Wednesday 7-7-10

I've spent a lot of time lately working on the DR web page. I believe I mentioned in an earlier post that I have never built a real web site before. That is the truth. About two weeks before coming here my buddy Scott talked me into buying software and all these plugins for building web pages. The next day I thought why in the world did I buy all that stuff for a site I don't even know if I will build. You know, procrastination. Besides I was getting ready to leave for the DR and I knew I wouldn't do it before then so what a wast of money for now. The director of SI DR picked me up from the airport at about 11:15 pm. Maybe one mile down the road he starts to tell me about some things he's thought about for me to become involved in. He says, "Can you build me a web page? I'd really like a web page. We could really use one". My mind raced back to my thoughts about a waste of money to buy all that software. I said, "Well, I do happen to have all the software for building web pages on my computer. But, I don't know how to use it. I suppose...I could...learn." So I officially became the one most knowledgable on the base about building web pages. So I have been on a big learning curve for this project. My friend Scott has gotten me through all the big issues. Like, everything is a big issue! So yesterday was a staff meeting and I actually had a page mock up loaded on the internet to show everyone live! Hallelujah it worked! Granted it isn't at the moment but that can be remedied with another night up till midnight or so.

This afternoon I went out to Mata Gorda to video an interest meeting for women in the community who may want to join a new Micro Finance band being formed. Monday we walked around with fliers and invited all the women we could find. A good group showed up and were really enthusiastic about working with SI to start or enhance a small business. Right before the 20 min. drive out there a Huge storm moved in and dumped loads of tropical stormage. Creeks were running down roads and some trees were blown over. Where I was there was a monstrous ominous cloud that actually had a center section slowly rotating. There were rumors and reports of tornadoes in the area. The meeting went on without incident and I took some pictures of kids just getting out of preschool. I could shoot photos of these big brown eyed smiling bundles every day! So here are a few pictures. Sorry for all the reading if you hung in there for all this. I'll try to post more pictures and video next time : )
Here is the ominous looking cloud I talked about. The bottom has a doughnut shape and it was slowly turning in a circle. Over time I watched it form and turn more. It started pouring rain so I ran back to the school for cover and then the meeting started so I don't know what became of it.
This little boy was waiting to be picked up after school when it was pouring down rain.

This cute little girl was hanging out waiting for her older sister to get out of school. Don't you just want to pinch her cheeks!
This is the same little girl but being held by Katie, an SI staff teacher at this site.
This is Alberto. He also is a full time SI staff at this ministry site. This is also why some call me Poperatzee (in espanol). Because you never know when I might be shooting you : P