Carpenters on a Mission 2018

Today was our last work day. It has been a wonderful week here in the DR. We finished the staining on the benches, the communion table, and pulpit. This afternoon we completed more concrete work at the school. We were all pros at the bucket line since it was our 2nd day doing it! Tonight we attended church in El Batey. All of the church pews were ready for the service tonight, the community was so thankful to have them. Tomorrow we visit House of Light Orphanage, then we head for the airport to return home. This week has gone by so quickly it doesn't seem possible, it has been amazing for all of us. We are all thankful for the many things we have learned and experienced. These will be memories that stay with us forever. Thanks for all the support and prayers this week and always.  Love the COAM family.

All of the great things we have experienced today is hard to put into words, much like everything we have done this week. We have all been in amazement of the work God is doing through us and the wonders he has created. This morning we started our day with a trip to a waterfall. It was absolutely beautiful. Many of us wanted a better view and swam through the powerful water as close as we dared to go. After a refreshing swim, we returned to the house for a community pool party. Over 40 kids and many adults came to swim and party with us after a week of hard work. Our new church pews were put to good use this afternoon! There was a dedication of three babies that Kristen helped lead. We have all enjoyed the time we have got to bond with the community this week, it has been amazing working with the same people all week. Tonight during devotion we shared about everything we have learned this week and how we feel we have grown. This group has learned a lot about ourselves and each other th...

Today started with a vacation Bible School for the children of El Batey. We had around 45 kids join us. We started with some fun songs led by Kristen and our team. There were lots of smiles and lots of laughs from the children watching the Americanos trying to sing in Spanish and keep up with the motions as the children kept yelling "rapido" (faster). We then acted out the parable of the prodigal son. The three not so little pigs were a big hit with the kids. After the lesson we split the children up into two groups. Half went to games and the other half went to color a picture and have snacks. The children all received a small box of raisins and some peanut butter crackers. We bid the children adios  with a sucker as they were leaving. After another delicious lunch we went to work.We have all of our church benches built and most are finished. The communion table is coming along nicely. We had many of the children come back after lunch and help us with our work today. One of...

Another wonderful day here in the DR. Most of us started with a hike up the beautiful mountain in front of Kristen's house. We crossed several streams and climbed over many rocks to see some of the most amazing views. After we returned construction continued on the church benches, communion table, and other projects. Many kids from the community came to work with us today, they were very eager to help with everything. The kids were a huge help with everything they did. After dinner and devotions tonight we rehearsed the skit for tomorrows VBS. Kristen, Sophie, and Michael taught us VBS songs in spanish tonight, we will see tomorrow how much we learned! Tomorrow the kids come to the house for VBS, then we try to finish up some projects. Today was a busy day and exhausting for some but enjoyable for all. We have learned a lot about how to communicate even through the language barrier. Love COAM family

Today was another great day here in the Dominican. We worked in the community at the school pouring a concrete floor. The concrete was hand mixed by members of the community of our team, then passed through the bucket line. The people at the front were dumping the buckets and spreading the concrete out. Although this was hard work it was a great day. The people of the community worked just as hard or harder than all of us did. It is amazing to our group come together with this community. We have found that even though we do not speak the same language it is becoming easier  to communicate, there is a lot of smiling and gesturing but the point is able to be understood. We also were able to finish more benches for the church today. One of the kids that came to help today was so excited that we were here he skipped school to come help us. Allen and Dale worked closely with the kids measuring and drilling; the kids and men were all smiling from ear to ear. Tomorrow is more work on tabl...

Today started with a wonderful church service put on by the community of El Batey. These wonderful people organized this service specifically for us, they wanted to welcome us to the community and bless our work for the week. The school brought all of the children to church, it was amazing to see all of them participating in worship. After church was lunch- porcupine meatballs (no porcupines were harmed in the making of this meal). We started working on benches after lunch to put into the church.  Many women and kids from the town showed up to help work. They were as excited to start working as we were! After lots of measuring, cutting, and sanding the bench was finally together. Before the women and kids left for the day they all wanted to try out the first bench, ten people and a baby later and the bench was still standing!! After working all day we were treated to tacos; another great meal. Tomorrow will be full of pouring concrete at the school. Come back tomorrow to hear more ...

The morning started at 3am for most of us. Many of us were not properly dressed for the cold climate we left but were prepared for the warm tropical air. After an hour drive from the church, an hour on the plane to Atlanta, and 3+ hours on the plane from Atlanta to the DR we were more than ready to stand up and move around. Kristen was waiting at the airport smiling from ear to ear... and so were all of us. Pizza at the airport and a cold coke was the perfect welcome! The bus ride was an adventure to say the least. Three hours on the bus through Santo Domingo up into the mountains, from newly paved roads to a dirt path that led us to El Batey, our home for the next week. Kristen, the staff, and the community were there to greet all of us with open arms. It felt like coming home after a long absence. We are thankful to have arrived here safely and are excited to see the plans that God has for us unfold this week. Love Bridget, Tiffany, and the whole crew! 1Corinthians 1:14