May 2010
Dear Friends and Family,
Many of you have been closely following my life over the last four years as I have been studying at Bethel College. I have been blessed to have been across the country and around the world in pursuit of my Elementary Education and Spanish studies. This past year was my busiest yet as I completed classes, student taught, worked part time and began the lengthy and in-depth process of job hunting! Well, on May 2 I finally completed my degree and received my diploma from Bethel College! I have been so blessed to have been able to have such a rich educational experience and have supportive people, such as yourself, in my life.
So, whats next for me? Some of you might have known of my desire to live and work overseas. After spending a semester in the Dominican Republic, God had confirmed my desire to use teaching as a means for international ministry. So, starting this last winter I spent my fair share of time filling out applications and interviewing for several schools around the world. Despite my own efforts, it was God’s plan that prevailed over my own. While my trip to the Dominican strongly shaped and influenced my desire to be overseas, I never expected to return to teach. However, God had different plans. With that said, I have accepted a 1st grade teaching position at Jarabacoa Christian School (JCS) in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic.
JCS is an independent, non-profit, college preparatory Christian School in Jarabacoa, a beautiful city in the mountains. While the majority of students attending JCS are Dominican, a few expatriate families send their children there. The school is ten years old and was started as a gift to the Dominican people. The school’s primary purpose is that each student would come to know Christ as his/her personal savior and receive a quality Christian education. I will be teaching a first grade class and am very excited to begin my school year in August.
Jarabacoa is the city where I spent a semester on my first trip to the D.R. During that time I lived with two different host families, took classes, worked at a preschool and made deep friendships with neighbors in my community. When I return I will be living in a Dominican neighborhood with two fellow teachers, only minutes from my first host family. I feel so blessed to be able to return to the city and people that were so influential in life. I look forward to building relationships with my students, their families, fellow staff members and neighbors. Please keep me in your prayers as I enter this mission field in Jarabacoa.
I have been directly hired by JCS for two years and will be receiving a salary that will pay for living expenses while living in Jarabacoa. However, the salary will not cover extra costs, such as travel expenses and start up costs for our house. All JCS staff members are recommended to raise about $2,000 for their first year of service to cover these extra costs. If you feel lead to minister to the people of Jarabacoa by financially supporting me you can do so by giving to Village Bible Church. You may write checks to Village Bible Church (address below) with JCS in the memo line.
Village Bible Church
600 Kuhn Road
Carol Stream, IL 60188
I greatly appreciate your prayers and support as I begin this new and exciting part of my life!
In His Love,
Johanna Craig
