Greetings from the Dominican Republic! I hope the summer months have been everything you were hoping they would be. We don't really get any sense of seasons in Azua; it is always hot and sunny. I am going to be very jealous of the fall change of temperatures and scenery.

When Letzbia and I go to the capital, Santo Domingo, about every two weeks or so, we usually stay the night at a hospitality house run by a sister of St. Joseph from New York, Babs Barry. She has lived in the DR for about 20 years and knows this place like nobody else. I'm sure I've mentioned the hospitalty house in other letters because it is such a great ministry. It is called the Posada del Buen Samaritano and she receives medical patients from our diocese, the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana, who need to see doctors and have procedures done in the capital. Most are very poor and live in the countryside where there is very little access to good medical treatment.

When we ususally stay at the Posada we get to know some of the patients and their conditions and we take some time to relax and sleep in, an escape from our daily routine before heading back the next day to Azua. I write "usually" becuase I am at the Posada right now, but as a patient. (You were probably wondering why I gave the big lead in.)

About three weeks ago I started to get a high fever and developed a cough. We were in the middle of hosting a group of ten from the US for a music program in the communities. As it turns out I had/have bronchial-pneumonia. I spent five days in a clinic in Azua (a very nice clinic) where they got my fever under control and got me on the way to recovery. I then accepted the invitation of Sister Babs to continue my recovery at the Posada. I saw a doctor here in the capital two days ago and had a chest x-ray and blood test. It seems I am getting better although I have developed anemia and still need to rest. So, I will be fine, and after confirming that I am fully recovered, with a proper diet I can proceed with a measured reinsertion into our work schedule, which I am afraid is falling unfairly on Letzbia. She is conscious, however, of her limits and will do all she can do without putting her own health at risk.

I thought I would share with you a little about the other seven patients that are here at the Posada. Emerson is 17 and is recovering from an operation on his femur as the bone was infected (osteomielitis). Odalis is 16 and will be heading to the US next week with Sister Babs for heart surgery, a procedure they do not do here in the country. Ricardo is 29 and is going through rehab after operations on his legs; four years ago he was struck with some infection or disease that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He can now walk, with difficulty, with a walker, but very slowly and just a few meters. The last male is a 12 year old named Priscilio. He has the same condition of osteomielitis but in his jaw and is hoping to get some treatment.

There are tree women here: one has an eight-month old (Jaquelin) with eye problems. Another is a women in her forties with a heart condition. The last one is Dominga who is back again to have a tumor remover from her neck area. She is 50 and the tumor apparently has spread. Just having them here in a safe place with people who care about them is only a small part of the battle. Getting and keeping the appointments, getting the presciptions filled, getting beds at the hospital for procedures, etc. is the other constant struggle. And even when their day arrives a doctor can cancel and set a date weeks into the future. So in that case they would probably get back on a bus and travel the 2-5 hours back home until they are due back. And when they need it, the Posada is there for them.

And I have been very lucky that the Posada has been here for me. Besides Sister Babs there are three students who help with the driving and errands: Henry who is studying to be a dental hygenist, Judy who is studying medicine, and Leonel who is studying electrical engineering. Oliva, who is currently suffering from osteoporosis, cooks the noon meal; Lucia cooks the evening meal; and Irma cleans the rather large house daily. Please keep all of these workers and patients in your prayers.

It seems that the Global Youth Mission trip sponsored by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee was a success as they brought guitars and other instruments to the communities of the parish. About 30 people learned the basics of guitar, half of whom will be able to continue practicing as 14 guitars were donated to the communities.

Next week we have a youth retreat planned for 30 youth from the parish. Our goal is to educate them on a model for growth in their groups fashioned for use in all of Latin America. We will try to adapt it to the reality of our youth in their region of the country, but use the basic structure to ensure that the youth meetings are geared to their growth, and not just in their faith lives.

We are in the planning stages for the visit of another delegation (of 19) from Milwaukee in September headed by Archbishop Weakland and Bishop Sklba. The visit is to commemorate the 20 years that the sister relationship has existed between the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Sagrada Familia parish. We will show then the parish area and they will participate in numerous events alongside their Dominican hosts.

We are also working on creating a video for mission education use in the Archdiocese. I hope you will be able to see it after October, which is the deadline.

We are not yet ready to describe our plans for the fall as we have no idea what they are right now. Family and friends in Nicaragua continue to express the current difficulties. The way the November election is looking, however, things could be very exciting.

Peace to all of you in your work and studies and leisure,

Aug. 23, 2001