Back Home.......Finally!

Alberto "Miller" de los Santos

     On Oct 15th Karen took Marcy and me to the airport in Santiago for a trip back to the states that was multi-purposeful. We begin in California for 2 days visiting a few supporters, a school, a prospective new agency to partner with that deals in used playgrounds, and then to LAX to pick up Alberto (a national on our staff that was joining me for two weeks of our trip). After picking up Alberto we spent another 4 days in the Fresno/Visalia area for the annual SI fall banquet and then off to Indiana for two weeks visiting more churches, National staff supporters, some of this last year's summer short term staff, some of our personal supporters and several days at Bethel College in Mishawaka promoting our Semester Program. We were even able to get a photo of Alberto in Amish clothes and a buggy ride. We spent one day in Chicago visiting past SI staff members and having a great afternoon/evening reminiscing about the times in Jarabacoa.

Alberto trying to unload corn and text at the same time.

       It was great to spend time with Alberto showing him our home town area and church. He had never been out of the Dominican Republic so this was a whole new experience for him. One that I am sure he will remember for a long time. After spending time visiting SI supporters and taking Alberto to different places, we put him on a plane back to the DR on October 2nd. After a couple more days of meetings with donors and potential "special project" donors, I was able to spend 3-4 days with family and  help my dad harvest his corn crop from the summer.While I was doing that Marcy got to spend time with both Grandparents and other family members also. Sleeping over night with Rachel and Fred both one night each. She really misses her brothers and sisters. We were able to also see the homes of all three of our children in Indiana. They all three had moved into different homes since we left so that was an added bonus to see that.

Marcy helping Grams U make cinnamon rolls

    

 Then on Oct 10th Marcy and I headed to St Louis to meet up with our 4 "Bigs" and their spouses for a weekend together meeting Jeff and Abby (from Oklahoma). The males of the group participated in a 10 mile run with 15 different obstacles (Tough Mudder). I won't say much about that but if you want to know more ask me or one of the boys. I will just say it was for sure a bonding experience for all 5 of us. Marcy and the other 3 girls went shopping or something while we were gone.
       

Bruce and Barb Draggoo. Great friends of our family.

    From St Louis, Marcy and I headed to Miami for another 3 days of visiting current supporters of National Staff and Sites in the Jarabacoa area. We had been gone for 4 weeks+ and it was plenty long to be gone from home. We arrived back home on October 16th. It was great to be back in the heat, humidity and crazy driving. It was good to be back with Karen and the girls and then back to work at SI. Thanks to all of you for your support and prayers. I hope to get back to posting every two weeks. Thanks for the patience.

Nice and clean before the Tough Mudder started

Not so much clean or warmth at this point in the event :(