Last day in Barahona

Today is our last day in Barahona. Here's what we've been doing...
Yesterday it was pouring down rain and we thought the day was wasted, but we were flexible and shook our fist at Satan and headed out to do our days work. After we scurried about making changes to our schedule the sun came out! Suzanne headed to the caricatures, visited the hospital pediatric ward (a sad example of socialized medicine), prayer walking in the mud--I've got some great "kid water splashing" videos, AC & Jim have a great story about the scripture on the dugout that I'll post when I get back, Warren, BJ & Andy built a latrine, they worked on two houses and finished construction today. We had Bible studies & kids Bible activities. Then we had a youth rally which is actually a scavenger hunt. We probably had about 100 kids divided into teams and running through the streets looking for items such as a euro, crab, photo of president, etc. Nick's team won first place. Also to celebrate Nick's 21st birthday, Nick & Riley played Dominican dominoes with a couple of men at the park & Nick & Riley won! The usually play for eggs, but they passed on the prize.

At the businessmen's lunch today there were 15 Dominicans, 5 Americans, & 3 TV cameramen + Franklin. We shared our testimonies about what God has done in our lives. How God influences us in our work. We were very well received. Franklin said it was an incredible response. Some of the men got up and shared their testimonies of how they were inspired and how they can share this with their own families. They were excited about us being in the Dominican and our actions spoke louder than words. The guys in charge of the TV station did a recording of Franklin and said he would show it on TV as much as possible this year and next year when we come back we need to let them know and record us a couple of times while we are here, then show it on TV as much as possible.

Domingo, a hotel employee, brought Suzanne, Pat & Sandi a pitcher of water & napkins while we were eating lunch in the breezeway and told us we were his "mothers". Then he sang and gave testimony. He's 21 years old and a pastor. Now when he sees us carrying bags through the hotel, he offers to carry them.

Mike says it's amazing how much value they place on an empty paint can that's given to them. Mike gave a can to someone and now he sees them carrying it proudly through the streets.

We're getting ready to go to our last afternoon Bible studies and tonight we will have a celebration of the week.

Sorry I haven't had time to post pictures. But I will soon.

Bye--Sandi