St. Joseph's Mission Trip to the Domincan Republic

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church Mission Trip
to the Dominican Republic

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April , 2008

Led by
The Rev. Martin Zlatic

April 12, 2008

Dear All,
The wall is finished! The painting team was overjoyed to see the wonderful work done by the construction team. Brie organized the best vacation church activities we’ve ever been able to do at Jalonga. The newly constructed wall made it so much easier to organize the kids. We served approximately 70 – 75 kids for vacation church camp activities.

It was so wonderful for the whole group to be together yesterday. Once the work was finished we went to a local swimming pool complex for lunch and much needed relaxation. Our reflections last night then turned toward the trip back home. We will join with Fr. Sandino’s parish next tot the medical clinic for Sunday services tomorrow morning prior to our departure. Our familiar priest has been asked to preach.

There will be no update tomorrow. We look forward to seeing family and friends tomorrow night and will call when we leave the Miami airport.

Peace and Love,
Fr. Marty

April 11, 2008

Dear All,

The wall at Jalonga has risen and expanded out towards its completion. The youth are especially proud of their bricklaying abilities, which the team will complete today. The painting project at the medical clinic is completed. Yesterday, as they completed their painting, the team observed the staff at the overcrowded clinic conducting open air examinations for the overflow of patients. That was reaffirming that our work would help to make a positive difference. Some of the staff at the clinic came over to the retreat center before dinner to present us with a thank you note and chocolate cake.

The entire group is scheduled to go to Jalonga today where we will finish the wall, start to paint the wall, and also conduct some Vacation Bible School activities with the children. For the first time mission participants from the painting team this will be their first adventure out to Jalonga. All are looking forward to it, especially the construction team who are anxious to proudly share their work with the painting team.

Other than the normal small tummy upsets everyone is healthy and happy.

Peace and Love,
Fr. Marty

April 10, 2008

Dear All,

The Jalonga team continued their work on the wall around the church and bakery. On their second day of work, the mob of kids were there waiting and chanting as the bus pulled up to the town. The team went to work on building the wall with some unplanned “assistance” from some of the local people. It was a good lesson for us in patience and reminded the team that the wall was ultimately to be theirs, not ours. The new addition of afternoon watermelon and pineapple prior to returning home was a big hit; so much so that it is already considered a part of our tradition.

The painting team arrived on site Wednesday with an anticipation of finishing the painting work; however, Fr. Sandino asked if the team could also paint the downstairs outside hallway that runs the length of the clinic – the area where patient examination rooms are located. In addition, the team was asked to paint the iron grates that cover each of the window cutouts, and the additional outside wall that goes up the equivalent of three stories towards the roof. Since this last request did not seem safe for our group to handle a few of the local staff were asked to do it.

With the upstairs finished by noon, the team attacked the downstairs after lunch. It became quite a comical scene, but the work was completed. The local painters kept taking our ladders and supplies in order to complete their work above us, and the clinic that was supposed to be closed was only closed for lunch. When the workers and clients came back after lunch there was a constant bumping of people, moving aside of ladders, and doors opening and closing. The team kept a laughing, humorous attitude and the work was completed. On Thursday, the painting team should complete their work and then join the Jalonga team on Friday.

The youth have been incredible, whether laying bricks on top of mortar on the wall or keeping the kids entertained in the field. After a long day for both teams, and our evening prayer and discussion, it seemed appropriate to celebrate the day’s achievements. So we all walked down to the beach area and had ice cream together.

Peace and Love,
Fr. Marty

Wed. April 9, 2008

Fr. Marty called this morning to report that everyone is well. They have accomplished much in their first day.

"This is the first mission trip on which we have had this many people and two separate projects to address, so dividing the group into two teams was a new experience for us. The youth went to Jalonga, and Bob Lees, since he was part of the advance team and knew the project best, led that group. Sharon Cassell, Phyllis Carr, Chris Blinston, Jeff Nurge, and Ric Filer went along to assist the construction team, and also to help Brie with the youth, who both helped where possible with construction and did what turned out to be more tiring work – playing with the Jalonga kids.

Harry McDaniel and Mike Turner continued the painting project in the medical clinic and were joined by the rest of the adults. The paint team went straight to work after the Jalonga bus departed, and by noon it became clear that they would complete the entire upper floor first coat of paint along with necessary spackling before days end. They named themselves the “50 Plus Painters” with Carrie Frazer as their mascot because she was the only under 50 team member.

The Jalonga team concentrated on the footers for the concrete wall project, and engaging the 30 – 50 kids who appeared out of nowhere when the bus arrived. Heavy duty work was under way, whether playing with kids in the hot sun out on the field, or working on the concrete wall around the bakery.

Both teams reassembled back at the retreat center for dinner, and Danielle, Scott, Charlotte and Ashley led the music for our evening prayer service. During our reflections on the gifts that we observed in action during the day, people mentioned teamwork, kindness, selflessness, leadership, quiet perseverance, fun, laughter, friendship. The energy in the discussion that followed indicated that it had been a meaningful day for all on both teams. So much so that our original plan to mix the teams up for tomorrow was changed. Both teams seem to be feeling ownership for their projects and desire to see them through to completion. As a result the teams have returned to their same work locations this morning.

Peace and Love to All
Fr. Marty"

Tues. April 8, 2008

The trip is going well. Today 18 members of the group under the direction of Bob Lees went to Jalonga with Bishop Periera to work on projects there.

The youth under the direction of Brie and Chris Blinston will be working on construction of the bakery. Later today they will be spending time with the children.

10 of the adults stayed behind to begin painting the medical clinic along with Harry McDaniel and Mike Turner. This job was anticipated to take all week, but Harry and Mike have done so much work it will only take 2 days to complete the painting.

All are well and happy.