As I was gathering my materials and books after the final class on Thursday, a few of my tenth grade students stayed after class asking questions about the piano, about music, and in general making conversation. Reaching for my portable dry-erase board, I noticed that one of the three girls had written their nicknames on the board along with "Las Fuertes" ("The Strong"). Gathering around, they wanted to be sure that I KNEW that they were "The Strong."
Throughout the four weeks that I have been teaching, I have heard the term "fuerte" used to describe an age group, grade, or an individual student. It basically means, "that crowd can be hard to handle." As I prayed for wisdom this week about a particularly hard situation, the answer unexpectedly came after my introduction to the calm and cool (attempting to be unsettling?) "Las Fuertes" of the tenth grade. These students may be "strong," but GOD is stronger yet!
Ephesians 6:10 says, "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."
I rejoice in the fact that I serve the Almighty God, who fills me with the power of His Holy Spirit as I depend upon Him for strength.
Although there have been challenges (please continue to pray for the 5th and 9th grades!), there have also been blessings, as I have seen the continued eagerness to learn and grow in many students. Thank you for your faithful prayers!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
The Best-Laid Plans...
Throughout the week, I watched with wonder as my best-laid plans went awry with the unpredictability of students, equipment, weather, and even marker boards. Despite the unexpected, it was not a bad week, and just gave me an even greater opportunity to depend on God for strength and wisdom. There were some really wonderful moments, both in the classroom and in my work with the church that would not have happened if my best-laid plans had succeeded.
For various activities, I have been "adopted" by different young ladies in the church to help me get accustomed to the church, community, and school. This has been a blessing and a wonderful source of Christian fellowship. One example of this is the weekly visitation on Sunday afternoons. As my visitation partner and I walk toward the village, we are able to share with each other (in my limited Spanish) and get to know each other better. When we arrive at our destination, she gives me the opportunity to take part in sharing the Gospel with the women of the village. Dominicans, and especially those who have grown up in Catholicism, don't do anything fast, so last Sunday we were encouraged on a follow-up visit that a particular lady had actually been thinking about what we shared the week before and was open to hearing more Scripture verses. She has also visited the church a couple of times now, and we are praying that God will continue to open her heart to the truth of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone.
In the school, I continue to learn more about my students and made a concentrated effort this week to learn how to pronounce the names. Despite the generally easy nature of Spanish phonetics, this has proved to be a challenge at times. In the older classes, I am currently laying a Scriptural and practical foundation for much of what will be learned later in the semester. In the younger classes, each week is a different variation of the topic, giving more freedom with the curriculum and making it easy to bring the Bible into each lesson with a fresh application.
Thank you for your faithful prayers on my behalf. Please continue to pray for the students, that they would take the truth of God's Word to heart. Pray specifically for the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades, that they would have a calm spirit and be able to receive what I am trying to teach, both in the subject, in Biblical principles, and in respect for others. Please pray for the high school students as well, as they learn new skills (like research!) that are foreign to them. Please continue to pray for wisdom for me personally and a continued dependence upon God for strength. I am looking forward to what God is going to do for each of these students!
For various activities, I have been "adopted" by different young ladies in the church to help me get accustomed to the church, community, and school. This has been a blessing and a wonderful source of Christian fellowship. One example of this is the weekly visitation on Sunday afternoons. As my visitation partner and I walk toward the village, we are able to share with each other (in my limited Spanish) and get to know each other better. When we arrive at our destination, she gives me the opportunity to take part in sharing the Gospel with the women of the village. Dominicans, and especially those who have grown up in Catholicism, don't do anything fast, so last Sunday we were encouraged on a follow-up visit that a particular lady had actually been thinking about what we shared the week before and was open to hearing more Scripture verses. She has also visited the church a couple of times now, and we are praying that God will continue to open her heart to the truth of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone.
In the school, I continue to learn more about my students and made a concentrated effort this week to learn how to pronounce the names. Despite the generally easy nature of Spanish phonetics, this has proved to be a challenge at times. In the older classes, I am currently laying a Scriptural and practical foundation for much of what will be learned later in the semester. In the younger classes, each week is a different variation of the topic, giving more freedom with the curriculum and making it easy to bring the Bible into each lesson with a fresh application.
Thank you for your faithful prayers on my behalf. Please continue to pray for the students, that they would take the truth of God's Word to heart. Pray specifically for the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades, that they would have a calm spirit and be able to receive what I am trying to teach, both in the subject, in Biblical principles, and in respect for others. Please pray for the high school students as well, as they learn new skills (like research!) that are foreign to them. Please continue to pray for wisdom for me personally and a continued dependence upon God for strength. I am looking forward to what God is going to do for each of these students!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The second week of school brought new joys and challenges, as I began to get to know the students a little bit better. For the most part, the students seem to enjoy the class, and I have had some good opportunities this week to spend some time with individual students. God is evidently working in the lives of many of the students here, and I pray that God will give me the right words to say in the limited time that I have in each class and wisdom as I speak with the students one-on-one. I am praising God that my Spanish continues to improve, and that I was actually able to understand AND answer questions for which I had not specifically prepared. In my "hora libre," or, free time, my computer, Spanish hymnal, and Bible meet together to prepare for the next couple of classes.
Pictured above is a combined class of 11th and 12th graders, who, until the schedule was organized, had their music class together. Many of the high school students have a strong desire to learn, and one 9th grader told her family that the only problem with my class was that the schedule does not allow us to meet often enough. Many of the students in the grade school (below) also look forward to the class, and some of the other teachers have expressed a desire to have music classes for "los maestros" during the high school recess.
Little things are often a huge encouragement. A few days ago, a gray tree frog found it's way into my UPSTAIRS bedroom, where it proceeded to try and camouflage itself on the RED cello case. Realizing that it wasn't quite invisible, it hopped over to the flowered skirt hanging behind the cello, where it tried to grow petals and pretend it was a flower. Since the petals didn't grow, it thought it would make a quick get-away, but I was able to capture and transport it outside (but not without creating a scene among the Dominicans downstairs first... oh well, now they know I'm a country girl).
Another thing that came to my attention is that there is a orange tree on the farm, from which I will be allowed to take whatever I want when they ripen.
We had a rather heavy rain system pass through, and below is the result. The "Juan Tomás River" pictured is actually the road that leads from the main road to the farm, church, and school. In the Dominican Republic, SUVs become rather important sometimes if you want to get anywhere.
Thank you for your prayers! Many of the "problem" students were unusually respectful and quiet this week. Please continue to pray as I continue to learn about each student, their family, and their spiritual needs.
Pictured above is a combined class of 11th and 12th graders, who, until the schedule was organized, had their music class together. Many of the high school students have a strong desire to learn, and one 9th grader told her family that the only problem with my class was that the schedule does not allow us to meet often enough. Many of the students in the grade school (below) also look forward to the class, and some of the other teachers have expressed a desire to have music classes for "los maestros" during the high school recess.
Little things are often a huge encouragement. A few days ago, a gray tree frog found it's way into my UPSTAIRS bedroom, where it proceeded to try and camouflage itself on the RED cello case. Realizing that it wasn't quite invisible, it hopped over to the flowered skirt hanging behind the cello, where it tried to grow petals and pretend it was a flower. Since the petals didn't grow, it thought it would make a quick get-away, but I was able to capture and transport it outside (but not without creating a scene among the Dominicans downstairs first... oh well, now they know I'm a country girl).
Another thing that came to my attention is that there is a orange tree on the farm, from which I will be allowed to take whatever I want when they ripen.
We had a rather heavy rain system pass through, and below is the result. The "Juan Tomás River" pictured is actually the road that leads from the main road to the farm, church, and school. In the Dominican Republic, SUVs become rather important sometimes if you want to get anywhere.
Thank you for your prayers! Many of the "problem" students were unusually respectful and quiet this week. Please continue to pray as I continue to learn about each student, their family, and their spiritual needs.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
School Begins!
It has been an exciting week for me, as I taught each grade for the first time. As a new teacher with a new subject, there was a variety of responses from the students at the school. Many are enthusiastic and ready to learn. Others just see it as another class they have to take. All, however, represent spiritual needs either in their lives or in the lives of their family members.
As I went from class to class, I know without doubt that God's hand was on me. It was not without some trepidation that I began teaching in Spanish, but this only caused me to depend completely on the empowerment of God.
One particular blessing this week was the strange occurrence with the seventh grade class. This class in particular is dreaded by the "traveling" teachers, and has the reputation of being hard to control and hard to teach. As I stood outside the door a few minutes before I was to begin the class, I could hear the teacher speaking over the racket, trying to get them to settle down. Just before I entered the room, a quiet settled over the students, which continued throughout the entire class period.
During the process of the week, I realized that (not surprisingly) there are students who really want to learn, and others who really want to be a disturbance. As a teacher, I want all my students to succeed, but particularly those who show the desire to learn. As a missionary, however, I am praying that God will give me the hearts of the "trouble makers," and use me to reach these children and young people for the Lord. Because discipline is not necessarily practiced in the homes, many children lack respect for authority. Please be in specific prayer for the 6th grade class, which I teach on Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. It was in this class that I became aware of just how much of a battle it can be to try and teach a subject, not to mention the distractions that arise the minute I start to open the Bible.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Pictures coming soon!
As I went from class to class, I know without doubt that God's hand was on me. It was not without some trepidation that I began teaching in Spanish, but this only caused me to depend completely on the empowerment of God.
One particular blessing this week was the strange occurrence with the seventh grade class. This class in particular is dreaded by the "traveling" teachers, and has the reputation of being hard to control and hard to teach. As I stood outside the door a few minutes before I was to begin the class, I could hear the teacher speaking over the racket, trying to get them to settle down. Just before I entered the room, a quiet settled over the students, which continued throughout the entire class period.
During the process of the week, I realized that (not surprisingly) there are students who really want to learn, and others who really want to be a disturbance. As a teacher, I want all my students to succeed, but particularly those who show the desire to learn. As a missionary, however, I am praying that God will give me the hearts of the "trouble makers," and use me to reach these children and young people for the Lord. Because discipline is not necessarily practiced in the homes, many children lack respect for authority. Please be in specific prayer for the 6th grade class, which I teach on Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. It was in this class that I became aware of just how much of a battle it can be to try and teach a subject, not to mention the distractions that arise the minute I start to open the Bible.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Pictures coming soon!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
School's about to Start!
Last week found the staff of Fountain of Life School intensely making final preparations for classes to begin on Monday. As a "traveling" teacher, I will go from classroom to classroom, with the exception of 8th-12th grades, who will come to the church where the piano is for their classes. One of the advantages to this is that I have had more time to spend on lesson planning and preparation, not having had to decorate a classroom.
As I looked over the government textbooks for my classes, I was amazed to see how easily Bible can be integrated into their curriculum. Grades 1-4, for example, will not only be learning about how they are "unique" or "special", but also will start in Genesis 1 with man being created in the image of God. Some of the older classes will not only be learning about art and music techniques, but also the reason behind the arts and the purpose from a Christian point of view. In these classes, I will be able to teach about God as the author of creativity, not only in the physical sense, but also in the plan of salvation.
Another opportunity to share the Gospel is through the national anthem of the Dominican Republic, which speaks of freedom from slavery to other nations. The last line states
Apart from preparation for the school, I have taken an active part in the music of the church the last couple of weeks, accompanying the services on piano, and meeting with the "choir" (which is not currently practicing music) for Bible study and prayer. Many of the young adults in the church sincerely want to grow spiritually, but are held back by things that are hard to let go of, because they are part of the Dominican culture (not to mention the sin nature!). It is a struggle for them in this culture, as in any culture, to walk moment by moment in the Spirit to live a holy life, above reproach. Please pray for them as they seek to apply the Bible teachings that they hear throughout the week. As one young lady said, they have the truth in abundance (four services a week, plus Bible studies and prayer meetings); they only need the strength to obey.
On a side note, we saw a brilliant rainbow on Wednesday afternoon just a little while before the prayer meeting. It, along with emails from some of you, gave me the encouragement that I needed to continue with my preparations and work.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
As I looked over the government textbooks for my classes, I was amazed to see how easily Bible can be integrated into their curriculum. Grades 1-4, for example, will not only be learning about how they are "unique" or "special", but also will start in Genesis 1 with man being created in the image of God. Some of the older classes will not only be learning about art and music techniques, but also the reason behind the arts and the purpose from a Christian point of view. In these classes, I will be able to teach about God as the author of creativity, not only in the physical sense, but also in the plan of salvation.
Another opportunity to share the Gospel is through the national anthem of the Dominican Republic, which speaks of freedom from slavery to other nations. The last line states
- "For if she were enslaved a thousand times,
- Many more times shall she know how to be free."
Apart from preparation for the school, I have taken an active part in the music of the church the last couple of weeks, accompanying the services on piano, and meeting with the "choir" (which is not currently practicing music) for Bible study and prayer. Many of the young adults in the church sincerely want to grow spiritually, but are held back by things that are hard to let go of, because they are part of the Dominican culture (not to mention the sin nature!). It is a struggle for them in this culture, as in any culture, to walk moment by moment in the Spirit to live a holy life, above reproach. Please pray for them as they seek to apply the Bible teachings that they hear throughout the week. As one young lady said, they have the truth in abundance (four services a week, plus Bible studies and prayer meetings); they only need the strength to obey.
On a side note, we saw a brilliant rainbow on Wednesday afternoon just a little while before the prayer meeting. It, along with emails from some of you, gave me the encouragement that I needed to continue with my preparations and work.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
"The Work is Great..."
"And I said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us." Nehemiah 4:19-20
In preparation for the upcoming school year beginning August 17, the Fountain of Life teachers and staff began meeting last Monday for Bible study, prayer, training, and meetings. As a mission school, we want to not only give the Gospel to the children and teens enrolled, but also to make disciples that love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). Realizing that we are in a spiritual battle, Argenis, the high school principal, led us in a study of Nehemiah. During the week, we focused on a few different aspects of the work and Nehemiah's preparation for the work:
1. Nehemiah's love for his people
2. The time spent in prayer BEFORE ever beginning the work (4 months!)
3. The opposition to the work
4. The enormity of the work
5. OUR GOD SHALL FIGHT FOR US
As teachers and staff, we will be physically separated from each other, and have all the more need for prayer as we give the Gospel to the students and integrate Scripture and Biblical principles into every aspect of education. We need love for each student, wisdom for every situation, and endurance for the task ahead. But we know this: God will fight for us. We don't have to depend on our own resources, but can draw strength from Him.
Pictured below: we divided into groups for discussion.
Part of the day from last Tuesday through the upcoming Tuesday is spent in training in the use and care of computers and related technology. God has blessed the ministry with a network system, computers, and a volunteer who gives his time to repair and update the computers and networks. Pictured below is the computer training class, as we walked the line of wireless communication from the computer lab back to the server.
On a side note, the meetings are all in Spanish with the exception of the computer class, which is translated for the other teachers. I have so far been able to follow the discussion (until they get excited and speak fast!), and am encouraged with how far my "ears" have progressed over the past 2 weeks! On Thursday, I was excited to find that I could carry on a conversation in Spanish with a lady who did not know that I don't really speak the language without help yet! Praise God for the progress in this area!
In preparation for the upcoming school year beginning August 17, the Fountain of Life teachers and staff began meeting last Monday for Bible study, prayer, training, and meetings. As a mission school, we want to not only give the Gospel to the children and teens enrolled, but also to make disciples that love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). Realizing that we are in a spiritual battle, Argenis, the high school principal, led us in a study of Nehemiah. During the week, we focused on a few different aspects of the work and Nehemiah's preparation for the work:
1. Nehemiah's love for his people
2. The time spent in prayer BEFORE ever beginning the work (4 months!)
3. The opposition to the work
4. The enormity of the work
5. OUR GOD SHALL FIGHT FOR US
As teachers and staff, we will be physically separated from each other, and have all the more need for prayer as we give the Gospel to the students and integrate Scripture and Biblical principles into every aspect of education. We need love for each student, wisdom for every situation, and endurance for the task ahead. But we know this: God will fight for us. We don't have to depend on our own resources, but can draw strength from Him.
Pictured below: we divided into groups for discussion.
Part of the day from last Tuesday through the upcoming Tuesday is spent in training in the use and care of computers and related technology. God has blessed the ministry with a network system, computers, and a volunteer who gives his time to repair and update the computers and networks. Pictured below is the computer training class, as we walked the line of wireless communication from the computer lab back to the server.
On a side note, the meetings are all in Spanish with the exception of the computer class, which is translated for the other teachers. I have so far been able to follow the discussion (until they get excited and speak fast!), and am encouraged with how far my "ears" have progressed over the past 2 weeks! On Thursday, I was excited to find that I could carry on a conversation in Spanish with a lady who did not know that I don't really speak the language without help yet! Praise God for the progress in this area!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
A Week of Learning
The past week was a learning experience, as Kristina and I began working alongside Dominicans from the church. A mission group came down from the Ohio to run an English camp for children 12-15 with nationals taking part as counselors and classroom assistants. Kristina worked in a beginning English class, where the students fell in love with her. I was teamed up with a national to work on the music for the week. The camp was evangelistic in nature, with the Gospel and other Scriptural truths and principles being given at every opportunity. Please pray for these children as they consider what they have learned over the past week about God, themselves, and the free gift of salvation.
On Saturday, we had the opportunity to go to the city of Santo Domingo with the team of nationals to be our tour guides. The city dates back to the 1500's, representing the time in which the Spanish/Catholic and Taíno cultures and later the African culture began to mix, forming the particular culture of the Dominican people.
Above is the first cathedral built in the New World. It was constructed in 1523, and since that time Roman Catholicism has mixed with local pagan beliefs to get what they now have today.
There are about 4 million people in the city of Santo Domingo. The government and colonial sections are relatively well kept up; but just a few blocks away in the same city is tremendous poverty that the average tourist may never see.
While presenting some information about the people of the Dominican Republic to the U.S. mission group last week, a girl said "Dominicans are the happiest people you will ever see." This is true to some degree, and especially of the believers. But as we drove through the city and it's surrounding suburbs, I saw very few people that actually looked happy; many have to work long hours to provide for their families; countless others probably did not know where the next meal was coming from.
Apart from Christ, these people have no hope; for most, it is unlikely that their physical conditions will ever change. Please pray that God will continue to open their hearts to the Gospel, as He has done among many of the youth in this area. Please pray for the young adults and teens in the church as they witness to their family members, that they would continually walk in the fullness of the Spirit. Finally (but not least important), pray that Satan would be bound as we work here in this village to bring people to Christ.
On Saturday, we had the opportunity to go to the city of Santo Domingo with the team of nationals to be our tour guides. The city dates back to the 1500's, representing the time in which the Spanish/Catholic and Taíno cultures and later the African culture began to mix, forming the particular culture of the Dominican people.
Above is the first cathedral built in the New World. It was constructed in 1523, and since that time Roman Catholicism has mixed with local pagan beliefs to get what they now have today.
There are about 4 million people in the city of Santo Domingo. The government and colonial sections are relatively well kept up; but just a few blocks away in the same city is tremendous poverty that the average tourist may never see.
While presenting some information about the people of the Dominican Republic to the U.S. mission group last week, a girl said "Dominicans are the happiest people you will ever see." This is true to some degree, and especially of the believers. But as we drove through the city and it's surrounding suburbs, I saw very few people that actually looked happy; many have to work long hours to provide for their families; countless others probably did not know where the next meal was coming from.
Apart from Christ, these people have no hope; for most, it is unlikely that their physical conditions will ever change. Please pray that God will continue to open their hearts to the Gospel, as He has done among many of the youth in this area. Please pray for the young adults and teens in the church as they witness to their family members, that they would continually walk in the fullness of the Spirit. Finally (but not least important), pray that Satan would be bound as we work here in this village to bring people to Christ.
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