Yesterday was our first full day at the Appropriate Technology Site. We started our day hanging out with a lady named Meca. She provided us chairs and coffee, and let us just sit on her porch despite having never met us. The hospitality of the Dominican culture is amazing, and their ability to sit and just spend time together is something that is both cool and challenging, especially with our American mindset of go-go-go. Our site leader Dan has a true heart for the people, and he sees the water filters as a way to start relationships with people in the community, instead of only valuing the productivity of his site.
Later yesterday morning, we got to clean and grease the water filter molds, and we planned to pour the concrete sometime today. We then went to talk to a woman named Isabel. She was one of the first women involved in the church which started in the very patio where we build the filters. Dan attends this church and calls her a “pillar” of the community he works in. She has lung problems, and still she so graciously hosted us and talked with us for awhile. She was such a joy to spend time with, and it was amazing to be able to spend time with such a faithful fellow believer.
After lunch, we headed to Jarabacoa to purchase a cake for Meca, whose birthday was yesterday. We headed back to her house and got to sing to her and share some delicious cake. We spent the rest of the afternoon with Meca, enjoying her company and getting to know each other better. We are so excited to be a part of a site that meets physical needs and yet ultimately focuses on the people and their souls. We don’t have a set schedule for each day, but there is no doubt the next week and a half will be filled with welcoming hospitality, authentic conversations, and bright Dominican culture.
- Paul Chong and Dani Reagan
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