Sandy Returns to the "Great White North"

Saturday August 23

The cows are in the garden, the laundry is on the line and the rain is coming down.

This morning I did the daily physiotherapy for Jasein Garcia while Sandy did the laundry outside. 

Jasein is getting stronger, his incision has completely healed and he maintains a positive attitude.

Wednesday we return to Santo Domingo for another assessment of his condition and for some pointers on the direction his therapy treatment should go.  For more info on Jasein visit our blog at 

http://web.mac.com/daveandsandy/losalgodones

Sandy has been working hard at keeping the medical clinic up and running.  She has been doing most of the real work, organizing the medicines and directing the afternoon clinics that Dr. Lambert comes in to do once a week.  We have been blessed with two indispensable volunteer helpers.  Gerry and Phil Staples, a retired couple who live in Puerto Plata, who also help out at Dr Bobs.  Without their help keeping the clinics going would be impossible. 

Although not officially opened we have been holding clinics three weeks in a row and the doctor has seen approximately 135 people in three afternoons.  

We are still going in to help out at Dr Bobs twice a week but we rarely have to take patients now as we often visit Dr Lamberts other clinic in Congrejo with people from our village.

Sandy's health has been steadily improving as mine seems to have been declining.  I ended up having to see the doctor myself this Wednesday's clinic and was put on antibiotics for bronchial problems.  However today I feel great.   We have been into the hospital in Puerto Plata about three times in the last little while with women about to give birth, thank God it hasn't happened in the car yet.  The last time the woman was refused admission because she had not had her, required by hospital regulations, ultra sound.  Doctor Lambert came to our rescue meeting us at the hospital and directing us to a 24 hour clinic where we waited (the woman lying on the floor in labour) for the technician to come in and do it. (Another 500 pesos).  Then we went back to the hospital where she could now be admitted.  She gave birth in the morning and is now back in the village with her baby daughter.      

This morning we had a request to visit an older man(80) from the village who had collapsed in the fields and only been found a day later laying out in the hot sun.  We mixed up a pitcher of rehydration salts and ice and I visited him.  He looked about 90 pounds wiry and strong but thin as a rail.  I think we have another victim, oops, I mean candidate for our feeding program.  I joke about victim because Doctor Bob just gave us a large bag of donated nutritional supplements which we give out but the way they taste you wonder wether you're doing anyone a favor. 

We are grateful to have had several requests for info on ways to send packages to us here in the D.R. but most inquiries we have made have been very discouraging due to the cost of shipping and the cost of import duties which seem to be at the whim of whom ever looks at it(potentially 30-40% of the perceived value).  At the moment my best suggestion is to wait for Sandy to return to Canada in September and send it back with her or with anyone else who may be visiting the D.R. (any takers? we could use the help).

Yes, unfortunately for me Sandy returns to Canada for all of September bringing with her some much needed good weather and her smile.  I will stay here and try to keep up with the clinic and  other assorted "problemos". 

We did receive some encouraging news.  Today, as I was leaving the home of the older gentleman, I bumped into Elio leading a group of very distinguished looking Dominicans around the village, they were filming for Christian television and there was a doctor with them who looked in at the old man.  One of the men with them pulled me aside and said he believed they were very close to getting permission to build the homes in Los Algodones.  I couldn't help it, I cried. (so what else is new?)  As they were leaving I noticed the diplomatic plates on the vehicles.

One last thing. " la Esparanza"  (the Spirit) is the new name for our village soon to be built, thanks be to God.

God bless you.  Thanks for your prayers.

Dave and Sandy, yours in "la Esparanza"

The Jasein Garcia story

The Jasein Garcia story

Saturday, July 26, 2008

This month Sandy and I were given the awesome privilege of accompanying

a young boy from our village to Santo Domingo for an operation

thanks to a small group from First Baptist McKinney, Texas,  

After visiting Los Algodones with Mission Direct earlier in the year the small

group "GRACE SIX" raised $1500. to provide an operation for Jasein Garcia.  

Thanks to the efforts of John Huizinga and Dr Janet McCabe surgery was 

arranged at Centro de Ortopedia in Santo Domingo through Doctor Scott Nelson

and CURE INTERNATIONAL.

Here is what Doctor Scott said about Jasein.

Jasein has a type of cerebral palsy which is a short circuiting between the brain and the muscles.  There are all types and variations of this.  Different types of the body can be affected as well as various muscle manifestations and levels of intelligence.  Pre operatively Jasein was a minimal ambulator.  He has problems with balance and involuntary movements (athetosis) that can not be significantly improved by any types of procedures.  These typically are static – not improving or worsening over time.  However some of his deficits can be overcome by training therapy etc. just as any of the rest of us would learn to do a new sport.  He was noted to have an internal torsion of his Left femur and a contracture of the Left knee.  These both can be improved with surgery which we performed on July 22.

 

The surgery went well as planned.  The femur was cut and derotated and securely fixed in a position 40 degrees externally rotated from where he was.  As well some tendons behind his knee were lengthened.  The hardware is strong and can tolerate weight bearing.  He is to keep his knee immobilizer on full time for 4 weeks then may remove it in the day time only for another 4 weeks after which time he does not need it.  He also was given a plastic brace to help align the L foot which can be used as needed.  He does not need anything special in the weeks to come and can begin some short distance (in house) walking with assistance as his pain permits.  Starting in 4 weeks we can begin a more aggressive program of exercises and mobilization.

 

Scott Nelson MD

cure INTERNATIONAL

As of today, thanks to God, Jasein is smiling, strong and positive but there is still a long road ahead and we ask for your prayers .

Living in L.A.

Dave and Sandy   

Written june 22, 2008

(Moving) and the heat is rising...  Sandy and I have spent the last two weeks moving into the new apartment in the medical clinic in Los Algodones.  An interesting experience in this heat and humidity as the least bit of exertion leaves us completely soaked.  (The little kids look at me with funny faces because I'm completely wet and they are cool as a cucumber)  Elio's friend Guiseppe helped us by loading all the big things like the fridge, stove and bed into his pickup truck.  Guiseppe retired from his job in Germany and now devotes all his time  as a volunteer, working supervising the construction that Fundacion el Samaritano is doing in Los Algodones.  He is there early every morning making sure everything goes smoothly and has blessed us with making sure our apartment is cosy and that everything works (rare in the D.R.)  The kids of the village love Guiseppe as you can see from the pics on our new "imac" web site. (look for the link to the top right corner of our blog).

(God answers prayer)  Recently Sandy and I were feeling very discouraged so we prayed for a little encouragement.  God answered this prayer in abundance with encouragement from the people of L.A., with visitors with Mission Direct, with emails and with a return visit from Bill Stephenson of Barrie Ontario.

(Mission Direct blesses Algodones)  This week was a very busy one with a group of 40 from Texas here with Mission Direct helping out in Nazareth and Los Algodones.  They spent many days in Algodones working at the building site and establishing relationships with the people of L.A.  Wednesday afternoon they blessed Algodones with food for every family in the village.  Because of the amount packed into every bundle this was not a very easy task and they struggled carrying the food packs to every home.  Also the children of one of the families of the group made a financial contribution towards books for the school library.   There were many other things that the group did to bless the village and us.  We thank them for the encouragement that their love in action is to us and the people of Los Algodones. 

(Bill Stephenson and Pastor Joseph go to Haiti)  Let me tell you a little about Bill and Debbie Stephenson who have been periodicaly visiting the D.R. for a little over three years now.  We first met them about one month into our stay here when they visited L.A.  God has touched Bills heart with the need to reach Haiti with Jesus Christ.  Teaming up with Pastor Joseph, Bill is developing a plan to start a training centre to equip Haitian Ministers to return to Haiti,  plant churches and spread the Gospel there.  This Saturday Bill and Pastor Joseph went to Haiti to see the situation there.  They return here on Wednesday.  We look forward to hearing how the trip went.  God placed this plan to train Haitian ministers on Pastor Joseph's heart and he has been faithfully searching for ways to bring it into being.  It is exciting to see Gods hand in all of this.  I'll write more when they return but there are other exciting developments that I'm not at liberty to mention yet... (Please keep them  in your prayers).

(Small change, big Blessing)  Moses Di Sabatino, (Elio's friend)  visited Algodones recently and blessed us with a gift of support for some of the new parents in the village.  Apparently one of the ladies in his church saves up her small change and contributed it all to help out  in Algodones.  This will help out Jimiy and his wife in particular who have a newborn and no job, and need the extra support.  

I have to apologize for the lack of email communication recently as the move to L.A. has deprived us of easy access to an internet connection.   

Thank you for your continued prayers, we could not do this without our family in Christ helping us.  

Your friends, living in Los Algodones...

Dave and Sandy Chapman

Six Months in the D.R.

June 10,

Here we are entering the sixth month of our stay in the D.R..

This is the halfway point.  Is the glass half full or half empty?

At the moment we are spending a lot of thought evaluating what we have been doing, praying and asking God to direct us.  Our time has been spent helping at Dr. Bobs and visiting the village with our first aid kit and basic drugs for colds, flu, scabies, parasites, fungus, headaches and fever. We have helped villagers get to clinics and hospitals and paid for tests and medications that they could not afford.   As well we have tried to target those in the most need of food and nutritional supplements and discretely give them packages.

I feel that I need to explain the reason for the need to be discrete, it  is not to protect the identity of those receiving assistance but rather to protect ourselves from being mobbed.  When others in the village find out that we have packages of food they ask for food too (as they are all hungry) .  

We also need to assist without creating a dependance on assistance, for this we need Gods help to show us the way.  We would ask for your prayers about this.

To our shame the one need lacking in the village that is not being addressed is the need to know Jesus Christ.  Please pray also that God will provide a way for us to share the knowledge of Jesus with the people of Los Algodones, and that God will make our last months here profitable for His Kingdom.

The village needs your prayers as we do also.

God Bless you all...

Dave and Sandy Chapman

The Constant is Christ

The Constant is Christ.

This past and present month have been a kaleidoscope of disjointed moments strung together like coloured beads on a string.  The only constant being "Christ".  

My eye, a video camera.  The movie plays and I hang on, having no control of the direction.  As in a dream none of the action makes any sense.  The sites are surreal and distorted, sounds and voices have no meaning.  Each scene is strange and completely unconnected to the one before.  I am led about as a lamb.  

One moment I am in a small, hot and dusty village surrounded by ragged, hungry people with their hands outstretched.  The next I'm moving through Los Vegas airport on a moving sidewalk with all the wonders of the world visible through walls of glass.  Long causeways are lined with shops and restaurants and people are stuffing things into their mouths.

I'm in a hospital where walls are peeling, people line the halls, equipment is old and patched. Patients fill the wards laying on old dingy mats.  They must bring their own sheets and food, a friend or family member must run out to buy their medicine.  It is hot and the smell is bad.  

Then I'm in another hospital, clean, quiet, completely equipped.  Patient care is controlled by computer software, nurses push laptops on wheels through the halls and provide drugs and care according to a doctors notes.  Patients lie in adjustable beds, water comes with ice, the nurses are a "button" away.  Anesthesia softens every pain.  There is a lovely room for the families of patients to wait in and relax.  It has a fridge, microwave, coffee machine and television.   Comfortable couches and books are arranged in a pleasing and convenient fashion.  

Hot and sticky, I'm driving through blue smoke with the windows wide, nine people in a Suzuki Sidekick.  Dodging motorcycles, pedestrians, dogs, chickens and potholes.  

Suddenly I'm being driven through a snow storm on a mountain road the heater on for warmth and the morning sun just starting to colour the horizon....

This past month with the loss of my mother has been quite a shock and left us feeling pretty vulnerable.  Sandy and I appreciate all the notes of support and especially your prayers.  

Thank You Runnymede, our family in Christ.

Dave and Sandy

Fair Trade - being a good steward

The Spirit has been pointing his finger at me lately.   Asking me why? questions.

Is always getting the best deal, being a good steward?

Am I thinking in terms of winning and losing when looking for the best price?

Do I fear being taken advantage of?

When I have a choice do I resent paying more than I have to?

Am I allowing feelings to influence my actions when it comes to money?

If everything comes down to saving money as the bottom line, is that being a good steward?

Am I being thoughtful enough?

We are considered by most of the locals to be "Gringos", North American or Canadian tourists.    We don't have a real job.  We drive a car.  We can afford gas.  We live in a real house.  We have a fridge and a stove with an oven.  We have running water.  We shop at the Supermarcado and eat - every day. . . By Dominican standards we are wealthy.

As a "Gringo" I'm expected to pay a higher price for everything... and I resent it.  But why?

Is it because I don't feel priviledged?  Do I think I deserve what I have?  

Why do I see no injustice if I live at a higher standard than the rest of the world?

The bible says I have a responsibility for the poor.  

So I give money, and medicine or food or clothing, 

I'm doing what Jesus said to do and I feel good about that.

But it's not the same when I attempt to make a purchase of local food or products!

Why do I resent paying someone a little extra for their products or services?

Especially since I'm still paying less than I would in Canada for the same service?  

By paying a little extra I'd be helping the individual develop a business.

(But I haven't been feeling good about that!  As a matter of fact I've been feeling ripped off.)

Funny.

Isn't accepting the 'rip-off' really the opportunity to give to the poor, to acknowledge the worth of their workmanship, and allow them to retain their dignity?

I remember Jesus said something about turning the other cheek. Or, "if someone asks you for your coat give him your shirt also"?  

Is refusing to feel "ripped off" in the same spirit?  

I realize most of you are way ahead of me on this one.  I'd like to hear what you think.

Yours in Christ

Dave Chapman

(Edited by Sandy, thank goodness)

Saying Goodbye to my Mother

Seattle Airport -Departures

My sister Denyse, brother Steve, Sandy and I left Osoyoos this morning at 8am.  

Stopped by the hospital to say goodbye to my sister Anne (who had spent another night with Mom at the hospital).  We all said our last goodbyes to Mom.  

Then we got on the highway and had a quiet drive through the mountains to Maple Ridge, and at 3:00 dropped off my sister Denyse at her home. It was then that we received the news that my Mother had passed away at 2:00.  We drove on to my brother Steves home in White Rock.  We had a quick dinner with  Steve, his wife Margie and daughter Ashley and they drove us to the Seattle Airport. (another 3 hours)

Feeling absolutely cold emotionally, drained and exhausted.  

Now we fly to Houston Texas, then to Miami and on to Puerto Plata.

We should arrive tomorrow around 1:30 pm.

At the moment I don't feel anything but I'm not looking forward to the time when it all starts to sink in.  

My mothers last hours were very difficult to watch as her physical suffering increased.  When we first arrived she was able to talk with us and her intellect stayed keen even under the effects of medication and pain.  The last few days though, she responded only with hand and body movements as verbal communication became impossible.  In the middle of it all I leveled anger, confusion and accusations at God.  It was very hard right then to accept God as merciful or compassionate, loving or kind. Why should my mother have to suffer like this?  What benefit could come?  I found my faith sorely tested as appearances did not conform to what I thought they should be.  Yet I knew how strong my mothers faith was and wondered if She was questioning these things.  She, trapped inside a cocoon of physical misery that is our mortal body, no longer able to communicate other than an occasional moan that escaped as nurses shifted her position every couple of hours to ease the pressure on bedsores.  There was no way to know as she appeared to slip beneath the level of consciousness, her lungs laboring as fluid increasingly continued to interfere with her ability to breath. 

 

Still, as the hours and days passed I felt that I  received unspoken answers to my questions and doubts.  I can't describe it logically or put it into words but peace quietly enfolded my soul.  

Unfortunately it was not so for some members of my family who's anguish caused them anger, pain and bitterness.  I had no answers to give them, nor any words that would comfort .  I could not seem to share what I had received.

And so we take another step forward, just trusting ...

Thank you for your prayers.

May God bless you and keep you.

Dave Chapman

Suddenly in British Columbia

"May you live in interesting times"  

This has turned out to be an "Interesting" year.

After nearly 4 months in the Dominican Republic Sandy and I made a last minute flight Thursday Afternoon via Miami, Las Vegas and Seattle, finally arriving Friday morning in Osoyos, British Columbia.  

Thursday morning we received a phone call concerning the deteriorating health of my mother, stating that she was not expected to live more than a few days.  Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law who booked and paid for the flights, Sandy and I have been able to visit with my mother and the rest of my family.  My mother, although quickly deteriorating physically, is in good spirits and full of joy.  Her mind is clear and her faith in Jesus is strong.  She talks of Heaven and is looking forward to seeing Jesus.  She says she feels great it's just that her body isn't cooperating.  When I left the hospital today she was very weak and was having trouble speaking.  My aptly named sister "Joy" (a nurse) is looking after her tonight as she has almost every night since she got here from Ottawa.   We will be staying here until May 1, when we will fly back to the D.R..

Sandy and I ask for your prayers for my mother and family.

Thank you in advance.

God Bless You All.

David Chapman

April 12, 2008

Spiritual first -material second.

It is hard to remember this when those we have come to love plead for food or money, the real need evident in their eyes and bodies.  When I sat down to write today I realized that I rarely talk about the actual characters that touch us everyday in our little village.

  Eddhy and his brother Eddhuis are identical twins, their names are a good example of Haitian humor and rhyme in the naming of children.  They are around 10 years old and good natured.  They are as comfortable playing with the younger children and carrying them around as they are with their peers.  Often one or the other tag along with us and help out.  Eddhy always asks for "zapatas" (shoes) he often tucks the request in quietly from time to time.  Eddhuis was one of the first kids we took to Dr. Bob's.  He had a fungal infection in his ears that covered his ears and neck with a white scale,  (he seems to be all better now).  They both have a sweet tooth for "choco's" (any candy) and often ask.  (I rarely give out candy) The Eddhi's are son's of Chimona, the daughter of Batania,  (We came to know Chimona while helping out Batania with hospital and clinic trips, Batania later died in "Hopital Ricardo Limardo" in Puerto Plata)  

Chimona is 35, tall and thin, soft spoken and very serious but with an occasional glimmer of silliness. I still see a picture of her standing by her gate with a switch keeping the cows out of her yard.   Nicodemus, the 21 year old son of Chimona is very serious and quiet, Sandy says he seems to always watch out for us when there are large groups around and when we do village food distribution he stands at the door and makes sure things go smoothly (our Guardian Angel).  He is married to Junio  and they have a young child.  Junio is small of stature, very cute and seems like a child herself. 

Chimona's family has just recently moved to a little house outside the village a little ways.  We pass them now coming and going in the car (the Eddhi's run out to wave), but we still see them in the village.

This is one of the families that God has blessed us with coming to know.

Miguel first came to our attention 10 days ago when he brought us a written perscription for medical treatment that he could not afford.  Very shyly he asked our help.  We gave him a little help but after taking him to see Dr. Bob it was evident that he needed more than medical attention.  I watched as he waited and could see a dark cloud above him.  He passed us a note explaining that he was overdue in his rent as he could not work due to his illness.  This is a hard thing in a village where so many need help.

We purchased food and water (doctors had recommended that he not drink the local water) and paid his rent for him   We have watched him since then as he steadily regain his health and now he seems to have a new spirit of calm and wonderful shy smile.

There are other brothers and sisters we are getting to know, and we'll write more of them at a later time.

Last Sunday we had the great joy of sharing in the Lords Supper with the Church in Algodones.  We all are truly of the same family. I thought of you all at Runnymede. 

Thank you God.

God bless you, we think of you often.

Dave and Sandy

A Letter to You

Friday 2:30 a.m.,  March 28 2008

Here I sit at the laptop.  It's 2:30 a.m. Friday morning.  We got back to our apartment around 8:14 p.m. last night after spending the morning in Los Algodonas, the afternoon working at Dr Bob's  and the evening back in L.A. passing out medications for a variety of health problems.  

I can't explain to you the joy that God gives to us working here in the village, I wish that I could properly describe it to you.  Sometimes as we are working and all the actions are going on around us with the noise, demands, exhaustion and distractions, I become aware of experiencing what is going on almost from the third person, a sense of viewing the action from somewhere else and then I'm filled with peace in the middle of it all.  When  we got back here tonight both Sandy and I were filled with thankfulness to God for all his incredible blessings to us here in the D.R.. We ate dinner and wound down but it was only later after I had been sleeping for a while that I woke up and realized that I had to share this day with you. We owe a great debt of thanks to You back home who are sharing in the work we are doing here with your prayers and gifts.  We would like to be able to thank you personally so that we could hug you and share this joy with you. We pray you will experience the Joy that  God showers out to overflowing in Los Algodonas also as we attest to you that your prayers for our village are answered here everyday.  Your prayers are as real to us as the red dust that settles on everything here (just before the rainy season starts).  You have blessed us with the great privilege  of being your hands, feet, and hearts here and we thank you and lift you up to God in thanks also.  

Yours in Christ

Dave and Sandy Chapman

Update from Dave and Sandy

Today I will try once again to write this blog.  Over the last few weeks it has been getting harder to find time to sit down quietly, get events into perspective... (okay, I just went and killed another spider)...and write.

The team from Runnymede Community Church (our home church) was here last week and they left late Wednesday.  It was good to see someone from home and hear about something besides the D.R. (we get no news here from outside and feel very isolated sometimes). We had a great time participating in some of the ministries with them as well as sharing a few meals at Crossroads (a real treat), and one at the beach.   Pastor Mike (from Runnymede) gave a sermon at Pastor Joseph's church on Sunday after the rest of the group returned to Toronto, based on Luke 10. Jesus sends out the Disciples.  It was so great of them to lend him to us for the few extra days, and we really appreciated it.  Seemed like the sermon was just for us.  God is Good. If you want to see Pastor Mike's sermons they are at the Runnymede Community Church web site. (there is a link at the lower right on our blog)

Some of Elio's  neighbors visiting from Belguim donated shoes, backpacks, books and other school supplies to all the children (59) who go to the Algodonas School, thanks to teachers, Professor Joseph and Wendchell who found out all the childrens shoe sizes. 

Most days Sandy and I visit the village (L.A.)  and are kept quite busy, we travel around with a medical kit in the car full of treatments for infections, (fungal and whatever) bandages, baby formula, and an assortment of over the counter medications, and packages of food for those who are especially in need.  What the village really needs is a real doctor but there are few here.  Every time we open the kit we are swarmed with those who need treatment for everything from small cuts to scabies to babies to serious infections that just won't heal.  It's overwhelming to say the least.  We stumble around in broken Creole and Spanish (we are beginning to speak broken English as well)  Classes for Spanish begin this Wednesday.  

This Sunday we experienced the heartache of losing one of our older villagers "Batania" whom we had taken for tests and to the hospital at Puerto Plata.  Monday we had planned to take her to the hospital in Santa Domingo but she died Sunday.  The past two weeks we have been into Bournagal Medico Clinica and the L'opital Ricardo Limardo (a free hospital in Puerto Plata) many different times with people from our village (L.A.) The needs in the village seem sometimes to be never ending.  It took a bit of time for Sandy and I to overcome the emotional stress of losing Batania.  We took a break from visiting the village for a few days at the suggestion of Elio and it helped to restore our equilibrium.  Upon return, we were greeted by the new batch of health issues (chest colds now), and some just plain buenas diaz, and Batania's daughter Chimona who was very sad, but expressed her appreciation so gently, it made us cry again.

The medical centre in L.A. is coming along but it still needs a roof, plumbing and electrical on the inside. We find ourselves actually looking forward to living there,  as the drive in and home every day is starting to get to us (I've got to make a video clip of us driving up that hill, now that's a commute!)  Arriving in the morning now I hear calls of "Sandy, Sandy" as we slowly disentangle ourselves from the kids (and adults now). It's encouraging that we are beginning to be accepted as a part of the village.  It is also heart-breaking as we can do so little while so much is needed.  We are still bringing patients in to see Doctor Bob twice a week, (last Thursday it was eight in our little car plus Sandy and I)  Some medical supplies were donated by a group from Cambridge (Journey 2008) and we have tried to sort them at night when we get home but the power isn't always on so it has taken a while to figure out what we have.  (it's hard to read medicines, uses and doses by candle light).

Some good news!  The little school in the church at Algodonas has received some financial aid and promise of teachers pay cheques from a local charity for Haitians, which is funded out of Holland, Stichting SOSua.  Meanwhile Elio and Fundacion Samaritano are looking for a group to run the new school that will be opening in Algodonas in September.  Elio's idea is that the school should be available to every child in the village regardless of sponsorship which the available school management systems don't do.  They only accept children who have sponsors for the $30/month.  (How he is going to manage that I don't know, but God seems to do miracles here everyday.)

As for ourselves, although usually sweaty, dirty, uncomfortable and exhausted, God has blessed us with work to do and keeps us quite happy and full of joy.  We complain a lot about physical things but we feel incredibly blessed Spiritually.  I wake in the middle of the night and with tears and thank God for allowing us to be here.   

Please continue to pray for us and our village (Los Algodonas) we still need a miracle -- permission to build the homes.

God Bless you.

Dave and Sandy

209 Families

Wed. Feb.13, 2008

For the last little while Sandy and I have been working at creating a map and census of Los Algodonas.

We have poked our noses into every corner and met almost every family.  Day by day we have stumbled around in  broken Spanish and Creole.  Me with a pencil and paper drawing and Sandy with a pen and book prying.  We have created a detailed map with every household numbered and placed in its location.  The reason for this project has been the desire to facilitate a full food distribution system within the town.  One of the most persistent, obvious and fundamental problems facing the people of L.A. is a chronic shortage of proper food.  Many of the health problems could so easily be alleviated by suitable and sufficient nutrition.

Extreme poverty is a desperate condition within the village.  On the surface you might not notice it, there are several small shops, smiling children and pudgy babies.    On our way up the road in the mornings we pass men walking down to work  and in the evening we pass them walking back home.  The reason that the workers choose to walk up the hill after a full day of work is that it costs roughly 20 pesos extra to get a moto-concho ride up the hill to the village (they charge extra because of the rough conditions of the road).  All the men choose to walk.  (20 pesos is about 60 cents Canadian)  That's a lot of money if you make 10 dollars a day and many don't make that because they don't have the papers to work legally.  

Sandy and I have been most fortunate to be able to sit in with Dr. Bob when he does his consults.  He patiently explains the health problems to us, their treatment and causes.  Most are a result of living conditions.  Health problems that would be a minor inconvenience to us can be life threatening here.  A cold, a minor cut, an infection, lack of vitamins ... something as simple as an aspirin can make a great deal of difference here.

(Sandy began giving one of the older men 1 coated aspirin a day to help with his arthritis and now he's running around like a teenager.)  We travel around with a first aid kit in a large tool box.  We carry basic medicines for diarrhea, scabies, fungal infections, antibiotic creams and bandages.  (Very needed in the village).  We do have a need for large gauze & adhesive for bandages.  Dr. Bob swears that "St John's Wort"  for depression and "butchers broom" for circulation deficiencies of the skin, (available in health food stores at home) are a great help.  Also something called hesperin or hesprigin, and-- of all things, orange juice. (Imagine!)

Today is Saturday morning 7:25 am.  

Journey 2008

Thanks to the generosity and support of a group of Rotary Club and A&W employees, plus a few others from the Cambridge area (Journey 2008) organized by Julie & Dave Kinder, Larry & Anita Olney and a great group of other whose nametags we haven't read yet, today we see if our system for food delivery works.  The group has purchased and will deliver food packages to every home in Los Algodonas today.  Yesterday two of the group (Anita and Karen) walked with us through the entire village and painted numbers wherever they were needed, it took the entire day.  The group spent much of the week working on the building of the new medical centre in L.A. (our future home).  I don't know of all the gifts and assistances that they did in other villages and for other individuals while they were here, but they were a great blessing to many and a wonderful encouragement to us.  We thank God for them.

Please continue to keep us and the villagers of Los Algodonas in your prayers.  We still need permission to build homes and the conditions people are living in now are desperate.

Thank you and God Bless you all.

Sandy and Dave Chapman

Report for January from the D.R.

Today Sandy and I have been in the Dominican Republic for a little more than one month.

Looking back in review I can see that God prepared us for a lot of the difficulties we would face by putting into our lives 

some wonderful supportive helpers, both here and back home.  I've heard from some of those working here that with the first months came their greatest tests and the temptation to give up was overwhelming.  We haven't experienced that yet but it was good to have warning of what to expect and to show us that we are not alone in our struggles here.  This has been a hard month in many ways and we have felt in constant need of your prayers.  I have never felt closer to God and yet also never so distant and alone. (I read Psalm 34 a lot).  

•There has been the adjustment to the cultural differences, (this will be ongoing as the year progresses).

•There have been the technical difficulties of living in a third world country, (these are things we can adjust to).

•There are the physical challenges, air pollution, undrinkable water, ferrying sick villagers and avoiding their illnesses, physical stress.  Health wise, this is a difficult place to live.

•Intellectual challenges, learning new languages (Creole and Spanish).  

•Learning about the financial aspects, exchange rates, value for dollar, bargaining, etc.  (Sandy is really good at this, I'm terrible).

•There is the emotional toll of the work we are trying to do.  Missing friends and family and the isolation of being strangers.

•There are social challenges of making friends. 

Some of the things we have done in this month are:

•Equipped our temporary apartment with the basic necessities.

•Began working at Dr. Bob's medical clinic to prepare us for living and helping in the clinic in Los Algodonas.

•Surveyed and created a census of families in Algodonas to help in the implementation of food distribution.  

(Elio's Italian neighbor's purchased food and carefully put together food packages consisting of: rice, beans, salami, salt, sugar and oil.  They also went to the village and distributed the food to all the families.)  A very hard task.

•We met with the two teachers of the school held at the little church in L.A. (Los Algodonas) and sat in on several classes to find out where we might be able to help.  Discovering that the teachers hadn't been paid in some time, we gave a one time gift of one months salary to help supplement their incomes until some support for them can be found.  They have been supplied with basic classroom needs--except for textbooks (Math, Geography, Grammar texts and History in Creole are desperately needed)

•We began transporting patients to Dr. Bob twice a week but soon discovered our little car had trouble carrying 9 people and had to limit the number we would take.  (we now usually take only 3 adults plus 2-3 kids).

•We have tried to visit all the churches that Elio helped to build in the D.R. (10 in all)   So far we have only visited, L'Ascencion, Redemption, Maranatha, and one in Charamico that I can't remember the name of .  I also visited a church in Bella Vista pastored by Pastor Willie and his wife. 

We are anxiously looking forward to the arrival of friends and news from Runnymede, miss you all desperately. 

Love from the D.R.

Dave & Sandy Chapman

PS - it is the chilly season down here and the villagers have no blankets or jackets.  For those accustomed to 25-35 degrees for 10 months, the warm 18 to 25 for us, is very cold for them.  Their homes are drafty, leaky, and last years blankets have moldered away with no dry storage.  If you have light blankets or jackets, there is a use for as many as you can carry.

  

Elio's Italian neighbours provide food for Los Algodonas

January 31st, 2008  (Thursday 7:00 a.m.)

Today Elio's Italian neighbours have provided food parcels for all the homes in Los Algodonas.

We loaded the food into the little car and Guiseppe's pick-up.  The little car groaned all the way, especially going up the hill to Los Algodonas.  The parcels were then loaded into the church where school is taught.  (There will be no school this morning!).

It's 8:30 now, and we wait for the others to arrive to distribute the food.  The food: rice, beans, oil, salami all packed into black plastic garbage bags about the size of a basketball.

Two days ago we walked around the village recording the numbers of the houses. Today we passed out numbers to all the homes (182).  Then they brought the numbers to the church to receive the food parcels.  There were some people in the church bringing out the bundles and several outside collecting numbers and acting as bouncers when things got exciting.

The trek around the village to visit all the homes with numbers is beyond description.  There was John Huizinga, myself, Sandy and Professor Joseph (the teacher) followed by about 12 children and an assorted collection of villagers who wanted to make sure they were not missed.  Between the screaming, yelling, hot sun, mud, and the smell - we managed as best we could.  Numbering and revising the list as we went, not wanting to miss any, but then there were those who would try to get more numbers...  As it stood, by noon the supply of food ran out with about 40 villagers to go (We bring back more tomorrow).  By 1:00 p.m. we loaded up the car with 3 more patients for Dr. Bob and went off to work at the clinic.

Pastor Willy's Church

Tuesday Night, January 29, Tuesday night I went to visit Pastor Willy's church in Bella Vista (the worst road I've seen yet).  About 5 kms inland, seemed a lot farther.  (Locals pronounce the town as Beyya Beasta!! in case you ever want to find out where it is).

Before the service started we sat on the front porch and watched a beautiful flaming sunset and talked. The setting was perfect.  We looked out across a dusty dirt road towards rolling green hills as the sun sank behind them, and the congregation slowly trickled in (Well, some of them roared in on motorcycles).

The church building is an old wooden house made of rough-cut planks completely cleared of interior walls.  Plastic patio chairs serve the congregation as prayer benches.  They pray before the service kneeling before the chairs with their upper bodies face down on the seat.  Prayers are loud and emotional. 

Before the service, speakers, mikes and amps and instruments were brought in and tuned up.

Then BANG!.  Pastor Willy started Praying (loudly Praying), for at least 15 minutes.  Then the music started.  It says in the Bible to make a joyful noise, well, this was a very cheerful, joyful  and loud noise indeed.  Clapping, shouting, and swaying was the rule.  No one sleeps through this service.

Then came Preaching.  I didn't understand a word but I felt like he kept pointing at me as he thumped the pulpit and raged for 20 minutes.  Then his wife who is also a registered pastor, got up and did the same.  Then several of the congregation.  As the preaching took place, people shook and vibrated in their chairs, some screamed and spoke (in tongues I would guess).  this was followed by more prayer and singing, that's when the power went out.  They didn't miss a beat but kept doing what they were doing (only a little quieter without the amplifiers), until someone lit some lamps.

The service lasted until 10:00 p.m.  Then I drove several folks home, and was back home by 10:30.

Algodonas pictures

A Mass Email

Hi Guys 

Sorry about the mass e-mail.

I've had to economize my time on the internet and this seems to be a good way to do it. Hope you don't mind.

We have been spending a lot of time in Algodonas lately. Sitting in at the little school in preparation  to trying to teach was a real eye opener, those teachers deserve a medal. To find out more about the school visit our blog (I've attached a link)  Some of you have been asking of a way to send things down here and so far we haven't been able to find a way, that does't mean there isn't one though.  We just haven't had the time to look very hard yet. 

Yesterday Sandy myself and the teacher who lives in the village walked around and did a count of all the families and houses in the town (all the houses had been numbered at one time but many of the numbers have been painted over or changed or forgotten so it was quite difficult because there were constant repeats and revisions.  It was quite hot yesterday and today Sandy is paying for it with a lot of leg pain and sunburn ( there was a lot of climbing up and down)

I came home caked in mud (and other things) but I think I'm getting used to the village, the smells and sights hardly fazed me. (perhaps that's not a good thing)

We find we really miss home sometimes, especially friends our small group and Runnymede Church.

God bless you all

(PS thanks for all your e-mails, sorry it's so slow for me to return them, but we really appreciate them. )

Dave and the Pink One (Sandy)

Urgent Unmet Need

Hi from the D.R. 

It has been a little while since we have been able to post anything to the blog and I'll try to keep you up to date with all that has happened (boring you silly).

Sandy and I have been trying to become familiar with all the towns and churches that have sprung up as a result of the work of Fundacion Samaritano (Elio Madonia) We drive all the roads and walk through the villages and we are trying to find all the churches (we are told that there are ten) we have only been to three so far as well as one English speaking church (we needed a break)

not that we don't love the Spanish and Creole churches it's just that constantly trying to understand and be understood is exhausting.

We have overcome our rat problem by blocking all the doors in the house at night. (they only come in at night, ....I hope)

We also had an opportunity to visit the little school held in the church at Algodonas.

Here is where we found an urgent unmet need that I talked about briefly before.

The room where the school is taught is roughly the size of a garage, concrete walls and floor .

The 2 teachers teach simultaneously competing to be heard above the din of children's voices separated by rough unpainted masonite partitions that double as blackboards.

This school handles remedial students in the morning (those who go to school elsewhere but need help) and in the afternoon they teach the students who can't get in to other Dominican schools.  All in all they have 66 students. There is a great need for this school in the village. 

Unfortunately the school has lost it's financial backers and the teachers have been coming and teaching for free for three months. One lives in the town and the other travels in by motor concho.  The teachers are very committed to the children but can't continue to go unpaid and the school may close.

I believe the amount needed to keep the school open would be about $600. Canadian a month.

(A correction) Sandy figures the cost at more like $450. because one of the teachers works 1/2 days.

Now is when I get down on my knees and pray and beg for someone to come forward with that money.  I know it is a lot to ask but what incredible opportunity to do good in a place where it will really make a difference.

OK, I'm off my knees now.  And I'm posting this before the power goes out.

Please keep us in your prayers,

Dave

Blood Pressure Ex-spurt.

Friday, January 18, 2008

We did our first stint in Dr Bob's medical clinic.  Dr Bob is a vet who happens to run a free clinic  that has become quite popular.  While he did diagnosis we ran into the storeroom to rummage through stacks of medicines to find the one he asked for. Thank God there were other volunteers to help us and someone has taken the trouble to label everything that comes in and place it in an organized system, (we just have to learn the names of the medicines and find them in the dosage and quantity he asked for).  I learned to take blood pressure but they let me fumble around with the machine until it sprang off the patient's  arm as it increased in pressure....  they had a laugh at my expense, ( I'm the new guy after all)   Dr. Bob has a wonderful manner, great patience (excuse the pun) and sense of humor. 
As he looked at human patients a few dogs were also brought in and looked after with the same quiet easy manner.  Elio asked us to try working in the clinic to give us a little experience to prepare us to help out in the medical clinic in Los Algodonas.  

Good medicines that aren't out dated are very hard to get here.  Companies with good intentions send down out dated medicines but by the time they get here many are so outdated that they are of no use.  Also the climate here spoils things quickly.  

Due to the irregular power supply we don't have much time to respond to e-mails. Sandy types them as I try to compose as quickly as possible before the power cuts out. I can only open new e-mails when the power is on and then I have to run up the hill to Elios patio where there is a connection.  So what I'm doing now is composing the e-mails from our apartment and then wait till the power is on and run up the hill and send them. (I'll be in great shape soon)  There is no way to know when the power will be on since it doesn't seem to have any pattern accept that it goes out  3 or 4 times a day, sometimes for several hours.  Somedays it's out more than it's on.  Not to mention that our landlord has a inverter that sometimes works and then....well...
We can only shower or do laundry when the power is on because the inverter can't handle that much of a drain.   So there are days when we will just be dirty and re-use the old clothes.

We have been touring around the villages trying to become familiar with them and get to know some people, but it is very difficult without any French or Spanish language skills.  (my English isn't that good on a good day) 
Sandy is very brave and tries her best to communicate with the limited vocabulary she has quickly learned (she is way better at it than me)  We must look a pretty strange site, a mute man and a woman chattering in some foreign tongue being dragged through the villages by good intentioned souls who try to communicate with us with great patience and wonderful hospitality.   

Oh yes, I believe we also had our first Tarantula spider.  We were sitting in the semi darkness when Sandy noticed something moving across the wall.  Hard to believe something so big could crawl across a wall with such speed.  Sandy was quite calm but I wasn't as I smashed it with my shoe.  Sorry to all you animal lovers but I wasn't thinking very clearly at the time.

I'll try to post this,  Friday Jan. 18.

God bless you all and thank you for all your prayers.
(Being here has certainly increased our prayer time, especially when driving)



Dave and Sandy