NOISE! If I could describe Santo Domingo in one word this is the one I would use. 24 hours a day Santo Domingo is a noisy place. Horns are constantly honking (Claire says they honk just because they can). If a car's horn isn't honking the alarm is going off. There are people walking up and down the streets selling fruit, antennas, phone cards, and everything in between. Then there are the joyful noises we're creating in the hospital as we sing and play with the children. And my favorite noise is the fan that is powered by a jet engine that helps to keep our room cool. We're somewhere in between embracing the noise and forgetting it's there.

We had a great day of ministry. I (Kara) had the chance to go on a home visit in one of the

barrios with Kristin A., Ryan, Emma, and Elijah. Some members of the CURE team we are working with took us to see the Perez family. The patient we were visiting was Francisco, a 15 year old boy whose leg was amputated in January due to a tumor. His surgery was actually the day of the earthquake in Haiti. It was very encouraging to hear Francisco and his family share how God has used CURE to bless them and change their lives. Francisco is a very joyful young man who wants to be an architect when he grows up.

While we were on an adventure through Santo Domingo the rest of the team was hard at work in the hospital. Laura will share what they did at the hospital.

We spent the first part of the morning in the waiting room, singing, coloring and making balloon animals with the children while they waited to see the doctors

for follow-up. Webster and I (Laura) spent some time with a little guy named Angel. He is in a body cast following surgery for what appears to be scoliosis, and is facing another surgery in December. He is 7 years old and likes baseball. At first he was really reserved, but after Webster finished coloring with him, the interpreter and I started asking him questions, and we even got him to smile. He is a precious little boy with incredible eyes and a sweet smile. Check out a picture of Angel

This afternoon, the entire team worked for a second day on cleaning out a room being used as storage that is supposed to be the physical therapy department. Several of our students 'went the extra mile', hauling MANY pairs of crutches and walkers up to the floor above. The students as a whole are maintaining great attitudes and flexibility in serving without complaining. We are proud of them and you should be too.

Everyone is feeling well so far. We've eaten some Dominican food both at the hospital and out at restaurants, and we even had pizza last night--eaten outside in the middle of a torrential downpour! This afternoon was the first time since we arrived that it stopped raining for any length of time, which is apparently quite unusual for the DR. We are glad that our reason for being here wasn't to work on our tans! We do pray that the weather will clear by the end of the week when we are scheduled to go sight seeing.

Prayer Requests:

1. Continued safety and health.

2. That we would serve with willing hearts and good attitudes.

3. Continued flexibility as we set our American watches and schedules to the laid back Dominican time.

4. That we would focus on the work God has for us here and not be distracted by the things waiting for us at home.

5. That we would continue to have good relationships as a team - we're living in very close quarters and have little time away from the group.