WEEK 3

SATURDAY

On our way to buy a giant Pilon, DR version of the Molcajete

Our first weekend in the “campo” as they call it here. We traveled about 2.5 hrs. to Ocoa with our final destination being Rancho Arriba. This is the town the branch suggested to Alf & Stef to move to and help out the small congregation there. We realized quickly we were in the Boonies. Electricity in the homes is free because it’s so irregular. The power company decides when they get electricity. They just take advantage whenever it’s working. If the homeowners have a little money they buy an “inversol (inverter)” , they hook up to some batteries and at least they have some lights working in their house when the power is not on. Water abounds because it comes from the local river flowing through the city.

Alf & Stef's home in Rancho Arriba

We arrive straight to the territory and have a lovely time. I worked with a German brother, Rolando Reimann, who has been in the country for over 20 years. Leti worked with a Dominican sister named Clary. I had my first experience where an interested person trades vegetables for magazines. Rolando got some red bell peppers and shared some with me. There’s always a first. 

Rolando and my share of the Bell Peppers

Sister we had lunch with

A local pioneer sister and her daughter invited us over for lunch. After lunch Leti went with Stef to some of her old studies and RV’s just to say HI to them and invite them to the Sunday meeting. We traveled about 30 minutes up the mountain to get to them. Alf had to do some small electrical jobs he had promised his neighbors he would do when he returned, I tagged along and helped. 

Angelina our host's home

The white wood on the house came from the KH after it was remodeled.

Ceramic vase with a concrete base keeps water cool, they need it since there's no electricity

Stef & Leti doing some calls

We're suckers for dogs, we can't help it

Have you ever seen this kind of Chicken?

Sisters trying to get some cherries

You got a friend in me...

SUNDAY

Service meeting at the hall. Leti got assigned to work with Rolando’s wife. The sister is able to preach to those speaking Haitian Creole and was able to speak to a few. As a matter of fact a few came to meeting. We went to a territory right next to the river. Some Dominican’s have some beautiful vacation homes here. I worked with Arci a brother who’s the High School principle, nice brother. MS and seems to be reaching out. He has 3 teenage daughters who seem to be doing well. 

German sister (Conny)

Meeting was in the afternoon and I gave the talk. The brother’s seem to like it. Some said it was what the congregation needed. Attendance was 37. Small groups make me nervous! 

This is how some get to meetings or service

KH in Rancho Arriba

Outside Bathroom

 

 

 

Congregacion Rancho Arriba

Inpromtu Demo

 

After the meeting our host, Angelina invited some brothers over for a "pasarato", social gathering.

  

Junior (that's his actual name) a Haitian brother who has been raised in the DR and loves to sing Mexican Rancheras, only in the DR

They all love Mexican music, Chente is big in the DR

MONDAY/TUESDAY

Our new beach front property, we wish

Literally the End of the Road in Las Galeras

Today we left to Samana to go Ziplining. YEAAAAHHAHAHAHAH!!!! Got too exicited. We got lost and didn’t make on time. We spend the night in a cheap motel and were ready early morning to go ziplining.

Samana at night

Hanging out in Samana

We were at the location at 7:45am. Alf & Stef had a airport pick up at 11am, so we needed to be out of there by 9:30am. We were, and it was AWESOME!!!! 12 descents, some faster than others and not always upright. Just pure fun. Definatley a spot to come back to, especially after they finish building the tree-top hotel.

After a lightning ziplining tour we went for the airport pick-up. Two sisters who are visiting for a month trying out the preaching in Bayaguana. Dropped them off had some ice cream and not much else to see.

First time zipliners, can you see the fear in their smiles

Climb to the first line was steep

Everyone is pumped after the ziplining

Nice waterfall and swimming hole

Next time, we'll stay in the tree house

Motoconchos: Motorcycle taxi's. They can take people or stuff, check it out.

Any large vehicle, van or bus is called a Hua Hua. It doesn't matter how you get there inside or outside, right?