Los Algodonas at last

Tuesday Jan. 15, 2008

Back at home in Sosua after spending the morning trying to find Los algodonas all on our own. We overshot it by a bit and ended up in Puerto Plata where we actually found our way back to Casa Nelsons (Honest Eds). We visited here a few days ago shopping for house supplies and this time we picked up a few things we missed. Got back on the road again and miraculously ended up finding Los algodonas. We wandered around the town escorted by several children on each hand. Got some pictures of the new medical centre foundations being dug, the new school and the new wall and gate that will mark the entrance to Los algodonas. Elio had the idea to build a really nice gate and wall just like a gated community to mark the entrance and to try to overcome objections from the neighbors about the village affecting their property values. (even in the D.R. we have a "not in my backyard" problem).

Almost drove by Pastor Joseph on his motorcycle as we drove up to the village, we said hi and explained why we were there and that we would be living in the village soon. He gave us a broad smile and welcomed us. Pastor Mike had asked us to inquire of Pastor Joseph what type of Bibles he would like for his church. He told us French Creole would be the best as most of his village speaks it. We will need to get half dozen minimum for Algodonas as well by the looks of the limited spanish speakers.

It's now after lunch and I have to try to find a way of connecting to the internet so that I can upload this to our blog and get some e-mails. Unfortunately the power is out again so I will have to wait. There is no internet without power. Several times a day the power goes out for an undeterminable amount of time and you just have to hope it comes back on so that you can take a shower or have refrigeration, or find an internet cafe to send e-mails. One good thing about the power going out is that it's quiet, (I think it's the only time it's quiet).

Dr. Bob the vet of "Crossroads" has invited Sandy and I to come and work at his clinic (medicare for the very poor on Mondays & Thursdays) so that we will be familiar with the kinds of things we will be dealing with in L.A. (Los algodonas) when we move there. We will visit the clinic on Thursday to see if we can be of any use to him. We will also be getting some Spanish lessons from John and Lilliana and in return I will teach their kids some art lessons.