Davila/Hosier Family Blog - Dominican Republic Here We Come!!: Jarabacoa

We went to visit the Jarabacoa area of the DR. Many people are familiar with the Jarabacoa area, due to the fact that it is an area that foreigners like to frequent, because of the cooler temperatures. We took a cab from our Santiago apartment to our friend's apartment in Jarabacoa. The city is up on the mountains, appx. 1,750 foot. The weather is much cooler and less humid than down on the flatland or near the beaches. We originally booked this portion of the trip for two reasons: 1) Mom and Dad could get the mid-week portion of the CO visit and 2) so that we could see our friend Maria, who has been serving as a need-greater in the English congregation there. Maria had a family emergency and at the end of October had to return to the states. She had already pre-paid for her apartment, so we were able to be hosted there by Victoria Garcia (we were in the Cypresswood congregation together prior to us moving to the ASL). Victoria (Tori) is there for a long stay, or as long as Jehovah will direct her to be there. The English congregation there is comprised of all foreigners, all need greaters from the States and Canada. You can tell that there is a constant turn-over of persons serving there as need-greaters, with only a few staying put for very long. There are mainly single sisters and the congregation is very American. This is a great contrast to the other congregations we had visited here, wherein there were mainly Dominicans with only a few Americans/Canadians. This congregation would appeal to those that are nervous about the foreign transition and would be more comfortable with Americans.

The day that we were able to preach with them we went to the city of La Vega, down at the base of the mountains. The temperatures were alot hotter, but we had become more accustomed to that throughout our visit. The congregation is in the process of indexing and canvassing the territory for English. You literally go through each territory and go to each door that had not been called on and ask if anyone in the house speaks English. Most children here in the country are required to learn English in school, and they enjoy having an opportunity to speak with English persons. Also, there are many expats (persons moving from their original country) living here from many other countries, so many of those speak English. There are also many Dominicans taking English classes, since they would like to work for American companies that are based here. Therefore, there is a need for English to be in that area of the country.

Here are some pictures:

This is the clothes drying area for those staying in the hotel

Victoria, Michaela and Rebecca

Victoria giving demonstration

Brother Anton Stewart interviewing the English CO - Jeff and Donna Brown

Inside Jarabacoa Kingdom Hall - very pretty mural on the back wall that was handpainted

Michaela and Angie Holstettler (from Houston - she was visiting for 2 weeks)

Michaela with Tara Costigan (John Costigan's sister - she was visiting for a month from Georgia) - along with little brother from the Jarabacoa congregation (family moved from the states about 6 months ago)

Michaela and Michaela - one sister asked my Michaela how they were going to know the difference between them - her response was "Her hair is darker than mine"

Literature counter- the entire interior of hall has hand paintings throughout - even in bathrooms

James and Charless (mom and dad) in front of Jarabacoa Kingdom Hall

Michaela, Angie, Tara and Natasha enjoying a Dominican Lunch of grilled chicke, rice and beans - VERY GOOD!!! Lunch costs 65 pesos per person - $1.75 US per person

Cassandra trying to figure out the indexing for the street we were working - as you can see some of the little gave out on us

Typical scene on most any street corner in the corner

Rebecca, Kira and Michaela - Kira was visiting for a month from the States

Michaela with Cheyenne - she moved here from the Cypress congregation in Houston

Meeting at 7:45 am to journey down to La Vega for meeting for field service - there were about 30 of us with only 5 vehicles - we all made it there nice and cozy - Dominican style