Play[ground] Date

God bless the pilot of flight AA2981 that got me into Gate D50 25 minutes early last Sunday morning, and whomever determined that flight AA2141 should take off from Gate D48. I could have cried with relief when I walked onto that plane and knew I'd be able to greet nine volunteers from St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO eight hours (that turned into a couple more when they, too, were delayed) and lots of caffeine later. 

They'd claimed an opportunity that'd had a fairly long servenow life span: Playground Renovation. The playground in question is where the 52 students at Escuela Luterana la Concordia in Palmar Arriba play daily when school's in session, and it was sorely in need of some TLC in the form of wall mural restoration, improved seating, and a new play structure. The team worked in the relative cool of the mornings; I planned educational afternoon activities that facilitated them getting to know the DR missions & missionaries - and the DR - on a personal level. 

I think the backgrounds used to be white???

If my mental math is correct, the play structure was like a life-sized, 3D, 915-piece puzzle.

Come on, John, you can do it! [We were eventually able to dig this out of the ground so the play structure could take its place, but it broke in the process. I'm going to work with the metalworker who made and installed the benches (keep scrolling) to repair it and position it elsewhere before school starts.]

The group home youth were wonderful helpers and won't soon forget their contribution to beautifying the space. 

We got to be the Naumanns' first houseguests in their new home. Deaconess Cheryl introduced the team to her work with VDMA while we waited for Rev. Dr. Jonathan to arrive with pica pollo. 

I went home and prepped dessert for Wednesday's dinner, hosted by yours truly. I decided they were worth a precious bag of peanut butter chips :)

(Fellow grammar Nazis: she added an accent on the Ú later.)

The Original Pour-over™ at Taino Valley Tropical Park. 

It poured on our way there! I debated sending the team off on a tour I've already done and waiting for them under cover at the entrance, but I'm glad I pushed through a slippery path and soggy ground to take in God's stunning creation. 

Team leader Deac. Sarah Longmire and I. We became fast friends when she represented her former congregation at a FORO in March 2022.

Three of these replaced one cattywampus, rotting wooden bench. 

Max and Steve were wondering who was going to be small enough to crawl up and put those screws in!

This guy liked Ann's freshly painted shapes. 

Cindy and Kimberly were the spray painting queens.

Bet the kids' smiles will be bigger than these on their first day of school!

What a blessing to have four weekday days on the ground and STILL get to gather around the Lord's table thanks to Buen Pastor's Wednesday evening Divine Services. 

I was thrilled to put the spotlight on Communications Specialist Jana Inglehart Thursday before lunch. Most volunteers have probably seen or read her work without even knowing it but don't typically get much facetime with her. 

An afternoon pick-me-up: gourmet paletas. 

Rev. Carlos Schumann took the time to introduce the team to his work as a church planter in the Cienfuegos sector, even guiding us on a walk around the block. 

The best view in the neighborhood made a fitting backdrop for a taco bar "last supper" hosted by Deac. Tirzah Krey. 

 

St. Matthew is already all in when it comes to the Dominican Republic Lutheran Mission, but it was a gift to help them navigate their first short-term mission trip here. Deac. Sarah told me in so many words that she doesn't want to miss their chance to come back in 2025, a good thing since I already have ideas for them :) My degree of involvement in their reprise is TBD, though: DR Volunteer Coordinator Dana arrives tomorrow!

Until next time, blessings in Christ!