Day 5 - Bonao

Sunday, June 08, 2008
Another busy morning at the Hotel Jacaranda in Bonao. I’m alone waiting for some of the others to join me. I love the atmosphere. Bonao is about 45 miles from Santa Domingo on the south of the island and about 45 miles from Santiago the second largest city located on the north side of the island. Bonao is the stopping place for travelers and truckers. It’s a small hotel with most of the accommodations of a decent hotel in the United States. The unique character of the hotel is not the hotel but the stores and eateries connected to it. Three small open air gift shops, a café, a buffet, a sandwich shop. There is a little office for phone calls at 10 cents a minutes to the states and an open air place to sit. It’s a great place for my quiet time, journaling and blogging!

We delivered more clothing and food last night. That has taken much longer than I planned it would. Pastor Elvis had about 15 new families since we adopted the ones he sent us for clothing. So we have given the new families food and other staple items and then delivered to the others the clothing. They have been so appreciative. For the most part, we will be the only ‘foreign’ visitors that ever step foot in their area. They have a difficult time understanding why we would do this. Their response is hard to read at times but the next day they will be wearing the outfit we brought.

There’s a young man named Raphael at the hotel that has become a friend. I met him in January when Lisa and I were here. He begs from the people stopping by on their way to Santiago or Santa Domingo. He has worn the same clothes since Thursday. He doesn’t smell – I’m assuming he washed them everyday and then wears them the next day. He is partially crippled and has trouble speaking. Of course if he spoke fluent Spanish I wouldn’t understand him so the speech thing is really not an issue. He is alone most of the time until it rains. Then the hotel is swarmed with little boys (always boys) with umbrellas helping the people to the car and back and forth to the hotel. You then tip them a little peso and they are able to buy juice or café leche.

Speaking of café leche. Perry and Lori love it. A few folks that came the first time bought little pots to make it. I love coffee. I hate this stuff. It is mud with a little milk. They serve it in small cups because that’s all people can stand of it. I took a sip of it because it looks good when Perry finishes getting his ready – But ugh; I was ready to eat a cock roach (see Day 2) to get the taste out of my mouth.

Delivering the gifts is fun for some. Kirk and Amy are naturals at loving kids. Lori is awesome with one on one compassion to the kids. Her laugh while she loves the kids is contagious. Lisa is filled with love for the women and older ladies. Perry is Perry – organizing and working at making sure it all goes right. Perry never minds being last and is always the last to stop working. Amy led the kids in a simple song yesterday for the children’s day and instantly wanted to pack a few kids in her suitcase. Last night after a long day Kirk was planning the work for the next day. They are working today trying to finish the project up. They don’t know it yet but tomorrow we are going to the beach, I think. We weren’t planning on it but we have a first timer with us on this trip (Manny) from Pastor Carlos’ church and it just doesn’t seem right to visit the Caribbean and not let this young man visit Sosua. So, we will suffer through the difficult trip of winding horrible roads, traffic through Santiago and pressure of Haitian ladies selling things on the beach for Manny.

It’s about your worship service time or at least rehearsal; so I will tuck away at the Hotel Jacaranda for prayer for Kyle and you! Vaya Con Dios! Pastor Eric