Usual morning and breakfast routine. Loaded into two trucks and headed out for shoe shine boys camp. For those of you who don't know the shoe shine boys are the street "riffraff"of the Dominican republic. They are usually homeless boys or poor boys who ranges from the age of 6-18. Most of them either grow up involved with drugs, sexual immorality, and drunkenness. The boys aren't help accountable by anyone and are therefore their own little business managers at very young ages.

On the way to the camp Peter, Jin, and Daniel were dropped off at the local park where we loaded the boys onto a bus, helped with crowd control, and travel to the camp.Once we had all 140 people (including us) aboard we set out for camp Bethel and unloaded all the boys. We divided the boy into four groups ( by physical height and size not age), pinned name on their name tags, and collected their shoe shine equipment. Once we had everyone accounted for we went to the opening session were we performed a mime, two puppet shows, and music. Following the opening session we rotated each group between 5 stations: Games, puppet creation, crafts, medical (and bubbles while they waited). After the activities we ate a homemade lunch of rice, beans, and beef.

Shortly after lunch we went back to the main meeting room and gathered for the closing session where we clearly laid out the message of the Gospel. Once the closing was complete we gave out bags of donated goods, shoe polish, and clothes to the boys. It was incredible to see the genuine excitement in these tough street boys. Finally we loaded everyone into the bus and dropped the boys off at the park. What a crazy day! It was encouraging to hear Frank, one of the native missionaries describe how he lived on the streets. He told us that he went to many such events only for the food (such as these kids) but that every time there was something nagging at his heart. He told us that many of the followers of Jesus followed him just because of his ability to provide food but that good came through the circumstances. How encouraging!

Tonight we had to say good-bye to Nieves, Katy, and Abbey. Katy and Abbey traveled here from Maryland by themselves and have been apart of our team for the last week. What a blessing and encouragement they have been to all on the team. Nieves is a local Dominican who is pen pals with the girls when they are back in the States. Nieves has become very involved with our group and is helping with the Spanish translating. All three will be missed greatly!

PRAISE:

• Good Health
• 127 shoe shine boys
• Shoe shine boys behaved fantastically
• Teams passion and concern for shoe shine boys
• Great food and fellowship at guesthouse
• Safe travel

PRAY:

• Medical clinic in village tomorrow
• Games, mimes, medical, and outreach are effective
• Energy and strength to make it through the day (some of us are getting really worn down)
• Flexibility and creativity with problem solving
• Proper team wrap up of planned ministry opportunities
• Jin's throat and Tammy's energy level
• Preparations for home
• Patience with EVERYONE in the team
• persistence in accomplishing our goal and that we would finish the race strong