Wow, it's been an experience to finally have these classes underway! This week was very challenging and rewarding. Most of the days I felt like going to teach a class in spanish to students who showed up an hour late and spoke mostly Creol in class so I couldn't understand them was the very last thing I wanted to do that day. I had to drag myself through the preparations and deal with teachers not organizing the classes until I got there and trying to dump another load of 15 students on me at the last minute. Plus, the decision to teach in spanish was not mine, (it was God's of course, but He let me know that by having the translators call in busy every morning) so I had to get used to that idea.
But the rewards have been full. I've begun to make some really fun relationships with the women and girls. I've had to put a few of my expectations aside and focus on just loving them. That's more important that them learning quickly.
Not having a translator puts me on the same level as them, in a way, and helped a lot. It is hard work. The machines are hard to use, each one has its little quirks, and the women are not used to being meticulous. But I've learned which things are important, and which things to throw out the culture window. (like pinning before you sew, they just don't get it, and if it's not perfect they don't care....for now I'll just have to let it go. That was a painful decision:)
The Creol problem has actually developed into a blessing to me. I am on fire to learn Creol now, and it's fun when they are trying to teach it to me.
All in all, it was a good week, VERY STRETCHING, but I'm looking forward to being stretched again next week. Thanks for your prayers!
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Monday, April 17, 2006
Blessings and a Curses....
Ah yes, my beloved maquinas. Such an incredible blessing and yet such a curse. I have spent a ridiculous amount of hours servicing them, finding out very quickly that just because something is new, doesn't mean it works!!! And you don't just take things back. (how I miss Costco's return policy) I have come to know those machines very well, and I am sure will continue to increase in my knowledge of mechanics. If only I had spent more time in my dad's hangar....!!! I didn't know I would have to be a mechanic, but I am nevertheless enjoying the hours of frustration, trying eversohard to look as though I know exactly what I am doing to all 10 of the dominicans crowding around whenever I seem to have a problem. Ahh, the life of a sewing teacher in the DR!!!
My girls....
Here I am, filled to the brim with happiness surrounded by my well-prayed for, long- hoped for, much-loved girls, trying desperately to spell their impossible names and apellidos!!! I loved every second of it. The one in the center's name is Rosmeri, she is one of my dear friends. She and I baked a cake together about a week after I got here. Dominicans don't use measuring cups or spoons, and I hadn't the slightest idea how to say flour or baking soda, words they don't teach you in spanish class. It turned out surprisingly delicious, and she was such a trooper through my non-spanish spanish attempts.
Yay for classes!
Hooray!!! Did you ever think you were going to see this picture for real??? I was beginning to wonder. It's real alright. We started classes today, a flurry of dragging two disturbingly weighty sewing machines up a road that would rival any 4-wheelin' trail in a tiny little guagua (van) already full of people, setting them up, putting them together because one fell apart en route.... But praise the Lord the machines are in Don Bosco and ten ladies are now pumped for and practicing their newly attained knowledge of the machines. It was so cute to see their excitement, I am so pleased. Thank you Dana, who translated for me, I had a moment of panic this morning when our translater called in to say he'd decided to paint today instead of translate. But everything went well and I am excited to start in Los Robles tomorrow! Yay for classes!!!
Friday, April 14, 2006
this is not a sweat shop
Mis Maquinas!!! I am so excited to have so many machines to work with! This week, with the help of sponsors and a gift from my church, I purchased another 4 machines, bringing me to a total of 7. That's 2 per batey and 1 for prep work. Thanks so much everyone who helped to make these machines possible!
Dating the DR
Yes, it's the truth! I'm in love with an island. :0 At first it was a little wierd, I had to get used to all the quirks of my new boyfriend, he and I speak a different language, we do things differntly, he even eats more than I do! But I have over the course of the last 8 weeks come to love everthing about him. Of course, as in all head-over-heels relationships (so they say) it's easy to feel that after only two months I'm ready to call it a match and never want to leave him. I don't know what God has in store for me, though, and I don't want to be trying to make decisions for Him. He is refining me right now, and I don't want to do nothing about that. Pray that when it is time to leave, I will be able to come home and contuinue the work, implementing the new things that I've learned. Meanwhile, however...I LOVE THE DR!!!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Dear Sponsor
Can you imagine getting a handwritten letter from this adorable little boy? There are still kids that need sponsors, if you'd like to get involved, go to www.cotni.org.
Lunch in Los Robles
I love this picture because it just does my heart good to see these kids eating well. I'm so thankful for the faithful work of the dominican staff. The short term teams are great, and even interns like Sarah and I can be of help here, but they are the ones who really stick it out. The staff here is so incredible, their dedication and love for these kids is so evident. What you see here is a result of that.
Sangre Dulce
That means sweet blood, that's what the dominicans mutter as we scratch away at our innumerable bites! This is Sarah's arm after a mosquito netless night. Sangre dulce indeed.
All Work and No Play
Okay, so now and again Sarah and I have a good time.... Sarah has been such a blessing to me here in the DR. There are times when we are in the most ridiculous situations where all we can do is look at eachother and laugh because it's the only way to survive. God really blessed us by putting us together. I'm amazed at His ability to pick out friends!
Is That Camo????
Yes, you're seeing American Soldiers, alright! And, yes, they're building a clinic....as it turns out, the American Government is sponsoring several clinics, schools and other community projects in the DR this year. And sending our soldiers down here to do the work! This particular clinic is in Los Robles, a batey where we work. It is so exciting for them to have a clinic so nearby. I'm anxious to see it done and see it make a difference in these people's lives!
Brush those little dientes!!!
This little boy is holding his new toothbrush and toothpaste he recieved from his dental class. The Washington team was made up of many different people, one of which was a dentist. She gave dental hygiene classes to all of our kids and gave out brushes and paste to them all, too! What a blessing for these kids. Thanks team!
Translating!
Yay, we're translators!!! Sarah and I spent the past week with a team from Silverdale, WA filling out sponsorship updates for all the kids in our three bateyes. These forms included a 7 question survey of the child's life, hopes and dreams for the future, and a letter to their sponsor.
THE PROBLEM:
Children in the Dominican Republic speak spanish. Sponsors in the United States speak english.
THE SOLUTION:
We got to go with the teams to help translate the questions to the kids and then translate the answers back into english. There were "real" translators along, too, to whom we could go if we got stuck (thankfully!), but it was an incredible experience for Sarah and I! Great spanish training, as well as relationship building with the kids. We had a great time! I had one little boy tell me he wanted to be a killer when he grew up. Shocked, I asked another translator to make sure I was hearing him right. The translator too was shocked, but after some coaxing we realized we'd missed the word "chivo" tacked on the end. He wanted to be a goat killer! We both laughed and I took the liberty to write down "butcher" in the blank.
THE PROBLEM:
Children in the Dominican Republic speak spanish. Sponsors in the United States speak english.
THE SOLUTION:
We got to go with the teams to help translate the questions to the kids and then translate the answers back into english. There were "real" translators along, too, to whom we could go if we got stuck (thankfully!), but it was an incredible experience for Sarah and I! Great spanish training, as well as relationship building with the kids. We had a great time! I had one little boy tell me he wanted to be a killer when he grew up. Shocked, I asked another translator to make sure I was hearing him right. The translator too was shocked, but after some coaxing we realized we'd missed the word "chivo" tacked on the end. He wanted to be a goat killer! We both laughed and I took the liberty to write down "butcher" in the blank.
Querido Padrino
This little girl from Los Robles is writing a letter to her sponsor in the States. Her "padrino" sends a monthly fee to Children of the Nations which enables her to go to school in Algodon, her batey, have a uniform, school supplies, a good meal every day, and most importantly, learn about Jesus!
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