Saturday at Camp Bonao

We are running out of Saturdays to travel with our trip organizer, Pres. Glazier.  This week we chose Camp Bonao, a Church camp about an hour 1/2 from Santo Domingo.  It is being upgraded to host Girl's Camps and an EFY.  They had the first-ever EFY last year east of Santo Domingo  so they decided to make lots of open cabins and to do EFY at Camp Bonao this year.  It is a beautiful location with a bit more elevation and lots of green.  The cabins are being partially sided, they have leave roofs, so far no beds, I am not sure how many Youth each cabin will hold.

Some of the cabins.

Elder Ferguson and Cindy, an interior view.

This ride spun around the pole, four seats. Once aboard we had
to wind around the pole, then the cables attached
would unwind, mas rapido.

The covered pavilion is huge, basketball court-sized and more.

The interior with the small kitchen at the far end.

Sr Ferguson's butterfly.

The view to the west.

Christmas with the CCM-2012

On Christmas Day we spent a lot of time with the missionaries in the CCM(Centro de Capacitacion de los Missioneros).  The Glazier's had worked hard to have a spiritual day with some fun mixed in.  The senior couples had made cookies, we got together at about nine to package them up and deliver them to the Elders.  We then had the opportunity to sit in and listen to Elder Cornish, of the Caribbean Area Presidency, talk to the Elders in a devotional. He taught them about when and how to remember Christ always, as we covenant at baptism.

Then we played Elves and helped Sr. Glazier move some goodie baskets into the meeting room while the Elders left to walk to Johnny Rockets for lunch. We had a good lunch there, the elders really liked the break.  After eating the Elders sang I am a Child of God (in Spanish) for the staff.  It seemed to touch a few hearts.

We then walked back to the Temple grounds, we had a skype break, as did the Elders, before a pizza dinner and some videos in the evening.  All in all a very good Christmas for all.

Ready to deliver the cookies.

Walking to Johnny Rockets.

Arrival at Johnny Rockets.

I am a Child of God

District 1

Elder with two giving guys, St. Nick and Pres. Glazier.

Los Shaver outside the restaurant.

Christmas Eve Special

Christmas Eve was a neat day, we didn't have much missionary sickness activity; just a call or two and no one came to the office. We went up to the CCM for the beginning of their celebration and singing.  The  Elders made up in enthusiasm what they lacked in tune knowledge.

After we heard the young Elders we headed downstairs for out regular group of Senior missionaries for FHE. We had Elder Cornish talk with us and the rest of the Area Presidency sang, Sr, /cornish played the marimba in a medley of carols. The CCM missionaries also gave a performance of carols.

Elder Andersen and his son Spencer sing a Tennessee Christmas

Elder Zivick, accompanied by his wife, sings "White Christmas".

Elder and Sisters ready to sing .

This looks good but...

This looks like a nice day, but there may be a cloud this afternoon.

Today we do another health talk in the CCM, I hope it is a good Spanish day for me. This morning the groundskeepers were trimming the trees along the wall near where we blow bubbles with the kids. They are always having a good time, I think. This picture catches them having a chat.

I hope the hat will work as a parachute if needed.

The Dominican face.

The mango that hangs into the Temple grounds is making some blossoms, or trying to.  I hope it hurries a few along so I can get one before mid March.

Visiting the sick and afflicted

We visited n Elder recovering from Dengue today, luckily his platelets turned the corner yesterday and he is feeling much better.  He is in the Centro Medico Antillano, an older hospital but it seems good for basic care.
Dengue care is supportive with IV hydration and fever control for the most part. Platelet transfusions are rarely needed.

This Elder's companion is a mini-missionary who is preparing his papers to turn in.  We have met him before with other hospitalized missionaries, he is a native Haitian

Elder Salazar is from El Salvador.

. We are starting to turn our thought somewhat homeward, we still are keeping busy here of course.  We have one more fun trip over the slack time at New Years, and one last family visit in January too.  We know a little Spanish and get by in casual situations now, I hope to learn a bit more vocabulary and polish some verb tenses in our last three months.

The Mision Este Christmas Gala

A highlight of our service here is working with the young Elders, and not just the sick ones.  We really enjoyed last year's party and were not disappointed this year.  They party is on P-day and this year was moved to the Ozama Stake center, as the usual Gazcue building is being remodeled. We arrived in time for the talent show, a mixture of serious carols and songs and some humorous skits. The Elders then sang Christmas carols as zones.  It was great to see so many happy faces, engaged in the Lord's work.  Such a contrast to the news of the world.  We had a nice lunch there too.  A marvelous day.

Elder Maner and his companion sing a carol. The projection on
the back wall is the Elders and couple(Smiths) participating from
 Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao via the internet.

Elder Mendez arrives from hospital, appendectomy
with ruptured appendix, with Elder Madrid and Perschon

One skit included a getting robbed on the
street scene. 

Elder Carr, Cowley and Rakuita sing, sounded good too.

Elder Watkins, from Vernal, does his rendition of
the Long Black Train.

Sr. Eickbush, Sr Hernandez, Pres. Hernandez and Pres Glazierl

Zone of Hermanas and office Elders. Sisters Dotel, Espinosa, Arce, Avendano on piano, Avery, Madden, Louis, Joseph and Ball.

Back to Barcelo, how much can I eat.

All inclusives are very good at first, but it becomes deadening after awhile.  I like frozen drinks and most of the food, but then you wake up and can't move very well.  Monday we headed back with the Catmulls to our prime spot, the Barcelo Capela.  We had rooms on the ocean side, nice views and pretty convenient. The weather was good too.

Anna and I unload some bags.

View from our balcony.

Slide pool visit.

Almost two weeks of wonderful visits, I kept up with most work too.  We are most anxious to go home and see everyone more often.  Now at least the family has a better idea of our work and time here.

Sunday at the Casa

We attended Church with the missionaries in the CCM on Sunday.  We took some pictures afterwards and had a walk to the park next to the Temple.  Mostly relaxing and taking it easy.

Fearless Shawn with the lizard Anna caught.

At the Temple gate.

Malecon and Colonial Zone

With the Catmulls we took a tour on Saturday along the coast road, the Malecon, to the Zona Colonial, or old town.  We saw the Casa de Colon, home to the family of Christopher Colombus and walked on a pedestrian shopping street.  Then we crossed the river to the national aquarium, it is fairly nice with some fun fish and animals to see.

Gazebo at the park on the Malecon at Gomez.

Ms. Colon's bedroom

Shark tunnel in the aquarium.

Friday at the Temple and the Horne's go Home

We arrived back at the Temple grounds on Thursday.  We had some picture time on the grounds with bubbles before dropping the Horne's at the airport.  A week goes fast, but we made some good memories.

Ward at the Temple door frame.

Ward on the Temple creche.

Bubbles on the Casa grass.

At the Airport to say goodbye for now.

27 Charcos

On the way back from Puerta Plata the four amigos took one car and went to a fun spot with nature slides and some cliff jumps.  We did the lower 12 steps, very fun.  It requires some conditioning as the hike up is about 45 minutes.  The water is strong but overall a great time with a little challenge. 

Anna, Rodger, Shawn and Eric.

Eric shoots a small falls.

After we made it! Anna, Shawn, Rodger and Eric.

Mom and Laura get the five little ones at the resort to play, then Mom drove for the first time in the DR to meet us at the Charcos before heading home.  We ate in a McDonalds in Santiago, not too adventurous with the cuisine. 

The two cousins spent a lot of time together.