El Brisal

Hey everyone,

For the last five or so days I´ve been with a group of folks (mostly from New Jersey), staying at an orphanage in San Pedro and doing construction work in a community of squatters called El Brisal about half a mile outside of the city. We are building a community center for early childhood development, so that the children of the community can learn some basic skills early, instead of running around on the streets, which is really all they have to do now. The poverty is devestating, and it is heartbreaking to see kids who are neglected and hungry because their parents can´t take care of them or are working in the city.

Construction work in this weather is nuts. On average I think I drink maybe four or five gallons a day, and I might not take a pee all day (maybe you didn´t want that much info, but then again you are choosing to read this. . . ). The work is hard, but we find a way to stay motivated somehow. I love working with the Dominican construction workers. They think it´s hilarious that I know how to mix cement and lay cinder block. They call me maestro now, which is what you called skilled workers here, so that´s kind of fun.

Please pray that the Lord would bless me with strength on a day to day basis. Taking care of logistics for 26 people is just flat out exhausting. This time I´m doing it with 2 other missionaries, but the next group that comes, I will be the only staff member with them. . . It´s an understatement to say I´m feeling a bit nervous. Also, please pray for continued health. It´s a miracle that my stomach is still feeling steady here considering my experiences last summer, and it would really be amazing to not have to spend any time in the clinic this year.

Hope that this finds you well. Peace and blessings to you in the name of Jesus,

Nick

por fin llegue : )

Well, I finally made it into Santo Domingo this afternoon, and crashed in the 110 degree, very humid weather immeditely upon arriving at the FFP's house in the capitol. It's a blessing to have arrived safely. I am exhausted, but will get a full night of sleep and hopefully have a restful day tomorrow before diving into work on Monday. Greg (the projects coordinator here, and my boss) already has some work around the house all ready for me. A little bit of concrete work, even, which I enjoy : ) I forgot just how ridiculously hot and humid it is here. . . I'll post some more a bit later this week, when I have at least a good story or some pictures. . . something. Peace and blessings,

Nick

JFK

Well, after a friend's wedding last night, I took a greyhound from Portland into Seattle, arriving at about 3:30AM this morning. Thanks to my good friend Corbin, I was able to crash on a couch until 9:30, and then headed to SEATAC to catch a plane to the east coast. Arrived in New York at about 9:30PM.

So, I'm writing this post from JFK airport, where I will be moving from terminal to terminal for the next 10 hours until my flight leaves for the DR. Unfortunately, Delta didn't check my bag through to Santo Domingo, so I had to go through security, and now am stuck outside of all of the good places to sleep, and can't check in until 2 hours before my flight. This effectively ruins my original gameplan, which involved crashing on a bench at my gate until tomorrow morning. . . airports and I have a love-hate relationship. You just never know what to expect, do you?

If all goes well, I will take a plane from here to Santo Domingo tomorrow morning, arriving at about 1:00PM. Finally : ) Prayers that I would get some rest over the next couple of days before the summer's work really begins, and for some minor health issues, would be greatly appreciated. Peace and blessings to you all,

Nick

a blog. . .

So, I have a blog now. . . kinda different. I figured this would probably be an easier way for you all to see pictures and such. I don't know how much internet access I'll have this summer, and there might be chunks of time where I have absolutely none, but I'll try and do updates when I can. Also, I think there are some people on my email list who maybe aren't so interested in reading updates (which is ok), so this will allow only those who are interested to see my updates.

I leave for Santo Domingo on June 20th after a friend's wedding in Vancouver, WA. I will be working for the Foundation for Peace as an associate staff member. The Foundation for Peace (http://www.foundationforpeace.org/) does community development in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Kenya. They work within a pentecostal denomination and with community leaders to assess the needs of the community. Usually we end up building water purification systems, schools, latrines, churches, and clinics. My job for this summer will mostly consist of leading groups of American volunteers to different communities that we work in. Although all of the construction is done by skilled Dominican workers and contractors, these groups of Americans come to build relationships and help with some of the labor as well.

I will working in the DR and in Haiti until early September. Also, I think it's important to mention that I've been very blessed to recieve a Lily Foundation Grant for this summer in the amount of $2000, which makes what I'll be doing this summer possible.

I ask for prayers for preparation and for health as I head to a country that I love, but also that I have been very sick in before. Pray that God would prepare my heart for the work that will be done, and that I would stay healthy this summer. Thanks so much for your support, and please, email me if you have any questions: nswenson@spu.edu