As the leader of the trip, I have many responsibilities.  However I have been able to spend most of this week helping with the construction at Boma.  Boma is a little village less than 7 miles from our camp, but because of the narrow, winding roads and the terrain, it takes nearly 30 minutes to get there.  The last 1¼ miles are done in 4 wheel drive at a speed of less than 10 mph as we drive through a river and up a rugged mountain path.  One of the team members commented – “You would pay a lot to ride something like this at Valley Fair!”  I became well-acquainted with that path today as I made four trips up and down the mountain to haul gravel from the riverbank to the construction site.  We have been blessed with beautiful weather, which has allowed us to accomplish much this week.  The construction team is helping to complete the church in Boma that our team started two years ago.

I serve as one of the team drivers, and the team’s first week started with a bang – literally!  As I was returning to camp on Monday with four team members, a motorcyclist tried to pass my pickup on the left as I was nearly halfway into a left turn.  He slammed into my door and the motorcycle slid under my front tire.  Fortunately no one was injured.  The motorcyclist was at fault, but after retrieving his bike and making minor repairs, he rode away.  With Rick Mackey’s help, we reported the accident to the police so that we would have an official report for the car rental agency.  We were glad that we agreed to pay for full insurance coverage.  It took me a while to recover from the shock of the impact, but I am thankful that the accident was not worse.  This is my 11^th trip to the Dominican Republic and my 8^th mission trip, but it was the first time that I have been involved in an accident.  Praise God for His watchful care.

It is a joy to lead this team – some questioned our sanity in taking a team of 46 teens and adults on this trip.  We were crazy enough to believe that God could and would accomplish much in and through us.  As we near the end of our first week, we rejoice in what God has already done.  The long days, the heat and the hard work are starting to take a toll.  Please pray for our health, safety and strength.  But pray most of all that God would be honored in all that we do and say, and that many would come to know the one that the psalmist declares to be our source of help, the Maker of heaven and earth.

David Henry