The Dominican Republic

On May 31st, I landed in the Dominican Republic to serve and encourage two amazing women from TeachBeyond as they work through the ups and downs of starting a school.  In my time with Ellen and Jessica, I learned that they are strong and dedicated women of God.  They have a desire to bring Jesus and a solid education to the people in the community of San Francisco de Macrois.  They have been faced with some difficult situations, but they continue to do what is best for their students.  Their lives glorify God in all they say and do, and I was blessed to experience life with them for two weeks.  

There is one moment in particular that I will never forget which truly speaks volumes about the women they are. On the 2nd or 3rd day of my visit after a long, tiring day of teaching we locked up the school and headed to a student's house.  This student had not been at school for two weeks and they were worried about him.  As we searched for his house, the economic diversity was blatant.  Beautiful two-story houses stood next to one room shacks.  We found the pink house we were looking for.  From the outside, the pink house looked like a shed that most middle class North Americans have in their backyards.  As we parked the car and got out, the student and his father rode up on their motorcycle.  He spotted Ellen quickly and came running to her yelling "Miss K! Miss K!" He loved her and knew he was loved by her.  

This sweet little 3 year-old (almost 4) invited us into his home to see his computer.  It was so precious to watch his face light up with excitement as his teacher and principal saw his computer that sat in the only bedroom of the small pink shack.  They played videos for Ellen and Jessica that they were using while he has been away from school.  After watching the videos, he wanted to show us his swimming pool. A small kiddy pool sat outside filled with water and this sweet boy stripped down to nothing and went "swimming" in circles.  He was overjoyed that his teacher was at his house.  As we said goodbye, Ellen used her Spanish to share with the father her desire to have Samuel back in school no matter if they could pay or not (at least I think that is what she said). 

In the midst of the struggles these two ladies of faced in their short 9 months they continue to love their students, their students' families, and their church family.  Ellen and Jessica have started a campaign to raise money for their school and its students. If you or someone you know would like to support these precious students to gain a better education you can go here to donate to this wonderful effort!

Thank you to those of you who provided the funds for my trip to stand with them in this effort!  It was an eye-opening and wonderful trip!  I enjoyed every moment I had with Ellen and Jessica as well as the precious students they teach.  God is good all the time! Thank you for standing with me as I seek to be a missionary to the missionaries!