Just returned from ten days working in El Brisal. We made quite a bit of progress on the early childhood education center, which now has a roof, concrete floor, and interior stucco. It will be completed by the dominican construction workers before September so that classes and activities can start for this next calendar year.
I have come to love El Brisal and the people in it, especially the children. Although the poverty is heartbreaking, somehow kids still find a way to smile and love (not to say that they always get along. . .). They have brought me much joy over the past ten days, and I hope to be able to visit them throughout the summer. I'm quite the phenomenon as a white guy who speaks fluent spanish (albeit with a Mexican accent) and has shoulder length hair, so it didn't take long for all the kids to get to know me. Wherever I walk through the community, I have flocks of kids running up to me, yelling "Nico!", just to get a smile and a hug out of me. No matter how much I work in these communities, I always feel like I'm the one on the recieving end of things.
In addition to the construction work, we were able to patch up some of the holes in the roofs of the homes of people in the community, which was an awesome way to catch a glimpse of people's home lives and see how they live. Dominicans are among the most hospitible people I've ever been amongst, always offering the little they have, even if it's just a bit of coffee or some bread.
The next group will arrive on Tuesday night, and until then I will be making arrangements for their time in country. Please pray that all the little pieces would fall into place for the coming weeks and that the trip would be a blessing for Dominicans and Americans alike. Peace and Blessings,
Nick
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