Friday, February 20, 2009

Picture Archives

If you'd like to see more pictures and/or add some to share with everyone, you can go to the link listed on the LEFT. It is a FLICKR site that allows free downloads of pictures and alot of flexibility.

Let me know if you have any opinions, thoughts,etc!

Ken

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Medical Photos

Here are several Medical Photos - I'll hopefully end up with a slideshow thing...

Thanks to Hugh, Judy and Rhody for sending these in (and thanks for some selective editing to avoid too much BLOOD!)
I didn't realize surgeons use fly-swatters AND metal-cutting chop saws!






hmmm, we could Dr. Mann in El Rosario ....





Dr. Tim ...


































Tres Amigos



Ok, one pix of the construction gang ...
Hey, hold on for a FAST RIDE from the outskirts of Santo Domingo to the Clinic in San Juan de Maguana!





Monday, February 16, 2009

End of the Road ....

We had a very long 5-1/2 hour bus ride Friday from San Juan to Santo Domingo due to heavy traffic, parades, bike races, etc! One bus stopped in El Rosario to give out gifts to the sponsored children and to show Bob Williams the kitchen addition and the monument in his honor (picture coming later). What a great visit with the kids - especially Tim Bibee's child leaping into Tim's arms when he realized the connection between Tim and the Bibee's son Holt!

I'll get more posted soon -

The big Wind storm in Roanoke has caused our internet to still
be out, so we'll get a wrap-up post online soon!

Sure was a GREAT trip, thanks to all ...

A quick thought -
Several of us were reminded during the trip that the many coincidences we experienced are not due to "luck" .... everything just always worked out for the best! :)

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Thursday

Thursday, February 12th
Medical

Today was very busy with Surguries at the Clinic and the two Barrios teams again heading west approximately one hour from San Juan. The teams and Surgeons were able to complete the day earlier than normal (all before dinner) so that everyone would have time to wrap up and pack up. A meaningful devotional by George was followed by a time for anyone to share their experiences here in the DR. We are all very grateful to Joe and Shannon for being wonderful hosts at the Guest House.

In total, the group treated 1,322 patients at the Barrios, conducted 37 Surgical Procedures, fitted 4 prosthesis and sized 23 additional patients for future fitting!

In the morning, some of us are heading to El Rosario to meet with sponsored students, while a second bus will return directly to Santo Domingo.

We will add more medical teams photos in another blog!



John Mann works on removing a rod in
a patients thigh

Tim Potter looks on with John Mann and Patty Mann
Thursday, February 12th
Construction


Wow, what a full, great day! The day started with a trip
to the market. We then went on to El Rosario and finished
everything we had scheduled, including hanging the cross
Fenton Childress made. Some of us then returned and
travelled in the pickup to El Cecada ( an hour away in the
mountains), to see the school there that is also supported
by Solid Rock. Tonight concluded with a wonderful devotional
by George and a time of reflections by many in our group.
We travel back to Santo Domingo Friday, then fly home
Saturday Morning and arrive late in Roanoke.
- Mission Accomplished !
Thanks for all of your thoughts and Prayers!


Spices at the Market cinnamon, cloves, hmm - others
that smelled really good! (I picked this photo instead of a
picture showing the de-heading of a chicken,
which is common at the market)


George and Ken hang the cross in the gathering area.

The cross, with Angelina - school principal

Finished, and standing in the kitchen (storage room to the right.
from left to right: Ken, Moses(Randy's brother),Dan,Basillio, Tim B., Bob, Phil, Javiel, Mary Chandler, Fred, and George (Kate and Tim P should be pasted in - they were with the medical teams today.


One more group shot at the side door
to the kitchen - zoom in to
see the item over the door (in
honor of Bob Williams - a BIG
Ohio State fan!)


The school on the left supports approximately 200 elementary
students, and the Clinic on the right at El Cecada, in the mountains.

Wednesday, February 11th
Everyone


Well, if you're not aware that UNC and Duke played today, don't tell George (UNC) or John Starr (Duke). Due to the game starting at 10pm our time and after our 8pm evening church service with Jose Ramon, no time was given on the computer for the blog. Everyone had a very successful day, and ending with a wonderful message from Rev. Ramon was very special. so, below are a few pictures from the end of the day ....




Rev. Jose Ramon's Church in San Juan



Bob, Rev. Jose, and George



George and John FINALLY find a radio broadcast of THE
GAME on the internet (thanks to Bob Hughes), and a
friendly wager is on ...



Well, looks like Duke lost ...
(sorry John!)

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Tuesday, February 10th
Medical

---- posted by Bob Williams ----


Mary Chandler Pruette worked in the barrios today. Team #1 saw 250 adults & children. Team #2 saw about 150.





Joe Duckwall saw 175 children.


Bill Erwin saw 80 adults.



Dr. "Bill" & Phyllis.



Bob & Jeanette with their student, Jose Armando.



Joe Duckwall with Martin Family student, Chantal Vargus Ogando.




Kate Norbo & Shepherd Student





John & Patty Mann and Junior Rodreques


Van Lewis Family student Onix Emir De Los Santos Piron

2-10-09

Tuesday, February 10th
Construction

Things are going well with the kitchen - we completed
the blockwork on both the gable and the partition wall.
Most of the exterior got stucco'd today, and we have the
top plates cut that will hold the rafters.

Tommorow we hope to set rafters, form and pour a
beam at the top of the gable wall (concrete going up
in buckets), pour an entry stoop, and block in the
opening to the kitchen.

Kate Norbo and bob Hughes lower a ladder into the
school sistern ...


Kate and Bob get water out of the school
sistern (Bob is standing on an 8' wooden ladder)



Near school, a boy is flying a home-made kite made from
an old trashbag and sticks (hard to see but its black)

Stucco goes on the exterior

Progress at the end of Day 2


Fiesta night - presentation of gifts during a beautiful sunset.

Monday, February 9, 2009

February 9th
Construction

The floor was poured and finished today which included running a water line and piping for two drains. Javiel and Jose (Randy's brother) helped us mix and wheelbarrow the concrete. In the afternoon, we prepped for Tuesday while Fred diligently worked on finishing a very sandy concrete. We hope to lay block for both a partition wall and the triangular part of the gable wall tommorow.

A beautiful clear morning was followed by a passing shower, and cool nights in the lower 60's.
It was very exciting yesterday to see our completed classroom building - WOW see it below!


The completed classroom

The group is ready to go


A "before" picture

Mixing the concrete
The concrete "placing" crew

THE Concrete Finisher - Fred