Dios Le Bendiga

We are back from another medical mission trip. Serving in the Dominican Republic is an experience we will never forget.

Our team of 21 treated and witnessed to 1,000 people in five days. We visited a town, a jail, a school, and a Haitian migrant village.

All unique experiences

and all very much in need.

Our host missionaries were AMAZING people and were TRUE SERVANTS of God. They have a beautiful piece of property with separate buildings for a school with two classrooms and a lirbrary, separate dorms for boys and girls, a baseball field (the popular sport in the Dominican), and a clinic on the property.

We spent time on Saturday and Sunday playing with kids from

El Catey, where we stayed.

They are always ready for a good time and

INSTANTLY capture your HEART.

We counted in Spanish over and over again!

Andy shot some hoops with some local kids...they LOVED that too!

They have VERY TALL palm trees in this area, but not too tall for local Dominicans to climb for COCONUTS. This is Jeffrey, a boy learning English who was with us for the week, climbing a tree for us Americans. He knocked down a dozen and then chopped them open with his machete,

a popular back pocket item around there.

We each took 50 pounds of medicines

along with us and sorted them all when we got there.

Each suitcase was categorized and filled

...and so our pharmacy came to be!

A Dominican Style ride...we took this and a van to clinic each day.

This was in El Batey, the Haitian migrant village. These motorcycles are popular everywhere in the Dominican.

We would eat breakfast and dinner at our host missionary's place, but lunch would be catered by some of the local Dominicans. They spent much time preparing this food for us and took great pride in the presentation of it. The day we went to the school, instead of the standard rice, beans, and chicken,

one man had caught

30 fish and prepared them for us.

A delicacy.

We each got rice beans and a WHOLE FISH on our plates. Tail, fins, head, and eyes!

It was delicious and we were HONORED by his generosity!

Here is the prison. A different kind of day. No groups have ever visited here.

The team treated 250 men and 14 women.

We set up clinic in their chapel. Took them into triage getting a main complaint and a blood pressure. Then a doctor would see them. Next came the education station where we taught proper tooth brushing and tied Salvation bracelets on each of their wrists. They all heard that NO MATTER what they have done, JESUS LOVES THEM.

It was good.

Then finally they could get their medicine.

They were all well behaved and we felt safe. We do not know what they all did or how long they were there, but we do know that no one has ever cared for them like this

and that only God can change them now!

Praise time.

Amidst all the business of the week, we did have an hour one afternoon to do a little shopping. We went to a port in SAMANA. Very touristy and 'Americanized'...nothing like the Dominican at all, but TRULY BEAUTIFUL and a great photo opp!

The beach, what a GORGEOUS COASTLINE. Miles of this picture perfect beach.

Andy and I painted these girls' nails. Yes, even Andy. The girls thought that was just great! After having their nails done, they taught us a bunch of words in Spanish

...let's just say they had a good laugh!

Our prayer for these 1000 Dominicans and all the lives they will touch comes from

2 Peter 3:18

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To HIM be glory both now and forever! Amen."

DIOS LE BENDIGA

GOD BLESS YOU!