Noel trounces our future home...

According to weather radar, tropical storm Noel has officially passed over the DR, but the effects of its torrential rains and high winds remain for our Dominican and Haitian brothers and sisters. The DR's Emergency Operations Center's latest bulletin reports that at least 41 people are dead, 20 are missing and more than 50,000 have been evacuated. We assume that flooded rivers and mudslides have caused the most destruction.

On Monday, Jack and Jenny had to leave Cielo prematurely due to flooding in the streets below. Apparently Cielo residents were marooned for some time as the rising river surrounded our beloved hilltop village. Nick took these amazing, comparative shots of the river valley from Club Bamboo.





Jack, Nick and Jenny flew home yesterday, and although their flights departed as scheduled, heavy rains continued as they took off. According to Jack, many were concerned because the 30+ inches of rain forced the government to increase water flow out of the country's river dams, increasing the risk of more severe flooding downstream. Anyway, we're very grateful that they are home safely.

Lindsay and I made fast friends with a missionary couple back in March. Michael and Kristen Shaul live in San Juan de la Maguana, officially in the DR's "Sur" but actually northwest of Santo Domingo. San Juan, notorious for flooding, lies at the base of a major mountain range called Cordillera Central. We are very concerned for their health, especially since Kristen is eight months pregnant. In addition to praying for our friends in the communities, PLEASE pray for Michael, Kristen and the babe, and their ability to minister in the midst of disaster.