DR Mission Team Blog: Rejoice in the day!

Today started with a delicious breakfast at the hotel served buffet style and offering lots of choices ranging from fresh fruit, muffins, potatoes, bacon and eggs. The coffee also hit the spot especially served with hot milk.

We traveled by bus to Batey 7 for church. As we arrived Sunday school was finishing and worship started after we filled in the nearly full pews in the church. We could see the damage from it suffered from Hurricane Sandy where water rose to just below the windows. Our group was warmly welcomed and introduced by Wilfrido. The singing was moving and beautiful. Some hymns were familiar and others were not, but everyone sang along by following the words on song sheets. The children came in and sang several songs. Not being fluent in Spanish, it was music to my ears to hear their sweet voices exclaim “Alleuia! And Jesus loves me.” Paul O’Neal spoke on behalf of our group and church. One part of what he shared included “this week let us rejoice and work together because Jesus has brought us together again.” Mark Kemp preached from John Chapter 5 where Jesus asked a man “Do you want to be made well?” Mark also accompanied the “Three Amigos” who played guitar and drum for the service. Wilfrido and members of the church thanked us for sending funds for food to help them after Hurricane Sandy. Following an upbeat song in Creole the service closed in prayer. After visiting with members of the church, we had a little time to meet children, receive hugs, marvel at their smiles and enthusiasm for our cameras while they were intrigued with our hair and glasses.

We boarded the bus riding to Wilfrido’s home and enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by his family. Following lunch homemade vanilla and chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips was served for dessert. Several in the group had a chance to hold Wilfrido’s youngest son, Wilmer, who is four months old. He and his wife have 3 sons, several nephews, and Wilfrido shared, “and also many children in the batey.”

After returning to the hotel, the medical team organized their supplies for Monday followed by the vision screening team organizing supplies. The medical team is a well-oiled machine – quickly knowing how to sort and divide seven suitcases of supplies. The vision screening is new for WPC and Wilfrido sent four men for us to test our skills. We were able to smooth out our system for screening and helped them all receive glasses. Soon word spread and we had a steady stream of people which allowed us continue to refine and improve our screening. We only had one person who did not need glasses.

During this time PCUSA missionaries, Mark Hare and Jenny Bent and their 2 daughters arrived at the hotel accompanied by Kristen Hamner, missionary with Foundation for Peace. What a treat to meet everyone and hear about their work while also getting to know them and their family. Mark Hare and our education portion of the team will assist building a community garden in Batey 7. Jenny will work with the medical team also in Batey 7. Kristen will accompany the medical team all week and has helped coordinate prescreening of patients in the locations where the team will offer medical care. The partnership with Foundation for Peace is tremendously helpful because they know who needs medical attention and where other medical teams have recently offered care.