I’ll try to get us all in here…
Left to right…Laurie-education, Kim-ministry, me, and then Jill-RN’s.
Dr. Scott
Ray-Security/Logistician
Dr. Mark
Dr. Cato, and Nicole-translator. Both locals.
Peter-Creole translator, with his daughter💕
And our three translators who stayed at the ‘campamento with us🤗. Starling, Nicole, (Jill-RN) and Ezekiel. How we grew to love these three!
I am tapping into some of my team members’ photos, as there were so many great shots I didn’t take, but it shows the beauty of the people we served 💕.
Our clinics were typically in outlying areas of Santo Domingo, three of which were in the Los Alcarrizos district. This is a predominantly poor and run down section of SD, and so tourists are rarely (if ever) seen here. That made us quite noticeable, but the people who live here welcomed us with open arms. Our walk to the ’mercado’ (with one local and one security team member by FDR rules) was quite fun😂😂. A lot of stares, hellos, smiles, and one particularly boisterous high-five from a young boy. My hand still smarts!😂
Neighborhood ‘markets’ were in the least expected places, and I wouldn’t have seen them if I hadn’t been with our ‘local’. They were reminiscent of San Pedro, which made me smile. 💕
After a short two-hour flight, I am back on United States soil. It is always good to return home again. Some things I especially appreciate after being in a Third World country…
These are just a few of the things that come first to my mind. It is so good to be home. Or nearly home💕. Due to the inaccessibility of wi-fi and internet in and around DR, I was unable to blog consistently, so I will be doing some late Blog posts, because I have so many wonderful pictures to share! Stay tuned.😊
This is just something I found interesting at the airport. Read the signs. 👌
Our first day off after three clinics at two different sites was so enjoyable! Switching locations for theses clinics involves an incredible amount of muscle power. Our multiple stations (reception, triage, physician stations, lab, ministry, and pharmacy) have to be dismantled, with all of the equipment, meds, and gear packed in duffel bags. They are then loaded into the van and the car, which are usually parked some distance away from the clinic due to the inaccessibility of the roads in these outlying neighborhoods. It is a group effort, which makes it easier, and after we are back at the campground for the evening, we all enjoy the downtime.
Enjoying the sites in the Zona Colonial.
We are the ‘After Group’, and enjoyed two days in Santo Domingo after the others had left.
A nearly full moon hovering within the branches 😊
Visiting the Foursquare Church of Santo Domingo.
Coffee cups, Dominican Republic size😂😂😂. SMALLER than Italy 😂😂. OUCH!
A funny🤣🤣😂😂!
And a TASTY! Sure felt nice in the warm weather 😊. All in all, a wonderful place to wander. 💕
It’s our second to last clinic and Starlink is still up. It’s been an amazing blessing serving here, and the pang of sorrow at having to leave the team is starting. Somehow we all know it, so we are staying up later each night singing, and playing games.
But for now, we laugh!
A captive audience!
And my precious…
How we love these people. 💕
Our WiFi is through Starlink, and we only set it up when we are at the campsite in the evenings, and now, Sunday morning, so posts have been minimal. I’ll try to be more consistent🤗.
…but we de-boarded the YYZ ( Toronto)-MSP flight right next to this gate… Tempting. Very tempting!😂😂😂 But I proceeded on to my Missoula...
