San Jaun Self Reliance Graduation

It feels good to do good things.  One of those was to attend and assist with the Self Reliance Teacher graduation program in  San Juan Mesopotamia Branch.  Our friends from Parawon, Utah--Elder Kent and Sister Kay Wilson--invited us to spend Saturday evening and Sunday Nov 19-20, 2017 with them, helping them with one of their missionary projects.  Teaching the Dominican members to be self reliant is one of the major goals of the Caribbean Area Presidency.

Kent and Kay Wilson and San Juan Self Reliance Class

The Wilson's train stake employment specialists, and district and branch leaders the skills necessary to help their members create and improve their own business, obtain greater education, the Perpetual Education Fund, save money, budget, etc.  Promoting sel reliance is a worthwhile and inspired program!

District Pres.

The District President talked and we could feel his spirit as he congratulated the participants  and encouraged them.  We travelled three hours one way west from Santo Domingo to San Juan, DR to help with the graduation program.

Randy provided some well received music, Hazme andar en la luz' or Teach me to walk in the light.  The people were so excited to complete their two-month long, once-a-week training.

The Wilson's have done great work!  It was touching to watch these humble saints as they work toward greater success in life.  After sharing muffins and orange juice refreshments, we enjoyed a late night Dominican chimi (hamburger) and chinola at a Doris' corner cafe--Barra Surena.

Kay and Peggy at the Barra Surena Corner Cafe

She and her employees were so fun letting us go in the back and watch how she makes chinola.

The friendly cook

Doris making Chinola Juice

We spent the night at the El Lebano Hotel, a clean, no frills hotel in the middle of the city as the drive back to Santo Domingo would have been long and dark.  Leaving the hotel, three young men had washed our car and came up to the car as we were approaching and started to shine and buff the exterior.  They wanted a " propina" or tip for their service which we gladly accomodated their wish.

"Is it ok if I have a tip too?"

Another little boy, standing close by, who wasn't part of the group, didn't get a tip and had the sadest look on his face.  We think he was a good actor and we smiled at his Oscar-winning performance as we made sure he was taken care of too.

San Juan Countryside Farming

After sacrament meeting and saying goodbye to these beautiful, congenial saints, we enjoyed a nice leisurely drive through the country back to Santo Domingo.  It was a good weekend.

Sister Castillo, Kay and Kent Wilson, San Juan, D.R. 

As we reflected, we love the Wilson's and felt honored to be asked to join them in this special and memorable experience.  Their time to return to the U.S. is near and we will miss them.