DR 2009 - Tuesday

Good morning from La Yaguita! This is a "suburb" of Santiago where Pastor Ramon is the pastor of first church plant that the Vallettes were involved in in the DR.

Jobs for the day: Pastor Ramon's house is divided in two with a roof in between like a veranda. This is not well supported and because they are on the mountain, the winds rip at it. Today we built two concrete pillars on each side of the roof. We ordered a 20' 3x6 beam to be delivered tomorrow and will jack up the roof to add the new beam. We'll then strap the beam to the roof for support.

All the crew is in good health and Kassandra & Holly got home safely from the US this afternoon. It was a long flight but everything went well.

It's always fun to work in La Yaguita. The Iglesia Biblica Christiana (church name for Christian Bible Church) is a center of safety and activity for the community, especially the children. We had kids around us all day. My job was to cut block and rebar with an electric saw and grinder and I had several little boys help me all day long. Miguel is 8 and Jimmy is 5 and there were a few others as well. Miguel was my "pencil man" who marked the blocks for me to cut. He assumed the red carpenter's pencil in hand meat that he was also the job foreman and he stood on the top of the block pile and ordered the other kids to carry the block to the second floor. They earned some gum balls for their efforts, although I had to keep a constant eye on that pencil so it didn't walk off....

I just have to say a word on Pastor Ramon. For the years that I've been coming down and getting to know him (and he now speaks a bit of English so we can talk), I am constantly in awe of what a godly man of integrity that he is. His heart bleeds for this very poor community. He loves the people so much and only wants to see them come to Christ and be helped along in life. It's a joy to work with and for him. I will enjoy spending more time with him in heaven when we talk the same language. He now runs a day care of sorts for the community children and has 4 teachers. Please be in prayer for funding and continued workers.

I've added quite a few pictures this time, so please take a look. More update on the picture's below......and please see the first video in the window below. It's a walking tour of the church building here in La Yaguita.