Dominican Republic Mission Trip

Do we know how to end a trip or what?

Friday was our final work day. We held two more medical clinics - one in a batey and one in the city. We ran one final Batey Bible School. And, at the hospital, we held the "Big Pour". For two weeks, cemento, gravel, and sand had been moved to the hospital roof. Throughout the past week we had been building forms for the 3rd level of a new elevator shaft (well, actually, the only elevator shaft). On Friday, we poured approximately 15,000 pounds of concrete. The "Big Pour" provided a good sense of accomplishment to our week.

Friday night wrapped up our work week with a communion service on the beach and "getting our groove on" to the Maranatha Band.

Saturday was a relaxing day. We spent much of it on route to Saona Island. It was a wonderful day of snorkeling, swimming, volleyball, catching some rays, and enjoying some really good food. Of course, we spent much of the day laughing about all the snow our friends and families in New England we having to deal with.

Well, you know what they say about he who laughs last....Sunday was an interesting adventure. Because of canceled flights the previous two days, all the airlines were overbooked. Only 11 of the 35 MASS-CONN Fusion folk and 18 of the 21 UMass med students were able to get seats on our flights. The result was an extra night in Santa Domingo for many of us.

It has been an amazing week/two weeks, filled with challenges and blessings. On Saturday night, we shared with everyone the following list of accomplishments that occurred during week 2 of our trip:

• We ran ten medical clinics, serving approximately 800 to 1000 patients
• We shared the story of Jacob's ladder at 7 Batey Bible School sessions, creating hundreds of personally designed pillows for the children in these bateys
• We repaired the roof of the Cacata church, as well as the ceiling, and poured cement columns for an entry cover (and had it ready for worship on Sunday) 
• We cut and hung ceiling tile, hung wall board, sanded doors and their molding, sifted sand, painted countless gates and window grates, built forms for the elevator shaft, and of course, moved and mixed and poured unbelievable quantities of cemento 
• We organized the hospital pharmacy and started work on the medical supply room. 
• We brought down over fifty duffel bags full of medical, clothing and toy donations 
• We established a framework for how different teams can work together by fully integrating the UMass and MASS-CONN Fusion mission teams 
• We shared the stories of our work via the Internet using the web diary 
• We blew bubbles, played ball or Simon Says, danced the Hustle, took pictures, shared stories, prayed and worshiped with thousands of beautiful people who welcomed us into their lives

Leaving on Sunday (and Monday), is always difficult. We leave behind people who have made an indelible impression. But we are happy to return home to our families and the communities which supported us. Complete with new relationships formed, and stories to share.....ever aware of the blessings in our lives. It is your donations, your support, and your prayers, that make all of this happen. Thanks for being our partners in this amazing ministry. 

-Jen and Gordon