Wednesday

It is hot again today.  As we are told so often happens, there is no wireless connection right now.  We are fortunate it is not the electricity that is out.  This can happen on a daily basis.  If you saw how the wires were hanging all over the street in clumps overhead at every intersection  and up and down every pole, you would expect nothing less.  So there will be not pictures today, but plenty when we return.

This morning we went back to Concordia to meet as a team with their Principal and head Pastor.  We were discussing what the next step might be as we try as schools in the South Wisconsin District to raise up the level of education offered at Concordia.  They really can´t look to public schools for any assistance at all as the DR ranks 132nd out of 134 countries around the world in their educational performance.  This means that they are in a dead heat for last and their methods, materials, and teacher training leave tons to be desired.  There is no state aid for private schools in the DR.  Workbooks here would cost the equivalent of 20 American dollars per book, per subject.   Since most of the families don´t know where the next meal is coming from, that is not possible. 

We were met again with eager faces who treated us as amigos today upon our return to Concordia.  Again they had a 22 minute opening at eight A.M. and went to classrooms until ten A.M. until the first group came out for breakfast - a corn grist (like Cream of Wheat).  This is the one and only meal many of the kids will eat today.  At that break we brought out white boards and markers-something they have never seen before.  Everyone was trying to share (?), grab, and use them at the same time.  A football one boy brought became a recess game. 15 students were willing to sit in a long line waiting for their turn to catch it. Students here returned after their break to finish their day at noon. 

We have learned that teacher education, especially modeling, will be important as we work to enhance the education students receive at Concordia.  One chalkboard per classroom and one notebook and pencil per student are the only supplies students have.  Art supplies sent by St. Michaels, Ft. Myers, FL have to be locked away and stored for use as needed.  Boy and girls do not have supplies like this in their homes and need to be taught how to use each one. 

After school we took a walk through Palmar Arriba.  We were able to see the day-to-day life and activites that go on in this very poor, but clean, town outside Santiago.  Laundry hangs on most fences and chickens, dogs, and a few cats run as strays.  Adults sit around on their porch or in their yards playing dominoes.  Most adults don´t read here, so their opportunities for employment are limited. 

A big pasttime is watching the farm team for the New York Mets in Palmar Arriba.  There is a field that was built by Jose Reyes where young men with big dreams practice and play baseball.  We walked past this location today.  This walking tour certainly impressed on us how much we have Americans and how little we appreciate all we have been given.

Tonight we will be returning to Concordia to join the 80 or so church members who will gather for worship at 7:30 P.M.  We have been told this will be quite an experience and we are looking forward to it!

More and more we are reminded of how God has blessed each and everyone of us.  Seeing each child at Concordia and the Good Shepherd group home helps us realize how God´s children are all over this world. Even though we find ourselves in different circumstances, He loves each one of us the same.   We return to tomorrow filled with Thanksgiving that we have had this opportunity.  We have made new friends, learned SO many new things, and look forward to seeing you all soon!  Please pray for safe travels.

Tuesday

 We were greeted with big smiles and big hugs!  They are very loving children and craved the attention of the team.  They enjoyed having their pictures taken.  123 students attend the school, grades 3K-7.

 Mark at the entrance to Concordia Lutheran School, Palmar Arriba - a small city outside Santigo.

 Beginning the day with a devotion, Bible lesson, Lord´s Prayer, Creed, 10 commandments, and songs.  This opening time is led by Pastor Krey and Principal Kissaryis Gebhart.

 The school owns 28 acres on this hillside with a partially built house that will become the parsonage.

 Pat and Larry Ryan in the school´s library.  They are representatives of St. Michael´s, Ft. Myers, FL.

This is the house right next door to Concordia.  Living here is a single mother of a young baby.  Her husband died trying to get to the United States.  This picture is representative of the poverty we saw.  We will have more pictures to show you when we return.

Monday 2

Next we traveled through winding streets and crazy traffic to La Aurora Cigar Factory.

 Worker placing labels on cigars.

 Room where cigars are made.

 Cigars are pressed for 2 hours.

 Wrapping a cigar.

This man was reading the newspaper to all of the workers over the loud speader.  The Brewer fans enjoyed the Spanish recap of last night´s game.

Monday

Today has been a cultural experience.

Our morning began with a breakfast of eggs, toast, and mashed potatoes.  We opted out of the mystery meat!  No juice or milk allowed due to lack of purification.

 Concordia Lutheran School is at the base of the moutain you see in this picture. (30 minutes by car.)

Sight seeing began at El Monumento, originally built by a rude dictator. People took it over and it stands as a monument to their freedom.  On the weekends it is the place to be with so much food, loud music and partying.

Views from our hotel...

We are here!

We have safely arrived in the Dominican Republic!  We are thinking the runway must have been pretty short, due to our abrupt landing.  At the airport we were met by Pat and Larry Ryan (members of St. Michael's, Ft. Meyers, FL) and Crystal - our driver.  We were blessed to have Crystal drive us to our hotel.  She was able to navigate the random speed bumps, drivers who don't drive in a straight line, Moped drivers who think they own the road, and the aggressive  beggars who accosted us at the first stop light.

 Larry is a board member of the school we will be visiting this week.  Tonight he filled us in on the history of Concordia Lutheran School.  It is evident that the Holy Spirit is at work here.  We are anxious to get to the school and learn more about it and to see how the SWD can support this mission.

Santiago is the second largest city in the DR.  At first glance it appears to be a busy place.  We saw a KFC and McDonalds, but have been warned not to eat at either place.  It has been too dark to see much, but the large piles of garbage at every lamppost  and abandoned buildings tell a tale. Our hotel is  nice.  We have learned that you are not able to flush the toilet paper due to the poor plumbing, there is a garbage can for that.  

We are looking forward  to seeing the sights of Santiago tomorrow, better understanding the culture, and meeting Pastor Krey and his wife.  They will be hosting a Brazilian BBQ! We thank you for your prayers!

Trivia for today:
On which island is the Dominican Republic situated?  
What Caribbean country shares its border?
What time zone are you in when you visit the DR?

In Miami

We have arrived in Miami. We'll have a bit of time to watch the Cardinal/Brewer game!

Test Post

This Is a test post, so I can see if I can post from an iPad and add an image.
I hope it works! The school we will be visiting is located near the city of Santiago.

Dominican Republic Trip Announcement

As you may, or may not know, the South Wisconsin District has been heavily involved in the Dominican Republic (DR), specifically in the area of planting LCMS churches.  In partnership with other LCMS organizations, great strides have been made.

Last year, the first Lutheran school opened in the DR ministering to 96 students with the gospel.  This year they are hopeful to open with over 120 students.  With limited resources (financial, material, certified staff, etc...) the need is great to become involved.

On October 9-13, 2011, Mary Irish (Our Redeemer, Wauwatosa), Dawn Walker (First Immanuel, Cedarburg), Jim Breytung (Our Redeemer, Delevan) and Mark L'Heureux will be traveling to the DR in coordination with representatives from St. Michael's Lutheran Church and School in Fort Meyers, Florida.  Our task, while there, is to develop ways to resource staff, students, and families by providing them greater opportunity in their effectiveness as a Lutheran school.  We will strategically develop plans and initiatives to move this ministry forward, making it the school of choice in the community.

Taken from the 8-26-11 edition of Leadership Learnings by Mark L'Heureux