Trip - Day 6, Feb 16

This morning started off like the others, breakfast at 7:45, meet at 8:00 to go to the job site. Before we left Duane mentioned that we might start running out of work soon. We got to the job site and started working as soon as possible. We took off forms from the windows and the two columns we poured Saturday. Today we poured the beams over the door as well as six other windows. After lunch we were able to get blocks on four of the windows and we finished by pouring the corner column. Today was the hottest day so far. There was no breeze and the sun was just hot. Today for lunch we had food prepared for us by the ladies of the church. Rice, beans, chicken and some other stuff that was pretty good. We took an extended lunch break because it was so hot. Kevin had a guitar from someone in the church and he serenaded us with some different songs, it was quite fun.

Duane was really surprised with how much we accomplished today. I can see that tomorrow and Wednesday we will be running out of work.

All in all, I am really happy with what we have done. I am happy about what we have seen and learned as well. It's too bad not everyone can come on these trips. I would highly recommend it to anyone in the future.

Trip - Day 5, Feb 15

This morning we got to sleep in, but because of the noise I was still up at 7:30. After breakfast we met for a bit then headed off to church. We arrived there around 9:30 or a bit later. We joined them in singing. Which of course was not at all what we are used to. It was really neat to see how excited they are in their worship. Sunday mornings for them is usually the Sunday school, so we went outside and talked a bit about the passage. After 20 minutes they invited us back in. The real interesting thing to note was they wanted to make sure we were comfortable. They brought us chairs and even a bench to sit on. When inside they invited a few of us to sit up front as guests. Throughout the whole service they talked a lot about us and how grateful they were to have us come. They said they have prayed for 6 years for this to happen. I was able to preach a bit on Galatians 6:26-28, about being one in Christ. It was unique using an interpreter. But the people were really receptive to this. The pastor spoke on 1 Corinthians 13 and love with actions. How we are showing love by doing this project.

After church we had lunch. Then we went to these caves a few miles away. It was really cool to see them but we werent allowed to take any pictures. After this we went back to the hotel to change.

After we changed, we went for a tour to see the sugar cane fields. The countryside here is absolutely beautiful. There are a lot of sugar cane fields. We saw how they unload onto a train. They have carts with oxen that bring the cane to the trains. It was really cool to see the fields. We went to Santa Rita to see a church that was built with left over funds. We met the pastor there as well. The church had to use tin that was used, so it has holes in its roof. But they are so thankful for what they have. We also saw in Mano's village a pastor's house they had built.

When we got back we had dinner and then met to discuss the day. We had some good but interesting discussions on the differences and whether or not it means good or bad. The discussion was really neat to see how it challenged people in different ways, and how it stretched others. It was a tiring day, but very educational. It is hard to believe we only have three working days left.

Trip - Day 4, Feb 14

This morning ws the same routine as the past. We were planning on working only half a day today. It is really amazing how fast it goes when working only half a day. We had some frustrating experiences today. First of all we started to pull some forms off of the windows for the top beam. It was decided to leave the bottom support until Monday. The problem however, is that they dont have enough pieces to make a third set of forms. So we had to make shift some. The other problem was building the forms for the columns. I could see the frustration building on some people. But by noon we had the third window poured and almost two full columns. THe other wall was pretty much finished as well.

There was more down time today, so it was fun to see the interaction with the little kids.

After we got back, we cleaned up and went to the beach. That was really nice. The water was so warm and really clean. There were a lot of tourists from different resorts and cruises. It is amazing to me how people and kids will come up and just ask for money. After the beach we tried to go to a place with interesting architecture, but it was closed. That was disappointing, because it was a place that Duane really recommended. Instead we went to another place to eat. Again after the meal, a kid tried to tell us he watched our van for us, trying to get money for this.

When I got back I was able to finally get a hold of Brenda. It didnt occur to her to pick up her cell phone the day before, having a different number she didnt recognize! It was really good to talk to her, and she sounded really excited to talk.

Tomorrow we will go to church where we are working. It will be a neat experience. I am going to "preach" for a few minutes. I hope it goes well.

Trip - Day 3, Feb 13

(These pictures show what we finished on Day 2, Day 1 of work)

This morning we got up at 7:30 to have breakfast. Last night we crashed early, I think around 9:45. We headed off to work after 8:00 because we were waiting for Mano (he is a Dominican who let us use his van, also the project manager). It wound up that he was already at the jobsite. Once we got going things were really moving. We finished one wall with th exception of the solid beam on top. We also got quite a ways on the other wall.

It is really neat to see how everyone interacts with the kids hanging around the church. We are able to work real hard, but also able to take time to play with the kids. It is still hard not being able to converse with them.

Tonight we walked to supper. Then we gathered around to talk about our experience so far. There are some cultural differneces, but we can still get a lot done. Duane also shared with us the history of the D.R. We had a good conversations.

Duane mentioned the possibility of speaking Sunday. I have thought about it and think I will. It will be interesting to speak with a translator. Anyway, getting late, same time in the morning.

(These show what we finished on Day 3)

Trip - Day 2, Feb 12

This morning started off with getting up at 7:45. Breakfast here was interesting. Two pieces of toast and some soup like thing. After breakfast we met all together to talk about what to expect. We talked about the day.

I should back up a moment...Last night our sleep was interesting. We are in a hotel on the main road. There are so many motorbikes and everyone honks, especially when running the red lights. So we woke up this morning because of the traffic noise.

We drove to the job site, it is in a really poor area. We are building a church, but they want to keep the old one up until we finish this one. There were a lot of people who pitched in to help. Mostly they go to the church. The first pictures show what we started with. We worked until almost 5:00. We got quite a bit done.


One of the most difficult parts is not being able to understand the people, especially the kids. It would be so much fun if we could understand better.

We came back, showered and then went for supper. We went to a large supermarket with a food court of sorts. It was neat to talk with a couple of the guys about the people and how they live versus how we live. All in all it was a real good first day, hopefully we can finish the church, that would be great.

Trip - Day 1, Feb. 11

*As I said, most of the next entries will be what I wrote on our trip down to the Dominican Republic. We worked in a village west of La Romana. We helped to build a church there. *

Before I begin I have to start with last night. We all went to Calgary to spend the night. Brenda came in at 11:20pm, so she was a bit early. But that meant going to bed at 12:30-1:00am. At 4:00 the alarm went off. I got ready and said goodbye to he Brenda and then onto the shuttle. After finally getting our tickets and through U.S. Customs off to Dallas.

Luckily the flight wasnt full. I sat in the exit row since there were 4 empty seats. We were a little early into Dallas, so that meant I was able to quick eat at Fuddruckers, made me feel at home. Then we got on another flight for 4 1/2 hours to San Juan Puerto Rico. WE had 2 hours there then a 1 hour flight to Santo Domingo. When we go there we loaded up the bus and off to La Romana. After 1 1/2 hours we arrived at the hotel at 12:45 local time.

There are a lot of things to comment on which we arent use to. Red lights being optional. So many people on the streets, even late at night, roaming dogs, etc. I am sure I will comment on this more later. God is good, we all made it safe, but another short night as we are to be at breakfast between 7:30-8:00 tomorrow morning.

Trip to the Dominican

Tomorrow morning I will be boarding a plane with 11 others and heading down to the Dominican Republic. We are going down there to help build a church in Villa Progresso, which is close to La Romana. This is going to be a new experience for me.

The thing about this trip is the fact that I have not really done anything like this before. I have gone on mission trips to places within the States, but never out of the country like this. I am really looking forward to it.

But it makes me think: What am I looking forward to? Seeing how other people live? Helping to build a church where people can hear the good news of Jesus Christ? Getting to know people from church a little better? These are some of the things I am looking forward to.

But it also makes me a bit nervous. Am I prepared enough for this? Should I have done more in planning devotions? What is going to be expected of me/us?

This trip will be a good experience. I usually dont keep a journal, but I think I will write a journal, and when I get back post them here on my blog. Anyway, I ask that you pray for our group. Pray that we have safe travels, but more importantly that God will use us while we are there, and that he may also speak to us while we are there as well. Thanks!

Great Weekend

This past weekend was a really nice weekend. On Saturday my wife and I went to town and had breakfast together. Something that we hardly ever do, especially now that we live in the country. It was a real nice time together. After breakfast we went and picked up stuff for our Super Bowl party. We spent most of the day getting ready, but also had the time to take our dog to the park and go on a decently long walk with her.

On Sunday we had a nice time of worship. We had Cadet Sunday which is always fun to see the young guys in front of church, shaking hands, taking the offering, it was quite cool to see. In the afternoon service, I led it like it was a class based on the 10 Commandments. I was hoping for a better turn out, but what do you do? (An ongoing question about afternoon/evening service...I could possibly write a whole post on this topic alone.) After the service we had the Super Bowl party. It was a lot of fun. Even though 3/4 of the people dont watch football, it is an excuse to have people over and have a good time together. Thanks everyone for supporting my need to watch the Super Bowl.

Yesterday was also a good day. I have been trying to play hockey in Lethbridge on Mondays. I am a terrible hockey player, but am trying to learn. It was good because there weren't that many people there. I felt like I could stay out longer and get some more experience. The guys there are generally nice to me! I was also able to change my oil on my truck and fix my headlight and I needed a new one, so I replaced both. All in all, it was a productive weekend, but also a very enjoyable one. One where we had fun as well as getting some things accomplished.