jarabacoa

Someone asked me what my favorite thing about the Dominican Republic was. My quick answer was- the children. Then they asked, what is your second favorite thing? I didn't have to think very hard about this one either. I love the mountains in the DR. They remind me of the Cinco Muertes (if you catch that reference, I will be very proud). The mountains are lush and green, rising high above the pueblos. Every time I think about the Dominican Republic, I think about the children that I love so dearly and how in awe I am of the mountains....

I was able to enjoy both of these things when I traveled to Jarabacoa on Wednesday. I spent some time on Thursday and Friday observing classes at a care center called Palo Blanco. Palo Blanco serves about 200 kids (almost all Dominican- I only saw one Haitian little girl) and sit at the base of the mountains outside of the town of Jarabacoa. I was able to work with the the co-directors of the Palo Blanco program, Jan Berkey. Jan has been a missionary in the DR for 19 years! She has built an impressive program. The classrooms at Palo Blanco looked much like the classrooms where I grew up learning in the States. The resources that they have are incredible. The Dominican teachers are well trained and very passionate about teaching. And the children were eerily well behaved compared to my little terrors in Caraballo.

I was also able to have a lunch meeting with Jan and Ann Van der Molen, another missionary that has done amazing things with curriculum and teacher's training at other Kids Alive sites. We discussed some schedule changes, the implementation of curriculum, and teacher's training for Caraballo. I am really excited about having their support and help in the process of bringing some changes to our program. It's a very important time for our care center! Please pray for the work that will happen in the next several months!

Being in Jarabacoa was wonderful as usual. I am heading back down that way on Thursday evening (si Dios quiere) to help with a kids camp that will take place during the Kids Alive directors meeting. It’s always nice to be in Jarabacoa- there is amazing community of people there. Things can be a bit lonely in Montellano, but I feel very blessed to have support from so many people in Jarabacoa!

Please keep me in your prayers!

love,
GA