Journey 2013 arrived safe and sound in the Dominican Republic yesterday (Sat) around 6 pm DR Time (hour ahead of EST) after a snowy sendoff from Ontario. It was cloudy and 30oC but cleared by 8 when we went to supper.

This morning our group was picked up my Manuel with his newly refurbished bus. Manuel is an amazing bus driver and an amazing human being. He has been our bus driver for 3 of the last 4 years and a mutual affection has developed. We went to a church service in Sosua Abejo, where some of us had painted part of the exterior of the attached school last year. They were anxiously anticipating our arrival, in fact they thought we were arriving last week so they were doubly prepared. A multimedia system, including screen, sound equipment, drums, keyboard, 3 guitars and many fine voices made for a lively celebration. Two translators helped us understand the mostly Spanish service. We Canadians sang 3 pieces of music accompanied by Bill on the bagpipes (a small 'traveler' instrument ), which greatly amused them. They joined with us in singing 'Amazing Grace' is 2 languages. Following the service, a number of them tried their lungs on the pipes, some with surprisingly good results.

Following some refreshments and conversation with our hosts, we departed for the town of Sosua where we had lunch at 'Michael's' (father of one our translators). We had ordered ahead so we didn't have to wait too long for our wonderful meals – Chicken Cordon Bleu, Lemon Chicken, Sea Bass, Mixed BBQ, Etc. The total bill, including tip, was $10 American each!!

With stomach's groaning, we left to see the house we were sponsoring for a single mom and her 4 kids. Her first husband, a Canadian with whom she had one son, committed suicide. She remarried an older gentleman who fathered her next three children. Tragically he died of a heart attack, witnessed by the family. The new house is beside her present house, a derelict shack built of scrap lumber. She was understandably very emotional upon meeting with her benefactors. To give you an idea of her poverty, her refrigerator held a bottle of water, a part bottle of juice and a small bowl of rice. She plans to fix up her present house and rent it out as a source of income for her family. I suspect we will be helping her in this regard. The village where she lives is on a steep hillside and I imagine the pathways are very treacherous in wet weather, but at least they will be protected from the elements much better in their new home.