Pictures

Update 33

We headed to El Morro & Fort San Cristobal in old San Juan.  Jen loved the rich history of this 500 year old massive forts.  Jen wanted at least a little bit of beach time so we headed for the same beach Ben had enjoyed while here only to find the road was closed as 30' waves on Sunday had covered the road with sand.  So we just stood on a cliff overlooking this wild Atlantic coast.  Kinda hurt to drop Jen off at the airport...we'd sure enjoyed having her here.

As we drove off, I booked an Airb&b downtown San Juan for tonight and then we called Reagan to wish her a Happy Birthday.  One of the hardest days not to be home...

It was time for Rog & I to come up with a plan for the rest of our time in PR & for me to get caught up on my writing !

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Update 32

After dinner on Saturday night, Dottie asked us if we'd be working on Monday...Rog & I told her it was completely up to Jen.  Jen mulled it over for a few minutes & then told Dottie...Yup, sign us up to work on Monday.  Dottie grinned, shook her head and said, "Soooo....you drank the Kook-Aid."  

So Monday a.m. we each got into different work vans but all ended up on a roof!  Ironically tomorrow Ben starts his new job as a salesman for Neighborhood Roofing!  But will he ever have the chance to overlook a deep gorgeous valley while working on a roof with many thousand feet drop off??  Harnessed up it felt...exhilarating!! Nice breeze too!

I think we'd all have been glad to have had one more or maybe two or more days to work.  At the evening meeting, I got to "Change the Board" to read not 32 but 33 completed roofs.    And as sit was our last night...we each were asked to say our good bye speech to the group.  Rog said lots of folks talk about ow they wish they could help but AHV were doing it.  I admired their vast backgrounds, ages & cultures that came together all with a caring heart & worked hard to accomplish much for those in most need.  Jen thanked them for a great first time experience & welcoming her into the AHV family.  She said she hoped she back with them somewhere, someday.  I had to pop up & point out that was my daughter-in-law!  After dinner, Jordon taught us how to play Grab It...an intense word game that soon had about a dozen spectators who couldn't help but join in.  Later, I had a fascinating conversation with Jared, a Huff Post journalist.  He strongly felt that since the USA had such a firm grip on the world's economy, we needed to take that responsibility seriously & do what's best for all the world...not just us.  Thinking about that, I climbed up the hill to our dorm & met a few new bunk mates...the constant ebb & flow of volunteers.  Two were PRicans.  

Tues morning...more goodbyes, exchanging email addresses & lots of hugs & even a few tears.  I'll really enjoyed Barb & Morgan.  Then we were off.

  Jen said she thought the AHV community was filled with the nicest people...but of course...they would be the ones who'd come to help others.  She was amazed how quickly she felt like they were good friends.  Jen felt they were so great with the locals & that the locals were so very appreciative.  And finally she said, "I'm glad I drank the Kool-Aid!"  

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Update 31

Sunday...free day.  We gobbled down Dutch pancakes prepared by the guy from...yup, Denmark.  Then we headed for Ponce & the ferry that'd take us to an island...if it had been running.  No go.   So on we drove, all the way to Cabo Rojo (SW corner).  We'd been told by Emily (whose grandparents live there) it had the most beautiful braces.  We'll Hurricane Maria changed that & no sun didn't help.  We drove right by San German where we'd thought we'd be taking Elin & Noah this year...instead we had Noah's mom.  Strange how things work out.  On the drive we stopped at a food truck for local cuisine.  We were so proud of Jen for tying almojabana, tostones, passidillas, ponchos, alcopurrias and of course, rice & beans...which is what she like best.  We meandered our way back to base which gave Jen a chance to see lots more of PR.  Just as we drove up to our base, we hit a broken curb and whishshshsh....flat tire.  Jen quickly took over (Woman Power) & with the help of Rog, Dan & Ken the tire was changed in no time.  Could not have been a better place to get a flat!  

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Update 30

Arrived at the airport in time to pick up Jen...and two All Hand tag-a-longs...one from Belgium (Emma) and other from Russia (Sveta).  We crammed in all the luggage plus pillows & sheet sets we'd picked up to use at base & off we went to Barranquitas.  Up, up, up, using switchbacks after switchbacks for about an hour & a half.  Pulled into the AHV base about 6 pm .  Dottie, (base director who we'd met in Denham Springs AHV base last year) was there to greet us & assign us to a bunk...Rog & I top bunk & Jen a lower one.  Two males & 4 females are our bunk mates...and new friends.  We settled in for a snore fest!

  Up at 6:30 & after a quick orientation, we fixed our breakfast, packed our lunch & were headed to a work site by 8.  Rog & Jen's crew cleaned out a house with a leaky roof.  Jen said it broke her heart to see the kid's toys & clothes having to be trashed.  Jane got garnished up & climbed up on an old leaking roof to remove the CGI (correlated galvanized iron).  Our homeowner sent over a huge lunch of rice/beans/chicken...most I saved for Rog's lunch tomorrow...and ate my peanut butter.  We all got back to base in time for a quick cold shower (only way to do it) and the 5:30 group meeting where each crew summed up their day's work.  I love the sense of pride & accomplishment that permeates throughout the room of about 60 volunteers.  After dinner that was prepared by local cooks (yup included rice & beans), we lingered & visited with other volunteers.  Such a diverse group with fascinating stories!  Amazing how quickly you feel like you've been friends for a long time.

  We had entertainment during night 2...Conor was laughing, yelling, whispering in English, Spanish & using Irish slang too.  All in his sleep.  We actually thought he had someone in bed with him!  When we teased him in the a.m....he was so very apologetic.  It sure got lots of laughs.  Rog was sent off to finish cleaning out the house he'd worked on yesterday.  Jen & I joined "Jesse's Crushing Crew" putting up rafters & purlins.  (Aren't you impressed with my new vocab :). The homeowner was there living in what was left of her home.  She was so very appreciative & spoiled us by making us delicious breakfast sandwiches & later bringing us Pringles & Coke (not Diet).  We'd been told that she had cancer & getting a roof was so her young son could live there was her dying wish.  Talk about pulling on our heart strings!  Jesse's  "Would You Rather x or y" questions & a kid racing his horse past us over and over  & the awesome view of the largest valley in PR were all bonuses to the satisfying work.  

  Saturday night's meeting & dinner was at Nado's...the local bar.  We stood in line waiting for hamburgers that were being grilled by a young man as he grooved & danced to music & slurped  down Medalla beers.  Jen even bought him a Medalla maybe to show how much she appreciated the hamburger or his dance move! Back at base, Rog & Jen played Scrabble with 2 mates...23 yr old Jordon cleaned their clocks!  So great to be back with All Hands people.

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Pictures

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Fwd: Update 29

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 28, 2018 at 10:21:29 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 29

Sitting here in my beach chair, I get an overwhelming surreal feeling that I was plopped into one of those too perfect to be real beach paradise paintings.  The crystal clear, aqua-green  water lapping the powdery white sand all encircled by majestic palm trees...and not another soul (except Rog) in sight.  This is our 5th and last day on Vieques.  After an hour & half ferry ride, I'll be back to Puerto Rico mainland and their real world.  

Doubt I'll ever see another beach this perfect...but sure glad I had days to love it!

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Fwd: Update 28

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 28, 2018 at 10:14:48 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 28

Now I've done the BIG 3:  rode an elephant in a  jungle, a camel in a desert and a horse on a Caribbean beach!  I'm one lucky gal!!  Rog didn't want to go so it was just my guide and me...sad for her because this is peak season & she usually is booked with 10 riders 2X a day...great for me to have my own private ride!  We'll be leaving Vieques tomorrow so I need to wrap up my Vieques notes:

-As we were about to drive off in our sporty red Jeep, the rental clerk said, "Don't lock the doors ever.  If it's locked, someone will think you have valuables in it & break a window.  They never steal vehicles cause...well this is a small island so there's no where they can go."

-Drove passed the bunkers—the Navy's left overs.  Also drove by the crumbling remains of a sugar beet factory & overgrown cotton plants...pre Navy remains.  Sobering.

-We chuckle over seeing over and over projects started but left in limbo like:  a bike path about 200 feet long in the middle of no where; huge concrete lifeguard stations only half built;  giant parking lots with handicap spots that locals say no one uses cause you can just drive right up to the beach, like we did.

-DTE is here!  Yup, Detroit Edition has lots of trucks & men here on Vieques!!  

-Hurricane damage here is obvious with poles down & anything not concrete damaged.  One girl said she describes it saying it was like a huge brush hog took off all the vegetation over 5' tall.

-After crossing multiple speed bumps (called death bumps by locals), the pavement ended & gravel road started.  About 1/2 mile later, we see one of those "Your Speed is xx" signs that's working!  Really??  Who would notice??

I love traveling the "path less traveled."

—

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Fwd: #41. On to Limon. #42. Wildlife in Tortuguera

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: March 13, 2017 at 6:27:25 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: #41. On to Limon. #42. Wildlife in Tortuguera

#41 On to Limon
Another bus ride gave me more time to take in the view.  Costa Rica is covered in shades of lush greens...from the mountains to the valleys.  We drove through miles & miles of banana trees with their blue bags bulging with ripening fruit.  Hundreds of Dole and Chiquita shipping boxes were stacked high as we got closer to the port of Limon.  We counted 11 cargo ships and a cruise ship in the harbor.  The majority of homes we see are cement with correlated roofs each with a dish on top and large covered front porches where comfy chairs wait for the owners.  One thing that interrupts this pleasant picture is the large number of homes & businesses with walls or fences topped with circular barbed wire...like a stretched out slinky with barbs.  Hope those can disappear soon.  Fried chicken &  seafood both served with rice and French fries are the staples here.  Yup both rice & FF!  As soon as we arrived at our hotel, we jumped in the pool & that's where we spent the next 6 - 7 hours taking a short break to walk the black, sparkling beach.   Glories way to spend a couple days!

#42. Wildlife in Tortuguero
On the east shore, there's a river/canal that runs from Moin to Tortuguero with just a narrow strip of land separating it from the Caribbean Ocean.  It took us over 3 hours by boat giving us a great chance to spot sloths, monkeys & many birds as well as much flora.  I do love boat rides!  Tortuguero is a Nat'l Park & can only be reached by boat.  It's claim to fame is 3 species of turtles lay their eggs here so birth to millions of turtles.  Though we missed the season, we soaked in the jungle taking a canoe ride that squeezed into small tributaries.  Besides more sloth, monkeys & birds, we also saw caiman staring back at us.  Gliding quietly, we listened to the howler monkey & many bird calls.  
The town of Tortuguero is small with just one main walkway.  Small homes are stuck between the town & beach.  It's a place where dogs, cats, chickens & kids freely roam.  It feels far from anywhere...especially far from our kids & kids who were together this weekend.  Wish we were with them...but here too!
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Fwd: #41. On to Limon. #42. Wildlife in Tortuguera

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: March 13, 2017 at 6:27:25 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: #41. On to Limon. #42. Wildlife in Tortuguera

#41 On to Limon
Another bus ride gave me more time to take in the view.  Costa Rica is covered in shades of lush greens...from the mountains to the valleys.  We drove through miles & miles of banana trees with their blue bags bulging with ripening fruit.  Hundreds of Dole and Chiquita shipping boxes were stacked high as we got closer to the port of Limon.  We counted 11 cargo ships and a cruise ship in the harbor.  The majority of homes we see are cement with correlated roofs each with a dish on top and large covered front porches where comfy chairs wait for the owners.  One thing that interrupts this pleasant picture is the large number of homes & businesses with walls or fences topped with circular barbed wire...like a stretched out slinky with barbs.  Hope those can disappear soon.  Fried chicken &  seafood both served with rice and French fries are the staples here.  Yup both rice & FF!  As soon as we arrived at our hotel, we jumped in the pool & that's where we spent the next 6 - 7 hours taking a short break to walk the black, sparkling beach.   Glories way to spend a couple days!

#42. Wildlife in Tortuguero
On the east shore, there's a river/canal that runs from Moin to Tortuguero with just a narrow strip of land separating it from the Caribbean Ocean.  It took us over 3 hours by boat giving us a great chance to spot sloths, monkeys & many birds as well as much flora.  I do love boat rides!  Tortuguero is a Nat'l Park & can only be reached by boat.  It's claim to fame is 3 species of turtles lay their eggs here so birth to millions of turtles.  Though we missed the season, we soaked in the jungle taking a canoe ride that squeezed into small tributaries.  Besides more sloth, monkeys & birds, we also saw caiman staring back at us.  Gliding quietly, we listened to the howler monkey & many bird calls.  
The town of Tortuguero is small with just one main walkway.  Small homes are stuck between the town & beach.  It's a place where dogs, cats, chickens & kids freely roam.  It feels far from anywhere...especially far from our kids & kids who were together this weekend.  Wish we were with them...but here too!
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Fwd: Update 27

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 28, 2018 at 10:10:23 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update  27

We'd heard a few "maybes" but we got the email proof now—Jen (Ben's wife) is coming!!  March 1!!  She wants to volunteer also so we sent a quick email to All Hands & it's looking like we can join their volunteers at the Barranquitas base.  We're thrilled!!

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Fwd: Update 21 pictures

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 19, 2018 at 12:54:42 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 21 pictures

Mariely and Professor Rog

Fwd: Update 25

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 26, 2018 at 9:42:10 AM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 25

Vieques!  Here is where the gorgeous beaches are!  We arrived in Isabella & after getting a few groceries, we sat waiting for a taxi.  Waiting...Rog asked a guy wearing a bright orange safety vest if knew when a taxi or public bus might arrive.  He said, "Just hop in my Jeep. I've got time right now to take you as I'm waiting for the rest of my buddies to finish working." (He was from the states working for an electric co.). He delivered to the door of our Airb&b.  Knew the place cause he'd just helped get it hooked up to electricity last week.  After Angie, our host, showed us around a bit, we settled in.  Black Sand Beach, one of the ones highlighted in tourist brochures, was close by & could only be reached by foot so off we went to find it.  We walked the road till we came to a large, impressive sign and about 8 cement steps down to creek bed.  At first you could walk beside the creek bed but before long we were walking in the creek and since I'd worn my flip flop, I slipping & sliding and getting agitated.  The brush was getting thicker.  You had to avoid horse manure.  The creek bed was turning to sticky clay.  I finally called it quits.  I couldn't believe this was the only way to one of the most well known beaches on the island!  Really???  We went back to our room & ate P & J sandwiches.  

Next morning, Angie took us to a car rental & we climbed in a red Jeep and took off looking for a beach.  We asked about getting to the Black Sand Beach and for real, that creek bed was the only way to reach it.  I've seen a black sand beach so forget that one.  We found Sun Beach...gorgeous!!!  And only 4 other people on a beach that was miles long. After setting up our beach chairs (provided by Angie), & opening our books, we were planted for the next many hours.  Only our hunger forced us to leave.  Found a busy spot overlooking the ocean and had a great seafood dinner.  Nice...

Next day...drove around the island finding another gorgeous beach...Prieta Beach (Secret Beach).  Again mostly deserted & picture perfect.  Spent hours there & when we got hot, the cool water was so refreshing.  Met a couple from NY there. They'd been coming to this island for years & were spending time each day cleaning the beach.  By the looks of the beach & huge pile of brush by the road, I'd say they'd done a fabulous job.  We talked about the fact that a beach like this would have huge high rises & restaurants galore on it if it were many place.  The NYers answer was so fitting:  "That's what we hate & love about PR.  Nothing gets done & that nothing gets done."  

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Fwd: Update 24

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 22, 2018 at 8:14:40 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 24

We moved down the coast a bit and ended up in Loquillo.  It's right on the ocean and where lots of surfers come...but not now as it's their winter and the ocean is a bit wild & there's lots of riptides.  It is fascinating to watch the waves crash so close to shore that they seem do dance across beach.  After spending several days going from PJ's to bathing suit to PJ's, I feel refreshed.  We've been to El Yunque National Park to see the only two things open...a drive to the waterfall & a hike down to the river.  El Yunque is a rainforest region...it was nice to see so much new growth since the hurricane.  The visitor center was pretty much destroyed.  

Our Airb&b is decorated with loud paintings & bright colors.  It feels very PRican.  

As we walk/drive around this area, we are struck by the incongruous mixture of modern high rise condos, dilapidated structures, cleverly painted homes, deserted buildings, mural paintings on walls, piles of trash, wide beautiful beach, junked cars, new tricked out cars, upscale architecturally designed businesses beside ramshackle food carts.  Some damage due to the hurricane but a lot is due to what appears to be neglect.  It is depressing to see.  Hard to wrap your head around.  A place that should be such a paradise is not...at least certainly not in most areas we've seen.  Tomorrow we leave for the island of Vieques...about an hour ferry ride from Fajardo.  Maybe there we'll see "paradise."

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Fwd: Update 23

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 19, 2018 at 6:23:11 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 23

Let the vacation begin!!  We've decided to spend our vacation money here in PR.  We found where the wealthier PRicans vacation!  We're in Loiza in an Airb&b at a multi-condo development:  2 pools, playground, meticulously clean grounds and a Pre Maria nice beach area.  Many PRicans are enjoying the good life here:  music blaring, kids dancing shaking every part of their bodies, grills smoking, birthday party with balloon & games and several tables with adults playing Dominoes.  It's a side of PR we hadn't seen yet and it is makes me smile. 

PRicans are such a mix of skin tones.  Original Taino tribe mixed with Spanish, then slaves & finally English.  We're told there's little discrimination between the skin tones.  We sure haven't seen any & here it's a true mix...except no English speaking Caucasians.  Perhaps someday that'll be way discrimination issue will disappear.  I can hope anyway!!

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Fwd: Update 22

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 19, 2018 at 6:02:58 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 22

We were headed to Old San Juan by 7:30 a.m and arrived just as the door to El Morro opened .  We walked the worn fort that has seen 3 major wars as I wondered why man always seems to be fighting each other.  Rog drove us to the perfect spot near the airport for lunch...ocean view with local cuisine.  Here the sand was like sawdust & a lagoon beckoned us in.  Juli reflected on her experience saying she found people kind, grateful and loving.  She was touched by the church service especially when they prayed over us.  She loved the almost daily rainbows...sometimes doubles...and especially the extremely vivid one we saw on our last day on our way to Old San Juan.  A nice thank you from above?!

After we dropped Juli off at the airport, we headed back for a long leisurely beach walk before Sarah needed to leave.  Then it was just the two of us...it'd been almost a month!

  we had to stop to renew our car rental & then stopped at a Wendy's to use their WiFi...and get a DCoke.  We'd try to set up a place for tonight yesterday but with spotty internet...nothing was confirmed yet.  Just as we sat down, I noticed a man with an All Hands shirt on sitting by the bus stop.  We went over to say hi.  Turns out he'd been waiting for 2 hours to catch a bus to the airport. His flight home to Tennessee was in less 1 1/2 hrs.  We grabbed our stuff, he jumped in the back seat and off to the airport we went again.  As he waved goodbye, my phone bonged indicating a new message...our reservations for tonight were confirmed.  A God wink as my sister, Beth would say!  

After Google map sent us on a goose chase, a local set us straight.  So I'm sitting here by a pool listening to the ocean waves and finally getting caught up on my writing.

  So much has happened this last month that it overwhelms me with gratitude and fills my soul.  Amen.  

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Fwd: Update 21

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 19, 2018 at 12:37:42 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 21

Earlier this month Johanna & Mariely asked Rog to teach them how to use the chainsaw.  He'd said no...too dangerous..but since tomorrow we are leaving, he figured the more they knew about the chainsaw, ultimately the more good the chainsaw could do.  So the 3 went off for a 3 hour lesson...Rog is thorough when it comes to teaching safety, maintenance & use.  They now call him Professor Roger.  

The Dream Team along with Alice to help translate jumped in Johanna's car loaded with cleaning supplies and with me at the wheel & headed to a retirement home.  We were asked to clean the room of a man with a broken arm & later one that was...to be blunt...stinky.  We arrived back home within minutes of Rog's team.  Another shower, couple loads of wash & some packing done, we were ready for 5ish prayer service.  Here's where I'm lost for words.  How to explain the depth of gratitude & love Johanna expressed to us.  Johanna told her parishioners how we had spurred them on to continue helping their hurting community...not only repairing & improving homes but also bringing much needed hope & TLC.  She recalled how she'd struggled with the decision to let us come & stay with her.  She now knew God sent us...to touch lives, clean homes, cut trees, clear yards and give her chainsaw & English lessons.  She challenged them to keep up the work in anyway they could.  

I felt humbled & truly grateful to have had the opportunity.  I am so blessed.  After church, many gathered in Johanna's carport where a table of food appeared.  It was a time to say goodby to many who'd become our amigo...many we'd worked next to and/or in their homes.  Pictures were taken and hugs & kisses abound.  My heart is heavy.  

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Fwd: Update 17

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 15, 2018 at 11:07:26 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 17

Ben, Rog & a chainsaw got down to business Monday morning at Angelo's house.  The downed & huge broken trees were no match for that trio.  Angelo had a cart to roll the logs on & haul to the curb which made that job easier.  My job was to keep spraying the red ant hills and ...yup, pick up trash.  7 more bags.  Angelo's wife called us in for dinner.  Their home was very fancy & full of Knick-knacks.  We were served a huge mound of the traditional foods...beans & rice, boiled potatoes & chicken and salad...on her china in the formal dining room.  As we ate, Angelo told us his hurricane story which almost brought him to tears:  he & his family huddled in their space spot for hours until the howling wind & crashing sounds ended.  They walked out  into complete silence & gasped as they looked around in disbelief for about 5 minutes...then a fierce wind began & he barely got back into the house.  After several more hours, they open the door & water was leaking in their living room.  They ran upstairs & discovered a broken water pipe.  Everyone grabbed brooms & mops and worked fast pushing the water out on a porch.  He shook his head & softly said,

"Oh Maria."

After lunch, Rog headed for the airport to pick up Juli Ripberger & Sarah Shugart...our fresh crew coming in from Michigan!!  Ben & I finished up the chainsaw work.  Angelo was so thankful & told us we could bring our families and stay with him anytime!! Then home for a cool shower.    After stopping for authentic PR food & shopping for more bedding donations, Juli & Sarah arrived excited and ready to work!

Tuesday -  Rog & Ben were again chainsawing at an older lady's house.  Her tree had fallen into the not-so-nice neighbor's house who wanted it removed...now.  Juli, Sarah & I went to a Senior Center where Lourdes met us as our trusty translator.  Juli & Sarah taught several ladies how to put a (rather simple) puzzle together...they'd never done one before.  One man came in to see what we were doing and was soon leaning over the puzzle totally engaged.  We left those puzzles & some harder ones for him which made his day and probably for many more!  Meanwhile I was struggling to play a 16 piece Memory game with 3 ladies...maybe should have reduced it to 6 piece.  Brought out the paints which was much less stressful.  At 10, many gathered for a church service.  Johanna's sermon was of course, on love.  Lourdes sat next to us & translated.  Johanna ask the crowd, what is love?  Many spoke up saying it was God, family and people who cared for them.  Then she said God told us to love everyone...even people we don't like or who are not kind to us...people we don't even know.  She said one day a stranger wrote to her on Messenger and asked if she could come help.  She looked at her Facebook post...no idea who she was or how she knew she needed help.  That stranger left her family, her home, her comforts and came to help strangers.  She brought friends to help too.  That's love.  Then she pointed to me...all applauded and I was humbled.  God should get the credit...not me.  Johanna had health kits & valentine cookies to pass out at the end.  Ben & Rog met us there as they were off to the airport.  Somehow Johanna had managed to get gifts for each person in Ben's family.  She thanked him sincerely while his eyes teared up.  Ben told us he was so glad he came and understood now why we do what we do. What a blessing to have had the opportunity to share something so meaningful to us with Ben.   

Girls next job was to clean the house of a 92 yr old lady caring for her 57 year old schizophrenic son.  She had another son with the same thing...he'd died.  She had 9 daughters...no help.  Many grandchildren...no help.  One caring Pastor...not even her own Pastor...willing to help.  When we got there after much discussion, we learned that one of her daughters told her not to let us clean.  You don't want to know what words I was saying under my breath.    Sarah noticed her garden & she was thrilled to tell us all about what was planted.  Of course it was in Spanish but we all just smiled, oohed & aahed and acted like we understood every word. The head waggle I learned in Indian came in very handy!! Next she took us in her home to show us where her brother was trying to repair the area her son had lived in before the hurricane and the water damaged caused by her leaky roof.  Again she talked non-stop with much expression as she pointed to various things.  We stayed about an hour giving her as much love as we could her.  When we hugged goodbye she clasp her arms around me and laid her head on my shoulder.  I could feel her tears.   I felt so helpless but knew Johanna now had her under her wing.   Next stop was the home of another elderly lady.   This one was neat & tidy and the lady was frying a donut type goodie when we got there.  Soon we were eating them.  Mmmm.  Then she offered us a coconut treat she'd made.  MMMMmmm.  Her son popped in & grabbed one too.  She had a family that cared for her and that made all the difference!!! 

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Fwd: Update 20

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 18, 2018 at 7:46:28 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 20

Sometime this week I asked Sarah her thoughts and she said: 

-amazed at the length of time many in PR have been living without electricity & some water  

-adaptability & flexibility of PRicans

-PR's dedication to keep working 

-the patience of PRicans

-PRicans seem satisfied with what they have

-how working together with the locals built trust quickly

-the willingness of Johanna & girls to let us invade their personal space so willingly & gladly.  

(Sorry Sarah if I this isn't exactly right...please feel free to correct me!!)

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Fwd: Update 19

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 18, 2018 at 7:28:52 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 19

Two men & another chainsaw joined Rog to try to finish cutting up what Juli called the 3 day tree...it's a massive tree Rog has worked on for 3 days.  The Dream Team as Johanna calls Juli, Sarah & me...sorted, organized & moved what was left of the donated items out of the church social hall & into an outbuilding.  Now they finally can use their social hall again!  Sarah went to Danny's market to buy lots of rice, beans, Carmella dogs & Saxon season with we bagged up with the rest of the donated food making 10 more food bags ready to pass out.  We had to marvel how God knew just who to send to do this project...3 well trained FIA workers.  After lunch girl power arrived to the site Rog was working at and we proved we weren't weaklings!  I think Rog was getting tired of chainsawing as each log seemed bigger than the last.  Thank goodness the chainsaw ran out of gas cause I was almost out too.  I threw a couple rags in the cooler water & we all washed our faces before we headed straight to the beach...took off our work shoes & waded in.  Aaahhh!  The  roaring waves crashed on the beach covered with rocks, dried coral and sea glass!  Juli was ecstatic & I could almost hear the jealous cries of my Lake Mi buddies.  After about an hour, we had to tell Juli it was time to end the hunt.  She had collected almost a sandwich bag full of multi colored sea glass.  

We showered up & enjoyed a ham, potato salad, rice & bean dinner provided by yet another church lady.  We made one more visit that night.  A young boy with multiple birth defects was headed for surgery the next a.m..  His Grandma cared for him providing a neat & nautical themed room with a huge bin of toys.  The boy was watching Barney & swaying with the beat of the music when we arrived.  He gladly took Rog & my hand smiling at us often while Johanna asked his Grandma about her needs.  Hospital bills, diapers & bed pads will strain her limited income for sure.  We formed a circle & prayed together...I added my own thanksgiving for my healthy grandchildren.  On our walk home, we stopped at a pharmacy & you can guess what we bought.  That evening we sat on the porch as Alice & Mariely sing and strum the guitar.  A much needed time of peace in this wounded world.  

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