playing catch-up

Hello! I just emerged from months of adjusting to new cultural norms, roles and routines. It’s unbelievable to me that I left for CIT (cross-cultural training) a year ago! Since then I’ve been on 22 airplanes, in 4 countries, and 11 states. I’ve learned a new language and started my teaching career. Some days I am in awe of how much God has worked in my life in such a brief time. It’s all been positive change, but unfortunately has pushed this blog to the back burner. As things are now settling down for what seems to be the foreseeable future, I’m eager to pick up where I left off and show you the work that God is doing in Jarabacoa.

This past summer I helped to lead the summer program at the Ark, our children’s home here in Jarabacoa. We studied math through games, learned some English, and squeezed a little time for fun and craziness! We went to the river each week, had talent shows, and ran in our annual Ark Marathon (don’t worry, it’s only 3 miles). It's always sad to see summer end, but at least here we get to keep the summer weather year round! 

Near the end of the summer my mom came down to visit and we were able to play tourist and explore more of Jarabacoa. There are many fun things to do, but with a to-do list brimming over it’s difficult to find the time. We also made it to the north coast– I just needed to prove that I really do live on an island ;)

I also had some other exciting visitors here in the DR! My church from Glen Ellyn, IL sent a group down to work in Santiago, our closest city. I was able to visit with this lovely team, hear about another ministry's work with children, and enjoy a lovely meal. Thanks GEECC for your service here and making time to meet up with me! 

Lastly, school has begun and is in full swing! About a week before it started, I was approached about being the school music teacher as that was the position they were unable to fill from the community. (Almost all of the ANIJA staff is Dominican) I also became the 8^th grade math teacher, which is right up my alley! With these new assignments and one week full of teacher workshops, I had some busy nights reading all that I could about teaching music and the Spanish vocabulary necessary to do so. In the US, I would be able to pull a plethora of songs out of my hat to sing with the younger students, but I realized that I only knew one children’s song in Spanish. The learning curve was steep, sleep was scarce, but five weeks later I’m still smiling. I often feel incapable, but by God’s grace and faithfulness I have found joy in my work and have grown immensely.

Thank you to all of you who have prayed and supported me on this journey. I’m very appreciative. If you would like to see more of the work of Kids Alive or donate, please check out my link here!