Gotta step back

Do you ever get into one of those moods or swings when nothing ever seems new? I mean if someone says to you “So what’s new?” generally we say “Oh, nothing much”. At first thought, this week seemed like just another one. I mean it’s not like all of us live on the cutting edge of excitement. Each day sort of flows into the next like the sun follows the moon and the moon following the sun continues the procession. But really, step back and look at your life, some things happened that made it memorable.

The other day I got 2 new (actually they were used) tires on my vehicle, the 4 wheel drive fixed and the oil changed. Good thing, the next day I needed to cross the river with 4 wheel drive. Got my first haircut here in the DR, between my broken Spanish and good fortune I came out with a pretty decent job for 100 pesos (3 Canadian dollars). A couple of weeks ago, a guy I had been sort of taking care of in Los Algodonas died of his disease, I am quite certain it was aids. Quite a few people in this village, like most villages, have aids and so when they die, they usually die very lonely. This past Sunday (Nov. 4) a couple and her brother (all three from Canada) that has been frequenting the Dominican Republic came to our first English church service. They are planning to eventually move here and so struck up a conversation with me after church. Being the shy and bashful type that I am, we talked for a while and they mentioned to me that they are interested in setting up an orphanage here in the Dominican Republic. After explaining what we do here for the poor, they asked if they could visit some of our villages. We did that and now possibly with the Lords leading, they may be looking at setting up an orphanage in one of our villages. We sure could use one or more of those so please be in prayer for us that maybe we will be able to add an orphanage to our village of Los Algodonas. Yesterday (Nov.10) the Village of Ascension, village #6, had its swearing in ceremony for their brand new town council! Three and a half years ago it was just a hill with sugar cane growing on it. The mayor Montellano, the largest city close by, was in attendance and she swore in the new council. I haven’t been to a town or city council swearing before but at this one was plenty of Christian songs and prayers offered. What a refreshing view of what has become in Canada a non Christian (we don’t want to offend anyone) event. Often could be heard “Gracias a Dios” during the service which means “Thanks to God!”

I guess this week was special, I just gotta step back once in awhile. Gracias a Dios!