WEEK 2

THURSDAY
Bro. Jose Peña, who's a bethelite, invited us for lunch at the branch today.

We got to the branch to close to lunch time, so the tour was a rushed 40 minute tour.

During Trujillo's regime the work was under ban. So the brothers time reports were actually a vegetable buying list.

That is the same coral rock as the drinking fountains at the AH

In front of the AH platform

But we did get to spend time with Jose and his wife Myrka and there dog Paco.

Jose and Myrka Peña's Apartment

Paco the dog

Very up-building and encouraging. This couple has been in NY bethel, needgreaters in the DR, special pioneers in the DR and now they've been called back to bethel in the DR. The brother works in the service dept. as I mentioned before and the sister is the hair dresser in bethel and works in the laundry when she's not getting hair did. Here's a tidbit:
1k Needgreaters in the DR.
Lots of groups that cannot be named congregations because there's no elders.
Lots of congregations with just 1 elder.
Were talking congregations with up to 80 + publishers.
The need for elders is urgent and the need for ministerial servants is even greater.
The branch cannot keep with the growth.
They LOVE needgreaters here!
The branch looks at needgreaters as self-sufficient missionaries.

Isn't that awesome! Bro. Peña said that even if you don't come permanent, with your help we can cover our territory of which 35% hasn't even been preached in. WHAT??? Who wants to join us, raise your hand! LET'S GO!!!!

SATURDAY
After service we Leti, Stef and I went to La Zona Colonial in one of the local Hua, Hua's (minivan taxi, packed to the gills with people) to experience the local public transportation. That was an adventure in its self. In La Zona Colonial Christopher Columbus' son established his home. Some of the buildings are 500+ years old. We also visited the Amber Museum. Amber is basically tree sap and some of it has been found with fossils and insects that are millions of years old. We're talking Jurassic Park stuff.

This building is built with a 500 year old wall as part of the structure

Old buildings are beautiful

Famous Calle el Conde

Columbus Park

Lots of people feed the birds

He's just showing off to the girls

Is that bird droppings on her leg?

Now who's showing off?

This is what artisan's can make with Amber

Tree Sap = Amber

Amber with a dinosaur biting mosquitos = Jurassic Park

Original Entrance to the city of Santo Domingo

Alcazar de Colon

Plaza España w/some classics

Leti can't resist a classic

Classic or Horse Leti's drawn to them

Torre del Homenaje, an old watchtower used to sight pirates

It was also used as a prison during dictator Trujillo's time, some of our brothers were inprisoned there

Entrance to the watchtower/prison

SUNDAY
Today I did my return visit with Miguel Angel, the young man who I was supposed to take the BT book. Bro. Luis Mejia and I went to the RV. We get there and Miguel Angel wasn't there. His uncle, a young man was in the porch pulling off the feathers off of a chicken. I told him why I was there and started to preach to him. We invited him to meeting that night, but he didn't show up.

So Miguel Angel shows up and we sit down. I give him his book and I start to show him how we conduct a a bible study. He was interested in the chapter about baptism. So we read parr. 1 and he can't quite answer the question. He reads the parr. again and he finally gets it. He seems flustered but we continue. Same thing with parr. 2. That parr. explains how we are supposed to have a basic knowledge of the truth and have started a personal relationship with Jehovah. He finally says, I'm sorry I'm a little out of it today, you know I had a big decision to make today, I was supposed to get baptized in the Adventist church but, I felt I wasn't ready, specially after I read this, I know now I'm not ready. Did I just hear what I think I heard? I got chills down my spine. Can you imagine if I hadn't done the RV? I explained to him how important it is to acquire accurate knowledge of God's word. And how the book he had in his hand could help. But to take the very important step of baptism we need to start at the beginning. I can't wait till next week!


After service, Luis and his wife Rocio and her sister Melanie, the Sanchez and us went to "Cuevas de las Maravillas". It's a well preserved cave with stalactites and stalagmites. It's also impressive because of the Taino drawings in the cave. The Taino's are the natives of Isla Española. The drawings look like a little kid drew them, they're funny like that.

Don't it look like kids drew them?

MONDAY
Day off and we needed it. We were invited by the Torres family for dinner, Salami sandwiches and a drink called "Morir Soñando". IT'S SOOOO GOOOOD! The name fits, you can almost die dreaming. Leti's learning how to make it, hopefully by the time we're back she perfects it.

TUESDAY
Another assembly hall work day. Now that the brothers know us a little better they're warming up to us. The assistant AH overseer asked me to do some electrical work. Then asked if I could come back the following day and work with the one brother, who's an electrician, that works in the AH.

They have a mop drying station

This sister is a pioneer and school teacher. She wanted to help out at the AH so much that she asked permission at her school to do volunteer work at the AH. The school granted her permission with one condition, she was responsible for finding her own substitute teacher and she would have to pay her out of her salary. Her desire was so great, her prayers were answered. Another sister who also volunteers at the AH was a teacher without a job. She works a few days and the other sister works a few days at the school. The days either of them is not working at the school they volunteer at the AH. When you want to further kingdom interests, no matter in what capacity, she's a waitress for the couple school and the other sister helps out with the cleaning, and you leave it in Jehovah's willing hands, he makes it happen, to fulfill your desire to serve him. AWESOME!!!! Sorry about the names, we've met so many people and heard such good experiences we sometimes forget to write down the names that go with the experiences. I'll do better, I promise. 


WEDNESDAY

Which wire goes where?

Met brother Alsenio Reyes, pioneer, elder and self-employed electrician/ac/refrigeration guy. Every Wednesday he dedicates it, to come and help out the AH overseer with those kind of projects. After the initial getting to know who you are, what you do, what you've done talk, which took almost all morning the brother warmed up to me. By the end of the day he was asking my opinion on how to do the work. The brother has only been an electrician about 3 years and he realized I could be of help. We had a good time working with him and another young brother that helped out today who's studying to be an industrial engineer. 

Sparky Crew

AH overseer's wife and her trike

KH in the AH property, one of few with AC