Wow, it's been about 6 months since the last entry and yes, there have been intentional meanderings happening. We arrived home from thte DR April 1st and were able to move back into our home, which had been rented out, by the 18th of the month. In the meantime we were warmly welcomed by our son and his family and then temporarily moved into Larry's sister's basement spare room.
In April we also made a road trip to BC to see our daughter and her husband and children and were astounded at how much children grow in six months. Actually it was more like eight months since we had seen the one year old and his vocabulary and expressions, as well as his ability to blow up balloons and blow bubbles convinced us that he would join the rest of our grandchildren in being super smart and gifted!
We were joined by our youngest son from Vancouver for a weekend getaway. It was a partial family "gathering" but that is the now generation, with family scattered here & there.
Larry and I shared some reno and painting projects this spring and summer, thoroughly enjoying working together, with transformations of houses resulting. Interestingly, these projects occurred in south Winnipeg, Hecla Island and near Winnipeg Beach. Lovely places to hang out in. Besides, mosquitoes were almost non-existent.
While Larry worked for family in the Swan Valley during seeding and harvest seasons, I was able to visit him several times, complete a 5 day TESOL Foundation course in Winnipeg (& two online specialization courses), hang out with two grand daughters in the city while their parents worked, do some house painting in Whytewold, and fly to BC again for a week to spend time with our daughter and family.
We had opportunity during the summer months to do our annual road trip to visit our Californian friends at their property in Minnesota and then touch base with a friend in Mpls for an overnighter. Our kids from BC (except for our youngest son) came for a visit early summer and as a family, we spent a weekend in the Whiteshell enjoying each other's company at a lodge with a pool and hottub (rainy & stormy all weekend!). Oh yes, we did a day trip back into the Whiteshell late summer to visit our Wpg kids at a cottage they were renting. So there has been some travel and great family bonding times.
This is an abbreviation of the living that went into this spring & summer. There were many highlights and the whole month of September was gloriously warm, after an unusually cool & wet summer. The garden has been emptied in preparation for the coming winter.
We are already anticipating our son's fall visit as he has developed the travel bug also and wants to go more global this next year. It will be a treat to have him here for a couple of weeks and catch up with all the changes in his life. Our winter plans are slowly taking shape and hopefully I can be more faithful in keeping up entries.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
DR This and That
It is a month and a half since the last entry. Time has passed quickly with taking some time for relaxation with friends after the Vacation With a Purpose group left. The weather after one week of sunshine in February has continued with a mix of rain and sun. We have been surprised at the amount of rain this year and cool weather evenings. It is still very pleasant, especially when we hear of the brutally cold winter back home. It is amazing people survive in that cold.
There has been progress in the construction of the house out in the country with walls going up and some backfill happening. The construction has been slowed down by rain. It is so peaceful in that area with farm animals from the adjoining pasture checking out the scene now and then. The methods and tools of construction used are reminiscent of the era when I was little, well, maybe further back than that because the water for the cement mixer was hauled by mule & water cans from a nearby creek.
You also hear the sounds of the school children up in their classrooms counting together loudly in spanish or later, swinging and shouting in the playground. It does not take long for them to spot us and come running to cling to our hands. The roosters crowing is constant. The vegetation looks lush and green, with a large mango tree and upcoming citrus tree in the backyard of the construction lot. There are still towering palms in the pasture and the hillsides all around are dotted with palms and various trees and bushes. It will be a major therapeutic change for the pastor and his wife and family to make the move from a crowded back lane house in town to the serenity of the country.
Something has changed in the way pictures are being uploaded to the blogsite as the last few times I have tried to add photos all that happens is gobbledy gook instead of an actual photo. So maybe I'll settle for words rather than work on trying to solve the issue.
We have two and a half weeks left before returning home. Time has passed swiftly although a few times it felt so slow, especially when I had broken my toe or when I was down with bronchitis. We are both well now and are trying to take care of many details and make use of the remaining time. We spent a few hours at the new beach at Sosua by the Sea and it was awesome. The waves were quite high again but local kids were riding them with their boogie boards having a blast getting tumbled too.
Beaches come and go here. Last March we watched as the beach at Sosua by the Sea resort disappeared within a matter of two days leaving only a rocky dropff of a few feet and last month it returned it seemed within 2 or 3 days. The same kinds of changes have happened in other resorts and it is fascinating to watch the power of the sea.
We have just come through a week of major roof renos here at our condo and it has been the challenge of the winter. The tar patches on our floor and inside the condo have been cleaned up and we think the project is over. We have not had a heavy rain since it was completed but we are hoping the holes have been sealed. We are still waiting for power to be restored to our ceiling lights in the front rooms of the condo but the noise overhead is gone and it is peaceful again. Whew, once again only the sound of roosters, dogs and motor bikes.
There has been progress in the construction of the house out in the country with walls going up and some backfill happening. The construction has been slowed down by rain. It is so peaceful in that area with farm animals from the adjoining pasture checking out the scene now and then. The methods and tools of construction used are reminiscent of the era when I was little, well, maybe further back than that because the water for the cement mixer was hauled by mule & water cans from a nearby creek.
You also hear the sounds of the school children up in their classrooms counting together loudly in spanish or later, swinging and shouting in the playground. It does not take long for them to spot us and come running to cling to our hands. The roosters crowing is constant. The vegetation looks lush and green, with a large mango tree and upcoming citrus tree in the backyard of the construction lot. There are still towering palms in the pasture and the hillsides all around are dotted with palms and various trees and bushes. It will be a major therapeutic change for the pastor and his wife and family to make the move from a crowded back lane house in town to the serenity of the country.
Something has changed in the way pictures are being uploaded to the blogsite as the last few times I have tried to add photos all that happens is gobbledy gook instead of an actual photo. So maybe I'll settle for words rather than work on trying to solve the issue.
We have two and a half weeks left before returning home. Time has passed swiftly although a few times it felt so slow, especially when I had broken my toe or when I was down with bronchitis. We are both well now and are trying to take care of many details and make use of the remaining time. We spent a few hours at the new beach at Sosua by the Sea and it was awesome. The waves were quite high again but local kids were riding them with their boogie boards having a blast getting tumbled too.
Beaches come and go here. Last March we watched as the beach at Sosua by the Sea resort disappeared within a matter of two days leaving only a rocky dropff of a few feet and last month it returned it seemed within 2 or 3 days. The same kinds of changes have happened in other resorts and it is fascinating to watch the power of the sea.
We have just come through a week of major roof renos here at our condo and it has been the challenge of the winter. The tar patches on our floor and inside the condo have been cleaned up and we think the project is over. We have not had a heavy rain since it was completed but we are hoping the holes have been sealed. We are still waiting for power to be restored to our ceiling lights in the front rooms of the condo but the noise overhead is gone and it is peaceful again. Whew, once again only the sound of roosters, dogs and motor bikes.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
It is breezy and chilly as I sit on the balcony entering this blog. We are getting somewhat spoiled thinking 18 degrees is cold and my fingers don't want to cooperate with the shivering. Maybe it's the dampness that seeps through.
There has been a fair amount more rain than previous times we've been in the DR and at this time when the large Vacation With a Purpose group is out, it is dirupting some of the planned activities. Flexibility is a huge asset to have at the best of times in another culture and this is no exception.
Yesterday we were to have a construction crew going out to do some digging for a foundation of a house out in the country but due to the road conditions and unpredictability of river levels, it got cancelled. The ladies meeting planned for the same area in the country has been re-scheduled for Monday morning and we trust the sky will have cleared up by then. This makes for a real challenge, with logistics re transportation, translators, etc. We have a large group of 35-40 people in the group at any one time.
Today we held two medical clinics, hiring 4 Dominican doctors and having our two Canadian doctors working alongside. One team worked in a new village and was overwhelmed with the extreme poverty and young age of many mothers.
Our team leader had a death in the family back home and is leaving tomorrow for home, planning to return later in the week. His brother who was with us for our annual trip for the last 3 years died suddenly of a heart attack this week and this has been a real loss for many who had grown to love and appreciate him. We treasure having had the opportunity to get to know him and work with him. He had a very strong faith in God and was a real inspiration.
God bless you and take care of you.
There has been a fair amount more rain than previous times we've been in the DR and at this time when the large Vacation With a Purpose group is out, it is dirupting some of the planned activities. Flexibility is a huge asset to have at the best of times in another culture and this is no exception.
Yesterday we were to have a construction crew going out to do some digging for a foundation of a house out in the country but due to the road conditions and unpredictability of river levels, it got cancelled. The ladies meeting planned for the same area in the country has been re-scheduled for Monday morning and we trust the sky will have cleared up by then. This makes for a real challenge, with logistics re transportation, translators, etc. We have a large group of 35-40 people in the group at any one time.
Today we held two medical clinics, hiring 4 Dominican doctors and having our two Canadian doctors working alongside. One team worked in a new village and was overwhelmed with the extreme poverty and young age of many mothers.
Our team leader had a death in the family back home and is leaving tomorrow for home, planning to return later in the week. His brother who was with us for our annual trip for the last 3 years died suddenly of a heart attack this week and this has been a real loss for many who had grown to love and appreciate him. We treasure having had the opportunity to get to know him and work with him. He had a very strong faith in God and was a real inspiration.
God bless you and take care of you.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Road Trip
We have friends visiting us from Swan River, Elmer & Maryann Friesen, and we have been doing more of the tourist scene the last two weeks. We have done a lot of walking, beaching in Sosua, and a little shopping on the beach.
Together we rented a car and spent an overnighter down the north shore at Samana on the weekend. Travel is fairly slow because you must be cautious at all times of both cavernous potholes the car could break down in and the crazy driving habits of others on the road.
We saw beautiful white sand and blue ocean water, dense coconut palm groves and some rolling hilly terrain covered with lush growth. There were rice paddies with young plants emerging. We drove through centres like Cabarete, Rio San Juan, Nagua (an area that was devastated by floods last winter) and Samana. We found a quaint old hotel to stay in at $25/night per room. It was small but very adequate and in the evening we sat on the spacious balcony and played some hilarious card games. There was a beautiful historic looking church across the street and we heard the singing from their Sunday night service.
The boat ride to the island Cayo Levantado was an adventure because it seemed the boat was really too small for the rolling waves/troughs. The island was exotic with its white sand and gradual beach but somewhat disappointing because of its' strong tourist focus. We had hoped it would be less developed. But, you don't grumble when you are in paradise!
Samana has an amazing long footbridge from the mainland to a small island and makes for a lovely walk. We saw local young guys having fun diving/jumping off the bridge to the sea below. The water looked awfully shallow for that to be safe but they thought that comment was funny and offered to do it again. Maryann was queasy at that point and asked them not to.
Arriving back in Sosua we all agreed this location is as beautiful as any and we were glad to be back.
Together we rented a car and spent an overnighter down the north shore at Samana on the weekend. Travel is fairly slow because you must be cautious at all times of both cavernous potholes the car could break down in and the crazy driving habits of others on the road.
We saw beautiful white sand and blue ocean water, dense coconut palm groves and some rolling hilly terrain covered with lush growth. There were rice paddies with young plants emerging. We drove through centres like Cabarete, Rio San Juan, Nagua (an area that was devastated by floods last winter) and Samana. We found a quaint old hotel to stay in at $25/night per room. It was small but very adequate and in the evening we sat on the spacious balcony and played some hilarious card games. There was a beautiful historic looking church across the street and we heard the singing from their Sunday night service.
The boat ride to the island Cayo Levantado was an adventure because it seemed the boat was really too small for the rolling waves/troughs. The island was exotic with its white sand and gradual beach but somewhat disappointing because of its' strong tourist focus. We had hoped it would be less developed. But, you don't grumble when you are in paradise!
Samana has an amazing long footbridge from the mainland to a small island and makes for a lovely walk. We saw local young guys having fun diving/jumping off the bridge to the sea below. The water looked awfully shallow for that to be safe but they thought that comment was funny and offered to do it again. Maryann was queasy at that point and asked them not to.
Arriving back in Sosua we all agreed this location is as beautiful as any and we were glad to be back.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Catch-up Notes
Since the last post we have ushered in a New Year. Not that it matters much over here, except our 2009 calendar in spanish is quite different in appearance, being a poster with one picture and all the months of the year.
Some further experiences since Dec 25th involved a lunch in Puerto Plata with friends Noemi and Raquel and her husband. They directed us to a beautiful open restaurant and the fried fish was incredible. It was fun to catch up with these friends, with Noemi attending university and Raquel and her husband working with youth in different places as a ministry.
We also spent a day driving to Santiago with Pastor Victor to shop for some musical equipment needed for the Los Charamicos church. Their keyboard and guitar were history and they were limping along. Knowing how important music is to them, a donor in Canada designated money for replacing these items. The highlight of the day for us was watching Victor riding the escalator in a department store. He was very timid about getting on & off, and for those who know him, he can be a powerhouse. We were successful in finding both items and the next night he and his son were at their best in the worship time. I think the store tag is still dangling off the guitar neck. The music sounds great.
Larry had the opportunity to appear on tv on a Sunday morning to speak. Pastor Garcia has 2 hours air time every Sunday morning and had invited him to come. There was a short interview as to why we are here for this time period and then Larry had a short teaching time. It was very interesting to see the station in operation. It is also a call-in program so Garcia answers calls live and has to think on his feet.
New Years Eve we attended the Los Charamicos church from 9:30 to 12:00. The evening was filled with music, dancing (church dancers), singing, prayer, short testimonies from individuals from the last year's experiences. It was a delightful and mostly joyful time. They did touch on some of the difficult times people had gone through, with moves, deaths, illness, etc. There was a lot of emotion and hugging at the end.
We have grown to love so many people here and gotten to know more about their lives. We are so impressed with their optimism, joy and hope in spite of devastating circumstances. God is their hope and they trust Him. He has turned their lives around and they depend on Him to see them through whatever comes. I have been drawn up short many times to reflect on my lack of faith and have also become more aware of how present God is.
Some further experiences since Dec 25th involved a lunch in Puerto Plata with friends Noemi and Raquel and her husband. They directed us to a beautiful open restaurant and the fried fish was incredible. It was fun to catch up with these friends, with Noemi attending university and Raquel and her husband working with youth in different places as a ministry.
We also spent a day driving to Santiago with Pastor Victor to shop for some musical equipment needed for the Los Charamicos church. Their keyboard and guitar were history and they were limping along. Knowing how important music is to them, a donor in Canada designated money for replacing these items. The highlight of the day for us was watching Victor riding the escalator in a department store. He was very timid about getting on & off, and for those who know him, he can be a powerhouse. We were successful in finding both items and the next night he and his son were at their best in the worship time. I think the store tag is still dangling off the guitar neck. The music sounds great.
Larry had the opportunity to appear on tv on a Sunday morning to speak. Pastor Garcia has 2 hours air time every Sunday morning and had invited him to come. There was a short interview as to why we are here for this time period and then Larry had a short teaching time. It was very interesting to see the station in operation. It is also a call-in program so Garcia answers calls live and has to think on his feet.
New Years Eve we attended the Los Charamicos church from 9:30 to 12:00. The evening was filled with music, dancing (church dancers), singing, prayer, short testimonies from individuals from the last year's experiences. It was a delightful and mostly joyful time. They did touch on some of the difficult times people had gone through, with moves, deaths, illness, etc. There was a lot of emotion and hugging at the end.
We have grown to love so many people here and gotten to know more about their lives. We are so impressed with their optimism, joy and hope in spite of devastating circumstances. God is their hope and they trust Him. He has turned their lives around and they depend on Him to see them through whatever comes. I have been drawn up short many times to reflect on my lack of faith and have also become more aware of how present God is.
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