town--DR Day 2

 Balancing Eggs

 Balancing car

 Balancing man on the back of a truck

 Don't forget your TP because the restrooms don't have any

 David and I at the presentation ceremony

 With the residents

 With the doctors and friends from Church

 Man selling fish outside of our car.

 Beautiful old stairs

 Beautiful old cathedral--the first in the New World...

 Standing by the wolves, not sure why they were surrounding the cathedral

 Pigeons galore

 D atop the fortress

We had a great day.
Sorry so quick and not full  of too much detail.
David needs the computer so I am blogging fast.
So fun to explore a new city.
I love maps. I love walking around and finding new places.
Tonight we had dinner in the Plaza de Espana.
I bought a beautiful wood carved rosary for my mom from a sweet man off the street.
Loved seeing the old city.  Pretty amazing that the buildings were built when Columbus arrived.
Had FHE with some missionaries--one set being parents of Emily Evans a friend from Winston-Salem. Small world...

Dominican Republic--Day 1

Went to Church at 8am.
One thing that is always so endearing when we attend wards in Spanish speaking countries is the barbwire fences that surround the parking lot. So inviting and safe. I attended the young womens class during the last hour and I am just continually impressed by the youth of the Church all over.  They are just so good.

After Church we at lunch with the humanitarian missionaries Brother and Sister Haws who work throughout the entire country doing different service projects.

Took an uninterrupted siesta. Nice

Then I went to dinner at the Billings.  They are a cute family with 5 kids  that recently moved here to work at the US Embassy.  It was fun to see their house and talk to them about their Carribean adventures. There house also surrounded by beautiful barbwire.

Happy Day.

Anacapri--Our First Stier Cousin

Ella Joy and I got to take a quick trip down to SC to meet our newest family member, Shelly's baby girl, Anacapri.  She is beautiful and sweet and so very delicious. I love the newborn stage and that sweet innocent cry. It was so nice to be able to spend time with Shelly and have some qt with Ella Joy too.  Uncle Pat and Aunt Melissa took EJ to see some waterfalls nearby.  She loved jumping over the rocks. Shelly took me to the mall, quite an exciting advenure for the ND girl who has no Gap. It was a great trip. I wish it could have been longer or that we lived closer.

Now I'm off to sleep. David and I are leaving in the morning to go to the Dominican Republice on a humanitarian trip for our Church. My mom and Valerie are here with the kids.  I will try to post about our trip daily.  Let's all cross our fingers that David doesn't get food poisoning. And wish me luck recalling my Spanish. It will be interesting...

When you have 3 sisters.....

August in one post

 Noah's 11th Birthday at the bowling ally with a donut cake

 Joey our new pet guinea pig, Noah's birthday gift

 

 

 Noah starts 5th grade!



     Ella Joy starts 1st grade

 Mama runs a half marathon

 Noah receives his Arrow of Light and officially moves onto to Boy Scouts

We also welcomed our first Stier cousin into the world!!!
Anacapri Kenney was born August 10.
I am leaving tomorrow morning to go and meet her.
Pictures to come!!!

 

Medora

A must see if you make it to ND.
We had a quick campout, I think a little over 12 hours.
Arrived in Medora at 5:30
6:30 Pitchfork Fondue, yes huge steaks on pitchforks into boiling oil, hmmm!
8:00 Medora Musicale
11:00 Tent sleeping with all the kids
7:00 am Pack up to leave bc David is on call.

Amazing how we are getting  used to 4 hour trips in the car for one night of fun.