Week 7

So I am just about done with my second can of bug spray.. that means that I only have 3 weeks left. Absolutely crazy to think that I only have two weeks left in Jaibon and one week in Monte Cristi. But, as always, God is proving faithful again and again and I continue to stand amazed at the grace-filled blessings that he continues to pour out into my life this past summer.

This past week was a whole ton of fun! We got to go to Laguna Salada which is the next town over from Jaibon. We did a VBS at Iglesia Immanuel. It was so cool to see another part of this community and be able to build relationships with the kids and the ministry there. It was cool to say that I was part of the first VBS in Laguna Salada... God is going to continue to use future teams in this location because of the way that He blessed this past week. I taught English again (insert gasp here...) but it was a complete blessing because I got to team teach with another girl on our team. She brought so many good ideas to the table... some of which I will keep under my sleeve until Bible and Social Studies Methods :)... and for several "Teacher juice" conversations :). Anyways... it was nice to be able to have some help this past week. And the time that I wasn't teaching the unruly but precious boys... I was holding some of God's little angels... there was one in particular that was only 2 months old... she was so precious and it filled my heart with joy. The themes for this week were Creation (animals), Joseph (colors), Jonah (prepostitions), Daniel (emotions). It was so neat to see that the students understood the concepts and were even talking about them after VBS. That leads me to a "God moment" one of many that have been part of my life over the past 2 months. After VBS on Wednesday, the pastor invited us over to her house for sodas and cookies... we were a little worried because we didn't know exactly if they were safe or not, but she reassured us that they were... and thank goodness no one got sick. But the cool thing about it the next day she invited us back... and God continued to take care of us, because when we got there, the pop was still in the bottle (chilled) and the crackers were all in sealed wrappers... not only a sign of God's provision and details, but of the completely humbling act of hospitality shown by the pastor. It was so neat to experience that aspect of the culture... the relational aspect that I want to bring back to the States. God has called us to be in community... and I saw an example of that while at her house.

This next week we will have the distinct honor of putting on a sort of camp for just our boys here at Jaibon. We are going to do a week long session of Olympics. Today they started and made their team names, and banners. Each day will consist of active games and thinking games, which all add points to their end total. It will be such a blessing to be able to spend quality time with them this week. Also, we are excited to be able to take the boys to the beach!!! This is something that has been in the making all summer and praise God that we get to be a part of it. They are going to be so excited when we tell them on Tuesday morning. Another thing that I am looking forward to this week is going to Monte Cristi tomorrow. I will be meeting with Julie, the director at the English Institute to brainstorm the framework and direction for the future English Institute in Jaibon. What a privelage it is to be part of that process. Also this week Tom Eklund comes to the DR. He is the Founder and Director of OO. It will be an honor to get to know him. Please lift this week up to our Father.

Thank you so much for your continued support and encouragement. May God richly bless you in wherever He is taking you this summer. Talk to you next weekend.
In His hands,
Monica