Answered Prayers

Last night Rachel finally had had enough “no washing machine”. There are nine of us here and to wash clothes we've been walking up the hill to the Bellot's (just another way in which they've been a great help). So, every once in a while we carry a huge load up, Rachel hangs around to wash it and hang it up and the next day we carry a huge load down. Well, last night, Rachel decided enough was enough and that we needed a washing machine if we were going to stay here. So, I asked the congregation to pray for us and help us find a washing machine. Around here a good machine is around EC$3000.00/US$1124.00. Not exactly what we wanted to pay. However, God hears our prayers. By the time I got up this morning the Bellots had gotten word of a used washing machine for EC$1000.00/US$375.00. It turned out to be a Frigidaire and even had a warm water rinse cycle like Rachel wanted. Even if we end up in anther house we'll still want this washer for diapers. It's a real blessing and we thank God for it.

Of course, when you don't have your own car things aren't always that easy. This time, however, they were. Dilian and I walked down to Freddy's house and woke him up. He was willing to take us to get the washer (and do some shopping up town) even though he had been bitten on the foot by a centipede night before last. They are one of the few insects on the island with painful bites. In fact, Freddy's had a rough few days. He lost a pocket full of money up town, fell in a ditch and broke his glasses, and then got bit by the centipede. Some weeks are just like that I guess...

Either way he was willing to take us. We started out by running to Scotts Head so Dilian could take care of some business. While I was there I got some pictures of the Atlantic ocean. It's hard to tell but those waves are about 6 feet high.


Then I walked maybe 100 feet and took some pictures of the Caribbean Sea. The waves in those (if you can see them) are about a foot high (maybe).


I also took a picture of Soufriere from Scotts Head as well as a picture of this mountain peak I told Uncle Grover about. I think it would cool to build a house on it.


While we were waiting for the young lady who was going to show us where the washing machine was for sale, I took a picture of Point Michel. It's one of the communities between Soufriere and Roseau. I also took a couple of pictures of houses built on the mountainside. It was first time I had been that high above Roseau and in a good position to take pictures.


When I got home there were ice pops Rachel had made in the freezer. This was good as I was both hot and thirsty. She took some pictures of me fighting with the washing machine. I had just about given up when Jemma (one of the Bellots neighbors and a friend of ours) found one of the hoses that came with her washer. It was a perfect fit and got us up and running :)


While we were out Dilian bought these giant cookie things for the kids from the local bakery (I forget what he called them). They were delicious.


I took a coupe more shots of the washing machine just because it's our first Dominican appliance purchase.


Later in the evening Rachel was doing a little multitasking that I took a picture of.


That's the end of my pictures for tonight. Going to town eats a lot of the day up right now. I believe that will change once we have our own car. At the time of this writing Rachel has already washed our first load of towels and hung them up to dry. So, that was certainly a prayer answered.

We also heard back from Mr. Armstrong today. They plan to lease the house we want to us for EC$2000.00/US$749.00 a month. They are having the lease papers drawn up ASAP. In two months we should be able to move into the house we wanted before we ever came here. Also, they are willing to lease the two nearby cabins to us for EC$1500.00/US$562.00 a month (that's just US$281.00 each). That's not too bad a price. (They are unfurnished, so we'll have to think about it. Still, it's good to know they are there if we want them.) All in all, it's been another answered prayer.

It's late, I'm tired, you know the story. Good night from Dominica!

Three Weeks And Counting

Just 21 days ago our feet touched Dominican soil for the first time. That night I went to bed wondering if I had made the right decision and praying for the Lord to give me strength. Since that night my feelings have changed a great deal. This truly is a wonderful country. It's a tropical paradise filled with friendly, happy people. I still want a plane or boat (or both) so I can go where I want when I want, but for the next few years or so I think we can live quite happily here. Part of the change has been learning what costs how much. It's hard to feel easy in a place when you don't know if you can afford to live there.

I wanted to throw a couple more prices at you real quick. First we are paying EC$1.25/US$0.47 per Kilowatt hour down here. I don't know if this is good or bad, but I figure we'll be spending about EC$600.00/US$225.00 a month for power (based on what we've spent so far). Now, when you compare that with our US$365.00 power bill last month we'll be doing pretty well here from a power point of view. Also, the bananas Rachel bought yesterday were EC$1.14/US$0.43 a pound. Again, I don't know how that compares to the US, but it means we can eat a lot of bananas here. Another interesting fact: cooked green bananas taste and feel a lot like potatoes :)

I took an hour long work break this morning and walked about half-way to Gallion. Needless to say I took a few pictures along the way.


It's amazing how much fruit is just laying on the ground around here. I really think I could make enough alcohol fuel to keep my car gassed up with very little effort.


The walk afforded some spectacular views.


I also got a pic of some slugs eating on a coconut husk.


The road to Gallion is certainly small and backwoodsish. I got a shot of a coconut sprouting for those of you who have never seen it. (I hadn't until today.)


I took one more pic before I decided to head home. Several times I found myself panting and I was covered with sweat. I didn't want to overdo it.


On my way back I picked up a couple of coconuts to take home. A man along the way offered to remove the husks for me. I accepted gratefully. They were some of the freshest coconuts I've even seen.


I think I'm getting better at opening them. A single blow cracked the shell and let me get the milk out. A second broke the nut in half so I could start digging out the insides. Once I get my own cutlass (machete) I should be able to remove the husks myself with much less trouble.


At some point Rachel reminded me to take picture of her hair (of course, in the end she decided to take it herself). As I said last night, Corin did Rachel's hair up in a more Caribbean style.


It was good that I took a picture, because shortly after, Rachel realized she was getting a headache from it. She had to take the braids out. For a few minutes she walked around looking like a cave women, but the effect wore off in time.

A little after that the kids wanted me to take them to the sea again. I did and, of course, took a few pictures. (Not too many this time. I figure you guys are getting sick of just seeing us at the beach.) I took a few shots of the water trying to show you how clear it is.


Tuesday night is Church night around here, so after we got back from the beach we only had a few minutes to goof off before Church time. Rachel had a headache and stayed home with some of the kids. Tonight's service was at the Bellot's, we just had to walk up the hill to get to Church as it were. We sang a few songs and Dilian led a devotional then we headed home. I had though of taking a few “night” pictures, but it's too ofercast to show you much with this camera.

Well, I'm tired and ready to wrap it up. So, goodnight from Dominica!