Gunshots, Machetes and an Urchin

The Donato Chair

Yesterday, Sunday, was a day of rest and relaxation.  With a title like this entry, you wouldn't think so.  The Sequoia gang joined their Dominican brothers and worshiped together at the Iglesia, where Ryan had the honour of delivering God's message.  This service was made extra special for the crew in that this was the first time some of us saw our sponsor children.  There were many hugs and tears and lots of joy as we caught up with the goings on in both countries and our respective families.  Since I'm writing this blog, I get to brag on my Dominican kids.  Georgely, strike that, her name is spelled Giorgeli, is such a beautiful little girl.  She is confident and smart and the Bains family is so privileged to sponsor her.  Yunelsio is our little boy and he still is quite shy – a man of few words.  His eyes lit up when we (I) talked about softball and soccer...
So after compromising their dental health with a flurry of sweets, we brought the kids to our mission house- care of Kids Alive – and spent the afternoon with them playing badminton, soccer and volleyball.  All of this on a 20x20 tiled driveway.  We also had a chance to bless the kids with some new clothing, books, and other essentials.  And more candy and cookies, too!!  For lunch, we wanted to ensure they had something from all  food groups, a healthy meal , so we visited the local establishment known as Pizza Hut and brought back 10 pizzas for the gang.  It was especially moving to hear some of the kids refuse to eat because their families didn't have any and they didn't think it was right for them to eat.  Fortunately there was enough to send home with the kids.
Even after the feast, all 23 of us and our packs still fit in the Van, a 15 person van.  I think we would make the Ringling brothers proud.  Adam is not allowed to eat as much any more if he has to sit on top of people.
At 3pm (or anytime after 3 in Domincan time) we attended the Sunday school for the kids.  The house was packed!!  There were about 90 kids and Michele read to them in Spanish!! Wow- what a sight .. she was great!  The youth leaders Benjamin and Perla were so alive and energized and that infected the entire room with song, dance and skits.  We them split the groups into different age groups and had them work with scratch art and salvation bracelets. 
Well after this highly charged day, what can you do  – go to the beach!!  A somewhat long drive brought us safely and happily to Sosua Beach.  The sun was setting and the sky was lit up.  The planes departing this paradise take off towards the beach, so that was a sight as well.  One by one the gang entered the warm waters and washed away the grit and grime of a few days labour.  This is where things took a turn.  As Ryan preached that morning, we will all end up suffering for a little while in this life.  Little Jonathon was the first to fall victim to an urchin or a sharp piece of coral.  Then it was Michele , Perla and Adam.  Not to be outdone I jumped for a toss of the football and took about a dozen spikes in 4 of my toes.  We were able to remove most of them from the others, but due to my larger gravitational pull, they were lodged deeper.
Carloyn accompanied me to the Puerto Plata hospital and Adam came along to watch.  I think he got more than he bargained for.  The hospital was guarded by armed personnel and an iron gate was the entry door into the waiting room.  I was taken to an examination room hanging off the lobby  right away and it was not the cleanest place I've been – far from it.  It was after a few seconds that I realized it was also the operating room – in plain view.  They were able to extract most of the shrapnel from my toes, but I'm still carrying around 2 or 3 as souvenirs.    These ones don't bother me and I'll visit the hospital in Smiths Falls  and my friend Dr Shu (Shoe) who removed my heel slivers before.  At any rate, while they are working on this Gringo, a guy comes in with 3 bullet wounds and another with a knife wound.  Apparently this was a tame night and praise God for that.  The men did stabilize quick .. oh yeah, they were performing surgical procedure right there on the 2 other beds in the same room I was in.
I now have two matching toe warmers on both my feet and will take it easy for a day., or maybe half a day!!  The best part is that since I look like a local, this was all free!!  Moral for the day: Ask which side of the ropes is the safe side to swim on!! :(
Yuesday now .. my toes are fine.  Don´´t worry folks!!