Night 1 Day 1 in Jarabacoa

Today we learned: Communities have to work together here to make important things happen, like building schools.

"If God puts something in your heart, you will use it and you will serve with it." -Isabela (one of our hosts)

After almost 12 hours in transit we finally arrived in Santiago at about 6 PM, and made it to Jarabacoa and our base camp, at about 6:30 PM.

We had just enough time to eat with our hosts, Joel and his family; get a quick introduction to our mission; have a quick compline service, and the head to bed.

Today we served the Jarabacoa community at Los Chiquitines de Yaji with Rudy, the director. In the Dominican Republic, if the community needs a school, the government will build the building. Anything else must be provided by the community. For 7 years, Rudy and his wife have worked hard to make the school a beautiful and functional place for learning for the community's children. Without the school, children would have to walk about two miles, or get up incredibly early in the morning to get an education.

The railings on the new second story and new staircase needed painting, so our group started that project, and we will finish tomorrow.

Afterwards we had lunch at home base, then took a moment for recreation before learning about a pivotal part of Dominican Republic economy--coffee.

We received a tour of a coffee plantation, from the bean on the plant, all the way through to grinding and bagging.

To get one cup of coffee, approximately 30 people are involved in the process.

Dinner this evening was a "stone soup" meal where our mission group visited a local grocery store, bought ingredients, and cooked dinner.

Check out the Christ Church Cathedral Facebook page for pictures!

Departing

Our team is boarding a plane, the first of several, on our way to the Dominican Republic. Thanks for praying for us and following our journey!