Saturday, July 14th Trip 4 Day 8
Life is about moments. This morning we did not wait for them, we hopped up in the saddle and created them! Our GOES shirts were colorful dots as we rode through the sugarcane fields headed toward the ocean. We separated into a running bunch and those wishing to gallup at a slower pace hung back. Running a horse wide open, at a full run along the turquoise blue ocean’s edge is a moment I will always remember. It is also one that I look forward to each year. Mid-trip we stopped for those who wanted to ride bare back into the ocean and we enjoyed a cold drink.
After our ride, we stopped at the villa to change and headed to Nana’s in LaSabana for lunch. Nana and Araceli dug a trench, lit a fire, and slow roasted delicious chickens for us all. Paired with rice and a pasta salad, we dined on our chicken lunch like royalty! Many participants had built in LaSabana on previous GOES trips, so off they went to visit old friends and deliver warm, welcoming hugs!
Carnival in El Estrecho Abajo was, once again, a huge hit! Maciel shared her story of growing up extremely poor, where many nights she lay in bed hungry, looking at the stars through the holes in her roof. She said as a young girl she would often dream about having a dry, decent house to call her own, but as time went on in her life, she came to realize that would not be a reality for her and had given up hope. The highlight was the end ceremony where each family spoke and a GOES team member then presented them with a key to their new home. We walked arm in arm with our families to their new home to applaud the first key-turn and their first steps across the threshold of their beautiful home!
Good-byes were heart wrenching. Tears were shed. Hugs were longer and tighter than usual. ‘I love you’ and ‘te amo’ were said a lot, and promises to return next Summer were repeated often.
“You will never be completely at home again, because a part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of knowing and loving people in more than one place.”
Friday, July 13th Trip 3 Day 7
Our last work day we built and painted the interior dividing walls in Maciel and Wendy’s homes and all three houses had their doors installed! The bathroom block at Maciel’s was finished and Wendy’s bathroom was completed. Final touch-ups of paint were applied where needed, and we all treasured these final moments with our Dominican crew and new friends. Chris flew in to join us for our last day and for Angel’s Christening on Sunday.
Tonight we gathered out on the deck for an all-star cast of GOES Karaoke! Our microphone may have been a broken broom, but the sound emanating was majestic!
Thursday, July 12th Trip 3 Day 6
“Teamwork divides the work and multiplies the success.”
This morning Bryan and Austin’s site [Wendy’s] began mixing cement and pouring her floor. In order to keep everyone involved, we moved people around. Several went down to Carolina’s green house to build her bathroom with Rueben, and those at Wendy’s who were not mixing and passing buckets, moved over to Maciel’s to paint it pink! As we worked, great music was blaring and there was much singing and dancing to the beats.
After lunch the parachute was enjoyed and our afternoon back to work passed quickly!
Our nightly activity tonight was a huge game of assassin!
Wednesday, July 11th Trip 3 Day 5
Life is all about balance. After three days of working hard, today we recharged our batteries and balanced our work with a day of rest and play. The morning weather was a hazy, overcast sky but as time passed the sun burned through to brighten the day. The catamaran and snorkeling was amazing! We had nice waves as we headed out to our snorkeling spots, the fish were abundant and colorful, the water a perfect temperature, and our “boofay” lunch hit the spot! This group did its share of ball catching, flipping and jumping off the catamaran, but many of us chose a siesta on the ride back in to the beach!
Dinner in Maimon did not disappoint! Bryan Mulligan gave a thoughtful toast thanking our Dominican Crew for a wonderful Summer, for working side-by-side us, and for teaching us so much. His speech was followed by an emotional prayer by JoJo and then we broke bread with our Dominican Family. Many Many times this summer either Erdidania, Santo, Papo or a GOES leader used the words, “We are one team / We are one family” and we certainly have become just that! After dinner our “family” came back to the Villa and played pool, dominoes, swam, laughed, joked, shared cookies and coffee and made unforgettable memories.
Throughout the summer, there are SO many moments that my brain has stored as moments I will always hang on to. Our time at the villa, after our team dinners throughout the summer, are some of those moments. I don’t know that there are words that can adequately describe the pride, joy and admiration I felt watching our GOES members host and enjoy our Dominican Crew’s company. We are Blessed and we are better for having this experience….
Tuesday, July 10th Trip 3 Day 4
The storm dumped a bit of rain on our area throughout the night, but we awoke with a sunny skies attitude and ready to go!
Both work sites were a flurry of activity as the details of our beautiful homes were put into place. Wendi’s house had it’s corners wrapped, the windows were framed, and the creamsicle orange paint made her house stand majestically under her beautiful tree, on the corner lot.
The floor was poured at Maciel’s and many learned, for the first time, how labor intensive this process is! All the cement is mixed by hand and had to be carried by buckets down into the house. As the heavy buckets were assembly-lined and brought inside, Santo, Torro, and team leveled and smoothed the floor, added white color and painstakingly created a marble-like look. In between assembly-line bucketing, the outside of the house was primed and the blocks of the outhouse were begun.
A quick stop at Juan’s for snacks and another stop in Imbert for fresh bread and we were back at the Villa eating veggie lasagna, swimming and performing Broadway worthy skits!
Tomorrow we rest!
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Monday, July 9th Trip 3 Day 3
With a threat of an impending storm headed our way, we were uncertain of how the stormy weather would impact our work in the upcoming days so we set very high goals for today! Today was sunny and very hot!
On the way to the job site, we talked about the new Cruise Port, Amber Cove, that we drive by each day. We had hopes that it would mean more opportunity for the people of our villages, but it has not come to be. We also discussed the huge road improvement project taking place on the main road out of Puerto Plata and the benefits of these changes.
Once at Maciel’s and Wendi’s everyone was busy. It was one of those work days that EVERYONE was super busy and went nonstop. And at the end of the day, our tanks were empty! We gave it our all and were exhausted at 5pm when we called it a day. Maciel’s house is roofed, gabled and the inside is double coated with white. Wendi’s is half tinned, and primed inside and most of the outside as well.
At the Villa, we lost power due to the storms and we were Blessed with a lightening show out over the ocean, as well as with a generator to provide us with light.
Circle time was a creative one, where we described our GOES experience using an emoji, stated which animal we most are alike while working, and discussed a community problem in our village and came up with a super hero to fix it.
Making mango salsa was a group effort and little by little we all trickled off to a much needed rest!
Sunday, July 8th Trip 3 Day 2
Our day began a bit slow because the Villa staff was late with breakfast, but that was the only part of our day that I would define as ‘slow.’
Maciel was thrilled to have a crew back on her house and said to me least five times during the day, “Donna, my house is so beautiful.” We completed the rafters and all of the siding. Checkers was the game of the day, with lots of laughter and advice as to which move was the best.
Wendi’s home is fully sided, the rafters are up and one gabled end is done. Wendi brought her parents and siblings to meet all of us today and they all pitched in and helped our participants. Tomorrow will bring a tin roof and paint!
Yesterday’s long day of travel caught up to many of us tonight after circle time and even without a “firm” lights out time I think it’ll be an early evening!
Saturday, July 7th Trip 2 Day 9 AND Trip 3 Day 1
Trip 2 was busy packing and cleaning up prior to the 10 am departure time. Everyone worked together to leave the house spotless for Trip 3 and get their luggage out on the driveway. Kyle and Bryan escorted Trip 2 to the airport and waited to welcome Trip 3 back home!
Trip 3 quickly settled in and swimming started as this new group began to form.
Friday, July 6th Trip 2 Day 8
“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.”
~ Winston Churchill
We have made the most of our minutes here in the Dominican and today was no exception! The process of matching each of us with our horses took a little while, but once up in the saddle, we were riding off through the sugar cane fields headed towards the blue caribbean waters. A few riders quickly found out that, just like people, at times horses too do not always like each other. Jacob Dawson’s horse was pleasant, just as long as no other horse got too close. Jacob handled him like a true cowboy! Kyle Milana’s horse, Romero, wanted to be the leader of the pack and Romero’s height and stature was a bit intimidating! He was very regal and he was huge! I always ride Paolo. He is a bit headstrong and loves to run, run fast! When we stopped for a break many students rode bareback into the aqua blue water!
A delicious rotisserie chicken meal was enjoyed in LaSabana, at Nana and Mingo’s home. All the chicken’s are skewered through a long pole and someone sits and turns them, by hand, over an open fire pit. This meal is not only delicious, but a labor of love as well as this was the last meal that Nana would prepare for Trip 2.
As our ‘guagua’ slowly pulled down the long dirt road of El Estrecho Abajo, we were already emotional realizing that this was our last dusty drive in to our village. Our friends were all waiting for us at the park, clapping and waving and welcoming us home. After warm hugs hello, each area was set up and open for fun! Billy gathered young and old alike to color a picture and officially sign in to carnival. After nails were decorated, tattoos put on, faces painted, bead bracelets created, relay races ran, jump ropes swung, and balls bounced it was time for our final good-byes.
The music was turned off and as one Family we gathered under the beautiful trees for a few words. Carolina, Wendi, and Maciel [the recipients of our homes] all expressed emotional thank you’s to our GOES group [Billy thank you once again for translating]. Santo and Papo also beautifully expressed their gratitude and how much they enjoyed working with Trip 2. As Erdidania said a few words, I was once again felt that she was a Dominican ‘Me’. Her family and community is very important to her, and in a male dominated culture she stands strong and works diligently for what she believes to be right and just. I also spoke and again thanked the El Estrecho Abajo community for their warm welcome and promised we will be back to enjoy another summer with them!
At our last circle time we had the opportunity to write a few positive and affirming words to our Trip 2 members and a late night of packing, game playing and story telling was enjoyed by all.
Thursday, July 5th Trip 2 Day 7
Our last work day was bitter sweet! We were determined to work hard to the end and make the most of every last minute!
Carolina’s interior walls went up and are painted. Her outhouse block is finished and waiting for the wood to be delivered. The participants at this site had a productive morning filled with lots of laughs and wonderful conversations with our Dominican friends!
The group on Wendi’s home began the siding and could have easily finished it, but we packed up a bit early and walked up the mountain to take a few photos and enjoy the spectacular view.
On the journey back to the Villa we took the time to stop and shop and pick up a few items for ourselves and those waiting for us at home!
Circle time tonight was a GOES First! Karaoke Night was a huge success!! Some of the songs that were performed, “I’m Yours,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Since You’ve Been Gone,” “No Scrubs”….Many participants were in several groups and two even did solos! Not only was the singing top-notch, the choreography was at a near professional level! It was a late night of card playing as we tried to savor each last moment together.
^^WiFi was extremely poor today [that is why this post is being typed the morning of the 6th and I was unable to upload any photos].
Wednesday, July 4th Trip 2 Day 6
“Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, its off to work we go….”
I realized this morning that I have not been in the United States for the 4th of July in eleven years. Yes, I’ve missed the traditional barbecues, a day on the beach, and watching fireworks with my family, but nothing makes me feel more Blessed and Grateful to have been born in the USA than serving others who may never know the opportunity that we enjoy. We are the Land of the Free and We are the Home of the Brave and I am forever grateful to the men and women of our armed forces for the freedoms I enjoy.
As our bus pulled down the long, dusty dirt road into El Estrecho all of our senses screamed to remind us that we come from the land of opportunity. We continued to count our blessings and share our gifts with our Dominican families.
The inside of Carolina’s house was partitioned and the walls went up! The out-house hole is done and the supporting blocks are complete.
Maciel’s house is framed and waiting for it’s roof! Since worked slowed down a bit this afternoon, many spent time with Dominican friends reading, coloring and jumping rope.
After a chicken and rice dinner, our 4th of July celebration began with hats, beads and horns and the resort at the bottom of the mountain shared with us a fantastic fireworks display!
Tuesday, July 3rd Trip 2 Day 5
“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires imagination, and brings joy to the soul.”
Today was a much needed rest and relaxation day. As we walked up on the beach toward the FreeStyle catamaran, the ocean sparkled back at the deep blue sky and brought joy to our souls!
The catamaran ride out to the first snorkeling spot was smooth sailing and the colorful, tropical fish did not disappoint! Sunscreen was lathered on in layers as we rested, suntanned, snorkeled and performed flips and dives from the boat into the gatorade blue water. The second stop gave us a glimpse of different, but equally stunning fish and a slightly different ocean floor. As we headed back out to sea, the FreeStyle staff turned up the music and danced with our GOES participants.
Our group dinner in Maimon with our Dominican workers was memorable and delicious. The portions of fish, chicken and pasta were huge and the dinnertime conversation engaging. After dinner, coffee and cookies were served back at the Villa about the same time that “let’s throw him/her in the pool” began! Many were swimming, unintentionally, and the laughter was contagious!
Our day off surely did rest our souls and bring joy to our hearts~
Monday, July 2nd Trip 2 Day 4
Paint and Block were the theme of the day!
Ashley’s group gave our green casa a second coat of paint and ran buckets of cement for the floor. Carolina’s floor is a speckled grey and white and while watching the detailed work that goes into creating the floor I couldn’t help but think of all the happy loving memories that will be created in this home. After lunch Ashley’s team began digging a six foot hole for the new outhouse. The heat of the afternoon slowed us down a bit, but soccer games, coloring circles, and jump roping was still loads of fun.
Up our dirt road at Wendy’s, block after block was laid and the house is now ready for it’s frame. Corner’s were set, line ran and one block after another finished the day with all the block completed. As usual popular Dominican music led to dancing and fun break times!
Our bus ride home started with a stop at Juan’s for snacks and gifts to bring home. With lasagna on the menu for dinner, we made a stop in Imbert for fresh bread! Dinner was amazing and after a group swim, we entertained each other with group skits.
Tomorrow we rest, tan [not burn], snorkel, laugh and relax!
Sunday, July 1st Trip 2 Day 3
Our shirt color today was ‘rojo’ and both work sites were red-hot with determination and effort!
Ashley’s worksite finished the tin roof and painted the interior of Carolina’s home. Paintbrushes were busy, cinderblocks were stacked to enable painters to reach as high as possible, our ladder was positioned and repositioned as all team members worked in unison and with brushstrokes filled with pride.During the afternoon the exterior of the home was coated in a gorgeous green and no one on the site had a bigger smile than Carolina and her children!
Brian’s site was consumed with blocks and cement as new participants quickly learned the technique of laying and leveling block. As each row of block was completed, Maciel and her family were one row closer to their new home and that thought motivated GOES members to continue to push through the back-breaking work.
A delicious spaghetti dinner followed by a group swim in the pool ended a very productive and satisfying day~
Circle time tonight encouraged each participant to think about their Dominican GOES experience creatively and our discussion was certainly that and more!
Saturday, June 30th Trip 2 Day 2
This group was up early, organized quickly and packed-ready-to-go right on time! Our first work day was so productive as everyone worked [ and played ] hard!
Bryan’s work group is building for Wendy and they dug AND poured their footer today. They met their day’s goal by 3 pm and came down to Ashley’s site to help finish the gabled ends and prep the house for painting tomorrow.
We returned to the villa to find that the entire area was without power and running water for a few hours. Nearly everyone cooled off after a hot work day by jumping in the pool and we dined on a delicious meal of eggplant casserole, white rice and a salad.
During our circle time tonight we continued to get to know each other and told wonderful stories about ourselves. The night sky was lit with a bright moon and we enjoyed a beautiful breeze off the ocean.
Friday, June 29th Trip 1 Departs ~ Trip 2 Arrives
Both groups got very little sleep…Trip 1 was up late trying to squeeze in as much group time as possible and Trip 2 were meeting at Donovan at 4 am for a very long day of travel.
Trip 2’s flight in to Santiago was delayed about an hour, so of course Trip 1’s flight out of Santiago was also late leaving the airport. This delay caused our nurse, Kyle, to miss his connecting flight in Newark headed to Washington DC and since Kyle had to be at work at 7 am the following morning, he had a long car ride back to DC ~ arriving in around 4 am.
Trip 2 arrived back to the Villa at about 6pm and enjoyed a much needed meal of mashed potatoes, eggplant and salad, swam for a bit, got settled in to their rooms and at circle time we got to know more about one another.
After a very long day, lights out came very early for all and as we headed to sleep we dreamt of tomorrow’s new Dominican friends and construction sites!
Thursday, June 28th
Giddy-Up Cowboys was the theme of our morning! Some were a bit nervous and others were super excited to be getting on a horse, but this trip is all about stepping out of our comfort zones, so up in the saddle we all went!
The ride through the sugar cane fields was beautiful, but once we hit the beach it was breathtaking! At our midpoint stop, several brave students rode into the caribbean blue ocean bareback and swam with their horses.
Our lunch was a special occasion as we rode into LaSabana to have lunch at Nana’s [our cook] home. We dined on Dominican rotisserie chicken, fried plantains and Nana’s famous potato salad.
When we rolled up to the carnival site, it was already decorated with balloons and signs welcoming and thanking the GOES group for their hard work. Children and adults alike colored, got tattoos, their faces painted, nails polished, and fun was had by all!
Saying goodbye to our new Dominican friends and family was very difficult. Long Hugs, tears and promises to return soon!
We closed our very busy day with a memorable circle time and a warm feeling of time well spent!
Wednesday, June 27th
As we rolled out of bed this morning we were all aware that this would be our last work day and we were determined to make the most of it!
The ride from the Villa in Playa Cofresi is about an hour to/from our building sites and while music is playing and some are singing, there is so much for the senses to take in. I asked “what is it you notice on our rides back and forth?” and these were some of the answers: infrastructure progress [construction on roads], lots of motorcycles, more people walking than at home, transportation by horse is necessary for most people, beautiful mountains, fields of fruit trees, communities gathering to chat on a front porch, cows stopping traffic at will, scruffy dogs, and majestic mountains.
Carolina’s house [where Sean, Elizabeth and I are] got busy measuring the clapboard, cutting the ‘madera’ and hammering ‘clavos’ and our frame quickly became a sided home. Music was pumping and there was a lot of singing and dancing by GOES and our new Dominican family.
Maciel’s and Rey’s home [where Kyle and Bryan lead] completed the frame and after lunch walked down the long dirt road and helped out at Carolina’s. Jonny and Oscar continued to be the most accurate rock throwers, hitting the tall tree across the stream with the utmost precision. Papo’s antics kept the group laughing and hammering at the same time! A nice surprise, of frozen chinola pops were enjoyed before lunch and cooled us off in the blazing heat.
As we cleaned up the site at the end of our work day there was a mix of emotions, but we were glad this wasn’t good-bye. We have a fun-filled carnival planned for tomorrow and will see our new friends one more time before boarding our flight home!
On the way back to the villa, Felo drove us to a shop where we watched a demonstration showing how Dominican tobacco is dried and rolled in to cigars. Participants selected special gifts for their loved ones at home and I’m sure a few special items for themselves!
After our circle time, which focused on affirmations and appreciation, we enjoyed the beautiful breeze on the deck and the clear, full moon.
Tuesday, June 26th
It was all about hammers and nails today as we began framing our homes. We measured and secured the 1×6’s that lay on top of the concrete block, measured and cut the 2×3 studs that frame the house and began putting all the pieces in place to create the frame of the houses. Our teams worked in unison to balance work and play very well and today was a play day of soccer, rock throwing, coloring, piggy back rides, book reading, paper airplanes, volleyball and jump rope!
Nana prepared a delicious eggplant, potato salad and rice lunch where we relaxed under a beautiful tree with a refreshing breeze! Tonight at the Villa we dined on baked chicken, rice and Dominican cookies for desert.
As usual, Trip 1 gathered around the Villa playing Kemps, BS, and doing magic tricks!
Tomorrow the houses will be framed and we will begin siding.
For many more photos, please go to our Facebook page~
Monday, June 25th
Today we spent the day enjoying each other and the refreshing ocean breeze as we sailed on the Free Style II Catamaran out to two great snorkeling spots. The fish were colorful, the scenery magnificent, and the relaxation was much needed! And the best part is sunscreen was applied often and everyone stayed hydrated!
After our excursion, we went to Maimon with our Dominican Crew to share a delicious meal.
Now a few games are being played: a card game of BS, a dice game of Tenzie, and card magic tricks!
We are looking forward to a good night sleep and a productive work day tomorrow.
Sunday, June 24th
With sore muscles and tired eyes, we began our day with one common goal….to finish block! Both job sites worked with precision, teamwork and full hearts and I’m happy to say that we have finished with block!
It was as if Mother Nature knew how exhausted we were on this third work day, and the overcast sky was greatly appreciated and surely helped our energy level stay strong! The group on Carolina’s home finished up around 3 pm and headed over to Maciel’s to join forces and wrap up a job so well done.
Today many of the girls took turns getting their hair braided!
Tonight’s dinner was a delicious vegetable lasagna and Senorita Dollman, Kyle and Bryan facilitated our skit night! Kyle’s famous belly flops made it into one of the skits, as did Max’s reaction to a dead gecko. The game in progress tonight is UNO.
Tomorrow is a much needed day of rest and relaxation. We will board a catamaran, do some snorkeling and go out for a delicious Dominican group dinner.
“Work hard, Play hard.”
Saturday, June 23rd
Day 3 of Trip 1….We awoke to music at 6:30, enjoyed fresh fruit and a panini breakfast sandwich Dominican style [ham, cheese, and tomatoes, with a special sauce we attempted to identify]. With our foundations solid, we were eager to begin laying block. Our drive to the work site takes about one hour and there is so much to see and appreciate about this beautiful country.
We hit the worksites running. Blocks were lined up around the foundation, the cement mixture [mescla] was prepared, music was blaring and our foundations began to look like a home! Friendships were formed as our new Dominican friends and family assisted us in whatever way they could; some offered a boisterous ‘buenos dias’, others brought over the most delicious coffee, and children and adults showed us their appreciation and genuine love.
Our eggplant dinner was followed by an incredibly colorful sunset, and a “creative thinking” circle time which encouraged all of us to think outside the box! Our night is wrapping up with all 23 participants circled around playing a friendly game of ‘assassin.’
Life here is good. Many have mentioned that they do not miss being tied to technology, they are enjoying stepping out of their comfort zone and getting to know one another; as Trip 1 builds their GOES family.
Friday, June 22nd
Day 2 of Trip 1…Our first work day began with a delicious breakfast of mashed potatoes, onions, eggs and fried cheese. The van was loaded quickly and off we went, listening to the great tunes on Bryan Mulligan’s playlist, down the dusty road to El Estrecho Abajo.
In the village, the participants met our Dominican workers, and the families we are building for, separated tools for each job site and got their first look at our building sites.
Our mission for today was to dig both footers before lunch and then after lunch pour the footers. Kyle, Bryan and Pappo’s site is on the side of a steep hill and because of this required one side to need three steps and the other side one step. Even with these challenges, both groups met their goal! Tomorrow we will begin laying block!
Back at the Villa, we enjoyed spaghetti with vegetables and awesome garlic bread! Lights out will be at 11 tonight….as our sore muscles, blistered hands and sunburned necks all need some rest!
Thursday, June 21st
Day 1 of Trip 1…We’ve had many meetings and have waited for this day for months and Trip One’s travel day finally arrived! The sleepy and excited participants arrived at Donovan Catholic HS at 5 am to check in, load their luggage and head to Newark. Twenty-three well packed suitcases got checked in a chaotic orderly process and through security Trip 1 went.
It took nearly an hour to get through security and get checked bags at the Santiago Airport. Our Dominican crew; Felo, Papo and Kiko loaded the bags back up, into our bus we hustled and off we went! On the two hour drive to our Villa, we drove through a torrential downpour, as we watched the city quickly meld into the beautiful Dominican countryside.
The very full bus and trailer struggled its way up our hill to the Villa where we once again grabbed luggage, got settled in to our rooms, snacked on fresh fruit, swam in the refreshing pool and continued to get to know one another. As we settled in to the Villa, we were blessed with a beautiful rainbow!
Dinner was delicious; eggplant [Dominican style], white rice and a green salad.
Our Circle time tonight centered on getting to know more about one another. After each of us stated a few facts about ourselves, Kyle fired two “odd” questions we had to answer. Questions like, “You have your own late night talk show, who do you invite as your first guest?”, “What is your most used emoji?”, and “If animals could talk, which would be the rudest?” We found out that Cat Hynoski would put her dog’s face on Mount Rushmore, Gina Stavallo believes that a hot dog is a sandwich, Melissa Buxton would like to hang out with the cartoon characters Tom & Jerry, Mia Michowski would like her worst enemy on an island with her so she could fight them, Jasmine Lombardi would like to fly a ‘criminal minds jet’ over Area 51, and if there were a zombie apocalypse Abigail Staiger may not choose to keep her mom on her team!
As I close this post, a huge game of Kemps is entertaining many, several have turned in early and some are journaling. ALL are excited to meet our Dominican families, see our job sites and start digging our footers!
Tuesday, June 19th
“Its so important to know where your fruits and vegetables come from.” Well, I can tell you that the fruits and vegetables we eat on our mission trip are off the local farm and fresh!
Chris and I went in to Puerto Plata this morning and selected the very best produce for Trip One to enjoy.
Buying for a group of 25 can seem overwhelming, but from years of practice and keeping good records we know just how many of each selection we need for our delicious GOES Menu.
Monday, June 11th
Our building sites are being prepped now and will be waiting our arrival!
GOES would like to give a big “thank you” to Momy, the sindico de Guananico for donating the machinery to level off our very hilly building sites.
“When one realizes that life, even in the middle of so many contradictions, is a gift, that love is the source and the meaning of life, how can they withhold their urge to do good to another fellow being?”~Pope Francis
