Tuesday, September 27, 2011

For kids only....and kids at heart.....


A random kind of posting, things you might see in the Dominican Republic........

This is the fruit  or cashew apple of a cashew nut.  The nut is in the shell at the bottom and has a caustic liquid in side.  One of the locals said that they have to roast it by an open fire to get rid of the poison. http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-cashews.html    This website gives more details.  The fruit is yummy boiled with cinnamon and cloves.

The bikes above and below are recycle utility vehicles!



A new stadium being constructed out of cement (everything is made of cement here) and they use 2x4's to brace things.  Somehow they make it work even if it doesn't seem possible.


Yes, we had an uninvited guest for breakfast at this open-air dining room.


Yes, this is a kind of millipede and NO it is not my hand holding it.  Madeline and  Ella would probably be brave enough to hold it but not their Grandma....

Some friends I made at the Colonial Zone.  They were on a field trip with their school.  The Dominica people are a
beautiful people.
Count how many mattresses?
A birthday party here means a pinata.   The mother of this little girl made this pinata out of seven balloons and paper.  Can you count the balloons in it?
Yes, motorcycles are used as delivery trucks for many things.  Often, they are covered with racks of bread and buns.  This just happens to have many dead chickens on it.  I am not sure where they are being taken.




This on the other hand, happens do be a dead pig, yup.  You see them on the roadsides especially on holidays for people to stop and buy part or all of it for the family gatherings.  I am not sure I want to taste it.  You can sometimes see them being roasted over the fire.

dA few last remarks although I do have more pictures to share.  I would think this moto is more like we would have the family car.....However, much of the time the motos are a kind of taxi.  It doesn't look to safe to me, but it is probably their only option.
Dominian Joke:  What do you call a moto with three people on it???????? Wasted Space....
A second edition will be in the works shortly........

Monday, August 1, 2011

I KNOW....


Promptings happen everyday. Being aware of them at all is, at times, a problem, however, a bigger problem is being willing to act upon the promptings. Regrets of missed opportunities to serve others and share the gospel linger long in my memory. 
The story I share today strengthens my testimony of God’s love for each of us and that it is important to listen to the still small voice of the Holy Ghost.  First some background to this story.  People in the Dominican Republic do not always have ways or means to get the medical attention they need.  Either there are no doctors with appropriate equipment or they do not have the money to get the help that they need.  The public hospitals (national healthcare) is free for everyone but this is kind of how it works as I am told.  If you are in a moto accident which happens often and you have a badly crushed leg or arm, the national health care will cut it off for you for free but if it need specialized, pins, plates, surgery you have to have the ability to pay for that.  Many do not have the means and therefore do not have a choice.  I do not know the extent of this but I do know that I have never seen so many amputees as I have here.  I'm a little side tracked here...just know that health care here is not the same as it is in America.
Anyway, we received a recommendation for a missionary wanting to serve a mission and his picture was of a very nice looking young man but he had one eye that was all white and a little larger than the other one.  I felt the prompting that I needed to do something for this young man but as I thought about it there were too many questions that I didn’t have answers to.  For example, could this eye be fixed here in the DR or does it need to be done in the United States?   Could it be fixed and fixed safely?  Could it be worse?  Who could help?  Would it be impossible to care for afterwards? And who would have answers to these questions?
I called our humanitarian missionaries, the Atkinsons, to ask them about hospitals where the church provides equipment.  They are aware of the medical facilities and some physicians here.    They gave me a name of an eye Dr. but I did not call her.  As I thought about it, the thought of helping seemed like there were too many unanswered questions and I probably couldn’t do anything anyway.
At the end of the week we drove to the Church Camp in Banao.  It is an hour and a half away. The Riggs, another Sr. Missionary couple run the camp and we wanted to visit them.  There was a youth group just packing up to leave and who did we see first thing, this young man with the eye problem.  What do you think the chances are of my seeing him.  There are over 95000 members of the church in this country that might come to this camp once or twice in a lifetime and I see THIS young man.   I knew then that I needed to do more.
I pondered what to do to help him.  Elder Anderson asked what to do with the application and I had no good answers.  He sent it on to be processed. I asked a friend what she thought I should do and she suggested I should get hold of Dr. Christiansen, an eye Dr. who had been here a few weeks prior;  A humanitarian group of eye specialists had come to work with an eye clinic sponsored through the church humanitarian services.  She said she had his email and he could probably answer my questions.  He answered everyone and more.  He has provided this young man an opportunity for a normal life.  His has been called to serve in Guatemala however his MTC experience will be in Utah where he gets the surgery he needs.
Elder Swapp and I have since met and spent time with this young man.  He comes from a humble home in the country but he is a giant of a man.  He is kind, sensitive, and pure. He is intelligent and loves to read. He is well prepared to serve a mission and has taught himself English by reading an old Ensign magazine and talking with missionaries. He wants to be an engineer one day.
This is not the end of it. More tender mercies have happened to this young man and I will save them for another post.
We had the privilege of going to the temple with this young man as he took out his own endowments.

Another young man was at the temple for his first time as well.  He came alone.  For many of the young missionaries they do it all on their own, and that is a story for another day.
I know that the Lord knows and loves this young man. And I know that because I listened to that still small voice I was able to help the Lord bless this young man.  He goes to the United States to begin his mission in July.  He will be a great missionary and thanks to Dr. Christiansen, Dr. McCann and others, plus promptings of the Holy Ghost he will be able to live a normal life.  We have had many small miracles that have helped this life-changing event come to pass.  Our family, my sister Gwen and her husband Mike “just happen” to be coming down here and traveling back the same day he needs to fly to SL for the surgery so he has someone to fly with, to stay with and watch out for him during this time.  I know that the Lord is aware of his needs and loves him.   I also know he is aware of each of our needs and cares about us.  He wants us to return again to him.  And we can if we continue to listen to that Still Small Voice that guides us back to Him again.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

La Peluqueria!

La peluqueria!

I'll give you my first experience at la peluqueria.  Just so you know, it is a beauty salon.  I have been wondering where to have my hair cut.  It has been a problem for months until I couldn't stand it any longer.  So, Karolina,   the assistant to the presidency, called to get me the appointment  The owners are members of the church and within walking distance of the office here. (It is the nice part of town.)  To start, it is kind of a put off when they have to come and unlock the door to let you in.  Mind you most places have bars on the windows here.  Even with guards at places like stationary stores, furniture stores, and grocery stores, they might have the doors locked and let you in if you are actually a customer.  (I will not go off on a tangent too much here. I could though.)  It was cute place with a black and white tiled floor.  Karolina goes over with me to see if she can be the interpreter and stays for a few minutes.  They smile and hand me a book of cuts and colors.  So I just smile and point out a picture that is somewhat like I want in both colour and style.  I thought, "If I just get it anywhere close it is good enough for this old sister."  While I wait, Nancy, the stylist, is blowing out the hair on the girl next too me and I see dust or smoke flying.  Wooow, that is new!!  She must must have strong arms because she is pulling very hard, most have curly hair and to get it straight enough is work.  Anyway with the dust/smoke I am thinking QUE PASA!  but I didn't say anything because if I did she wouldn't understand me anyway.  So she is weaving my hair.  It is taking forever and I start to think how they leave there very dark hair woven pretty red around here and I start to worry.  What can I do? How do you explain that?  I can say "Hi"  I can share thoughts and greetings" but how do I explain anything about hair?  Anyway when she feels it is done she takes me over to wash it out and wooow  the water is cold!  Of course it is cold, in most places it is cold.  The casa is one of the few places it is warm.  What was I thinking!  I should have known.  Oh well.  By now it is getting dark and I have no phone with me again what was I thinking!?  Ed does not know how to get hold of me and I know he is worried.  She starts to dry my hair and she puts something on it and wooow my hair is smoking as well.  I guess it was just the stuff!!!! In the end it turned out okay, mas o meno too red for my liking,  but I may go back again anyway after all, the owner walked me across the busy street and half way back to the temple which was nice of her because she certainly didn't have to.  When I walked in Ed was on the phone trying to find out where I was.  All in all it was a new experience just like everything else is around here.  You probably needed to be there to really get the full effect of this story but I did my best.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

MAI & LANCE MAKE A VISIT

In April, Mia and Lance came to see us.  We had a wonderful time with them.  We told them to pack their bags with beachwear on top because we were headed to the beach before we head back to the casa.  And we did.  We headed directly to Juan Dolio and Ed and Lance snorkled while Mai and I relaxed on the beach and went out for a swim and a half-hearted search for seashells.  It was relaxing and then we headed across the street to El Meson, one of our favorite places to eat.  It is owned by a Spaniard and the food is always good there.  We were not disappointed this time.




On Thursday we headed out to the market, for a new experience of Dominican grocery shopping after which we headed to the Botanical Gardens.  The gardens are probably the cleanest spot in the country next to the Temple Grounds.  Really.  It was hot, very hot, and then we went to Cuchara Madera, a yummy bakery for breakfast.


We took a short rest before we headed over to the Colemans to visit for a minute and then headed to the Temple.  The temple here is so beautiful, inside and out, headsets are a common thing for every session.  The sessions are usually in Spanish but one can listen to it in English any time.  Once in a while when the majority is in French or English the session will run in that specific language with headsets available in other languages as needed.  It all runs pretty smoothly considering that most workers do not know both English and Spanish so communication has its limits. Training is all done in Spanish.



That evening we went out to the Colonial Zone.  The Colonial Zone is the historic part of the city that looks very European with the plaza, Catholic Church dating back to the early 1500's and narrow building-lined streets.  We went to Pate de Palo (I believe it means peglegged Pete, not sure.  And yes, we are known for our pirates here.) which has a beautiful atmosphere, sitting out on the Plaza with a sea breeze blowing through the palm trees looking across the plaza at Diego Colons home/museum.  We had a wonderful meal of lobster ravioli and sipped strawberry and chinola jugos.  The evening was topped off by being serenaded by local musician who were very good.
Friday, we packed our bags and headed for Puerto Plata up on the north side of the island.  We had a little struggle getting out of town between windshield washers and traffic but we did.
We had a great time at the beach.  We stayed at the Blue Bay and enjoyed the food, pools and warm water.  The snorkeling was fun and it was fun to just sit in the sun.
We attended church in Puerto Plata and returned to Santo Domingo that afternoon.  We enjoyed each other and visited into the night knowing our visit was coming to an end.  It was so good to be with them again.  We really do miss our family.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Back Track a Little

Elder Snow and The Swapps
We have been here almost six months now but I need to back track just a little.  We have had some unique experiences.  Some of which have been inspiring and humbling.  Two months into our mission was the Annual Area Review.  It is when general authorities come to the area and are presented with a review of what the area has accomplished, detailing what the goals and challenges are and how these are addressed.  There are missionary, youth,  and leadership training meeting in conjunction with the visit. They each presided over a stake conference each while here.  We had the privilege of having Elder Russell M. Nelson, from the Quorum of the Twelve and Elder Steven E. Snow from the presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy and their wives with us.  Elder Swapp was in meetings with them all one day and I was able to be with them at a small luncheon with eight of us and then the next day we were able to attend a temple session with them and have a luncheon afterwards along with the area presidency, the temple presidency, and their wives.   It was a privilege.  Although I did not attend any of the talks given by these fine men, the sermons they taught with their actions will never be forgotten.  One point of interest is that Elder Snow was Jeremy Belinski's Mission President and presently good friend.  Elder Snow also told me he was related to Aunt Erma.  It is always a small world in the church.  A have a sweet story to tell.  I had not planned ahead to make a platter of goodies for the afternoon of a long day of meetings and interviews in the conference room but by mid-afternoon I felt like I should go get a plate of cookies I had made the night before and get the banana bread out of the freezer.  I did so.  So when they had a break in the middle of the afternoon, Elder Swapp took the sweets in.
Elder Nelson and Elder and Sister Swapp
 I wasn't there but this is Ed's version of the story:
 "I took it into the conference room and placed it in the middle of the table in front of the Area Presidency
and Elders Snow and Nelson.  They continued on with their work, not really acknowledging the treats.  Finally, Elder Nelson said, 'Someone needs to start on this tray of goodies.'  Elder Coleman suggested that he be the one to start and so he did.  As the other Brethren were discussing various recommendations, I observed Elder Nelson carefully take one of Mom’s Oatmeal cookies and take a bite.  He chewed for a moment and then said to the group, 'I can’t speak to your other recommendations, but I definitely can recommend the Oatmeal cookie.' At which point all paused and took a cookie and started to eat.  Elder Nelson turned to me and said, 'Who made these cookies?'  I responded that it was Sister Swapp and he went on to say how delicious they were.  In a few minutes he picked up a piece of Banana Bread and took a bite.  I again watched him for his reaction.  He chewed two or three times and swallowed and his face lit up into a smile and big open eyes and he turned to me and said, 'Who made the Banana Bread?'  I responded again, Sister Swapp.  He said, 'It’s even better than the Oatmeal Cookie, Brethren, you’ve got to try the Banana Bread.'  For weeks I have been hearing from the Area Presidency that Elder Nelson never eats pastries.  Well, today he did and from his reaction, I think he liked it!!!"

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Sr. Adventures

We have had the safety speech and we are ready for the zip line.  Yes it was all in Spanish.


At the Larimar Shop.  They mine Larimar up the river from Casa Bonita and this is a little shop just down the road.  Larimar is a semi-precious stone mined only here in the Caribbean I believe.  Blue the color of the see.
Yes, we enjoyed a zipline through the forest behind Casa Bonita.  It was brand new and very safe other than you had to use your hand as the brake with a glove on of course but "You are the brake"   It wasn't too steep or too fast.
Next to the Larimar Shop are a few homes where the people live that run the shop.    Next door they were busy the morning we came.  They were smoking  chivo (goat) out in a small shed in the back yard while the young mother was washing clothes in a dishpan out front and hanging it on the fence line.  I do not know how they keep their clothes looking so very very clean but they do.  We walked down the little path to the other houses.  This is their church next to their home.


This gentleman is 100 and we verified it with the family next door that happened to be his children and grandchildren.    This  fellow was mostly blind but happy and this is his 84 year old wife.  If she looks like she has a beard, it is because she does.



Since I am on a roll here and have finally figured out how to post pictures and format some without getting frustrated I think I will finish the travel log part of the last few months.  The Sr. Missionaries as a group take day trips every once in a while as do Sr. Missionaries with each other when it is convenient.  I know that I showed one picture of Casa Bonita but I think I need to show a few more.  Some were pictures taken with the whole group at Barahona, about 20 miles from Casa Bonita, others were when we went there with the Mehrs.
A small doll factory/shop in Barahona had a hard time fitting us all in as did the Larimar Shop an hour later.

But as you can see we brought a thriving business for the day or maybe month or year.

Lunch at Villa Miriam, a beautiful park with waterfalls.


Kilgores and Swapps

Swapps and Miriam deSchwienitz at Villa Miriam.  Miriam is the mother of  Emily Taylor in our ward back in Greenwood Village.  She is a jewel for all missionaries and an angel to many many Haitians and Dominicans that she tutors with French and Spanish for hours on top of her calling as a full time temple ordinance worker.

To the Frosts, the water here by the mouth of the river where the tailings of the larimar drift give good competition to the water we enjoyed at Corfu.  Not sure this picture does it true justice.

Interesting Places and People

 I am making this posting with the possibility that many might get the wrong impression here. I am going to show you a few pictures of weekend adventures. We stay very busy during the week and sometimes on the weekend so I will quote our predecessors, "Work hard, play harder." I am not saying that is OUR motto but sometimes it feels that way. We are not really beach people too much and when we have the opportunity just minutes away it isn't as valued as it should be, which is sad. I believe I will send some pictures of interesting people and places on this blog and try to catch up a little.



The first pictures here are of an unexpected afternoon with the Riggs. Anona and Ben Riggs are the missionaries at the church camp at Banao. It is a beautiful place and hopefully I will post pictures of the camp later. The pictures are of the view we had from Adrian Topical, the restaurant where we had lunch.  We watched a young man fishing there by the rocks. The Riggs are on the right and her brother and sister-in-law the Despains were with them. We enjoyed lunch and then took a short tour of the colonial zone. It was a very warm day but we enjoyed the good company.
A few weeks ago an international air show was sponsored here in Santo Domingo. And although the show was down by the malecon (the road that runs by the Caribbean Sea) a mile south over the water, we found we had a perfect view from the top of the casa. It was great. It got a little warm but the company was fun and the planes were spectacular.  Old vintage planes were here to perform as well as the latest in US Airforce fighters doing maneuvers and about everything in between.  Here are a few pictures,,,, look close for the planes in the all blue sky picture.


As you can see we came prepared with cookies water and umbrellas to keep the heat down.

Our friends the Mehrs went home about a month ago.  We have traveled a few places with them and they have shown us some very nice places to eat, to visit and to enjoy.  Here are a few.
I know this looks like it is an island out of Lord of the Rings or something.  I assure you it is real.   It is cross the bay from Samana and is a part of the Haitises Nation Park.  The park is really swampy mangrove and caves.  It is only assessible by boat.  

The picture above and below is at Salto Limon, a waterfall near Samana.  The Mehrs in front of the main falls.  The smaller falls just above the main ones is the backdrop for our cowboy picture. 

We stayed at the Ballister Hotel in Samana.  It was brand new and lovely.

Rebecca and I at the Botanical Gardens in Santo Domingo.

The Garden of Eden, really it is the Botanical Gardens here.  It is really the only place that is garbage free.


Our memborable walk at the botanical gardens.

This is at a whole other place called Casa Bonita.  While Samana is  on the North East part of the island.   Casa Bonita is to the West of Santo Domingo which is on the South side of the Island.  It is toward Haiti.  It is a gem.  So beautiful.

The Mehrs, whom we miss.  They actual plan to come back on a 6 month mission to Puerto Rico in the Summer.  They have been serving as the Public Affairs missionaries here and will do the same in Puerto Rico if all works out well.