Last Pictures

The Kasteltje this is in Cabaret quite a place, its for sale too. A couple of pictures on new condo's under construction and one of Herman looking pretty relaxed and our beautiful beach

Last Post

Time stands still for no man, though it seemed to at times because we were not conscious of time the same way that we are at home and yet it moved quickly as we look back on our time here in the DR. There is more to do, more places to explore, more people to visit,more sunshine to enjoy, more time to spend with Leona and Angelo,but alas we need to save something for next year. The Lord willing there will be next year and we will look forward to that.
It was good to help Leona get settled in her new place and now that we know where she is we also have a better grasp at what her needs are and how we can address them.
Thank you to all who followed our blog, who prayed for us and lived with us during this time and for your encouraging support. We hope it has helped you to better understand the work that is being done here, the harvest is always plentiful and the workers few.
Blessings to all
Herman and Levina

Day 24

The opa picture is a restaurant in Cabarette. The other 3 is how we got to the bus station in the morning. I had to do the same with my bag on the back of Leona's bike it was quite a sight, and it was drizzling at the time. But it soon cleared up , we arrived in Cabarette and on the beach by 3 pm, we left Jarabacoa at 10 and to change over and wait in LaVega, left there at 11.30. Sun was brilliant out here and the air much warmer, the mts do make a big difference. Anyway we hope the sun stays out while we are here.

The first picture is the widow maker that Herman installed at Leona's place she can have a hot sprinkly shower.
the other pictures are of Robin and Kenya and Melanie

Day 23

Well it is our last day here and woke to a pretty cloudy day but it did change so that was very nice. Leona was gone for the morning to the Arc, there was a special Awana competition going on among the top performers of all the groups in town. They had a very fun time of it by the sounds of it.
Herman and I went into town to buy a few things, we had to replace some of the stuff we used here in the house plus some coffee to take home with us. They grow the coffee right here in the mountains and it is very good. When we got home it was coffee time of course.
After that it was time to do some house cleaning so while I did dishes Herman swept and mopped the floors, which is almost a daily chore here because at night they drive 2 motorcycles right into the front room which is also the living room for security reasons, and they are not the cleanest beasts as you can well imagine.
This afternoon we went to say good bye to Dania and the over to Robins house to do the same. He lives in the cutest rustic little house that he made all himself out rough lumber. They have a little girl Melanie about 7 months old, I'll put some pictures up of them. Now we are home again and in need of some sustenance, we were going to go out for our last meal but it is actually kind of cool out with the sun gone and all the places are really open so a little cool to sit and enjoy, so they have gone for some takeout.
So tomorrow we leave by bus for the coast, not sure if I will get achance to update but will Monday for sure. May you all have a blessed Sunday and Miriam hope you have a safe trip back to Holland today.

Angelo hard at work making the sancocho















We are anxiously waiting, looks good aye?


It really hits the spot on cool dank day

Day 22

Well guys we missed recording day 21 not for lack of trying but the internet was down here why I don't know maybe because of all the rain clouds up there.. It was raining when we got up yesterday but we did see the sun for about 3 hours during mid day, which was very nice but then it clouded over again , started of with a sprinkle but gained momentum into the evening. Angelo made a big pot of sancoche in the morning for lunch. There is a lot that goes into that stew, then a custom they have here before they start to eat themselves is they bring a plate or a bowl, or a pot over to the neighbor's or to family. So here Angelo had a borrowed a big pot from the neighbour lady so she got a big bowl full and then he got some ready to taake to his mom and dad. Very neighbourly and thoughtful I must say.
Today was much nicer day, so took advantage of the sun and did a couple loads of laundry and hung them out, I watched the clouds and sun quite closely just in case, but they managed to dry and now it is sprinkling again. The water falls outside our bedroom window at night when it rains is very annoying, the ear plugs help some but not enough so we will be glad that next year we can stay with Leona and hopefully no waterfall plus it is in a much quieter part of town as well.
Today we went shopping for some basics for Leona's house, boy when you star of from scratch there are a lot of things you need, you kind of forget, but she will have to do it over time bit by bit it will come.
Leona never did go to that conference, she felt not right about travelling with a married man, they are more strict about that and what may be perceived. Glen found a married lady Toddy to go with him, I guess thats better than a single girl.
Anyway got to go make some pizza dough for supper, talk tomorrow Lord willing

Lola's House

A rustic Dominican Dog house, the roof is still coming, they need to find a piece of tin

Here is the table and the bench that were made








bench in progress















couch with new pillows and the borrowed truck used for moving

Dia Vente

The rain came down and the prayers went up, the rain came down and the prayers went up and the house in the DR stood firm. By the sound of the torrent outside our bedroom window during the night I am glad we are not floating away. It did let up to a mere drizzle of and on today. Herman , Leona and Angelo went over to the house to work on the dog house and benches. I stayed home , went to the vegetable market and the meat market to pick up supplies for lunch oh and I picked up an umbrella for on the way home, glad I did the drizzle picked up speed. I busied myself with preparing the hamburger stew, making bread and doing dishes. They came home had lunch rested till 2 , everything closes here for siesta from 12 to 2. They needed to go to the local hardware store for a few things to finish their projects out at Leona's place. While they were gone for the afternoon I finished the bread and gave the bathroom a good cleaning and organized some of Leona's stuff for her move. Now it is near 6 pm and we are sitting arround shooting the breeze, while it continues to pitter patter outside, probably no long walk tonight.

Dia diecenueve

Hola from a cloudy day in the DR. The first cloudy. showery day we have had. The other times we had rain it was in the evening or during the night. In between showers it was still balmy and nice for walks. Speaking of which we just came back from an hour and a half walk, its interesting just to walk and see all the diversity in the houseing and the wealth .
Well to day we did get the truck again and early so that was great, they picked up the table Herman made at the school and a couch and 2 chairs and a coffee table that a friend Johnathan had left behind with Angelo. Herman was hoping to make a dog house today and some benches for her table but the power did not come on this afternoon at her house so he couldn't. We did give the furniture a good wash, it is that rattan and was very dirty and dusty, then we put the new covers on that I made and it looks fantastic. I forgot to get pictures of it today so will do that tomorrow to show you. We waited a bit but then decided to go home and come back early tomorrow and try again.
Here in Jan's house she has an inverter, it is a battery back up for when the power goes of, so we have not been in the dark here which has been really great.
Not a real exciting day , somewhat productive and lots of fun anyway.
Hasta luego

Leona's little Honda.
Daniella in yellow
the last one is our busy corner we live close too

day eighteen

Well we were planning to get a lot done today but somehow when you have to wait for others and their truck it never goes as you would hope. So there was a bit of sitting arround today for the guys not me. It is Monday and so there was laundry to do, and we are getting company for supper so there is that to prepare for plus having to go and walk into town for the stuff I will need for it. I had to finish rolling the croquettes and made some yeast cinnamon rolls so that kept me going plus some reading and relaxing in between.
The truck finally arrived arround 4 so of they went to pick up some lumber and other stuff they needed and brought it to Leona's new place, they were caught in a downpour while on the way. By the time they got back about 7 I had supper ready , we had roasted potatoes , coleslaw and croquettes , they were good. There were 7 for supper Laine, Caitlin, Angelo, Leona, Carmen Herman and myself, plus we sent a little doggie bag home with Carmen for her husband and daughter.
So they have big plans again tomorrow, we will see what happens, one needs patience here and no use getting to excited about things, it eventually will get done if not today then tomorrow.

More Birthday Pictures

This the birthday party, the twins are in the first picture.
The second are all the cousins that were over.
The third picture is the boom boxes that blare the music around town.
Herman eating ice cream


and my view from my pew this morning

Day seventeen

Sunday the Lord's Day we went again to Escuela Caribe to worship with them. It was good to be there. We drove home and had a coffee with Leona. Angelo was picked up by a friend and went to LaVega to help with a prison ministry. They have a prison there with about 700 inmates, so quite a challenging ministry, he was gone most of the day.
We took it easy most of the day , took a walk into town , it is the final day of carnival so lots of loud music. Leona went to her church at 4:30 and picked up 4 ladies from the brothel to take to church as well. She said the text that the minister preached on was where the woman is caught in adultery and Jesus says go sin no more, it was very pertinent, God's timing is always perfect.
This evening we went to Denia's for supper and celebrate the twins birthday.There were lots of cousins arround , all having a good time. The cakes I made were devoured quickly.
Now we are home again and ready to call it a night.Hope you are all careful on those icy roads.

Random Pictures

Day Sixteen

Oh I was tempted to skip writing tonight but I know from experience when following a blog that you feel like your missing out if they don't write or you wonder what is wrong. So to avoid all those issues I will give you the low ddown even though it was not that exciting, I guess it can't be all the time our systems couldn't take it anyway.
It was a great sunny day, a great day to do laundry so that is what I did first, then we walked into town to pick some groceries. When we got home I started to make bread and a carrot cake for a birthday party for Denia's twins Daniella and Daniel that we are invited to tomorrow night, they are turning 7.
Leona was gone for a while in the morning to pick up some medical stuff to take to the girls at the brothel, she and some other ladies brought it to them in the afternoon.
Herman gave the bike a good washing after the dusty ride yesterday and added some oil.
I had to go back into town to get a present for the twins and some groceries I forgot in the morning. I am getting lots of walking in just getting stuff we need.
I bought some meat and am simmering it , I want to make croquettes for some friends that are coming over Monday night, will let you know how they turn out.
I will post some random pictures that haven't made it on the blog yet. Oh I forgot yesterday was Independence Day here and they had a nice little show of fireworks in the local park right in the center of town.We could see it from our house.
Time to put out the lights good night john boy, good night

Robin is putting a worm on his hook. Herman is trying to cast off, it was harder than it looked, he hooked his pants ,then the tree.
Angelo on his bike