Category Archives: Dominican Republic

Dominican Trip Part 3

On our way back to Fuente de Vida to hike the mountain, we passed a truck being carried by another truck. Strangest thing I saw while there for sure.

Once we arrived at Fuente de Vida we were met by Pastor Mario, two guides, one of the guides son and a dog. Abby and Josh didn’t think we needed a guide at first but once we started hiking and they started to use a machete to clear our path it became obvious we need a little assistance.

Half way up the mountain there is a cave that we decided to stop at and check out. When I say check out, I mean I gave JP my camera and let him take some pictures. Once you view below you will see why I was happy I stayed outside.

Yes those are coach roaches just hanging out…..YUCK!

Samuel the most precious little guy ever!

The views were stunning and the peacefulness of it all was breathtaking.

That moment when you do something kind of stupid like make a face and the camera snaps just in time.

Josh found an old mortar while hiking down the mountain.

After we stopped and left the mortar back on the trail (most of us were a little scared it would go off and I wasn’t quite ready to blown up just yet. But don’t worry right after leaving the spot where the mortar was dropped off, I slipped and fell creating this awesome scrape. Best news……I didn’t even cry (if you don’t me, that is a seriously big deal for me)!!

Overall this trip was one for the books. I enjoyed getting to see the future site of Fuente de Vida, to see how others live and work and to meet such friendly and welcoming people.

Come back tomorrow for some super exciting news!

Dominican Trip Part 2

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Did I ever mention I have a hard time deciding between pictures. Some people post three images and tell you all about their trip, others post twelve pictures and tell minimal about their trip; I post a hundred pictures and tell you every. single. detail. of my trip. So on that note let me pick up where I left off at ……

After looking around the Fuente de Vida property we headed back to our house. We did stop in at a local store and as I looked around at the housing I realized how lucky I am to have such a nice, comfortable and sturdy house to live in.

After our day long adventures it was clearly time for a nap.

This is a view from Pastor Mario’s church on the third floor. The first floor is where Sunday School and Preaching take place and the second floor is for kids Sunday School and church. The third floor was started but has yet to be completed.

The goal is to finish the third floor and make it into dorms for future mission trip volunteers to stay in. One side being for females and one side being for males and a bathroom at each end.

After a nap and exploring Mario’s church we went into town to be real tourists for a little bit.

DUCK FACE!

I should be wrapping this trip up next Monday or Tuesday. Tomorrow I am back to regularly scheduled “Friday Fancies” and boy are there some good links on my list.

Dominican Trip Part 1

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My first trip out of the country via an airplane meant my first stamp in my passport and I literally squealed with excitement when they stamped my passport. I also may or may not have gotten a funny look or two when this all went down.

I decided on my converse for flight wear. Comfortable and my feet won’t freeze.

We arrived Tuesday night in Santo Domingo. JP (John Pierre) who is head of By Grace Alone Ministries and the one in charge of Fuente de Vida picked us up and took us to a local joint for dinner, Barra Payan.

A delicious Barra Especial without mayo. It was chicken, ham and turkey with tomato and cheese and it was delicious. Also minimal English is spoken in this part of the DR, so we were grateful for John Pierre’s excellent Spanish.

I will never get this fruit juice this fresh here in the US. I’m currently craving a Passion Fruit juice as I sit here and type this. Man it was so delicious.

John Pierre, Abby, myself and JP before leaving Barra Payan and heading to our house for the night.

Walking to breakfast at Pastor Mario’s house. His wife and ladies of the church made a feast for us EVERY. SINGLE. MEAL.

Instead of selling land and such people just abandon their lots for other locations. Real estate is not a booming market down here. Mario showed us around the area he lived and all the animals and fruits he has in his back yard.

Abby didn’t have the best of the luck holding the chicken and she may or may not kill me for posting this picture. Love you Abby! 🙂

JP did a better job with the chickens.

No worries, just using a machete to chop off the top of a coconut.

I will be the first to say I am no fan of coconut water you buy in the grocery store here in the states, but give me a fresh coconut just picked from the tree and I am down to drink the whole thing.

Next we headed to future site of Fuente de Vida. On the way there I learned that driving in the US is relaxing in comparison to how they drive in the DR.

An old shack on the land that they will probably use as a house for John Pierre to stay in one they have permits in line.

JP said something funny, I love laughing (non-posed) pictures, they just show so much about someone.

We decided that day we would get up early on Thursday morning and hike to the top of the mountain. John Pierre wanted to see the top and scout out a place for a gazebo in the future.