Some interesting facts about the DR

      3 weeks into the new year and we have our first group here, Joshua Wilderness Camp from Hume

Dinner with Maribel, Abigail and Raquel.

Ca, for two weeks and we always look forward to having them join us. We also are enjoying Fritz and Kris Bontrager from Shipshewana, Dana and Caleb Bontrager from Goshen/Middlebury. They are here helping out with a few projects and working in the social work site.
      One thing I thought may interest some of you is how much some things cost here.

•  2-1/2 doz eggs              $3.14
• 1# hamburger                $1.46
• Milky Way candy bar   $0.65
• Gallon of Ice Cream    $11.00
• Big Mac reg meal        $7.45
• One Gallon Reg Gas   $3.97
• One Gallon Diesel        $3.41
• One Gallon of LP         $2.20 
• 1 year CD for $1,000+    5.6%
• Loan for used house       17%
• Loan for a new car         18%
• Loan for a used car        24%

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  Kris and Fritz at Cabarete

  

  Marcy practicing her machete skills

  
  
  
  
  

  

  Meal at the beach before heading back

  
  

  

  Marcy and Dorine Smith from Archibold OH

  
  

  

  First meal with our new intern Justina. Welcome

   

   

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  

  

  Fritz, Dana and Caleb putting metal on at the base

One year ends, another begins

Raul and family get a visit from Jess and Breddy at our home in Indiana

     Over Christmas I had the opportunity to go back to Indiana for a couple of weeks. Marcy, Nina and I traveled back with Raul Diaz (the Boys Sports Site leader here at SI DR for the past 7-8 years). Raul and his family moved into our home in Shipshewana as he wants to get his US residency. This will be a several year long process and they are ready for the challenge I think. Raul is working at Honeyville Metal where I used to work and his wife Mairyn will hopefully be working at the Blue Gate Restaurant in Shipshewana. They have adapted really well and they look forward to learning more about Indiana and the "Amish."

Janae at her Expedition Night at Doulos

           While we were back we also were able to spend time with our four adult children that live in Indiana and Oklahoma. It was fun catching up with them and spending time with them again also. Thanks goes out to my mother-in-law for letting us stay with them while we were there.
    We were able to spend time with some of our supporters also but most of our time there was spend with Raul and his family helping them with whatever they needed.

Marcy with her cousin Morgans children at Aunt Debs house

     The night before we left Janae had "Expedition Night" at Doulos Discovery School. Each year her class does a project on a specific country, region, culture or something. This year it was on Asia. She did a great job translating and telling everyone about the Asian culture.
     I havn't said much about our four adult children for a while so as far as their lives are concerned:
      Greg, our oldest (26) is living in Kendallville, Indiana and working at Hayden Honda as a motorcycle mechanic. He started to work there while in High School and had been there most of the time since then.

Christmas at Rachel and Elliot's home in Jimtown.

     Abby, (25) is married to Jeff Mishler and they live in Edmond Oklahoma which is a north suburb of Oklahoma City. They have been there since they got married in May of 2011. Abby is an account for Sandridge Energy there in town and Jeff is a mechanic at a Kia dealership close to there home there in Edmond.
       Rachel (25) is married to Elliot Rowe since July of 2012. They live in Jimtown, Indiana  and she teaches high school Spanish at Northwood High school in Nappanee In. Elliot works for Specialized Wood Products in Elkhart as a CNC operator.

Joyce Newhall and Marcy in Granger

     Fred (24) is married to Lauren (Smith) of Lagrange since June of 2011 and they live in Ligonier, Indiana. He works at Honeyville Metal in  maintenance and Lauren works at a shop in Shipshewana called Head over Heels.
     It has been a great joy to watch each of our children grow up and start lives of their own. We enjoy spending time with them whenever we can.
   We look forward to another year here in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic and to see what God has in store for us this year of 2015. He has Blessed us so much in the last few years we we have faith that he will continue to work in our lives and to use us here for His purpose. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support.