It has been quite a while since I've been able to update my blog, and I feel like so much has happened! It has been a whirlwind of emotions with a ton of excitement and changes. Last weekend I flew back to the States for a beautiful wedding and had the best time catching up with friends and dancing the night away. It went by so fast and before I knew it, I was back in Jarabacoa killing the cockroaches that my housemates captured under cups and left for someone (me) to take care of. Thanks girls.
While I was gone, a late arriving intern moved in. A week later, this past Saturday, another intern had to leave early. The same day, two more interns who were originally supposed to be in Haiti but are now in the DR for two weeks first also moved in. There are now 11 total interns in our town which makes for a very big and crazy, but fun group. The director at the school I'm tutoring at and two other former interns who have been here for a few weeks all left this weekend as well. Things are changing everywhere! It's all taking some getting used to... but the Lord has a plan for it all and he is ever teaching me about trusting him.
The tutoring aspect of my time here is going well. It can be hard and frustrating when working with kids who just are not motivated and are highly distracted, but it is incredibly rewarding when borrowing and regrouping finally clicks for a kid. We switch off days between math and reading, and the kids are starting to get the routine. Today, a girl that was having a hard time with math ran up to me and asked when we are going to add and subtract again. It's encouraging to see some of them excited! This tutoring program is definitely useful and not only helps kids with their schooling, but gives them the one-on-one attention so many of them need, and it allows room for the tutors to really invest in specific kids. I feel blessed to be a part of something that will hopefully make a lasting impact on the kids but also on Kids Alive.
With so many people leaving, Rachel (another intern) and I are the only Americans left at our school. We are really connecting with some of the teachers and several of the kids. We have made a habit out of walking down the street during lunchtime to buy 5 peso (~12 cents) homemade juice popsicles (with filtered water!) from a house in a barrio. We have also started visiting certain kids in their houses after school which is something I am really looking forward to continuing. They are so excited to show you their homes and introduce you to their family. After visiting one boy's home today, he walked me back to school and told me his life story and how he ended up at a Kids Alive care center. This allowed me to share my testimony with him as well.
My spanish continues to improve... I had my first dream in spanish the other night and woke up with a spanish worship song in my head! A group from my church stayed in Jarabacoa for a night on their way to Haiti, it was good to see some familiar faces. On the 4th of July, all the North Americans had a big cookout, complete with decorative hats, a volleybally tournament, and 13 pies. Except for the huge bump I got on my forehead after colliding with an elbow playing volleyball, it was a wonderful night. This weekend we went on another waterfall hike, and then went tubing down the river with the missionary family I lived with. It was so fun and reminded me a ton of floating down the river by my house on air mattresses with my brothers.
Time continues to fly by... it's hard to believe I only have three weeks left! My prayer is that each of us interns would be intentional about our time and relationships. I know the Lord has a plan for each of us and in the midst of everything changing, He never does. "In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9
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