February 12, 2003
Part A
Greetings from the Dominican Republic!

A sweet fragrance permeates the warm morning air. The gentle sweet smell reminds us of His goodness and mercy along with the promise that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Our journey here was particularly grueling and laced with frustrations. A big thank you to Bea Shepard and her team who prepared a wonderful light supper send off for our team. We left Berkshire Hills Church in Massachusetts with a belly full of nourishment, a heart full of warmth and a spirit of great anticipation of service.
Due to an incoming snow storm and icy road conditions, the coach we had rented to take us to Hartford, Ct., came earlier than first scheduled, arriving at 1:30 a.m.. We had so many willing workers, that the loading of the 64 crates, each weighing 70 pounds went much quicker than expected into the rented truck. What a blessing to have several young males along with us. We teasingly told Nick Bugbee, Miles Merwin and Max Tier that we would measure their biceps before the trip and again on the way home to show the increase. Matthew Thompson, who wasn't able to come with us this year, has passed double duty on to his friend Max to increase that bicep size. Each year, Steven Sobon, along with his longtime friend and co worker Scott Carpenter has volunteered to drive this loaded rental truck to the airport for us. This means they miss a night of sleep and of course, work still comes as usual the next morning. So much effort and love goes into the successful operation of these mission trips and without people like this who give of themselves so freely, we would not be able to do them as well. The bus that picked us up was a luxury coach and we enjoyed the ride, the last really enjoyable ride we will have for what will seem a very long time.
We went through customs in Hartford like a breeze. Thanks to all the work and arrangements made be Jeff Beisiegel ahead of time. Having been notified that we were coming and being familiar with our group made it easy. Our reputation goes before us as does the Lord Jesus. The agent that has taken care of us in the past came in early just to get our group through quickly. So, at 4 a.m., our supplies were passing through customs with not even one bag or box being opened. We boarded our flight at 7 a.m. but ended up being delayed for one hour while they de-iced the plane. This put us into Puerto Rico late, but they did hold the plane for Santo Domingo for our arrival. They rushed us in to our seats only to find that it would take another 20 minutes to load all of our supplies. Then after 45 minutes of waiting in line for take off from the one lane airport we were air-born once more.
Now is when the frustrations and grueling exhaustion begins. We did not fare so well at the Dominican customs section. Every crate was opened and gone through piece by piece and questioned. Every aspirin, every antibiotic was checked way too carefully and then every possible run around was given to us concerning our gift to the poor people of this impoverished country. All I will say is the rich get rich and the poor get poorer.
The one thing we were most concerned with was getting to our compound before night fall. The roads and areas on the way are not safe and it is a 4 hour drive under ideal circumstance. Needless to say, this did not happen. It was a long hot day before we finally departed the airport at 6 p.m. Having not eaten since the breakfast served on the first plane at 7a.m. did not encourage us for our long ride, nor did the fact that we were now short one suitcase that seems to have become missing in action!
Our caravan now consisted of one old yellow school bus, one van, that you will be interested to know runs on propane, two smaller trucks that were carrying our crates and some luggage and another small flatbed pickup. We make our first stop at the car rental place to clear up a case of a stolen spare tire from the pickup. The experience was not like you would find at home. The first give away to this was the little man with the big automatic rifle that walked around the truck surveying the situation, swinging that rifle up and down over his shoulder as one would swing a bat. Fortunately we were out of there in just a few moments. Now for the news on the driver's education courses they have going on around here. There are none! The rules of the road are simple. The biggest vehicle has the right of way, the fastest one wins, and if you can't beep your horn more than ten times in one minute you loose. Making a right hand turn when you are in the left lane of a three lane road is permissible and possibly even encouraged if you are fast enough. And for those of you are interested in freestyle driving, this is the place to be. If you don't like the lane you are in and would like to create a new and more interesting one, go for it. You are only limited by your imagination.
Taxi's are numerous and are everywhere. They are a little different than in the states also, in that they are mainly motor bikes. But we have seen them carrying up to 5 people at a time. They seem to be bound by less rules than the cars and trucks .Gary Kassekamp was particularly impressed by the thrills and chills of our ride and said that I could have enough to write about with just the stories told about that bus ride to the compound last night This is the first mission trip for David and Suzanne Maisonneuve and as we drove I wondered to myself if they would ever consent to come on one of these trips again.
But as I saw both of their sweet smiling faces this morning, I knew they were hooked. This is also the first trip for Mary Kassekamp and as I saw her busy working away in the kitchen this morning I knew that she has already caught the mission bug too.
As we pulled into the compound last night around 10:30 p.m., we were greeted by the happy faces of our early team workers. Frank Burtnett, our head cook along with Betty and Dwight Taylor had a scrumptious stew waiting for our empty stomachs. Pastor Gary had already taken them to the market for the day and now along with Jordan Wagner, George and Pat Haesche, Brian Caster was putting the finishing touches onto our living quarters. Eric Young had been in charge of our transportation and had been at the airport all day helping battle the release and loading of our supplies. Eric drove the pickup we were in. As I was lying contemplating the situation with the frightening and dangerous driving conditions my thoughts were of the comparison of the spiritual implications of this. Here is my own son, and all though he is a grown man, my natural instincts as a mother are to want him to stay away from such situations that might harm him. And yet I don't tell him not to drive... Cars were everywhere, going in what seemed an out of control reality, if I expected Eric to hold back and not get into this race of humanity, we would have all been killed. There was no room for hesitation, no room for a timid driver. In order to make a difference, to save a soul, you must mix with the conditions around you and not hold back one ounce of yourself. Keeping your eye set on the goal that is before you, press on and do not let up until there is victory, no matter what the cost, the road only becomes dangerous or lonely when you are to afraid to get in the race and carry souls to safety . After all, there is no such thing as a timid warrior. Isn't this what Jesus taught us? Isn't this just what Jesus did? Isn't this what our life in mission work is about? As I look around the compound at the faces of the other 62 people here, I know I am not the only one who believes this, and we can all say thank you Jesus for giving us the opportunity to serve you by touching the lives of others with your healing, saving love,.

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and pour meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all. Proverbs 22:1, 2,

Pray for us, we will be praying for you.
Still smiling,
Jennifer Young,
Berkshire Mission reporter
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