No copier, no workbooks, no supplies to create my lesson plan. My day begins with writing the English alphabet again on the small chalk board with colored chalk. My team and I teach one class in the morning and one in the afternoon as well. We have the opportunity to teach young children as well as middle school aged children. I absolutely love being in the classroom with them, it can be hard with one class having 38 little ones who have so much energy they can’t control themselves. I am amazed at how smart these children and how much they soak in what we are teaching them. When we are spotted around town, kids come running at us screaming “Americanos Americanos” with huge grins on their faces. Yesterday we had a huge rainstorm and kids in their skippies were filling the streets, as my team and I joined them (fully clothed haha) for our first shower since we left. I was consumed with overwhelming joy as I played in the streets of the DR with my team and the children God has chosen us to minister to. To see the joy on the children faces, was like seeing Gods love for all of His children young and old. The children would catch the rain water off the roof in to old coke bottles or buckets the dump it on the Americanos. Who would have thought a simple coke bottle and rain can create memories for a lifetime.
We are located deep into the mountains about an hour outside of San Juan in a village called Arroyo Cano. We are living in a church, in which our host is the preacher of the church. In the DR the people are very hospitable. I had casually asked our host when we arrived that I would love to learn how to cook Dominican food, and every time there is cooking that needs to be done he teaches me and allows me to cook. Last night we made empinadas. (stuffed crispy pockets full of meat and cheese) they were beyond good. Most of our cooking is done by candlelight, sometimes headlamp if we find them, which creates a fun challenge.
It has been amazing to see how God has not only placed people in my lives but also circumstances to learn more about myself and how to strengthen my weaknesses while being thankful for my strengths. God has truly blessed me with wonderful people who surround me and I beyond bless to serve along side them daily.
Internet is truly scarce where we are, so updates will limited this month. I will do my best to have blogs prepared ahead of time so that when I am able to connect I can keep you all updated. Please continue to pray for my team, all though we are having a wonderful time and love our ministry sight, communication can become difficult when we don’t know the language. My Spanish is coming back a little, I can understand more than I can speak. I should have listened more in Mrs. Barone’s Spanish class. We are trying to build relationships with the people and we are trying to learn Spanish songs and phrases. Thank you for all of your prayers!
If you would like to contact me, facebook, email, or this blog are the best ways to reach me. My email is [email protected]
Stay in tune, I will do my best to get you pictures of this beautiful place.
