Week 24 in the D.R.

Nov. 4, Monday

            Monday was a holiday in the Dominican Republic. The office was closed so we spent the morning and early afternoon catching up on housework, laundry and washing the car. We attended Spanish lessons in the afternoon and then listened to the missionaries. The Mortensons spoke to us about the opening of missionary work in the Dominican Republic. Elder Mortenson was one of the first ten missionaries to open up missionary work in the Dominican Republic in 1978. He related several stories about the beginnings of the church in the D.R. He has written a book on the beginnings of the missionary work in the D.R.

Nov. 5, Tuesday

            We spent the day in the office. We had to catch up with the bills and review ongoing projects after being out of the office for three days.  I spent some time analyzing the inventory system in the Bishop’s Storehouse. We returned home in the afternoon and spent a quiet evening in our apartment. 

Nov. 8, Friday

            We worked in the office until 2 pm. We left the office and drove to Santiago to spend the weekend with the Wegeners. It was their wedding anniversary and we went to dinner at an Italian restaurant with the Carrols and the Partridges. The eight of us had a great evening visiting with each other. We returned to the Wegener’s apartment and spent the night.

Carrols, Patridges, Crismons and Wegeners

Nov. 9, Saturday

            We got up early, had breakfast and then headed out to La Isabella historical site. La Isabella was the first permanent settlement for Cristopher Columbus. He settled the site on his second trip. He brought 17 ships with him and they started the La Isabella colony on the northern shore of the Dominican Republic. They built several small homes, a larger home for Columbus and a church. The village was abandoned after three years and the majority of the settlers moved to the current site of Santo Domingo.

                Foundation of Fort La Isabella    

               

 Bill and Jim at visitor’s center

            We left La Isabella and drove over to a local beach and had lunch. We walked along the beach and then drove into Puerta Plata. We walked along the beach and then toured the central plaza and local Catholic Church. We walked across the street and had ice cream at a small shop and then drove back to Santiago. We had dinner at the Wegeners and then spent the night.

The Beach at Puerta Plata

Nov. 10, Sunday

            We got up early, showered, and got ready for church. After breakfast, we drove over to the Vinaje Ward and attended our meetings. The primary children presented a special program and the 20 children participated and did well. They gave talks and sang several songs. We attended the rest of our meetings and returned to the Wegerner’s for lunch. After eating delicious salmon, we drove home to our apartment. We unpacked the car and then went over to the Rucker’s with the Haws to attend Charlie’s birthday party. The Dunfords and Buttons were also there. We had  a delicious dinner and birthday cake. We returned home after a fun filled weekend.

Primary Program at Church