The Cercadillo Project

Congratulations to these 10 women who passed their exam today!  (One not pictured left early with a sick child.)

During our discipleship time on Wednesday mornings we have been memorizing the books of the New Testament and these women can rapidly say the books in order.   This may sound “old school” and boring to some, but we have had a great deal of fun.  We even do the Bible drill games where you race to see who can find a passage first.  Probably not something I would try with adults in the States, but my women love every game I can come up with!

The women challenged themselves today to help the other 20+ women in the group to learn the books as well.  How great is that?

The women often tell me that being more familiar with the Bible has helped to take away some of the mystery of a book that they never thought applied to them.    Just this morning a woman came with a verse she had found and wanted to share with the group.  A spontaneous discussion broke out.  It was excellent!

What a joy to watch them growing stronger!

Yaquelin is proudly showing the spinach from her garden.  Isn’t it exciting to think about all the vitamins the villagers are adding into their diet with these fresh leafy vegetables?

From my American childhood I’m seeing images of Popeye, without the pipe. 🙂  It does occur to me that there may be Dominican children who aren’t as thrilled about the spinach method for growing stronger!

When the weather gets warmer and the humidity increases it is common for many of our children to develop “hongos” or sores in their scalps.  If untreated these sores become large, infected and quite unsightly.  At times the hair follicles are destroyed and the children have a bald spot.

A Dominican doctor taught me how to make an anti-fugal shampoo that works well for stopping the progress of the “hongos.”  I have made it periodically in my home and then taken it out to families in the village.   The moms have often commented how well this formula works and some now ask for it at the first sign of an “hongo.”

As I started to make up a new batch recently the thought occurred to me, “Why am I making this?  Why don’t I teach the women to make it?”  The villagers aren’t the only ones learning!

Yesterday I took out all the supplies and explained how to make the anti-fungal shampoo.  They did a great job of making it and then dividing it between the 27 interested women.  They also divided the cost – approximately 73 cents per 1/2 soda bottle.

One more step toward independence for them – one less thing on my “to-do” list.  That’s what I call a win-win!