“So what temperature does it get down there?” is a very common question I get when I’m home in the states. My reply is usually a frank, “I’m not sure….HOT!” Well, we’ve had four teams in three weeks to finish out the summer working in the heat on the perimeter wall at the site of the new clinic. There was a youth group team from Northwoods Community Church, a college team from Ohio Northern University, a team from the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, and a team from Second Chance Church in Peoria, Illinois (including my DAD!). I’m proud to say that the western perimeter wall is ALMOST complete! 95% of the block has been laid, and the top beam has been poured. All that’s left to do is a little finishing and adding razor wire. It was my goal to have the western side completed by the end of the summer teams, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished. Even though the lack of rain hasn’t been good for crops, we didn’t lose any work time due to weather. God provided safety for all the teams with the exception of a few scratches and scrapes!

The Dominican engineer and Ken Potter are working on the last preparation details for the pour of the clinic “platea”, or concrete foundation. Currently the guesthouse staff is enjoying a month off with the fall teams starting in mid-September. We plan on starting the southern wall, which is a good deal longer than the western wall, so if you’re coming down this fall or winter, BE PREPARED! Not only does the project (and me!) have great things in store for you, but I believe God already knows how He will impact your life on your upcoming trip. Life change continues to happen week after week, and I know God is faithful in continuing to rock people’s worlds as they come serve with us in the Dominican Republic.