It has been a while...

Sorry for the long delay between posts. We have had Internet issues and a couple of busy weeks.

The DR

Laura and I took a trip to the Dominican Republic about a week or so before thanksgiving. This was our first real getaway since our arrival in July and we were looking forward to it. We traveled to the DR via tour bus. The bus was great, air conditioning, bottled water, and Haitian music videos kept us comfortable. We slept most of the four hour trip to Santiago, DR. Crossing the border from Haiti to the DR feels like leaving the dying city of Detroit and entering the flourishing East Grand Rapids. We were exposed to clean streets and organized traffic. The border itself proved to be interesting as we were shuffled off the bus for customs to check our bags and wandered back on to find three new faces in the back of the bus. Two were comfortable with there side arms holstered and the other was confined to a pair of handcuffs.Laura and i just found our seats and enjoyed the rest of the bus ride.

We arrived in Santiago to switch buses to get to Puerta Plata and the transition went smoothly with the help of our bus driver. We arrived in Puerta Plata and took the unconventional mode of transportation for tourists and jumped on a motorcycle taxi. We arrived at the resort to find out that motorcycles were not allowed in the complex. However, our motorcycle driver parked the bike and took off his vest, identifying him as a taxi driver, and walked us to the resort check in. What a great guy.

Laura and I enjoyed the resort. We sat by the pool and read books or fell asleep. The food was a change of pace and we like the variety of choices provided. We didn't do many exciting things at the resort besides eat, sleep, and lounge by the pool. We did do our best to avoid catching a glance at all the European men in their speedos.

We were excited to leave because our next stop was seeing Laura's parents in Santiago. Bob and Sharon treated us to a great dinner at our hotel that overlooked the city of Santiago. It was a great view and fun to have dinner with the folks. Bob and Sharon traveled back to Haiti with us to see where we have been working.

It was great to be able to have family around and see what we are experiencing. Bob and Sharon enjoyed their experience and really loved the kids. Bob was able help out in the shop in the construction of the playground and Sharon was able to help Laura with the kids.
We also took Bob and Sharon to the Citadel which we enjoyed with them. Bob and Sharon also made us a Thanksgiving dinner that felt like home and tasted delicious.

Things have been busy around the orphanage with new babies coming and some long term volunteers leaving. Our staff have been flexible with the changes. We are now in our last week here and its hard to believe we will be headed home. We are not looking forward to saying good bye to the kids, but we feel ready to come home. This week will consist of preparing for other volunteers to take over our roles here.

continue to keep us in your prayers during this upcoming transition