Grannies on a Mission: Oh Rats!

Monday, January 28 - Day 3

It's Monday, so it's time to start working. Last year we had a little extra time, so we spent one of our days cleaning out and organizing the preschool closets and cleaned all of the toys. This year we started by going through the closets again and washing all of the toys because (I almost hate to say this) they have been having problems with rats. The rats have been spending the evenings and weekends hanging out in the closets and have eaten all of the glue and crayons and paint leaving behind droppings when they go. Well, thanks to rubber gloves and several new plastic bins for the toys and supplies, the closets are now spic and span! (I bet you all want to be "Grannies on a Mission" members now!) Carrie is very thankful that not only are the closets more organized, but now the teachers can use the toys, and books, and supplies without worrying that it is unsafe for the children.

If you remember from last year's blog, I have a friend here, her name is Manuela. Monday night we were invited to eat at her home. Hospitality is a huge part of the culture here. Manuela's husband, Osiris, is a pastor of a sister church in the area. He also drives the school bus (van) 4 times a day for the Pathway to Jesus School. Manuela was a teacher at the school for six years. This year, due to her responsibilities as a pastor's wife and in other church ministries she needed a more flexible schedule. She made the difficult decision to not continue teaching at the school, but she has a small store in which she sells clothes, accessories, home goods, etc. Osiris and Manuela have two teenage daughters. Their house is a busy place. Five teenagers from the church were there having piano lessons in the carport. They are learning so they can play in church. Osiris' father is living with them as well.

In the Dominican Republic, lunch is the big meal of the day and dinner is usually smaller. We were served a very typical Dominican supper. It was yuca cooked with onions topped with scrambled eggs. Yuca is kind of like a potato. To drink we had oatmeal-orange juice. Manuela served us first and insisted we started eating and then served everyone else. Usually in Dominican homes the hostesses do not sit with their guests to eat, but we were very excited that after serving everyone, she did sit down with us to eat. Manuela loves to talk and tell stories. She talks very fast and is very animated. Most of the time she didn't even give Carrie time to translate. Ruth and I enjoyed hearing her stories, even though we didn't understand a word of it. I am thankful to call Manuela my friend!