Day 3 - 2026

Day 3

Wednesday 1/21/26

Today was a National Holiday in the D.R.- celebrating the Virgin of Altagracia. Since the Children’s Center was closed we helped with some rehab/clean up of “the cafeteria”.

The Cafeteria is a small business run by Vision Celestial church which is open mornings and afternoons until 6pm, serving breakfast, lunches, snacks. Though it started as a bakery, it’s been operating,successfully, in its present form for about 2 years. We worked alongside the Compassion staff scraping, painting, scrubbing and tree trimming.

Lunch and laughter followed at the Children Center. I learned that correct pronunciation matters…mucho hambre (very hungry) means something quite different than mucho hombre (a lot of men)!

Some of our team were able to connect today with children they have sponsored for many years-these children are now flourishing young adults studying for new careers and involved in their local churches.

On the way home we took a ride on the Teleferica, the gondola that is part of Santo Domingo’s public transit system.

After a quick rest some of us went out to Los Tres Ojos National Park, a series of limestone caves and underground lakes. Words can’t adequately describe the breathtaking beauty God created here. I hope the pictures can provide a glimpse.

Rainstorms and ice cream runs, devotions and craft prepping rounded out Day 3.

Blessed to be here

Sharon for the DR team