It’s been awhile since I’ve updated this, so hopefully I remember everything that has happened, which is a lot! I feel like I’ve literally been up and running for the last few weeks trying to get everything ready for the school. The metal roof is finally on, but sadly in the process, Shawn fell off of a ladder and broke one leg below the knee and the other near the ankle and tore some ligaments. Both legs are in plaster casts. He played an integral part in completing the school and his knowledge and dedication was sorely missed. A group of Dominicans came together after the accident to “finish” the school on Monday, October 17th so that we could start the next day. And by finish I mean that there’s 4 walls and a roof, but not much more. Jen and I were running around all day trying to find last minute building supplies. I actually impressed myself though…this was one of the first days that I could tell my Spanish is actually getting better and I was able to carry on a conversation with strangers!
That afternoon, many of the parents came for a meeting where Wilkyns stressed the reasons for the school. First, to share the Word of God with the people in the community of Batey Central, and second, to give children a chance to break free from the circle of poverty that is so strong in this area. Many of the children are not able to attend public school because they are of Haitian descent. Typically, Haitians are thought of as low class and are unwanted and unrecognized in the DR. The Biblical and academic knowledge that will hopefully come from this school can transform the lives of many people. The parents understood this and seem excited to have this for their children. Our theme verse for the school is Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Hope and future…things that many in this community don’t believe in. Earlier in the week, Wilkyns and I walked around telling people about the start of the school. Sadly, we found out that two families had moved to the high mountain area to find work where they and their child would pick coffee beans. Another girl got married at the age of 15…a seemingly never-ending cycle. Wilkyns was devastated by this because these families represented the exact reason why this school was starting.
After the parent meeting, we went outside, only to find out that someone had stolen a bag of my clothes and shoes, and some school supplies out of our Suburban. It really discouraged me, and I was ready to quit right there. In that moment, I felt like I was wasting my time and that people were so greedy that they couldn’t even see the good things that were coming to this community, things far greater than material possessions. As I was standing alone next to the car, someone pointed out a rainbow. It reminded me of the promises that God has made us, and although I was still discouraged, it was encouraging to remember that God knows the plan for my life and that this is where He has called me for the time being, through the good and bad.
On Tuesday, I was up bright and early to head to my first day of school. I headed down with Karen Shaffer and a large load of supplies on my bike. Some of the kids were already waiting for us at the door when we arrived. It was exciting to see that they wanted to be there and were ready to learn. It made me regret how much I hated going to school and didn’t cherish the opportunity because I didn’t see it as a privilege. The first day, we had 24 children show up, a lot less than Wilkyns was expecting, but it was a good size for the way we are working things. Wilkyns starts the day with an interactive Bible study with all of the kids. Then, the kids are split into four groups by their age. One group goes with Wilkyns for Math. One goes to Jonathan, another Dominican teacher, for Spanish and Science. The third group comes to me for Language Arts and English, and then the fourth group goes to Karen for a listening station that reviews topics being taught in the other classes. Each group rotates through every teacher so that everyone receives a similar educational experience.
In the morning, we have students ages 6-14 from 8:00 to 12:15. Then, in the afternoon, Jen Rineholt and I teach on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and Wilkyns and his sister, July, teach the other two days from 2:00 to 4:30. These kids are ages 3-6. Some of them are so cute, and some of them are like little devils! We’ve had the corners full of kids!
I feel like I am a teacher in the old days. All four of us are in one room, 26’x38’. There are no walls separating our classrooms, so it’s very distracting, not only to the kids, but to me as well. Starting out, we have very limited supplies also. We had a small 2’x2’ chalkboard and whiteboard that the other two teachers are using. I only used my computer to show PowerPoint's. Amidst all of the school supplies sits the scaffolding, leftover wood, cinderblocks, and ladders. Definitely a sight to see! Basic beginnings, but it’s working! I finally started putting posters and stuff up on the walls. They clipped to strings that are tied to leftover nails from the building process, but it works! It was exciting to finally see the place looking like a real classroom!
The oldest kids were so excited to come to my group…I couldn’t help but get excited about teaching them. The youngest group on the other hand has been challenging to say the least. I told all my students that even though I am their teacher, they are also my teachers because I still need to learn a lot of Spanish. It is decent enough that I can tell them what I am looking for, but when they misbehave, it’s really hard to discipline them when I can’t explain what they did wrong.
The language barrier has been pretty cool too. The kids are really excited about learning English and are constantly asking how to say different words…normally it’s on topic too, which is hard to believe. The one day, I was teaching the color purple, and when they said it for the first time, I just stopped and laughed out loud. I felt bad at first, but it was too funny to hold in. I explained to them that they can tell that I say a lot of words strangely and that, for me, it was funny to hear them say words differently. Instead of purple, many were saying plurplull. The kids still laugh when they say it now. It has amazed me how fast some of the kids have picked up the words I’ve taught. After two weeks, many of the kids know colors, animals, basic phrases, numbers 1-10, and the short “a” sound with words that go along with it. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but when we first started, many of the kids didn’t even know their colors in Spanish. I informally tested the kids on Friday just to see what I needed to plan more lessons for. Many of the kids did extremely well and it once again reaffirmed that even though times have been tough lately, it is worth it. Most of the kids are moving ahead surprisingly fast.
I’ve almost been here for two months now. Time has flown by quickly. Most of the time, things have been pretty good, but the last 3 weeks have been really tough. Pressure to get the school started, the language barrier, lack of funds to put finishing touches on the school, Shawn’s injuries, the stolen stuff, behavior problems, time management, safety warnings, etc. Multiple people have come up to me saying that it’s not safe to drive my bike down here, but no one has a solution on how to fix that. One morning a good friend stopped me and warned me that something was going to happen soon and that I shouldn’t drive anymore. I finished my drive with tears pouring down my face, wondering what I was doing, and if it was worth it. Yes, something might happen and I really was ready to call it quits because I was afraid. In fact, it is dangerous, but I know God has me here for a reason and that He’s given me wisdom and knowledge and He says that we can’t have a spirit of fear. I know this doesn’t mean that I’m guaranteed safety while I’m here, but if something happens, I can rely on His other promises. Things are finally turning around though. It’s so good to have a God that has daily shown me His love and mercy. Each day my phone sends me a verse, and each day these last few weeks, that verse has been so helpful to focus my thoughts and attitude. It also helped to have friends here and in the US that were praying and laughing with me. Thank the Lord for Facebook!
On Tuesday, I was coming up our not-so-lovely road with Jen and a load of groceries and copies weighing down the motorcycle and lost power and started sliding down the mountain. In the process of trying not to lay the bike over, I burned my leg on the muffler. Thankfully, I was able to keep the bike up. Sadly though, the burn looks really nasty. I’m pretty sure it’s infected, so Jen and I went to get some medicine. It was pretty expensive, but it’s better than ending up in a Dominican hospital. Hopefully it works because right now, it’s repulsive to look at. Sam Dipaola mothered me on Skype, making me promise to put peroxide on it…check out the video on Facebook (if it loads).
On a bright note, I found out on Wednesday that one of my students, Jony, walks a really far distance after school to help his parents sell produce in the market. Since it’s pretty much on my way home, I told him I would take him any day that he needs to go there. When we pulled up, his mother came over and gave me the biggest hug and his father shook my hand. She went on and on about how much she appreciates what I’m doing and how her children are so lucky. She loaded my up with 15 oranges and 6 grapefruit! In the US, teachers get apples, here in the DR, a wide variety of whatever is in season! It really made my day and was yet another reminder of why I’m here. She loaded me up again on Friday and refused to take any money. It amazes me that they are so willing to sacrifice what little they have to say thank you and show their love.
After two weeks, this is what my class finally looks like! The carpet is actually toilet seat covers, an awesome idea from Karen Shaffer! My whiteboard finally got taken down to the school. It’s nice to finally have a place that semi looks like a classroom.
At the house, we finally got the school stuff all moved out and into the school or in storage. It’s nice to have a living room and dining room! Jen and I are partners in crime, trying to think of pranks for the Dominicans guys that hang around here. They like to try to scare us…A LOT. We warned them to watch out…details to come :).
Thank you to those who have encouraged me. These last few weeks would have been very hard to get through without you. Hopefully I remembered all the important stuff since my last post, and I’ll try to keep this updated more often :) Continue to pray for me, the Rineholt’s, the other teachers, the students and their families!
