Day 2

Hello all!

Yesterday, we had a smooth trip into the country. Along our way home, we were stopped on the side of the road by some old friends, Poli and Lilian and their children, to welcome us into the country. We had a relaxing night at the hotel and our usual dinner complete with the fried eggplant we are known to fight over on occasion.

Today, we went to church in the morning at Cristo Salvador (where Padre Hipolito, our host) is priest. We had three sermons - one for each priest, Padre Jim, Padre Poli and Padre Hipolito. I didn't really feel "here" until we walked into the church and the singing started. In some ways, even though it's been 2 years since I was last here, it feels like I never left. Many of our friends are still at the church. The kids just keep getting bigger and bigger.

After a restful afternoon at Padre Hipolito's home catching up, talking politics and eating, we're back at the Hotel Colonial for dinner. We watched a video about the 50th anniversary of Padre Hipolito's ordination celebration. Katie was teaching some of us to merengue and salsa, but I wouldn't expect a demo when we get back. We're not very good... yet. Matt needs to work on bending his knees.

Tomorrow, the work begins. We'll be working on a house in the barrio of Pastor where the church is and then doing vacation bible school in the afternoon. 2 hours of vacation bible school with about 100 singing, excited, enthusiastic children is more tiring than moving concrete block and cement in the morning.

More to report manana....

Margret