An inter-generational group from our church has been on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic this week. Here is their final update:

Today was our culture and fun day. We headed out at 8:00am for the 70 minute bus ride to the orphanage at Monti Christi. After a brief tour, meeting the kids, and getting eaten alive (the mosquitos are much worse there than in Jaibon), we went into the town and toured the English Institute that is operated by Orphanage Outreach. We also visited some
historical sites and shopped for souvenirs before heading to a gorgeous beach for some well earned R and R. After a stop for ice cream, we headed back to Jaibon for dinner and our final night.

This is our final posting, as we head home tomorrow with an ETA of 12:30am Sunday morning at FCC. You can, and should, be proud of our kids. They really made an impact this week. Also this is not an easy place to be, but there has not been one complaint about conditions. But we will be glad to get home! Thanks to everyone whose contributions made this trip possible. We look forward to sharing much more about it at a Third Wednesday Fellowship Dinner later this year.

This week, an inter-generational team from FCC is in the Dominican Republic working at Orphanage Outreach. Here is today’s update:

Last night we watched a moving film about the DR concerning the reign of Trujillo and the Maribel sisters.  We had a couple of Tarantula sightings, April had a rat join her in the shower, and April, Jane and Jennifer’s tent leaked – other than that, fairly uneventful. Rain continued on and off through the night but the morning dawned bright and clear.  At breakfast we learned that a RN in the Arizona group had noticed an infant at the Batey on Monday that did not look well, so she and her husband along with Orphanage Outreach staff are in route there this morning to take it to a clinic.  Our group did 2 camps, adding a new church in the afternoon.

Conditions were cramped and hot, but the kids were so glad to see us and so full of enthusiasm that we left more inspired than tired.  Tonight is movie night with the boys.

This week, an inter-generational team from FCC is in the Dominican Republic working at Orphanage Outreach. Here is today’s update:

We are tired tonight!  Hot day with no afternoon rain, so we will be able to sort and deliver donations tonight.  We did our first camp today for about 40 kids at a Church in Jaibon.

Ready for camp to start

The group grew in size throughout the morning as word spread through the community.  We are told to expect 20% growth in attendance per day.

Working on a project with new friends

This afternoon our group weeded and mowed, started construction on a planter, and did activities with the boys here at the orphanage.  Tonight after devotions is game night with the boys.  The good news is no tarantula sightings since Saturday night!

One last note: After dinner, we were treated to quite a view of a full rainbow.

Last Saturday morning, an inter-generational team of 12 church members and friends left Greensboro for the Dominican Republic, where they will spend this week working at Orphanage Outreach. They hope to send us daily updates, which will be posted here as they are received. Here is their update from Sunday, July 18:

Today was mostly a prep day – another church from AZ arrived late last night.  We had a worship service and orientation this morning.  I am impressed with the mission and values of the organization. The Orphanage Director is very committed – he and his family are from Colorado.  The agency director is also here this week – he is from AZ and attends the church that got here last night.  This afternoon we got to play with the boys that live here, took a tour of the property, but mostly spent time working on Bible camp prep for tomorrow through Thursday. 

Preparing for Bible School

Our group from FCC, along with 2 sisters that came on their own from PA and another young lady who came from Wyoming, will team with 8 interns and will do acamp at 2 locations in the community – one morning and one afternoon.  We will staff 4 stations – Bible lesson, English lesson (colors and numbers), arts and crafts, and recreation.  Four groups will rotate among the stations; Jennifer, Leeann, Carly andRiley will be group leaders.  Also one of the afternoons we will spend working with the boys here at the orphanage and another will be spent working on building raised beds to grow herbs.  We were going to sort the donations everyone brought tonight, but will postpone that due to the rain.

We can attend nightly devotions with the boys a little later, then will rest up for a busy week.  More tomorrow!