(Maybe that should read "Jarabacoa-Round 3!")
Okay, its official. I am a horrible blogger. Ironically, I love to write, but as you might find out in the following paragraphs I am perhaps too busy for my own good, so blogging often goes on the back burner.
Well, this is going to be a quick update on my life. Nothing too fancy or too detailed, (or edited!), but I feel like I should write something!
After spending a very short, but very sweet summer back home in Illinois I'm back in Jarabacoa! I'm so glad I came back. Living here is so much easier the 2nd time around. Its fun being here and actually enjoying the life I made here. I think you know a place is home when you can walk into the vegetable market and the vendors immediately know you. I love it :)
As for teaching, I am really enjoying that the second time around too. This year is a big reality check though. I know it might not sound like it to you fellow American "edgies" and teachers, but 19 kids is alot for our school to have in one classroom.The rooms are small, there is no air conditioning, and children here are just raised to act very differently than most children in the States. Oh, and most of them don't speak or understand alot of english. Joy! Needless to say both the 1st grades at JCS are packed with kids and Kristin, the other teacher, and I are both exhausted. But I am learning alot and growing so much as a teacher.
Brian is also in my class again this year. He is a special needs boy who is from the barrio (the slums) right behind my house. It has been so so exciting to see the improvements he has made since last year. He knows so much English and his behavior is miles beyond what it was last year. God is so good :)
Brian and his friends will come over every once in a while and hang out. Its fun, but also dangerous. I hate to be so blunt, but some of the people who live in the barrio are hard to trust. There were actually some things stolen from the house below us this last week by some people from the barrio. They use kids to get into small places and that's what happened in this case. Anyways, its been rough knowing how to handle ministering to these boys. They need so much love and care, but we also never know if they are being sent by adults to steal. Its a really sad reality of living here. So, if you think of it, pray for wisdom. And pray that the stolen belongings be some how compensated for. Also, they think that the man who robbed the house is the same man who was connected to another robbery that same night. He stole a moto, kidnapped an underage girl, bought a bunch of drugs and took off for another city. In this country the sex slave industry is huge. Its actually #3 in the world. Pray that that girl is not sold as a prostitute and returned home. I don't know her personally, but she is from our neighborhood.
Speaking of all that, Kristin will be leaving JCS in January to start a safe house for girls that are rescued from sex trafficking. In fact, they have already started the house and I was just there helping them set up and hang out with the girls. I am so happy for her and her husband, Dave, to start this new ministry. Kristin is my best teacher friend here. She is so great at school and has taught me so much about teaching. Its going to be hard teaching without her.
God is incredible. Everyday I am learning more to trust in him to give me the strength, peace, love, patience..(the list goes on) to live here. He is teaching me what it really means to have a relationship with him, like he is my friend. Its so hard sometimes, but knowing him is so worth it.
Post comments, or write my on facebook. I want to hear about whats going on on the home front!
