What's next?

It's Monday morning and I am sitting down in my office for the first time since our Dominican Republic mission project. It is always tough to get back into the daily routine after such a dynamic experience. I have been on many mission projects, both domestic and international, but I don't know that I have ever been on one that had such an impact on me and on the people I was with. It was truly life-changing.

What is next for our relationship with Project Child and Casa de Luz? In the next few weeks we will be debriefing and evaluating this trip and beginning to make plans for the next one. I am not exactly sure what that looks like and when it will happen. I can guarantee that we will be heading back to the DR very soon.

There is so much work to be done. We have a bridge to build, a second floor to get in the dry at Casa de Luz and much more. Look for more information here or on our church web site at www.bridgepointonline.org to find out when the next trip is and how you can get involved. Also look for ways you can support Project Child right here from home.

I Will...

Tim

Site of the Bridge we are going to build

This is the site of the bridge in the Hatian Batay that we are going to build. Look for more information on this exciting trip and how you can meet the children at Casa de Luz soon!

Some of the children at Casa de Luz

A day at the beach and shopping in Boca Chica

Thursday's Concert

Last day in the DR

Today was our last full day in the DR. We spent the day visiting a few tourist spots like the Columbus Museum. We then spent the afternoon at Boca Chica beach. We walked around this resort area and shopped then spent some time on the beach. It was a fun day.

We then headed over to Casa de Luz for the final time. We ate dinner and then said goodbye to the staff and children. I wish you could all have experienced the people at Casa de Luz. They were such great hosts but more important they were a picture of servanthood and love. They made our stay there great  but the thing that impressed me most was their love for the children. The are an incredibly gifted group of people with more patience, love and kindness than I believe I have ever seen.

We said thank you to the staff and then one by one said good bye to the kids. It was very emotional. We really did fall in love with these beautiful children. They really did give us so much more than we could have ever given them. I know our team has been forever changed because of them.

Tomorrow we will board our plane at 1:15 pm. The morning will be spent  packing, traveling to the airport and getting checked in. Please pray for safe travel and that we will not run into any delays or bad weather.

I look forward in the next few weeks and months to sharing more about our trip to the DR and how you might be a part of our next trip. Thanks for checking this blog. Check back again for information about future trips and updates on Casa de Luz. 

WOW!

To say today was great would be an understatement. It was fantastic!

We began our day at Casa de Luz. The plan was to complete as many of the projects we had started as possible. Some went right to the wall. We had rocks to hall and cement to mix. We didn't complete the entire wall but a large portion was finished. Don Copeland did  the majority of the work there and I think he was satisfied and tired from the results.

Some headed to the hall way to complete the murals. Sunflowers, butterflies, a beautiful tree and appropriate bible verses are now there. They look great!

After lunch we headed out into the community to invite people to the concert at Casa de Luz scheduled for tonight. We had a great time meeting people and sharing with them what we were doing. Tonight about 100 or so came to the concert. A local church band lead the music. They were great and the crowd really enjoyed them. There were even a few songs we could join in singing English while they sang Spanish. It was fun.

After the concert we ate dinner and cleaned up from the concert. While getting ready to leave a few of us gathered in the hall (right under the murals) along with some of the local band and began singing. Michael and one of their musicians lead us in a number of songs. They sang Spanish we sang English. I shared with our group a little later that we got to see a little bit of what heaven would be like. No language barriers, just worshiping God.

We are back at the hotel now getting ready for bed and a free day tomorrow. We are going to go to the Christopher Columbus museum (did you know he is buried here?) in the morning and to a local tourist beach in the afternoon. Some are out side with a group from San Diego under the cabana. They have been ministering in a nearby city and are staying here to fly out tomorrow. I can hear them sining "Blessed by the Name" as I write this.

Everyone is safe and well. We are looking forward to a little down time tomorrow and then the trip home. We are ready but are already dreading leaving behind the beautiful children of Casa de Lux and the friends we have made here.

Some more pics from DR Project

Day Three in the DR

Today was another busy day. We began at Casa de Luz by gathering 10 of the children and taking them back to our hotel for a morning in the pool. I'll post some pictures from that a little later. This is such good therapy for the children and a great opportunity to get out of the orphanage for a little while. 

While part of the team was with them the remaining team members stayed and worked on a variety of projects. The men worked on building up and  sealing the top of the rock wall around the meditation garden. Some of the ladies sorted clothing by gender and age for the afternoon outreach.  

This afternoon we headed to El Paraiso, another Hatian Batay. This is the location we are looking to help build a bridge later this year. The children here are unable to attend school during the rainy season because they can't cross a swampy area. Upon seeing it we discovered it really isn't a swampy area but rather a small gorge. The bridge is still doable but will take some effort. Look for more information on that trip soon. We are going to build that bridge!

After viewing the bridge site we spent the afternoon at a small church in the Batay where we sang songs, shared the gospel and gave them the gifts of clothing we brought. As we were leaving we found out that one of the men in the village had just had a heart attack but couldn't afford a room in the hospital. Our team jumped in and took up money to help get him a hospital room. We gave a gift of over 8000 pesos that should get him a room for a couple of days.

As we left the area we saw a group of young men playing basketball and gave them 3 basketballs. They rushed the bus and were very excited. Frank Valladerz almost didn't survive the encounter. 

The most exciting part of the day was as we made our way through rush hour traffic in downtown Santo Domingo. You see, traffic signals, stop signs and the lane lines really don't mean a thing here. People go where they want to when they want to and at the speeds they want to, with horns blaring. This is my kind of country!

We are back at the hotel now getting ready for a busy day tomorrow. Keep praying for us and all God is doing here. We have discovered so much and I can see how God is really growing us. Thanks for checking this blog. Please share with your friends. I'll post some pictures shortly.

I Will...

Tim

More pictures from the DR Project

Day Two

Today began early with devotions at 8:00 and off to Casa de Luz at 8:30. There we continued the work from yesterday. More of the main hall was painted, and work began on building up the walls begun by previous groups. Don Copeland and Brennan Whipple have a new appreciation for brick masons. 

Frank and I went with Lucus, the director of Casa de Luz into downtown Santa Domingo to purchase a wheel barrow and sling blades to clear brush with. We found the wheel barrow but no luck with the sling blades, machetes would have to do.

When we got back to Casa de Luz the boys (Brennan, Josh, Drayton) were excited to use the machetes to clear the meditation garden. I think the testosterone was pretty thick. They did a great job clearing and will finish the job tomorrow. While we were gone the hall painting was finished and sandwiches were prepared for the afternoon outreach at the Hospital.

In the Dominican Republic there are real problems with children being burned from trying to tap into existing power lines. Live wires are everywhere and many children suffer from severe burns. The hospital we visited had a burn unit. There we met the children and their families, prayed with them and shared the sandwiches we prepared. You see many of the families while waiting have no means for food. We were able to meet that need. In addition we took stuffed animals and crayons and coloring books to the children. It was a great afternoon and the entire team was touched.

On our way home we stopped at one of the local markets and stocked up on junk. Sugar was calling! Back at Casa de Luz we had a great meal. They workers there have been so helpful and have feed us well. Tonight was spaghetti! 

We are back at the hotel, some in the pool, some under the cabana with Michael, singing. It was another great day and we look forward to another one tomorrow. Thanks for your prayers we have felt them.

I Will...

Tim

More details from Day 1

I think my internet is a little more stable now. It is almost mid-night of day one. To say the team did a great job would be an understatement. They were fantastic today. They worked together and accomplished a ton today.

After a devotional meeting this morning we headed to Casa de Luz. This is the orphanage we are working with this week. When we arrived the kids were waiting. Hugs were everywhere! It was a great way to begin the day. 

Some of our team began sorting through the over 2000 lbs of supplies we brought with us. Others began painting the main hall and some of our guys began gathering stones for the meditation area wall. In addition Frank Valladers and I toured the community and invited people to come to a concert outreach on Thurs. 

Before lunch the hall had been painted, backpacks with school supplies had been prepared for the afternoon outreach, supplies had been unpacked and sorted  and the wall stones were ready, (tomorrow we build the wall) While all this was happening we never neglected to stop and spend time with the beautiful children of Casa de Luz

After lunch we headed to Inocencia a Hatian Batey. When we arrived we were greeted by a mob of young children. We headed into one of their class rooms at the community school. There we sang songs, shared the gospel and then gave the gifts of backpacks with school supplies, clothes and special gifts. In addition we gave away t-shirts and hats to all those gathered outside.

Before leaving we meet up with the local baseball team and gave them a bag full of balls (thanks Neelys) They were very thankful and showed it by striking out Don Copeland and Michael Mishoe. 

After a great meal at Casa de Luz the tired team gathered around (and in) the pool to reflect on the day and prepare for tomorrow. 

Please continue to pray for us and check back here often for updates. We hope we can post many more pictures soon.

I Will...

Tim

Great first day!

The internet here sketchy. I am attempting to post this blog for the 4th time. That being said I will write quickly and hope I can post this before I get kicked off again.

Today was fantastic! Everyone is well and working hard. We began our work at Casa de Luz. Painting, wall building, sorting of supplies and more were done today.

The outreach to the Hatian Batay was great. We shared backpacks with kids, gave out t-shirts and caps. We sang songs and had a great time.

We are tired but grateful for all we are seeing and learning. I will post more when the internet is more stable. Look for pictures soon.

I Will...

Tim

What a Weekend!

On Saturday 20 of our people arrived at TIA to leave for the DR. At the check in area we sorted through about 2000 lbs of gear and supplies needed for the trip. After getting everyone checked in and shifting weight from one bag to the next we discovered they would be delayed leaving Tampa because of bad weather in Miami. Finally 2 hours late they got underway. On approach to Miami they found bad weather and had to circle. Finally they landed but for some reason they couldn't get the cabin door open. After a long wait the door finally was opened and they rushed to make their connection. You guessed it, they missed their flight to Santo Domingo.

After a long wait  in Miami the team boarded a plan to New York. Yes, that New York! You see in order to get to the DR before early Monday morning, they had to fly to NY and then spend the night in the airport and catch a flight to the DR at 11:00 Sunday morning. 

As I write this I am assuming they have made it. You see, I am now sitting in Miami with the remaining portion of the team waiting to board our flight to the DR. You guessed it, bad weather, and we are delayed. We are not sure when we will be heading out. We hope to get there sometime tonight but as with all mission trips we are remaining patient and flexible.

One funny thing happened while still in Tampa. David Neely graciously took Michael and I from worship to the airport. There we met up with his two kids and one other team member. We had a number of supply bags with everything from medicine to food and clothing. While checking in we found we were way over weight. David agreed to take some of the supplies back to the office to be sent on a later trip. We loaded them up in an extra bag for him to take. He wanted to see his kids off at the gate so he received a special pass to go through security. After we all went through we turned around and David had been pulled from line and security was going through the extra bag he had hauled with him. You see, some of the supplies we were sending back were boxes of powdered formula and airport security doesn't like anything powdered. 

Because they wouldn't let him go any further and wouldn't let him leave the bag with them he had to say goodbye right there. Last we saw he was being escorted out with security. Caroline called him a few minutes later and found out he was escorted all the way out of the airport. Thanks David for helping us out and the sacrifice. We hope you are not on any "no fly lists" because of it.

Look for more later from the DR. If we ever all get there!

I Will...

Tim

Bags are being packed and final plans are being made for 25 of us to head to the Dominican Republic. 20 will fly out on Saturday, June 6 and 5 more on Sunday, June 7. We will be working with Project Child and their orphanage located in Santo Domingo. 

Thanks to all of you who made donations for the trip. We will be carrying in aprox. 2500 lbs of medicine, clothing, equipment and much needed supplies. It's not too late to make a financial donation to the trip. There are still many needs for this trip as well as the next one we are planning in November. (look for more information on that soon). If you would like to contribute you can do so online by going to our donations tab on the web-site.

Please be in prayer as we travel, minister and serve. We will return on Saturday June 13. Check here each day for more updates, pictures and our daily blog.

I Will...

Tim