Report from Week 1 Group in the DR

Dedicating Homes to Two Men in Esperanza Village 2011

Arrived safely Saturday - late didn't get to our rooms til after 1:00 am Sunday morning.

Sunday up early for breakfast and church service in Esperanza.  Bill played his bagpipes. Amazing Grace was popular and the congregation sang along in Creole. Then we visited the HOPE project. Also saw the 65 year old gentleman that we moved into a semi last year. Back to the resort for rest. Weather  cloudy and rain off and on.  Monday we spent the day in Cangrejo with Servant's Heart. Kathryn lead a seminar on librarian training for the teachers. Some of us helped paint and started building benches. Plans were finalized for the Empower Women project for the afternoon.  After lunch and the reading of the journal and history, Phil filled us in on lots of interesting facts. Wendy (Haitian artist) took some of us on a tour of Cangrejo and Laurie led making bead jewellery with 26+ young woman.  Colourful beads were soon strung and Laurie, Kathryn and Joan helped finish them off. Bill played a few tunes and the young children were enthralled. Back in the bus and back at the resort by 5:00. Rain off and on all day - but didn't dampen our spirits. Great day, lots of fun.  Stay tuned for update number 2. 

Julie and Dave