Final day in DR!

 

March 24

So sorry for 2 days without posts!  The city where the internet source we use has been without power for a couple of days.  Makes it rough!

Joel

Dear Mom  Dad and Nanny,

            The trip is going really well, I haven’t blogged because I figured you wouldn’t check, but since everyone else was I decided to. The weather isn’t that bad, but this is nothing like that mission trip to South Carolina. We have been working on building two schools , the group is split into two and we do vbs every night at each of the locations. The kids here treat us like we are superstars and they want our autographs and pictures with us. The food we eat is pretty much the same on a day to day basis, but since it’s the only food we have I had to learn to not be to picky. Today was the day we went to the island, and believe it or not I actually went into the ocean. At first there was a lot of confusion and they said they were stopping in the middle of ocean to snorkel, so of course I said I wasn’t getting in. we stopped like a mile away from the shore and they said go ahead and jump from the top of the boat. Everyone was going but Adam, Caleb and I just wouldn’t go. After peer pressure we finally did and it was fun! Later when we go to the island I had to learn how to snorkel and then we went back into the boat and we went a ways out and we had to swim half a mile to the reef. Every ten seconds while Adam and I were swimming we were looking for sharks. Once we got to the reef it was so cool to see all the fish and things that lived down there. Things are good , glad I came.

            Love,

                        Ryan

Dear Mom, Dad, Jason, Granny, and anyone else who reads this blog,

            I am doing really well.  The weather is so nice here,  I wish you guys could be here.  Dad, the skies are so clear every night! I wish you could see all the constellations.  It’s a lot clearer than at home.  Life is a lot different here.  We get up really early, drive and eat most of the same foods, and get to work.  Yesterday I got to work at Sendaro.  It’s a lot nicer building than Quisqaya but it is in a worse environment.  I liked it a lot better just because there are less people.  Making more work available for me.  I have learned how to lay brick, though I’m really bad at it. My knee was causing me troubles, so I was also water girl, dirt crew, and my favorite…PAINT CREW! I was so happy to be able to paint the other day.  I’ve been writing in my journal so you will read more in detail then.  Today was the best day of the trip!  We rode in a really nice coach bus that made me feel like we were on a plane.  Then we went on a glass floored boat.  That was cool.  We stopped on the way to this island to go swimming, but mainly jump off the top level of the boat.  I was really scared at first, but Kelcie made me go and I’m glad she did! It was soooo much fun!  We got to the island and it was so nice.  It looked like that resort Sandals.  It was really beautiful.  The water was crystal clear and we were welcomed.  I got a couple things and swam.  We went snorkeling and that was really fun.  WE saw a school of Dori’s and coral.  This one piece looked like it had like queso smeared on it; I could’ve been halusinating.  It was really nice and I wish I could have stayed there a lot longer than we did.  I am so glad I got to come!  I am fine and am so excited to see you guys soon!  I love you guys with all my heart!   143!

            Love,           

                                    Amanda

March 25, 2011

Hello to all family and friends.  We are one the home stretch.  This is our last day of work, which seems more challenging coming off of yesterday (our play day at Isla Catalina).  We are so close to completing the projects but we will have to come back next year to bring both schools to finished quality.

Tomorrow is Sabbath and we are all looking forward to it!  We have two baptisms planned for Sabbath afternoon at the beach.  The spiritual climate of this trip has been phenomenal.  The students this year seem to be growing closer to God and reforming their lives to align with His will.  Praise the Lord!  That is the primary purpose of a youth mission trip.  Building schools is secondary.

All my love to Michelle, Julianne, and Stephanie, I can’t wait to see you Monday morning.

Pastor Shawn

Oi mae! Eu tou bem, tou bem cansada e vermelha J. Manda um beijo pra tudo mundo (os cabidos, castros). Hoje e nosso ultimo dia de trabalho.

 We went to an island yesterday (for our day off) and it was beautiful! It was amazing! I loved all of it (except for the sunburn that I got). The only part of me that isn’t burnt is my midsection. We went snorkeling and it was sooooo much fun! But today we are back to work. We have a lot to get done today, hopefully we can reach our goal. There are a lot of people who are sick but they are holding up pretty well. I’m thankful that I didn’t get TOO sick. Anywho, I really want to eat breakfast, I just wanted to let you know that I’m ok. I love you! Miss you! Beijos! Bye! (oh and tell lucas I love him too!)

Carly P.

Dear Mom, Dad, and Scott,

It has been a very long however many days we’ve been here.  It actually feels like we’ve been down here forever. But I really like it. The weather is nice, some of the scenery is pretty, and the work isn’t too bad. But I think I’m ready to go home soon. It’s freezing cold at night here (for me) and yet we still sleep with the fans on.  And the showers are so cold; I don’t think I remember what a hot shower feels like. My withdrawals from my phone and internet aren’t actually too bad. I haven’t gotten any sunburn and I haven’t been sick at all. Yesterday was our day off and we went to an island and did some snorkeling and hanging out. It was really nice to relax in the sun instead of working in it. I just finished breakfast now and we’re about to start our last work day. We’ve done so much already and I kinda don’t wanna leave. But we’ll be home on Sunday. And yes, I will call you when we land in Miami. Miss you all lots.

Love,

Michelle Kelchner

Hi Everyone! =]

Mom and dad, sorry I didn’t write in the blog sooner. I’ve tried, but someone always has the computer whenever I want to. These past few days have been so much fun. It’s been a lot of hard work, so I was so happy that we got to have our fun day yesterday. We got to go snorkeling. I didn’t go for too long though, because it was so hard to breathe. But, it was really great to hang out on the beach and go shopping and stuff. Mom, I got two paintings for my room. =] They’re really pretty. One is for over my bed and the other one is little. They’re of the beach. Today is our last day of work though, so I really hope we can get a lot done. They’re yelling at us to go to work now, but I’ll see you all Sunday!! =D

Love, Ashley

March 25, 2011

Hey guys!

Wow I can’t believe that its already the last day of construction we have been working hard laying block, painting, moving dirt, and mixing mortar. We all had an awesome day at the beach yesterday. The island we went to was so pretty the water was see through blue and the sand was really white.  One of the things I miss the most is definitely the food at home mom please have a veggie burger and fries ready for me when I get off the plane. I miss you all at home and can’t wait to get back. Mom, also tell grandma and grandpa I’m doing fine and will be glad to get home. Now from the other end I am going to definitely miss the kids here they are so cute and I love to have them around , and I will also miss the fruit here after Dominican pineapple the ones at home are not going to be that good. Can’t wait to see you all again talk to you later!

Love Amber

March 25, 2011

Hey friends and family!

First of all, I’m so sorry that I didn’t blog earlier but apparently more people blog than I thought. Anyways this trip I tried to do every job on the sites I could so I got the full feel of the trip and some of the jobs can be pretty intense, but as for meh, I took every job as if it was the hardest so I know I could get my part done. The weather here is so much nicer here than in Maryland, but I’m sure all of you will love seeing your lobster again ;) I have had the most wonderful time here and I even made a new friend here in Quisqueya. His name is Israel and he helped me with all the crafts for other kids and moms in vbs. I believe one time we had 189 kids in that tiny church and he helped e so much in our “organized chaos”. I love all you! Dad, Mom, Nick, Alex, Grandma, Grandpa, Yapper, Gema, and Jetblack. And yes dad I miss your bird too. ;P

Love Sasha (SMG)

Beach day was so awesome! We all had the opportunity to try new things, such as snorkeling, jumping off of the top deck of a ship, and get badly swindled. I have to admit that I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to jump off the boat or snorkel at first, but after I got past the initial fear, it was an opportunity that I am glad I didn’t miss out on. The whole day was quite relaxing and it reenergized us for the work that we have to do today. Today the “dirt crew” has to finish moving two more dumps of dirt into some of the rooms, but with hard work im sure we can get it done today. Can’t wait to see my family again!

Sincerely, Geoff Morgan

March 25, 2011

Yesterday we all took the day off and spent the whole day on a very beautiful island. It all started by going on tourist bus that finally had air conditioner to a glass-bottomed boat. When we were very near the island, we anchored in 18foot deep water and everyone jumped  off the top of the boat in the water. Now this was a big move to me because I cant swim and I am deeply scared of water, but I finally conquered my fear after Joel and Ed waited for me in the water to jump. The island was filled with gift shops and everyone was trying to sell us stuff which went out pretty well. I finally had chicken! Cant wait to go back home though and see my family.

Love Reevan