The best of times, The worst of times ( Mostly good :) : More Encourgement from up North

Dennis and Ryan Troyer, Gerald Lee, Vernon Birky, Gerald Nisley, Dan, Greg and Nina Unternahrer, Dave Wenger, Carlos

Common site in the mornings when I arrived at the base for Breakfast

Dave and Ryan working the concrete ramp

Us Mid-westerns are often made fun of "down here" as when ever we talk of going somewhere, it is always in relation as to the direction we are going. Example, if we are to go to Santiago, which is North, we go "up" to Santiago. As opposed to "down" since it is actually about 1500 feet lower altitude. It only makes sense to us but to others it is a different way of looking at things. I find it interesting that there are so many cultural things like that which we dont really even think about but yet there is a difference in people. Not that one way is right or wrong, just different. Much like close friends at home, when we would go to their home, we went to "Jason's" for the evening, not the Smoker's or Jason and Sara's but rather to "Jason's". I am not sure how that came about but it is just the way it is.

Gerald Lee, Dennis, and Carlos working the mixer

More work on the ramp

We have had a busy last couple of weeks with so much happening in our lives here. God had been so evident and it is so fun to see what He has in store for us in the future. On Thursday the 4th of April, I took "Joel's" (the Miller family) to the airport in Santiago after a great 8 days with them. Then on Saturday the 6th, I picked up a group of 8 men from Shore Mennonite to spend the week with us at Genesis. Gerald Lee, Gerald Nisley, Vernon Birkey, Dennis Troyer, Ryan Troyer, Dave Wenger, Dan Unternahrer and Greg Unternahrer. We also enjoyed having Carlos work with us for the week from right here in Jarabacoa. What a blessing it was to have them here with us. They got so much accomplished but even more than what the eye could see was the encouragement they brought us by just showing up. It is a common theme of missionaries here that when we get visitors from our home area or church, the encouragement that they bring is worth more than they will ever realize. With the 8 checked bags that they brought with them filled with tools, snacks, clothes, office supplies, clothespins, numerous other items that are either not available or extremely expensive here, it was a huge help. A couple of businesses in the Shipshewana area along with our Sunday School class and other individuals from the Shipshewana area donated a vast variety of things for us. THANK YOU does not even begin to cover our gratitude.

Vernon doing some work on the closets

Included in the group last week was our son Greg and my dad, Dan. It was great having them here too. It was Greg's first trip to visit us here and so we had fun showing him all the sites. He was able to stay a few extra days after the rest of the team went back home. As always, when our children come down, our favorite time with them is just sitting around in the evenings visiting and watching them interact with their three younger sisters. God has blessed us with such a great family and it is good to see then enjoy each other. We look forward to having all four of our older children coming back this summer again along with their spouses.

Dan installing shelves

This was my last week at Genesis since next week I will be finding more out about my next role here with Students International. This week as I have been helping Karen do a few small things yet at the site, I was reminded that we wont be able to work together like we have been the last year. Many people are amazed that we actually enjoy working together but we always have and yet know that we will also be used by God in the next stage also, whatever that is. GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME.

Gerald Lee transplanting banana trees. (1of 40)

The Genesis site is now basically ready for class to begin, a few things need to be put away but as of yesterday, I turned the keys in to the old site and gave the rabbits to the grounds keeping guys at SI to enjoy for dinner that night. We are now the proud owners of two goats at the new site. Gary Miller from Shipshewana has agreed to come down every two months to make sure that they are doing OK. He is a world renown "goat trainer" and we are blessed to know him as a personal friend. There are some different pics on the Genesis Blog page if you want to see more.

Keep Karen and I in your prayers as we look forward to the summer of teams, change and family visits. God has been so faithful to us so far and we know He will continue to be faithful to us in the future.