Fwd: Update 5 photos

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From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 25, 2018 at 10:48:03 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 5 photos

Fwd: Update 6 - Three Little Pigs

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From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 27, 2018 at 10:09:21 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 6 - Three Little Pigs

Remember the story of the three little pigs???  As we drove around, it hit me.  This is just like that story!!

First little pig (the poorest of course) built his house out of sticks & whatever he could find.  When big, bad Hurricane Maria huffed and puffed, she blew that house right down!  And since he had not much to begin with, he can't afford new materials or pay contractors, so his house is still lying in a heap.  The Second little pig, had a bit more money and build his house out of 2 x 4's and plywood.  Big, bad Maria blew the roof off and lots of the walls too.  He had a bit of money & is slowly rebuilding it himself & with family & friends.  Now the Third little pig...he had money and built his house out of cement.  Big, bad Maria blew out his windows & doors.  He had the cash to buy replacements & pay contractors so now his house is repaired & with a fresh coat of paint.  That third pig might even have let some of the other two pigs move in with him.  

Now if only they could all live happily ever after!!!

Fwd: Update 5

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From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 25, 2018 at 10:46:41 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 5

Elsi and I came up with a Tourist Brochure ad for our experience last night:  After a scenic van tour of the southern Puerto Rico coast & Hurricane Maria devastation, experience an authentic Puerto Rican birthday party which includes a home cooked turkey dinner.  And  we even throw in an unique and added bonus—a church choir practice!!  All for the low, low price of $0!!!

Sound too good to be true??  Nope, we did it!!

Today we loaded the church van with cleaning supplies, hose, water, sandwiches, 4 church ladies, us & Johanna drove us to the home we'd lined up to work in.  Unfortunately, mostly for them, they had no water.  Yesterday, yes and they didn't know when they'd have it again.  So off we went to another home...an elderly lady again.  Elsi & I volunteered to clean the kitchen, the boys outside, and the other ladies took the bathroom & bedroom.  Let's just say she was a big time saver and we thought most of the mess was probably pre-Maria.  After we dragged out about 10 huge garbage bags, did a bit of cement work on her kitchen counter, built a make-shift shelf for food that was in boxes on the floor, used bottles of cleaning supplies....the place looked & smelled much better!  We got done before 2, so we showered, rested a bit and then headed to an area we'd not been in and stopped at a restaurant on a cliff overlooking the ocean.  Came home to play a few hands of Euchre.  When Alice got here, she was happy to tell us all about her science project where she took water samples to test for E. coli in her home tap water & the river nearby where many people get their water.  Lucky for us, her tap water is fine.  Unlucky for many others, that river water if not.  What a timely & important science project!  We gave her an A+.  

Fwd: Update 4 pictures

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 24, 2018 at 11:14:43 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 4 pictures

Fwd: Update 4

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 24, 2018 at 10:52:04 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 4

It always amazes me how much gets crammed into our days.  After a quick breakfast, we packed some sandwiches & as soon as they jumped the battery in the van, we were off to Ruby's.  A couple church guys were already there buzzing down the tree that was leaning on her house.   Rog & Bob joined that team while Elsli & I starting scrubbing the bathroom.  Johanna & Mariella worked on cleaning screens & storm shutters.  About two hours later, the bathroom was sparkling clean and most of the tree was loaded into a pickup.  After a lunch break, Elsi & I tackled the kitchen area Johanna & Mariella cleaned the dining/living room while the guys started up the chain saw to removed a down tree in her back yard.  The neighbor came over with a ladder and it took several guys to get the solar panel on the roof & wires secured.  Ruby is one happy and grateful lady!  

  We all needed a cold shower to cool down & clean up and a bit of a rest when we got home.  But it wasn't long before we were back in the van headed for Johanna's parents' home to celebrate her dad's birthday...and mine again.  Her mom had cooked a turkey & served it with rice & a pasta salad which she immediately offered us after we were introduced.  It was delicious.  More relatives came and took our spot at the table as soon as we got up.  We sat on the porch and were serenaded by Johanna's dad on a guitar & her mom singing along.  Soon 6 men showed up for a choir practice but first all sang with much enthusiasm to Johanna's dad & I.  Cake & ice cream came next and then the men's choir started practicing...though it sure didn't sound like they needed much practice to me.  Later we found out that Johanna's dad was trying to think of a way to get more men involved in church...and the choir idea popped in his head.  Now these men who never sang before have become the voice of Jesus.  One of the men told us the roof & windows in his house were destroyed, he had no electricity & his water supply was not consistent...yet there he was, singing & praising God.  I am constantly amazed.

Fwd: Update 3

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 24, 2018 at 10:51:16 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 3

My birthday!  Another year...another part of the world!   Rog, Bob & Elsi went in search of breakfast after they dropped me off at the grocery store...I really don't like to eat breakfast.  I shopped for food to feed us & Johanna & girls and also food for the food pantry at the church.  Johanna and I had made a list so I filled my cart.  Next, I went to a store that had bedding & shopped for stuff we'll want when we clean at the two brother's house on Thursday.  Elsi finished that job & Rog and I loaded the car with the food.  After loading the food, sheets, pillows, comforters & luggage,  we were packed to the gills when we headed back to Maunabo.  Made one more stop at the last big grocery store before Maunabo to get meat, veges  & a key lime pie and pulled into town around 1 pm.  We downed some p & j sandwiches and then headed over to the parish hall that has been turned into a storage room for lots of donated items.  We added our food donations and then made up about 50 bags filled with food ready to give out as needed.  Next we had to re-bag about 200 donated bags filled with snacks, school supplies...and insect repellent which unfortunately had leaked in several bags.  Good idea that went bad.  They are ready now to give to a school.  

 I spent much of the next hour getting phone calls from my kids & grandkids and reading emails & facebook post all wishing me a happy birthday.  Loved it!!  Rog & Elsi took over the kitchen preparing fajitas & rice.  Johanna decorated the dining room...the formal one...and we (plus Marietta) had a delicious & enjoyable dinner topped off with singing, presents & key lime pie.  We sat around the table for a very long time hearing stories about Hurricane Maria.  The fear...the devastation...the depression...the lack of communication...the uphill battle to try to pick up the pieces.  We listened as they let some of the hurt seep out.  So much pain.

Fwd: Update 2

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 22, 2018 at 11:33:20 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 2

First, internet is very limited and there is none in the town of Maunabo where we are staying so if you don't hear from me...don't worry!  We do have phone service so you can call us...

We are back in San Juan as we picked up Bob & Elsi today.  We toured Old Town & El Morro with them & had a delightful dinner on the cobblestone court filling them in on what we'll be doing & catching up on Dexter news.

The last couple days have been so full I don't know where to begin....

We left San Juan on Sunday morning, stopped for some groceries and headed to Maunabo.  Easy drive until we got to the mountain.  Hurricane Maria wicked winds had knocked down most every utility pole & so many trees and they hung over the road.  We tried to hug the inside lane as many areas on the cliff side were washed out...and it was a looooong way down.  So many homes were damaged ...or entirely smashed.  Trash piles were everywhere.  We crept into town just as the church bells were ringing.  We found the church we were looking for and slipped in during the first song.  Pastor Johanna Gonzales, our contact, waved at us and soon introduced us to the congregation.  Clapping and cheering followed.  During their greeting time, it seemed half the church came over to welcome us.  Johanna asked a young girl to come and translate her sermon in English for us so we were able to hear her message which was the importance of asking God to be our refuge in all times and especially in hard times to show others your faith by our kind acts.  She reminded us that if we can trust God in hard times and be His hands during those times, our faith will become stronger.  I wholeheartedly agree.  I had to think that since my life is so good, perhaps that's why I crave helping others...it's a chance to strengthen my faith and to witness others who have so much faith.  After church, we settled into Johanna's home taking over Naomi,  her daughter's room.  A church member brought rice, beans & pork & several people joined us for dinner.  Alice, Johanna's other daughter, speaks perfect English so we learned much about the hurricane, the months of no electricity (just got last week), no clean water, no mail, no phone.  The depression that set in deep down looking at all the devastation.  They too talked of how neighbors were helping each other...how several volunteer groups came to help and others trucked in supplies.  That's what kept them hoping that things would and could get better.  Looking around, I was overwhelmed...and I can't imagine what it looked like 4 months ago!  

  Our first job was to find someone who really needed the solar generator we had brought with us.  Johanna closed her eyes, thought for a few minutes and then said, Ruby.  Ruby is an 89 year old widow who still did not have electricity.  She scurried to open her gate when we arrived and hugged us heartily saying welcome to her home of love, love, love.  She offered us cold juice that she had in a cooler.  She was so excited to show us her wedding pictures...about 45 years old.  After much visiting, we hooked up the solar generator and turned on the light....tears ran down her cheeks and she wrapped her thin arms tightly around me.   Alice translated her words:  Now I will be able to sleep at night with out fear.  She walked us to her gate holding Roger's hand the whole way.  

  We made a couple more stops as we passed cars and stopped to talk.  One carload of new volunteers asked Johanna to direct them to someone with great needs.  So she stopped in front of the home of one of her church members and she jumped in the car with them & drove off.  We stayed there and visited until she came back about an hour later.   Luckily Alice was with us to translate and of course, we were offered cold drinks & snacks.  We finally got back to the house around 8:30 & Johanna insisted on cooking a meal.  Fried chicken & hot mashed potato salad.  We headed to bed but Johanna had to go pick up Naomi from a friend's.  It'll be a short night for them as they get up at 5 a.m. to get off to school...a car ride to the next town where they catch a bus to school.  The school in town here is poor...Alice said last year for her final English exam, she had to do a crossword puzzle.  She wants to be challenged.

  Monday morning after we passed out UMCOR supplies & water to 3 people who stopped in, we headed to Ruby's to see if all was well & ask if she'd like help to clear a tree on Wednesday. Then we went to a home where two brothers live in a terrible situation & asked if we could come Thursday to help them.  So with plans made, we headed to the airport to get Bob & Elsi,   I'm ready to put on my work clothes & boots!

Fwd: Update 1

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 20, 2018 at 8:35:45 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 1

Update 1

Our plane was full of Puerto Ricans who cheered and clapped as we landed in San Juan.  They were so delighted to be home!  The city looked and felt much like it was last year when we were here  except that most the traffic lights were not functioning so all the intersections were like a round about without the circle. Glad Rog was driving!  Fresh paint & new awnings were everywhere on the beach strip.  Things looked a bit worse when you drove down a little ways out and down the side streets.  A couple miles out of town, that's where the electric poles are laying sideways and the rubbish piles line the road.  

We had great conversations with several people...they are so upbeat & grateful for all the support they are getting...mostly from their neighbors but also from the mainland. Here's a few tidbits we heard:

-We feel hugged by the mainland.

-The hurricane brought out the humanitarian heart .

-We didn't wait for the gov't...we cleared our streets, shared our food & ice.  

 -PR showed strength, unity & compassion.

-If we had any extra, we knew there was someone who could use it so we gave it to them.

-Yes it was very hard but we will go forward.

Not once did we hear anyone complain...just great positive attitudes! 

We were successful in getting the solar generator that Faith Fowler from Cass Community Services in Detroit left for us.  It was built by homeless people there...how cool is it that they are helping those in need in PR!  The storage unit we thought we'd lined up, fell through (no big shock) but Faith's friend, Maria Teresa stored it for us.  That turned out to be a great experience as we spent a good hour visiting her.  She'd met Faith at a Church & Society board meeting in Washington years ago.  She said that's where they fought for justice & truth for all.  Our Church & Society class at home always begins class by reciting Micah 6:8:  What does the Lord require of us: to do what is right & love mercy.  It's a small world!

Update 26

How to describe Vieques??  An island with gorgeous deserted beaches hidden behind overgrown bushes & vine-covered trees with a one lane sometime paved & sometimes barely passable road weaving through it.    And horses!  Everywhere!  Roaming wherever they want.  Here we don't say "Deer in the road!" You say, "Horse in the road!"  Some are branded.  Some wild.  

But also hiding is the past.  My friend, Mary told me to duck when she heard I was coming here.  After a couple days here, I had to call her and find out what she was talking about.  She said, "Duck when the bombs go off!"  I did some research.  How did I not know that the US Navy was using this island as target practice until just 15 years ago??  How did the US justify bombing, using napalm & leaving the island loaded with radio active particles which are causing cancer & other health issues?  How did US justify giving them 10 days to leave their homes and either move to the middle arid land or leave the island?  I realize the Navy needed to practice somewhere...but was it fair to use an inhabited island that has no voice in the US govt?    Is it better that I know now??  What would I'd done if I'd known??  And what else don't I know???  Living in my little blissful bubble of ignorance is nice...but traveling does make pinholes in it at the same time as it fills it with a deep love of other cultures & places.  

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Jane's 2017 Updates

So much for counting on email...once I got to China, my email messed up and from then on, I could only send a few emails to one person at a time.  So my updates just sat in my folder.  Not even sure which ones got sent so I am forwarding all of them to you just in case you are still interested.  Remember I did not do any editing...so there's lots of errors.  Either you'll have lots to read or lots to trash.  I'm home now.   The wash machine is running & we're sorting the mail as we settle back into our real life.

Hope to see or hear from you soon and catch up with your life!

Jane

#38 Painful Thought. #39 Cutting the Cord & Heading to Costa Rica. #40 The Girl on the Bus

#38. Painful Thought
As I watched MM charm his way deeper into the hearts of Chan, his YaYa, Rog, Chan's neighbors & friends, a painful thought erupted: there's a woman in China who carried and delivered MM--and then, more than likely, she abandoned him at the hospital. I wondered if she had any other choice?? MM could hardly breathe. Did she have the $$ she'd need for his medical bills?? Was it possible for him to grow up healthy & someday support his parents?? What an excruciating, painful decision she had to make! And then I thought of the thousands of new Moms who had and would have to make that same decision. It became overwhelming to me--all that heartache--the helplessness of their situation--the gut wrenching pain.
MM's shrieks of laughter brought me back to the joy that surrounded me. That night I prayed for peace & healing for those Moms and thanked MM's mom. He is such a gift!!

#39 Cutting the Cord & Heading to Costa Rica
It was time to cut the cord. The frig was stocked, wash done, bags unpacked and all the safety gadgets mounted. Chan's safety net of friends were in top gear. Though I had loved being in the middle of it all...it was time to move on...and after discussing the pros & cons...Chan booked us a flight to Costa Rica. We landed in San Juan but took the first bus out to Turriaba. There we hiked through the jungle to Gustavo--the oldest archeological site in CR. Saw the many mounds where houses had been built & the aqueduct system used from 1000AD to 1400 BC still somewhat functioning. Biggest thrill was spotting a lots in a tall tree. Actually a guide pointed him out as we'd never had been able to spot it's dark body clinging to a branch so still among thick leaves...I know Sarah, you are jealous. Also saw a tayra, variety of insects & butterflies. The 150+ in of rainfall here feeds a thick jungle. Tomorrow we hope to wake up early enough to see Turriaba Volcano smoking & venting from the upstairs of the hostel we are in. Not sure where next, that's what Rog is working on now!

#40. The Girl on the Bus
That's be me. I love getting a peek into lives & hearing people chatter as we travel via local bus. Well dressed women with babies & groceries, men in work clothes or suits and students in uniforms. We pass neat, colorful small homes in the midst of a medley of flowers. Each small village boast a church & soccer field. The bus stops often as it climbs & descends the mountains..and people hop on & off greeting each other warmly. I love this "buseye" view!
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Why You Shouldn't Raid Your Retirement Fund for a Child’s College Education | Investing | US News

http://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/2017-02-24/why-you-shouldnt-raid-your-retirement-fund-for-a-childs-college-education


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Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Reagan! Hope to talk to you later today.
Love, Gpa and Grace

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Costa Rica!

Leaving here on Wed. For Costa Rica and Panama. Love, Mom and Dad

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The guys

#35 Safari. #36. The Long Haul Home #37 Next Few Days

#35 Safari
What better way to kill the last waiting day than at the Safari Park! I rate it a 5*. Huge variety of animals and lots of each. MM & Chan loved the monkeys best and Pandas were my favorite. Sun was shining and all three of us were loving it. What could be better??

#36 The Long Haul Home
It was a long haul--3+ hours to Beijing--6 hour layover--13+ hours to Dallas--2+ hour layover--2+ hour to Orlando. That's the long. The haul was the stuff you need for 30+ hours of traveling with a 2 year old and tons of adoption papers. We dragged into Orlando @ 5:30 pm (5:30 am China time)...and SURPRISE!! There was YaYa--Ed--holding a stuffed tiger & sucker. MM quickly realized that guys was the one he'd seen on the phone! The whole bunched hugged & then the sucker game began. MM licked the sucker then Yaya either got a lick or some smeared on his face...pure fun for MM. Pure joy for Ed, Chan & me.
We managed to stay up about 4 hours letting MM explore his home...then crashed.

#37 Next few days...
Rog's phone call the next morning asking me to open the front door, woke me up. He'd flown in from visiting his brother's family in Calif. He'd been in Puerto Vallarta with Bob & Elsi since leaving Louisiana. So we'd sure been on two different trips these last almost 3 weeks!
The next couple days were spent unpacking, meeting neighbors & laughing at MM. Ed is staying in the Navy base campground less than a mile away. He'd had a toy Kubota tractor shipped so Rog & Ed quickly pulled out the tools to put it together...then repair the stairway gate...then add another lock on the back door...than a wagon. Chan's cute chic home is now a kid's zone with toys & lots of not really toys sprewed all over!
Rog & I still haven't decided on our next move....maybe tomorrow we'll figure that out.

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Matthew

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