Above is a picture of the Ark, the Kids Alive residential homes here. I've been in Jarabacoa, D.R. for one week now! I feel like this week has been a bit of a whirlwind and I'm finally able to sit down and ponder what I've just experienced. Let me say that I am feeling very excited at this point for what the next two years hold.
God has blessed me with a great roommate, first of all. Katie (above) has been here over a year now, and has been a HUGE help so far. She has such a laid back, peaceful personality and demeanor that has been so wonderful over this week of transition. I feel completely comfortable asking questions (which, poor thing, have been about 100 per day) and we've already shared meals and laughs together. There is another Katie as well, who lives right next door with her husband Michael. She has been really fun to hang out with and works at the same school as me - ANIJA - as the English teacher. Everyone else I've met here have been wonderful as well. They are so helpful and I've been invited by almost everyone to a meal or birthday party. Talk about feeling included as the new girl!
Below is a pic of some of the kids working on projects for their sponsors...
The kids had a crazy hat competition.... I was so impressed with their creativity and how much fun they had with this project!
My favorite part so far, which simultaneously has been the hardest, is the kids. I started work on Monday, training some in the library and helping with sponsorship projects. These children are amazing. They are so excited to meet me before they even know who I am, and just wanted to hug on me and hold my hand all the time. It was also difficult because a) I've never worked with that many children at one time before b) many of them have very loud, "big" personalities and it was difficult for me to control them c) I still don't know Spanish very well, and when the children mumble, as most do, it's hard to understand them. There were many times where I felt frustrated and overwhelmed, and just prayed that God would fill me with peace and patience so I didn't come across as someone who was being cruel and doesn't care about them. I thought some this week about how much influence adults have over children: the way they love, speak to one another, and live their life. I really want to be even a small influence on their lives while I'm here, but I feel like there is such a fine line between showing the children love, gentleness, and patience, and then disciplining them well and not letting them take advantage of you. At this point, I have no idea how you do that, but it is something I'm going to strive to improve on. I want to learn how to love people better in general and I'm sure I can learn a lot while here and in this position.
Below is a child, Jendersor, who lives at the Ark. He is so sweet and obsessed with my sunglasses...
This next week is going to be a little different than the previous one where I was working every day in the library, reading to the smaller children and managing the older ones as they came in to check out books, or just hang out during recess. We are not having library classes and there is no school on Thursday and Friday. So I'll have some good time to get the library more organized and see if there are any systems that might work better for me and be more efficient. It is going to be a busy week though because the Director of Kids Alive in South America has asked Katie and I to stay at his house and care for his four children while he and his wife attend a meeting in Africa. We will be house/baby/dog sitting starting this coming Wednesday and finishing the next. I've never, ever nannied for that long and feel a bit intimidated. Prayers for wisdom and peace in the midst of all that!
As many of you also may be wondering, I will officially start driving my motorcycle this afternoon (Saturday). The Director at ANIJA, so basically my boss, is going to give me lessons. I have to say, this is the thing that scares me the most right now, but I'm hoping for a safe lesson and that I will feel confidence as I begin so I don't just freak out and crash :)
Above is a pic of "my" library :)
There is so much going on all the time here. I'm trying to get used to this life where things are constantly changing and it seems like plans can happen or fall through just minutes before they start. It's fun though and hopefully I will gain an even more spontaneous side that I see in so many of the missionaries here.
Thanks to everyone who has been praying! It means so much to me. Please pray that as I start even more new things in the next week, I will continue to have smooth transition - that Jesus will continue to protect me, but even more than that, just that I can feel His presence. I want Him to be at the center of my world even in the midst of all these changes! Please pray also for Katie and I as we care for the VanDerMolen children - that it won't be too chaotic and that everyone stays safe. Until next time ... Hebrews 13:8
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