Here we have Bria and a little bit of wildlife sitting on her shoulder. We got a taste of the "true" natives down there including donkeys, lizards, roosters and tarantulas! Bria, of course made great friends with them instantly!

When we planned our VBS program we estimated 150-250 kids total. When we arrived Jay Brown told Linda it would be a definite 250. The next morning Mary Quezada said 350 and then wednesday morning 500+ kids showed up and we all eventually thanked God for so many blessings!

Every day the amazing kitchen ladies would feed 500 children a lunch of rice (cooked to perfectio), beans and a little piece of beef. One day they even served breakfast too. It was incredible to watch 500 kids wait patiently in line for a simple meal, especially since for many it would be their only meal that day.

While the kids ate lunch, we had the chance to sit and eat with them. It was an awesome oppurtunity to spend one on one time and make some new friends, even if all we could do was smile and say "Hola".

This is one of our members, Teri, and a few of her friends. We marvelled at the instant bond the children created with us. Even though most of us could not verbally communicate with them, love knows no language.

This is a guy named Hector who we had the priviledge of working with during the week. Hector is one of the pastors at MIVA who help lead several of the churches in the outlying villages. Here he is sharing love and smiles with some children from MIVA.

Fortunately we did not have to manage 500 kids all by ourselves! This group is some of the Tios and Tias (Uncles and Aunts) who assisted us in moving the kids from place to place and getting the job done. Another great blessing!

Every Sunday Miva hosts three services for children and adults alike. One at ten o'clock for the kids from the school, one at three o'clock for the children from the villages, and one at eight o'clock for the adults. This picture shows the children from the various villages lined up by village to board the bus to go home.

On Friday night the Quezadas took us out for authentic Dominican pizza in San Fransisco. And, as you can see, we all enjoyed it very much.

Here is the great man in charge and his wonderful family. From left:
Jose (known as O-B) 17, Mary 19, Pastor Radhames, his wife Zoila, Roddy 18, and Junio 14. The Quezada Family!