14, 15, 16 de mayo

Hello All.

I gave my blog to so many people is seems odd to address so many at once. So with 20 minutes remaining. I will try to summarize all that has happened in three days.

we have 13 boys with 2 adults living at the boys home. more visit the house each day and receive two meals. food is always tight. some how it all works out. water disappears rapidly, as it is hot and sticky here. Sandy and Jen, I have seen a few boys sporting YMCA shirts, none from b burg though. Oh Jen, I am saving water. At the volunteer house the waste water from the sink now fills the toilet basin. although there are some kinks the plan. we have currently 6 volunteers here. we are all very busy all the time. but i have seen the fruits of our previous labor, the boys who were here in january have grown up so much and are going to school everyday! we started a soccer team for the boys they are doing so well. they won there game today two to zero. they have jerseys that a team in the states donated, i believe godwin high school in richmond. the other team was made up of much older and bigger boys, but our team is just too awesome. they also have donated cleats that they wear. they are looking good, hahaha.

we have a puppy at the house that suzie, krista and I have taken under our wing. it is a very skinny, sickly puppy, but seeming more lively each day. it can be but 2 months old. his name is jack.

i am 'house manager' meaning i keep track of when we need water, getting supplies, setting up the new volunteer house, making sure it gets clean, going to the market with rosa, our cook, to get food. i also look after the volunteer retreat apartment, so kindly rented by my aunt kiss for me. volunteers can go to the outskirts of puerto plata for a day or so to just take some quite time and personal space. we have a different house for the volunteers, i think we will all want a break at one point or another and the retreat apt. is perfect for that.

i am sorry this is so choppy. i will hopefully have a bit more time to be more fluid once everything finds some sort of pattern, i use 'pattern' loosely.

and one last thing HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!

i am tired, very dirty * i have yet to shower*, hopeful and empowered.
hugs and best thoughts to all!