Day 2 in San Pedro

Day two in San Pedro started a little shakily - several of the team were feeling a little unwell - an occupational hazard of working in a country like the Dominican Republic. We nevertheless proceeded to the worksite, but a few were feeling too unwell to work. The reduced squad carried on - we moved plenty of rubble from the front of the school to form a foundation for the new concrete slab in front of the church. Also the painting of the blue railings around the properties continued. Again at lunch time the girls looked like smurfs, covered in the blue paint!

On one journey during the afternoon, carrying yet another wheelbarrow-load of rubble from the new school to the church - about 50 yards distance - I was stopped by a local man driving a newish Toyota SUV - he clearly was not a resident in the area we were working in - he asked inquisitively, in English, who we were and what we were doing. I explained that we there on behalf of the Episcopal church, working to improve the school buildings for the local children, and he nodded gratefully and said in a sincere tone - "Thank You for helping my country..."

That certainly made my day, and underlined why we are here - to make a difference to these poeple who are trapped in an environment where it is difficult - maybe impossible - to help themselves, and to bring them an awareness of the way the Church can unconditionally bring light where there was only darkness.

Tomorrow, we look forward to fully fit crew. We thank Jason for his organisational leadership, and Callie for her spiritual leadership - the team is bonding and excited about our work here.