Thursday, March 29, 2007

Stolen Power...





The third time they stole the electrical lines, they left us hanging... The neighbors were kind enought to fix it.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

PRAY!!!


Please pray for Alex Abreu, a student of mine. His mother's name is Aida and his father's name is Jose. He was just released from ICU with a fractured back, recovering from a bad infection and blood clots in his lungs. He is a very precious and intelligent child who is scared and sad right now. He and his family could use any prayers you have.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Second Grade Online

My Second grade class has its own page. It was just started so I will be sure to keep you posted when new stuff comes out.
Check it out at: www.doulossecondgrade.blogspot.com

Friday, March 23, 2007

No power, but not from blackouts.


I sit here on a Friday afternoon overwhelmed by the sound of the hard rain on the tin roof. The sound fills my whole body and just makes me want to be curled up in my bed with a good book, feeling safe and warm.


Two days ago thieves stole our power lines - the actual wire that carries the electricity - only 11 days after we replaced them from the previous power line theft. This makes the count at 3 times. This time, however, they only stole the part in front of our house because there are no street lights. It made me begin to feel very uneasy in my own home. I mean I know they already stole the line, so they won't come back, but it makes me realize that it really is Jesus who protects me as I live here. I also wonder, who is so desperate? In this country there isn't a single person who doesn't have a struggle with lights - rich and poor alike. Everyone has at least spent some part of thier life living without electricity. So to think that someone would be so desperate, makes me realize even more how imporant it is to show that Jesus can make the difference.


Please pray for our neighborhood as well as the people responsible for this act. Pray that the economy would improve so people wouldn't be tempted to steal.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Culture Shock Never Gets Old


I am one of the lucky teachers who gets internet in the classroom... I guess I'm not as behind as I thought...I still suddenly feel like everyone is living these very interesting lives (reading blogs) and here I am stuck in the same stuff everyday. But I really think that I have just arrived at the point where everything seems so normal (no lights, no water, changing plans every 30 sec, new challanges every day...) that I don't realize (and share) what an experience or adventure I am having...I just suddenly want to see all the people I miss in my life. I want to spend time with the people who are comfortable. I want to walk on carpet and drink a gourmet coffee drink. I want to be with the people who know me and I know them ... culture shock strikes again...

Monday, March 12, 2007

Water, water, water...




Some people don't have running water, some people don't have running water, some people don't have running water...


These are the words that I utter as I step under the steady stream of very cold water that I have to shower with. And it's true - some people DON'T have running water. I have been bathing with cold water because the electrcity has been on some-what of a schedule. It goes out around 5 or 6 and comes back around 10pm. No electricity means no hot water. But at least I have water! (There have been times when we don't!)


Last week Pre-school through 2nd grade went to the water park. We had a blast! Check out the pics!

Thursday, March 01, 2007

After three years, still learning...



This last weekend was the celebration of Independence Day - Feb 27. We had a four day weekend. One day I went to the beach and one day I slept almost the whole day. It was wonderful to have a chance to rest and relax. My trip to the beach was typical of a Dominican Trip. While my American friends spent thier four days sunning and relaxing on the beach, I decided to only go one day, so my Dominican friends would go with me. I learned a lot about myself and was confronted with my cultural ideas.


We agreed that we would meet at my friend Griebys (Gravy + s) house and leave no later than 8:30am. It is a two hour trip to the beach from Jarabacoa. We didn't leave until 11:45am. Then once we were on the way, a friend called and said he could now come, would we wait for him. Of course we would.


Now I am used to this type of thing. It's not that Dominican's are always late or that they are lazy or any such thing. It's just that the most important thing is the group and we won't leave until everyone is ready. After a few more stops and great pics we finally arrived at the beach at 2:00pm. We then, of course, had to eat.


I finally hit the chair and the sun at 2:30pm, while my Dominican friends played volleyball, played in the ocean or played in the sand. (Note to self - not at any moment did they actually sit in a lounge chair). At 4:40 I was promptly told that we were going to leave. I couldn't believe my ears. There was no way. I thought surely we would there until late in the night, seeing as how we arrived late.


LESSON: Dominicans do not go to the beach to relax. Dominincans go to the beach to play and play hard. If I want to lay around in the sun all day, I need to go to the beach with my North American friends.


OVERALL IT WAS FUN!!!