Playa Fronton

I've decided to give you a picture tour of our time at Playa Fronton with 18 sixth graders for their coral reef expedition. We started early Monday morning and drove for 5 hours to the Samana peninsula. Things were a little packed on the bus and students were FULL of energy! When we arrived, we were dropped off on the side of a dirt road literally in the middle of nowhere. The beach we would be staying at was not reachable by car so we had to hike for two hours to get there! When we finally arrived, it was amazing to see the faces of several of the students - some had never seen the ocean before. One girl, Noemi, stood with her mouth open in amazement for at least 2 minutes. A whole wave emotion flowed through me during that time as I enjoyed their reactions as much as they enjoyed their first view of God's marvelous creation.

Hiking in

Noemi (front) & Eliezer (back)

When we arrived at the beach which would be our home for the week, it didn't take much time for the kids to get in the water, clothes and all.

Students enjoying the ocean (some for the first time!)

Eventually, we had to round all the kids up to set up our campsite. We had 5 tents that needed to be set up along with our very own (and my first ever) BIFF - Bathroom In Forest Floor. The first day passed by quickly after setting up camp, dinner, and the requisite campfire.

Our tents

There was always endless amounts of sand in our tents - very uncomfortable to sleep on!

Our first day began with a review session - "obstacle course" style.  Basically students had to make their way through an obstacle course and answer different questions along the way.  If they answered incorrectly, the teacher asking the question got to make them do any embarrassing thing they wanted.  It was a lot of fun for both students and teachers!

Priscylla doing the limbo on the way to Station 1.

Frailyn doing sand stars after answering a question incorrectly.  He always has a smile on his face.



Geremias climbing a tree for the last challenge!

The rest of the day was spent waiting for our experts from the non-profit, Reef Check DR.  We passed the time un-knotting the human knot and even had French class.

Satisfaction - human knot just about cracked!

Joe finding a moment of solitude - always needed when
 surrounded by 11 and 12 year old kids for a week

Our experts finally arrived late afternoon on Tuesday and gave a class on coral reefs.  This included review for the students as well as some new information.

Ruben (from Reef Check) talking with students and teachers.

The next day was what all of the students were looking forward to most - snorkeling!  Before we could get into the water though, the kids had some work to do.  One way marine biologists around the world are helping coral reefs is through coral nurseries.  Ruben informed the kids that they would be helping out by making coral "cookies".  The step by step process (with pictures) is below.

Step 1 - Mix the cement.

Step 2 - Cut out the mesh centers.

Step 3 - Create coral "cookies".

Step 4 - Let them dry.

Step 5 - Pop them out.

Final product - Coral cookie with attached (in this case, dead) coral.

These coral cookies would be used to attach live coral which would then be transplanted to a coral nursery.  In these coral nurseries, marine biologists are trying to re-grow coral and increase genetic diversity of the different coral species - pretty cool stuff!

After making our first batch of cookies, we gave snorkeling lessons and then the students were let loose into the water to actually see the coral reefs that they had been learning about!

6th graders out in the water having a great time!

Adriana being silly!

That night before bed we had one last activity - Plankton fishing!  Using our makeshift nets of pantyhose and strainers, student went plankton catching and used flashlights to see these tiny organisms that are the main food source for corals. 

Joe checking out plankton with Isabela.

Following the very full day we had, everyone was exhausted, so after gathering around the campfire for smores and songs, we went to bed anticipating the next day of adventures.  Day 4 went by very fast.  We made more cookies, snorkeled some more, and students collected loads of data on water quality, beach width and slope.  It was hard to believe that the next day we would already be heading back home.

Taking water quality measurements.

Our snorkeling group pick - can you spot Joe?

Our last day began the same way as every other day - with our daily devotions with students.  That morning; however, we awoke early and did a sunrise devotional time.  Our devotions topics throughout the week all had the theme of water and so we ended on Friday with a more symbolic action with water - Jesus washing His disciple's feet.  It was quite breathtaking sitting on the beach with my kids, talking about God and seeing his beautiful sunrise.  When the sun did make it's first appearance on the horizon we all stopped and soaked it in for some time.  We culminated the trip with washing our own student's feet and gave them the opportunity to do the same for each other. 

Our breathtaking sunrise.

Washing one another's feet

Prayer before leaving Playa Fronton

Boat ride (perhaps the most fun part of the trip for me) back to civilization - the waves
were still quite large from a storm that was raging near the Bahamas

We ended the trip by picking up trash and taking boats (instead of hiking) to the town where our bus was waiting to take us back home.  The bus ride home was much quieter than the one to the beach.  Kids slept or recapped the week.  Joe and I were incredibly exhausted - ready for a shower and a real toilet.  As I look back at our week in Playa Fronton I don't really think about everything the students learned about coral reefs - which was a lot.  Instead I think about the relationships that were formed or strengthened.  Of course I would not like to spend every week in seclusion with 18 sixth graders, but it was the most unifying experience I have ever had with students.  I know that Joe and I made the right decision in answering God's calling for us  in the Dominican Republic.  This blog cannot tell you half of what we experience here and I wish you all could live it with us!

I hope all of your lives are as fulfilling as ours are - that you have found purpose in all that you do, which can only come from God.  As always we enjoy hearing from you and are thinking and praying for you all.

Soli Deo Gloria

MORE Adventures / An update

(Christen writing) We hope this post finds you all doing well.  It seems that it has been way too long since our last “real” update on what has been going on in our lives so here is the run-down.

October came and went at an incredible speed.  We had report cards, which is always a crazy and confusing time that causes lack of sleep.  After all of the report cards were passed out, Joe surprised me with a night away in Cabarete – a beach town about 3 hours away – for some much needed R&R.  We returned home feeling rejuvenated and ready for the next quarter of school to begin.

Relaxing for a night at the beach

Cabarete (and basically all of the beaches here) is beautiful!

Joe has spent a lot of his spare time making furniture for our house.  The newest addition is an awesome “island” for our kitchen.  We do not have much storage or counter space so that has really helped out, especially for me who loves to cook and be in the kitchen J   He also painted an accent wall in the kitchen and our house is feeling more like a home with each completed project.  Not having a TV has been great too (in my opinion – Joe is missing his college football)!  It leaves a whole lot of extra time for Joe and I to be a couple – walk the dog together, cook together, work out together (using Joe’s TRX trainer that he got when he went to Afghanistan), play games together, etc.  Part of me dreads ever going back to the United States where there seems to be so many distractions!

Part of moving to a foreign country and living without many of the luxuries we are blessed with in the United States means that we must be a little more creative about having fun.  We have been introduced to a vast variety of “fun” here.  This is generally played out in theme parties.  Some of the other missionaries here, Harley and Abby McAllister, had a Star Wars Party for their three young boys.  They each were able to invite one friend and their teachers (I am their oldest son, Kaden’s 6^th grade teacher).  Joe and I showed up to the party with our makeshift costumes as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia.  The party was a blast!  They had various games prepared – a race to build several Lego guys based on drawings, Piñata – Jabba the Hut style, and my personal favorite – light saber fight!  We even had a guest appearance from Yoda (our friend’s Tim and Whit’s 3 day old little girl). 

Lego-man building competition



Jabba the Piñata



Light saber fight - Obi Wan Kenobi vs. Jango Fett



Catwoman even made it to the Star Wars party (I think there was some confusion amongst the Dominicans)




Princess Leia with Yoda

Some highlights from October in the classroom include a debate in my 9^th grade health class on the topic of sleep.  After finishing a unit on the importance of sleep and the benefits it has for health, students had to defend whether or not it is “healthy” for teenagers to start school at 7 am (which is when school starts for our high school students).  The debate went amazing and our stellar judge panel (which Joe had kindly agreed to be a part of) ended up choosing the group who defended an early start to school.  After they finished and the judges had made their remarks, I felt like a proud parent looking on at all of my students – they really did a great job especially defending their group’s POV in their second language!

Another important and encouraging part of October was the huge transformation God did in my 6^th grade class.  If any of you recall, I spent many sleepless nights worrying about this class and their bad behavior in the classroom.  Being their “guide” teacher, I felt especially responsible for them and that their behavior reflected my ability as a teacher.  Through TONS of prayer, a devoted middle school staff, and help from parents, this 6^th grade class is unrecognizable.  They are quiet, respectful, come to class prepared, and are starting to (not completely, but it’s a work in progress) take responsibility for their actions.  Of course there are always things to work on, but these kids have become “my kids” and I am shocked at how much I love them.   

The end of October brought the beginning of Expeditions here at Doulos.   For those who are reading with quizzical looks right now, allow me to explain.  Doulos is an Expeditionary Learning school which means we get kids out of the classroom and out of the box in order to provide them with experiences for learning.  This semester 6^th grade’s science Expedition is discovering coral reefs – what they are, why they are dying around the world, why they are important to humans, and what we can do to help them.  Planning for this Expedition was overwhelming!  I really didn’t know much about coral reefs before coming here and now I was supposed to be an expert on it!  I studied up though and spent two weeks preparing my students for what would be some of their very first trips to the ocean.  Joe and I will include a separate post in a few days telling you all about our magical time at the secluded Playa Fronton. 

Finally, I want to say a special congratulations to (brother) Nick Rauschnot and Nicole Morrison on their engagement! 

We love hearing from you, so please keep the emails coming! 

Blessings and Soli Deo Gloria (SDG).

Faces of Doulos

This great video provides a quick snapshot of some of the faces of Doulos.  These are amazing kids from varied backgrounds who are receiving a unique educational opportunity.  Christen and I are truly blessed to be a part of what is going on here.  At present, Doulos is looking for 26 more families or individuals who are willing to partner with us and the student's families to allow them to escape the cycle of poverty through the quality, Christian education they receive here at Doulos.  Would you consider partnering with us and these children to help make a difference in a life?

On a more personal note, things are very busy here in Jarabacoa as the semester is in full swing.  It is amazing to think that it is already November.  As with anything, we often feel like we've been here for a very long time, but then we look back and it's hard to believe that it has already been three months since we arrived in the DR.  We are amazed each day at God's provision in our lives and want to thank those of you who have chosen to support us through prayer, letters, and financially. As Paul writes in Philipians 1:3-5, we "thank God every time (we) remember you. In all (our) prayers for all of you, (we) always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel."  As always, we look forward to hearing updates on your lives when you have time!

Have a blessed week and weekend!

SDG  

 

Guessing Game

Hello all!  This week we wanted to introduce you to one of the major bonuses about living where we do - the fresh fruits and vegetables here!  We'd like to make this into a game of sorts.  The caption below the picture lists all the fruits and veggies that we bought last week - what do you think all of this healthy deliciousness cost us?  Please leave a comment if you care to venture a guess.  If any of you would like to do a US - DR comparison and pick up an identical grocercy list in the US, that would be neat to see, too!  Happy guessing :)



2 red bell peppers, 2 head of garlic, 1 red onion, 2 mangoes, 1 cucumber, 1 zuchhini,
1 small eggplant, 2 large tomatoes, 3 bananas, and a bunch of cilantro. 

 Have a great week and be blessed!  SDG

Adventures galore

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are several thousand words to inform you of what we've been doing over the past two weeks. 

By way of an explanation, the first several are from a camping trip we took with thirty-six 6th and 7th grade students to a coffee farm / camp area that is affiliated with the school.

On the Saturday after we returned from the camping trip, Christen's Bible study group held a party for a bunch of local street children who are affectionately referred to as "limpia botes" boys (boot cleaners / shoe shine).  Most of them walk around town with a box with shoe polish and such materials to earn a little extra money from whoever needs a shine.  First, they played in a yard at the house of one of the ladies in Christen's group - catch with a football, swinging on the tire swing, and the small zip line were all hits!  After an hour or so, we fed them hotdogs, chips, refreshments and then their favorite, ice cream.  They finished the night watching a movie and then we brought them all back to town.  We are still getting huge smiles and waves every time we see them in town.  (Pictures of this SOON - we forgot our camera that night)!

The second group of photos are from a 50km endurance race that Joe participated in the past weekend called the "Master de la Cordillera" (Master of the Mountains). 

Camping Trip - Manabao

Hiking up to the campsite over the river



Camp Spirit Discovery, our home for four days with 36 pre-adolescents!

Can't beat the view!

Joe was in charge of gathering firewood.  I think they did okay!

We did two service projects - the first was building a ramp into one of the shelters so that one of our students (who is in a wheelchair) could go up to the campsite the next week and this one, building benches around a new campfire pit

Christen leading the digging effort for the new fire pit.

A few of the 6th and 7th grade students

On the last day, we swam in the river as we hiked out of camp.  Some of the students thought it would be a good idea to gang up on Joe.  Judging from this picture, I think he did okay in defending himself.

The entire group in the river on our way out of camp - we had a great time, but were definitely ready to get home!

Master de la Cordillera (1 Oct 2011)

The first "challenge' in the race - pass a bucket from a hoola hoop on one side to the hoola hoop on the other without the teeter-totter touching the ground (pretty difficult when you weigh 30lbs more than your partner)!



Final challenge - blindfolded, listen to your partners voice of when to drop off of a zipline to land inside the target.  All this after completing 48km on a bike, hiking, rafting, etc. 

We finished!  (7hrs and 30min later).  We were exhausted and hungry afterwards, but the sense of accomplishment after completing such a grueling race was incredible!

Thanks for reading (or at least viewing)!  Hope you are well - blessings to each of you.
SDG

House Photos!

By popular demand, here are some photos of our home!

A front view of our Dominican home :)

Right side view from our front balcony - those are banana and lime trees below!

Left side view from our front balcony - our neighbor's tin roof home and beautiful trees.

A front view from our balcony of the mountains and part of our neighborhood.

Another view from our front balcony of our neighbors home and chicken coop. They have been incredibly helpful to us in our first weeks in our home and are always "a su orden"

(at your service)!

Our perf cabinet that Joe constructed for us to put our clothes in :)

It's nice to no longer be living out of suitcases!

Our kitchen. The bowl with the towel over it is homemade pizza dough which we ate yesterday for Joe's 28th birthday lunch! It was delicious!

Hope you had a great weekend and are enjoying the beginning of fall wherever you are.  SDG