Wednesday and Thursday

What a day we had on Wednesday. We were all talking that we didn't know which was worse, physical exhaustion or emotional exhaustion. Tuesday was physically exhausting but Wednesday was definitely emotionally exhausting. We began our day with long truck ride into the mountains for a campo Mass. We had to stop on the way because our truck was starting to over heat because the incline of the mountain was so steep. We eventually made it only to find not many people at Mass because of rains the day before, they were out in their fields planting. With no irrigation system to speak of in this part of the country, they need to work when the good Lord provides for them. We did have fun with the few children and people who were at the Mass. The ride was absolutely breath taking. One of the most beautiful sights most of us have ever seen. The afternoon was one of the most difficult experiences for all of us. We were able to make it to the home for malnourished children. The 30 children there were so sad and so sick. After about an hour with them, we were finally able to get some of them to smile and a few to laugh. They craved human touch. If it not for the 15 of us and the 3 Dominican boys we brought with us, most of them would have just been in a crib all alone all afternoon. Our evening was spent processing the entire experience. It is so hard to see people (especially children) suffer. It makes us really ask the question, "Why?" - why them and not me? It was so good to know that for one afternoon we were able to bring a little bit of God's love to these children. It was a powerful experience. On Thursday we visited the school and brought supplies for the teachers to give to their students. We got to go to each classroom. Some of the classrooms sang songs for us, some asked us questions - it was interesting for us to see how different school is in a Third World country. Recess was a blast with the kids. It is so hard to believe that today is already the last day we will get to play with these children. Many of them have left lasting impressions on our hearts as I am sure our students have left the mark of God on the hearts of these children. It is going to be very difficult to leave this very special part of the world. Many of our students have said they do not want to leave. I am sure there will be lots of tears shed tonight and tomorrow as we prepare ourselves to leave here and return to our comfortable way of living in the states. This may be the last update until we return. Thank you for your prayers, support and most of all your love. We feel so blessed to have been able to share just a part of our experience with all of you!! See you soon!!!

Tuesday

We had a long and hot day of painting on Tuesday. We left for the campo at 8:30 and didn't return to Elias Pina until about 3:00 in the afternoon. There wasn't a cloud in the sky so it made for a very hot day. We worked well together to finish painting both the inside and the outside of the chapel. By the time we returned to the church there wasn't electricity and there wasn't electricity first thing this morning so this update is getting on the internet a little later than we had hoped. It was a great day but we were all EXHAUSTED by the time night fell on Elias Pina. We are all looking forward to the home for malnourished children on Wednesday afternoon. God Bless!!

Monday update

What a great Easter we had here in Elias Pina. The Easter egg hunt was a blast and the kids giggled and smiled and it brought so much joy to us to be part of that. We were able to do our evening sharing with some of the boys from the Catholic parish. This was such a deep sharing session that many tears were shed by all. We were able to tell them what it is about their country that we think is so beautiful. Most of us mentioned the generosity and love the people have for everyone. After they Dominicans were able to share their opinions of us. Fr Don (a retired priest from the GB diocese who is there visiting) asked the boys if they were envious of us. They were surprised by the question and asked "why" - Fr Don explained because we have whatever we want. Rafael said, "no, there is no reason to be envious, each person is special because God made them special." What a lesson for all of us to learn when we so many time sit in judgment and envy of others. Rafael is 19 years old and had to quit school this year at the university to come home to Elias Pina and work to provide and take care of his 15 year old brother after his mother died (his father died a few years ago). So much faith for a young man who could be very angry with God. He simply says "God is good!"
Today we spent time on the playground during recess time. We also did some laundry and worked in the bakery. We weren't nearly as fast or as good at rolling out the dough as the Dominicans but they taught us and were very patient with us!!
We finally know what we will be doing the rest of the week - tomorrow (Tuesday) we will paint a chapel in one of the many campos in the mountains. Wednesday we will be accompanying Fr Mike to a different campo for Mass and then in the afternoon we will make our way to the home for malnourished children in Las Matas. Thursday morning we will be visiting the Catholic school and then the students will have the afternoon to spend with their families before we end with a pizza party on Thursday night and leave for the capital on Friday morning. Just talking about it makes everyone sad because they know that the time is going to go very fast. We miss everyone back home but we have also come to really love the simple life here and the people we have met have become like a second family to us. We pray for all of you each night as we gather to reflect on our day and pray. We love you all!!

Happy Easter from Elias Pina!! Our day began with a birthday celebration for Michael - a surprise fiesta for him with his American and Dominican friends and family. We then spent the morning having a great time on the playground with the kids and the Dominican teens we have become quick friends with. The electricity has been off almost all day. It finally just came back on so we are trying to get this posted before we leave for our Easter party with the children and then an Easter dinner at the Montero family. Today was a GREAT day for all of us. We are going to visit the school tomorrow and work in the bakery. We are all falling in love with so many of the children - I promise that I won't let them take any of them home with them - it will be hard because they have all said they want to take at least one home with them!! We will not be painting until Tuesday because the hardware store was closed on Saturday because of Easter so we cannot get paint until Monday. We hope to keep you posted, but with Holy Week and Easter over, we have been told that electricity will be more scarce. We have been lucky to have electricity most nights by at least 9:30 or 10:00 and most of mid-days. Blessings to you all!!

Today we made our way to the top of the mountain. EVERYONE made the entire trek to the top. It was a very fun morning of walking, conversing with our Dominican friends and realizing just how fortunate all of us are. We realized today that we have so much and take so much for granted and these people have so little but they love God so much and trust in him for all they do have. It was a great lesson for all of us. We are all resting now then we will get ready for the Easter Vigil tonight. There isn't a cloud in the sky today - hot and humid but we are enjoy the beauty of Elias Pina - both the sights and the people. Happy Easter to all of our friends and family members!! We love you!!

What a day we all had today! We began the day by participating in the drama of the Way of the Cross. This led us to the top of a small hill where Jesus was crucified. This is a picture of the crucifixion. The little boy was Wso cute standing at the edge of the hill - we couldn't resist getting a picture. After the stations, we made our way to the playground. We hadn't yet unpacked our bags so we had to be creative and come up with a game that everyone could play...duck, duck, goose - only we couldn't think of the Spanish word for goose so we played duck, duck, chicken!! Haha!! After a meal of mac and cheese and peanut butter sandwiches some rested on the top of the roof while others went back to the playground with bubbles, coloring books and a soccer ball. Two little boys were entertained for a couple of hours by our students. Several of us went to the Good Friday service while the rest caught up on some much needed rest. The students are now all heading back to their homes for dinner and then we will return tonight for reflection and prayer. It was a great day!! Started out overcast and a little bit cooler than yesterday but ended up sunny with a high of about 92. We made lots of friends, had lots of laughs, prayed together and brought sunshine to the lives of many children. Blessings to all of you at home!!

This is a group picture in the neighborhood where the three boys live. When we went to visit their family the entire neighborhood welcomed us. It was a great day so far - everyone is feeling more comfortable with their families. We look forward to sharing more photos and memories with you as the week progresses.

We arrived!

We arrived safely in Elias Pina at about 8:30 pm yesterday. Our families were all eagerly awaiting our arrival. When we landed at 2:20 pm it was 90 degrees and at 8:30 it hadn't changed much. It was extremely humid so the rainfall during the night was a welcomed surprise!! Right now is it already 90 degrees and should be at least 100 by the middle of the day. We were all EXHAUSTED by the time we made it here so we told the students to sleep in. It is after 10:00 and none have made it back to the parish office so I am sure they are getting well needed rest. As exhausted as we all were, we are also equally as excited for the journey ahead. Three of the boys who volunteer in the church came with the bus driver to Santo Domingo to get us so we were all able to practice our Spanish on the 5 hour bus ride. Everyone was doing great with communication so far!! Today we plan to visit the host families, play on the playground, attend Holy Thursday Mass and then the boys are going to teach us how to dance to the Dominican music. It will be a fun and faith-filled day! Wishing all of you blessings on this Holy Thursday!! We will try to post again as soon as we can!!

A little over a week left!! Anyone who has donations for the trip need to have them dropped off at Xavier by Friday at 11:00 am. Packing of the donation bags will occur on Friday at 11. Make sure you tell your friends and family members about this blog so they can keep up on what we are doing. Get ready for the ADVENTURE!! This is a picture from our annual Easter egg hunt at the Montero family's home. It will be a BLAST!!

ONLY 15 DAYS LEFT!! Just a quick reminder to everyone that it is in the middle of the night on Tuesday night - into early Wednesday morning that we leave for Chicago. This means that you will be missing school on Wednesday and the half day on Thursday. I will send an email to the teachers after exams next week Tuesday so your new teachers for 4th term know that you will be gone. Make sure to get any make-up homework from them. This will be you in a little over 2 weeks!!

Only 23 More Days!

The countdown has begun - only 23 more days until we hit the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic - we cannot wait!! Parents and friends can check this blog for updates on our activities while in the DR. We will do our best to update throughout the week (if we have electricity and have internet access). Sign up to receive our updates!!