Water

Good to see the pump working again and the folks in Caraqueña able to get water.
Especially timely, since the solar pump at the children's home well is in need of repair. So until the part can be ordered and gotten here, the Home kids are benefiting from the village well too.

What a Gift!!

Last week we ran into a contact who'd we'd not seen in years, and he told us that eye surgeons were coming into the country to give free operations. We immediately told him of 2 kids that needed eye surgery and we got the necessary information to take them for consultations. Both kids were eligible! One of Jean Baptiste's daughters, Ashleigh, was born with "wandering eyes", but now she's been given a wonderful gift. Two days after surgery and she's doing fantastically. We praise God for his many blessings!!

Cleaning Frenzy

It's sooo nice when the kids' community service projects coincide with a need at the camp.

This month Cory and Laura Beth arranged for the kids of the Homes to clean the summer interns' houses. It sort of turned into a duel of who could get their house the cleanest. (Perhaps it was something I said).

The girls cleaned the girls' intern house...

and the boys cleaned the boys interns' house.
Good Job!!!

Girls and Boys

While the girls (Laura Beth, Kayla, Audrey, Lindsey, Lisa, Holly, and Tammie) partied it up showering Laura Beth....



and anticipating Harrison's arrival....Girly Stuff



...all the guys (Rich, Cory, Ethan, Tim, and Brian) set about getting the stuck piping and pump out of the Caraquena well. Even made use of the newly arrived rig. Manly stuff!!

....Something Old, Something New...

Brian and I found ourselves in something new this past Sunday. He as "wedding co-ordinator" and myself as....
...mother of the groom.

Our friends from Haiti, Jean Baptiste and Marteen, now living and working here in the DR, were finally able to have a wedding ceremony.

It was absolutley lovely, if I say so myself!!

Next step

Prayers were answered and Jarisa was granted a visa!! We now wait for the visa to be delivered.

Dreary Day

What did Brian do on his day off? Some catching up.

After being away in language school and jumping into spring groups upon his return, Brian had a lot of catching up to do with his bookwork in order for me to log it and send it in to our sponsoring congregation. This isn't Brian's favorite thing to do, but he got stuck into it and did it. Now that he's finshed with it and it's early evening he wants to get out and work in the garden...one of his favorite things to do, but it's raining. Dreary day.

Round Two

Jarisa and her mom seem confident as they prepare to head out for round two at the US Consulate. Their appointment is tomorrow morning (28th) at 11:00. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel to and from the capital, their overnight stay and the interview

Good to Know?

Maybe, maybe not...but it'll be interesting to see what you know. (Answers are at the end).

1. When is the "changing of shoes" customarily done for females in many Latino cultures?
a) First time to get a pedicure
b) Graduate from school
c) Becoming engaged
d) When turning fifteen

2. Can you identify the following 5 items that can be found in a missionary's home.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

3. In what country is this picture taken?
a) Dominican Republic
b) South Africa
c) USA
d) Haiti
4. Where is this fortress?
a) Haiti
b) China
c) Dominican Republic
d) Angola

5. How old is Tammie in this picture?

a) 12, b) 18, c) 22, d) 27

6. Name the dogs the Wallaces are "fostering".

a) Precious and Charlie

b) Uluru and Creed

c) Brooklyn and Uluru

d) Creed and Brooklyn

7. Who's missing from this missionary profile?
a) Charlie and Norm

b) Norm and Creed

c) Luke and Norm

d) all the above

8. What does this mean in sign language?
a) kiss

b) please

c) more

d) with

ANSWERS:

1. When turning 15 2.a) boa , b) coconut, c) spider's egg sack, d) mushroom, e) icecream maker

3. South Africa 4. Haiti 5. 27 6. Brooklyn and Uluru 7. all the above 8. more

Dying to Self, Living for Christ

Introducing (L to R) Rosemery and Yania, both who will be turning 14 this year. Yania has been in the children's home for almost 6 years and Rosemery for almost 4. Recent Bible classes by Cory have been focusing on "The Life of a Christian" and these two senoritas took the step to giving their lives to follow Jesus. Please pray for them as they continue to grow in the knowledge and love of our Savior.

Poor Creed

I don't know what his deal is lately, but something's up. He fell down this spiral staircase last week, then the other day when he jumped off the bed he landed face first and acted like he had a brain freeze (no mean comments about that seems normal for him!), and yesterday when he made a running leap to jump on my lap, his lip (yes, dogs have lips)cracked into my knee. Shame!

Let it Grow, Let it Grow, Let it Grow

We've started a garden. Stems (no pun intended) from a lack of variety in produce of good nutritional value and the rising cost of what is available. The garden will provide, depending on the season and quantity, veges for the homes, the groups, and the staff. It'll also be a training opportunity for all as well.

Computer Guts

No wonder computers are always giving problems. What a mess!!

The Big City

Back from the capital, Santo Domingo. Left on the Caribe Tours bus with Jarisa (highschooler in one of the Children's Homes) in order to meet up with Jenny Henderson, who'd landed at the Puerto Plata airport then picked up Jarisa's mom, at the hotel where we'd be staying while working on Jarisa's student visa. After lots of running back and forth to banks to pay fees from the consulate general, and lots of waiting in lines, Jarisa was told no to the visa request, and that she'd need to provide more proof of her return to the DR after her education in the States ended. So another appointment has been made two weeks from now, and attempt 2 will be made with more backing of the intent to ensure that Jarisa returns to help her people in her country with the education she hopes to gain in the USA. Continue to pray! To salve the disappointment Jenny asked Jarisa what she'd like to do. She wanted to go to the Acuario (aquarium). So we did, and they really enjoyed it.


It's a good 5 hours to the capital and while there Brian and Tim worked on getting Manna's NGO documents all in order (we've always been told it's done, but everytime we turn around to use it we're told we're lacking a form or something) so that they could claim the rig. It's here!!

It wasn't all work while there. Tim, Lisa, Norm, Brian and myself attended the Warden's Reunion at the US Ambassador's residence. Met the agent who'd we'd been in contact with while searching for Shane. It was good to meet various ones and for them to learn more about who we are and what we do. We got all dressed up for the occassion and all looked quite sharp, but we didn't take any pictures, so you'll just have to take our word for it!

What's the difference...

...between mouthwash and lotion? Try substituting one for the other in the dark and your tastebuds will quickly tell you. FYI...takes a long time to get the taste of lotion out of your mouth.

Easter in TX

Missing my grandbaby...I guess I'll need to be calling her my granddaughter now that another baby is on the way.
More on that later...

Taking Care of Business

The guys are all set to take on the Dominican business world and any hurdles that come their way.

God's ways....

I love to see how God works things out. Don't always "get It" at first, but I know He knows what He's doing and I trust Him.
And it's on that thought wave that my mind wandered to our weekend in Highland View (our sponsoring congregation) this past January. We had a great reunion and some new key speakers. At the reunion we'd put out the word for the need of replacing the McClouds in the Rio San Juan Outreach Center, and our need for a well-driller. Several attending have shown interest, as well as others who've visited the DR. It's always encouraging to see how the Lord moves amongest his people and what He can do with some planted seeds. Please pray for guidance in those who've set their lives before the Lord to be used here in the DR, and that all will be worked out according to His plan.

Changing Seasons...

...days of Africa

...days of Haiti...days of the DR

Little Brother Shane

Most know of the loss of Shane Ruiz while here in the Dominican Republic with a FHU Spring Break team while serving others. It's been very difficult to think beyond the moment, but as I looked through my photos of their first day, I saw Shane with a picture of one of our boys, Ariel, in the homes. What struck me about this photo is that Ariel is Shane's older brother's, Michael, sponsorchild. I'm so happy to have Michael's two little brother's in a picture together.

First Ever

We had our first ever MannaDR Team Retreat. After a lot of fanagling to find sitters for everyone's dogs, menu planning and shopping, locating an available, affordable
place; we ended up at a lovely spot where we could get to know each other better, play team games, and envison how the team would work together to give God the glory in what He would have us do.

On the way home some of us hiked to the Cascadas del Limon in order to see if it would be a place to take the summer interns on their break. We all made it!

It's a wave, it's boat, it's a WHALE!!

After living on the island of Hispanola for 18 years, we finally made the 2-3 hour drive to Samaná; where every Jan-Mar the Hump Back whales come to breed and birth their calves. We were out at sea for a while, and I began to think how disappointing it'd be not to see any whales, except for the painting on the vessel.

But we did indeed have some "sightings". It was difficult to get a good photo. Compared to this boat, you can see how big these creatures are.

Special Activity

The Children's Home was doing something a little different their past Friday night activity and we went and hung out for a little while.

Prelude:

Enjoying the replacement of the Lamb's new bumper...

Making the bon-fire...

Roasting marshmellows...

...and the highlight. Eating S'mores!!! Mmmmm!