Street Sightings!

The roads here are nuts, but some days feel more outlandish than others. Motorcycles are the main form of transportation in Jarabacoa. One moto can serve the whole family (and sometimes their aunts, uncles, and neighbors too!) It's not uncommon to see a moto with 5 people on it. Just last week I rode sandwiched between two other teachers on a moto to go visit a student's family. Three on a moto - no big deal right?

To give you a glimpse of the roads here, I'm putting a compilation of pictures of things regularly on our streets! Of course, there have been many more surprises, but pausing to take a picture while driving is virtually impossible and generally inadvisable. So here's what some friends and I have been able to gather!

There are no words for this truck.

Anyone need a toilet?

If so, he can bring you one on his moto!

Public transit?

Ladders are overrated. So are electricians....

I promise, there's a moto under there!

Walking his horse on a bike. 

New chore. Mowing the car.

Traffic jam.

And I thought I over pack!!

Rush hour traffic.

Washing machine

This made my commute a little harder.

Buy your bread on the go!

A small truckload of  cabbage.

Just a normal drive in the van :D 

day in the life (newsletter below)

Here's a glimpse into my life in the DR!

One of the things I (usually) love about my life is the unpredictability of my daily routine. Yes, I do teach in a school and have a fairly regular schedule, but I still find myself here and there working on school projects, helping families in situations that arise, and visiting my students.

               There’s rarely a typical morning, so I hope it suffices to explain one day this week. It started with a rooster crowing. When I left for work I smelled this awful odor from outside my gate. I look around the corner to see someone decided to tie up their bull to our wall. Since it was not in my way, I continued on to school. Our dirt road was full of huge machinery, thanks to the presidential elections. Every four years the town receives new roads and free water as bribery, a small taste of the political corruption. Yet, there are no complaints here as my small sedan drove smoothly into town. I reached school and ran inside to make it to the morning meeting. I then taught my 8^th grade math class, followed by two elementary music classes. The kids were antsy to go to recess so we tried to move around the classroom the best we could. Lunch came and I ate with the preschoolers, a pile of rice and a few beans. Some kids filled their plate two or three times as they likely won’t have dinner. Then I headed back to my 8^th grade classroom in time to give some homework help. I’m thrilled that one student finally showed up after much encouragement! After two more rambunctious classes, my school day ended. I filled my car with teachers and students and drove towards the Ark (our children’s home), dropping them off along the way, and gathered the middle school girls and a house mom to go running. The Ark is beginning to be more active, which is excellent! We spent an hour walking/running in the Dominican mountains as we chatted about life. The streets were crowded with people and loud music as normal. We returned in time for coffee which lasted so long, that I ended up helping set for dinner and eating with the kids. Around 7:30 I made it home to prepare for another day. My days are full here, but I wouldn’t change much! I love getting to be a part of the transformations of the kids in our program!

Warmly,  Anna

If you wish to join in my ministry, please visit:     www.Kidsalive.org/AnnaLarson

kids on king's day

Shout out to those of you who have suggested I update this blog! Keep up the reminders :)

After visiting my family for Christmas, I arrived back to the DR to celebrate King's day with all of our kids, both at ANIJA and the Ark. I feel so lucky to be able to participate both with my own family and my Dominican family here, without having to choose one or the other. King's day is January 6th and is the day they celebrate the three wise men giving gifts to Jesus. We first celebrated King's day at the Ark with singing, the Christmas story and the much anticipated opening of gifts. Along with the expected chaos and excitement, I was humbled watching some of our newest kids, opening their gifts for the first time. There were a lot of smiles. The whole property was buzzing with skateboards, pillow pets, remote control cars, and dolls. (Now it's full of car parts and little mechanics, but well worth it!) Below are some pictures I was able to capture during the event.

1st King's Day at the Ark!!

Just days later we celebrated at Anija, my school. The kids came for the morning where we told the Christmas story, sang more songs and handed a present out to each child. Unlike the Ark, these kids live at home with their families, but still many did not have the luxury of receiving a gift at home. Here's a glimpse of our Anija celebration.

February 11 marks my first full year of living here in Jarabacoa. It hardly seems real. On one hand I have failed more times in this one year than the rest of my life put together. But as a result of this, and the kindness and grace of those around me, I have learned even more. I'm excited to continue on this journey, living and learning with the Dominicans, working together to make a brighter future for these kids!

habitats and hired hares!

Life is certainly busy in Jarabacoa! Between going to school, planning lessons, student house visits, worship band practice, small group meetings and the gym, there’s not much time for anything else. I wanted to take a moment to show off some of the work of my 8^th graders at a recent science fair they put on for the rest of the school. They worked really hard on studying specific animals and their habitats. One group even rented an albino rabbit for the day!! Honestly, not much surprises me anymore, even a large bunny at school! Here are a few pictures from the day.

Thanks for supporting me in this ministry. I am so excited to be able to take part in the work Kids Alive is doing to improve the lives of the kids in our school here in Jarabacoa. We see the transformations daily through both academic and personal growth in our students. Of course, I’ll keep trying to post when I can. I’m also planning a trip to the states for Christmas to visit both Wheaton and NH. Looking forward to seeing many of you! 

This little girl just arrived at the Ark!