Second Day in Dominica

Our second day in Dominica began by remembering a special member of the family:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAE!

Sorry we can't be there to celebrate, but we will have a party here for you.

Being Sunday, of course we thought be better go to church.  Of course it was either walk a few miles or call a taxi.  It is quite hot and humid so we opted for the taxi.  It only costs $1 for each of us.  At least we didn't have to arrive all sweaty.  

It was a good day to be at church, there were several new medical students who had just arrived.  The new semester begins in one week.  You could pick out the new students, they looked a little nervous. Josh and the other "older" students were enjoying themselves with welcoming them and giving advise.  Many were married with children.  I couldn't imagine what an adventure that would be to come here with a family!

Krista, Josh and the Branch President, Elder White.  He and his wife are actually missionaries but have been assigned to be the branch president of the Portsmouth branch.  The members just love them.  They are going home in two weeks and really will be missed. The two elders and the one counselor will take over until the new couple arrive, which won't be for a few months.

The branch has only been in this building for just over a year.  They didn't even have a branch on Dominica until 2006.  Luckily for Krista and Josh things changed before they got here.  They average between 55 and 65 members each Sunday.  That's as many as we have in Norwich!!!

The branch is a mix of Dominicans, Haitians, and medical students (and families).  There is one elderly man who walks over 7 miles to get to church.  The branch president said he has not missed a Sunday.  There was also a Dominican family who have 5 children.  The parents couldn't come to church for some reason, but all five children were there. They walked with the two older sister and brother watching out for the younger three.  The oldest son just turned 12 and was ordained the first deacon of the branch.  He was so proud passing the sacrament all by himself.

After church and a few pictures we decided to walk home.  Luckily we had umbrellas, the sun is pretty intense.  Krista and Josh were really craving a roast and mashed potatoes. Tom bought a roast in Puerto Rico, we froze it in the hotel kitchen and carried it in a freezer bag to Dominica. Walking home wasn't too bad because we had the roast to look forward to, although the kitchen was pretty warm.

  

In their backyard there is this cow.  This morning when we looked out Josh went nuts.  He said, "the cow had a calf!"  They didn't even know the cow was pregnant.  The after-birth was still attached to the cow so Josh said the calf had just born within the past few hours.  We went out and took the picture and of course the white duck had to be included.

This is a mango tree.  There are mango, grapefruit, orange and lime trees everywhere. Bananas, plantains and coconuts are plentiful, as well. You can just stop and pick what you want.  Most people don't own land so you are not stealing.  It is just difficult to know what is ripe and ready to pick.  

Well, Au revoir from Dominica until tomorrow. 

(They speak English and French here)