Dear Jesus,

Thank You for revealing Yourself in a general way through creation. Thank You for the special revelation You give us through Your very life. Thank You that You love us enough to reveal Yourself to us. Thank You that You open eyes, ears, hearts, and minds, and that You give wisdom and knowledge in abundance when we ask and don't doubt. Thank You that Your wisdom brings about life changing experiences and enables us to faithfully live life without fear. You make me so happy and fill my heart with great joy.

I love You.

Mis Niñas Bonitas (My Pretty Girls)

Some of you might recall an earlier blog when I mentioned that a man had an apartment I could live in and if I taught his daughter(s) English, I could live there for free. It seemed too good to be true, especially after I talked with him face to face. All he wants me to do is hang out with them and talk to them in English. Really? Just talk to them? Just talk to them.

So, they come up pretty much every evening and hang out. We play cards, sing songs, draw pictures, etc. They are such special young ladies and I feel like Jesus has gifted them to me at least for this next little while.

Here's a picture of them with their cousin-sister, Dana. From left to right we have Fernanada (8 yrs. old), Isaura (11 yrs. old) and Dana (12 yrs. old).

-

Mi Escuela (My School)

Here are some picutres of the school where I teach :o)

The patio where the kids play at recess and the entrances to the classrooms. My room is the closest one on the left.



Standing at the door looking into the classroom

Standing at the front of the classroom looking towards the back

Standing at the back of the classroom looking towards the door

Consession stand where the kids buy their snacks at recess

Standing at the consession stand looking at the pavilion where kids hang out during recess and where we have culto (worship) on Fridays

The painted mural and the ledge where I like to sit during recess.

Beauty in the Breakdown

The other day, I was on the verge of a breakdown. All of the changes and adjustments since I moved down were just getting the better part of me, and it was time for me to loose control. Right as I was about to throw in the towel, my Dominican Mom, Coco, showed up at my apartment.

For those of you who don't know her, Coco was one of my bosses while I was with Orphanage Outreach. We formed a special relationship and shared laughs, tears, frustrations, and victories. She's only 10 yrs. older than me but has become another one of my "motherly" figures.

As I mentioned, she showed up at my apartment and we visited for a while. Then, a few minutes after she left, she called and spoke the most encouraging words about how excited she is for me and how she could see things beyond that moment in time. I barely made it off the phone in enough time to go into total meltdown mode...and it was good.

I fee like one of my favorite songs, "Let Go" by Frou Frou, is very fitting for that moment in time. Here's a link to a youtube video of the song if you're not familiar with it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x52w8txtiQs

Coco also brought me a whole bunch of good stuff for my apartment. Check it out!

And just so no one is mistaken, I am okay now. Once I let go, everything else fell so beautifully into place. Things are coming along very nicely and I LOVE being here :o)

He's Worth Counting On

"I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word." 

Psalm 130:5

It's Already Been Two Weeks?!?!

Yesterday was the two week mark of me arriving to the DR. There are still a few things to happen before I am completely settled, but that's how things happen here. poco a poco (little by little).

Teaching has been interesting, a very humbling experience. It's pretty difficult to manage a class of 18 Dominican school children by oneself. Most of the time, I'm just crying out to the Holy Spirit to help me figure out what to do!

We have a song/chant we sing at the beginning of every class that goes a little somthin' like this:

Jesus, we love You! (repeat)

Thank You for today! (repeat)

Jesus, we love You! (repeat)

Guide us in Your way! (repeat)

It's pretty sweet to hear them singing it to themselves while they work individually. That's definately one time I don't ask them to be quiet :o)

Here's a picture of me teaching on my first day:

A few things to pray for include:

• wisdom for classroom management
• sensing of the Spirit's presence
• friendships to develop

Un Baby Shower

Tonight was super fun because I got to help throw a surprise baby shower. Damien and Suyapa are expecting their baby boy to show up at the end of this month, so we all came together to celebrate! Here are some pictures I took at the partizzay:

A surprised Suyapa!

First game: Guess the Size of Suyapa's Belly With Toilet Paper

Second game: Baby Pictionary

Consejos de Las Madres (Advice from Mothers)

Third game: Who Can Drink Out of the Baby Bottle the Fastest? (the guy in pink is the baby daddy, Damien)

Regalos (ray-gahl-ohs)! Gifts (guh-if-ts)!

A word of thanks from the parents-to-be

The evening was a big success and I was blessed to be a part of it. Please be praying for Damien and Suyapa as they prepare for parenthood and be watching for updates and pictures!

My Address

Attn: Christine Kitts

La Escuela Ciudad de Luz

Calle Presidente Vasquez #10

Monte Cristi, R.D.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Reject

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him." John 1:10-11

I had to stop and chew on this for a while when I read it the other day. Basically, Jesus created His own club and then was kicked out of it. Talk about rejection...He totally knows what if feels like...

I made it!

I have arrived! I made it to Monte Cristi on Wednesday evening, and since then, I have been taking it easy, getting settled in, decorating my classroom, and lesson planning. My sister, Heather, got to come and help me decorate on Friday afternoon, and it did my heart good to spend time with her. Here's a picture of us in my classroom:

During this transition time, I've been living with my principal, Ebony. She and her roommate have been so kind to share their home, and they've even taught me a little about cooking and doing laundry Dominican style! Here is a picture of Ebony and me, also taken in my classroom:

Tomorrow starts the first day of class for me, so please be praying for me and my students! I've already met some of them and they are PRECIOUS :o)

Other highlights include:

• having dinner with my O.O. family Friday night and
• SPENDING TIME AT THE ORPHANAGE ON SATURDAY (no one really knew I was coming, so everyone was surprised to see me and bombard me with a million hugs and a billion questions!)