Sunday, February 17

Today we were supposed to go to Puerto Plata to visit friends at another resort, but were advised not to leave the resort due to political unrest.  Today was supposed to be voting day for local government representatives but voting was cancelled due to unknown (to us) problems.  Here is a message from David, our driver:

There have been reports of problems in several local communities today. On my way home yesterday there was a blockade in Redemption Village and I could not go through . At church I heard reports of other problems in the local area. I'm sorry but we think it is better to stay in today.

So we spent time at the pools, walking about, reading and having naps.

Bea Caught me Napping

 Fifty Shades of Blue?

Coral Formations

Coral Formations with Sand

Coral Formations with Dead Wood

We are Here, the Snow is Elsewhere

Never Leave Drinks Unattended

Saturday, February 15

We got the weekend off for good behaviour.  Walked into the sea for a bit.  Cath and Margot departed  for the airport at noon for the flight back to the land of ice and snow.  Spent the rest of the day doing laundry and trying to dry clothes, relaxing in one of the 3 mini-pools at the edge of the sea, reading and generally taking it easy.

The Three Ladies testing their Sea Legs

The Old Man and the Sea

Margot's Luggage getting Loaded (Margot didn't get 'Loaded')

Wendy was Treated to a Surprise Baby Shower by the Team from Nova Scotia 

Grand Daughter Sadie would LOVE to Climb on this Tree at the Resort

Friday, February 14

Happy Valentine's Day.  Love to all my readers.  It was another productive day in Loma.  The morning group of young boys finished assembling their stools.  The afternoon group of older boys had a lot of fun painting theirs.

Cath, Margot and Bea worked with the children doing a Valentine craft.  There were two different groups in the morning and afternoon.

Cath and Margot will be flying home tomorrow, so Servant's Heart Staff had a 'debriefing' session with us at the end of today.  Each staff member expressed sincere thanks for all we do for the children, mothers and families in the villages.  Our presence with them is very important and gives encouragement to them and to all the people that we help in the Dominican.  Some of our team spoke about how important it is for us to see the progress being made by Servant's Heart Ministries in the lives of the people and to be able to report back to all of those in Canada who support us.

Using the Rasp to Smooth the Handhold in the Top

Morning Group of Young Carpenters

Morning Group Rear View

Standing Test

Supervisor Vic Consulting with Junior, our Translator

Let the Painting Begin

The Boys Chose a Colour

Or Colours

Some were more Creative

Valentine Theme

Inspired by the Dominican Flag

And the Canadian Flag

Cath Led the Crafting Today

Valentines are Taking Shape

Bea Lending a Hand

Lots of Concentration Needed 

Cath and Margot with Renee, their Translator

Upper Floor of Loma Community Centre was Cleaned up by the Nova Scotia Team 

Young Nova Scotians Emptying Buckets of Debris
Being Lowered Down from the Second Floor

Second Story of Storage Building Taking Shape by
The Nova Scotia Team and the Haitian Workers

Thursday, February 13

The team went to Loma today for the morning and afternoon.  The guys continued the woodworking project while the ladies led a devotional time with the Thursday tutoring class, followed by the making of flags in preparation for Independence Day on February 27th.  The afternoon group of older boys finished assembling their stools and were very proud of their accomplishments.  The ladies spent time in David's Art Room, sorting and organizing materials.  David bought some plastic bins last night for this purpose.

Following the work day, Orquidea (Orchid), Director of Loma Community Centre, had organized a celebration for the staff and students who took part in a Rally back in the Fall around the time that Bea and I were doing our 'Walk for Loma' to raise money for the second floor roof.  To commemorate turning 70, Bea walked 70 km (71.4 km to be exact) accompanied by John during a 24 hour event in London, Ontario.  The students paraded into the Community Centre to the theme music from 'Chariots of Fire' as each was introduced.  Bea and I obtained medals for all the staff and students who took part and made up 'Runner's Bags' with gifts such as hats and T-shirts for the boys and jewellery, nail polish and knit shawls for the girls.  They also each got toothpaste and brush and other small items, including a Canada pin donated by the office of Neil Ellis, our Liberal MP.  The medals were compliments of Anita Bergsma of 'Chance to Play', a Canadian charity that collects new and used soccer equipment and sends it to various countries with humanitarian teams to distribute.

Making Flags

Another Group Making Flags

Assembling an End for the Stool

Bea Does This to Kids

The Fruit and Sweet Potato Man

Afternoon Boys with Finished Stools

Test Sitting

Test Standing

Chief Carpenter with the Boys

David's Organized Art Supplies

Student Rally Participants

We Watched a Video of the Rally

Each Student was Given a Medal

Group Shot of all Participants

The Upper Room at the Community Centre with the New Roof

Wednesday, February 12

The ladies spent the morning and afternoon at Kairos de Christo school in Cangrejo for distribution of knit Teddy Bears and Dolls.  The Kindergarten played Simon Says and sang songs.  The Grade Ones were excited to tell the story they were studying about Canada and ice and snow.  Grade Twos did some singing.  Grade Threes answered Math Questions and had a question and answer time with the ladies.  The distribution of the Bears and Dolls caused lots of excitement and interactions with the adults and with each other.  In the morning, Cath and Margot presented a computer donated by their work to School Director Marta.

The men were back in Loma with the boys carpentry in the morning and afternoon.  They are making awesome progress and have all the pieces for the footstool cut out and are starting to put them together.  Some of the morning group of younger boys and all of the afternoon group of older boys got both ends put together, which involved drilling holes, gluing and putting in screws.  I find it interesting that the older boys try to do everything quickly and some end up being less accurate than the younger group of boys.  They all seem to be having fun.  The older boys also do a lot of teasing when someone makes a mistake.  In the morning a bit of rain occurred after we started and wet the wood making it harder to saw and drill holes.  I had to let them use the battery drill which they enjoyed.  

Kindergarten Class playing Simon Says

Playing with their Teddy Bears

Cath making Computer Presentation to Marta

Comparing Bears

Bea Receiving Low Fives

Happiness is a Warm Teddy

Four Year Old Kindergarten Girl giving Thanks

Grade Three Class receiving Dolls

Grade Three Class with Dolls

 

Thank You, I Love my Doll

Bea gets Greeted by a Local Cow

Snack Time at Kairos School

Trying to use the Hand Drill in Wet Wood

Using the Rip Saw to Cut with the Grain

Using the Proper Stance

Sanding the Pieces before Assembly

Team Sanding??