Quisqueyano's Celebrated

Well, it's the end of a very busy week and a very long Friday. Here in the DR, Monday is our Independence Day, so things are gearing up for a big (I mean big) party weekend. It is also the highest point in the period of carnival, which by the way for those of you who think it's all fun and games; come visit here for awhile. You will see within seconds that it is evil and brings darkness with it.

But on a much brighter note, today was our Independence day celebration and it was awesome (check out the pics). The kids sang patriotic songs, recited poems they had written about the pride they have for thier country and being "Dominicano" and presented some awesome dances.

Please keep this country in your prayers this weekend. There is a much bigger battle going on than we can really grasp right now. Praise God that Jesus is victorious! :) Viva La Republica Dominicana! Que Viva!

Valentine's Day

Happy (Late) Valentine's Day Everyone! For my Valentine's day, I celebrated with the 8th graders. Because they did such an amaizing job working with the work team (with rarely a complaint), the recieved the reward of pizza. Tuesday happened to be the only day available in our busy school schedule, but conviently it was the Day of Love and Friendship (Dia de Amor y Amistad) as we affectionately call it. It was great! (Don't worry mission trip folks from BPC, we'll get a chance to eat with them too!) Check out the pics of my beautiful 8th graders!

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Last week the jr highers worked with our first work team. It was an awesome chance to share with them and get to know each other. Check out the pictures!



Last weekend I spent the weekend in Samana and saw whales. It was amaizing! To think that God created a living breathing creature that big, was incredibule. We saw a whale jump straight out of the water - it was like Discovery channel stuff! Check out the pics!

Who can believe its Feb already!

Well, I suppose it's time for another update. Things here aren't really any different than a few weeks ago. I have settled back into the idea of having to work and enjoying the challanges of teaching. We have begun weekly seminars on how to teach for non-teachers, or to say those of us who have not studied education. They greatly encourage me and remind me that I am not crazy and I am not a complete failure at teaching. If any of you have advice, PLEASE send it to me! We are using the text The First Days of School by Harry & Rosemary Wong. It is very imformative. However, the text says that the first few days of school decide the rest of the year. It makes me wonder if any of these great, new ideas can be implemented this far into the school year.
I am counting down the days until the work team from my church gets here(March - please pray). I am very excited to share my life with them! Our first work team from Minn arrives on Friday and will begin work the same day! It's always exciting to have work teams come visit.
For those of you who know some of my friends here, April is pregnant! She works at the Young Life camp and is one of the first people I ever met here. Please pray for her new, growing family!
I have a new roommate (picture above) named Elizabeth Eckland. She works for Students International and is an awesome sisiter in Christ. It has been a wonderful encouragement to have her in the house these last few days. I am excited for what God has for us in the future!