Sharing

The Sunday after we got back, the team shared about our trip at church.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, we were especially thankful that Grandma and Grandpa Stata could come to stay with these two squeakers while we traveled to the DR.  We got back early in the morning the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, just in time to start cooking for Thanksgiving dinner.

Parting Ways

On our way home from our DR trip, we got to cross paths briefly in Miami with Mesa and his wife Mary, on their way back to Ecuador where they are currently serving as missionaries.  What a blessing it was to have Mesa take time to guide, drive, and translate for our team so we could experience the work that God is doing in the Dominican Republic!

Tres Ojos

We finished off our last afternoon at the beautiful Tres Ojos, a series of sinkholes and caves in Santo Domingo.

After climbing down to see the first two pools, we took a raft through this tunnel to see the third pool.

We fed the hungry schools of fish, breathed the humid air, and enjoyed the amazing beauty.

Market and Cathedral

On our final day in Santo Domingo, we hit the market to pick up some gifts to take home.

Along the way, we went in the first cathedral in the Americas

And Naomi and Johnathan powered up with a piece of cake, thanks to Tio Mesa!

Sunday Night in Santo Domingo

Looking for something fun to do on a Sunday evening in Santo Domingo?  We found the place to be when we went out for pizza (and Bon helado, of course!).  Playa Guibia was full of people enjoying the fair-like amusements and the waves crashing against the sea wall.

We even found an outdoor gym, where we worked off the pizza and ice cream!

Walk to the River

After church, we walked down through the narrow streets of Simon Bolivar to the river.  

Here, the houses are crowded on the hillside, making way to the homes closest to the river that are patched together with whatever materials could be found. 

At the riverside, we came across Davidcito, a man Kevin met on his first trip to DR two years ago.  We were also greeted by a very large pig!

It was an unforgettable walk with Naomi and Johnathan.  A couple years ago, we toured the headquarters for Compassion International in Colorado Springs.  In it, there was a replica of a home that is typical for a Compassion child.  But here, our kids were able to walk among real homes of real people, including the homes of kids who attend the Compassion center in Simon Bolivar.  

On our way back to the church, the pastor invited us to into the small home of a couple from their chruch.  When he introduced us, we found out they were able to make improvements to the their tiny cinder block house with the help of funds sent from our church.  It was a privilege to pray with them and a blessing to have an ongoing relationship with families here.