Year Three!

"Ask me whether 

what I have done is my life."  

(words taken from William Stafford’s “Ask Me”)

In reading Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak, I ran across this William Stafford poem.  These words intrigue me as I begin my third year in the Dominican Republic.

Am I letting my life speak here?  Or am I letting the busy-ness of responsibility take over and letting my true purpose get lost?

I had the most refreshing and life-giving summer I’ve had in a very long time.  I was blessed with visits from friends and family, time to read and journal, opportunities to share about life in the DR and meet with many of you, time to exercise, and time to enjoy sitting by the water.   I was blessed by the simplicity of life for a few weeks and because of that the transition back to the DR has been the easiest one yet.  

Third graders Nathan and Maralis

On the first day of school and I was SO excited to see the kids!  I am still teaching third, fourth, and fifth grade English.  My fifth graders this year are my third graders from my first year... it is so fun to have them for a third year.  I’m excited to see the high schoolers as well and spent an afternoon making cookies with a few girls last .  I feel blessed by the depth of relationships here and am excited for what this year will bring.

Third graders Adrian and Akiva

Please pray for this year and that I would not allow busy-ness to take over.  My natural tendency is to be busy for the sake of being busy.  Then I become overwhelmed.  However, this year I want to focus on the simplicity of living life with others and the lessons I learned this summer.  I am so thankful to enter into this year with you.  It is amazing to know that this is not just my third year investing in this community, but yours as well!  What a journey we are on together and I could not be more thankful for your support.  I look forward to sharing pictures and stories from the year ahead.

Much love and peace,

Sara

Summer Newsletter

                                      
As any teacher anywhere knows, the end of school is bittersweet.  And leaves us wondering, “Where did the time go?”  This May was no exception at Doulos Discovery School.  The final week of school brought Math Madness Olympics 2012!  And it was madness!  Team Kenya (3rd and 10th grades is pictured above).  All week long students competed in math challenges based on their curriculum for the year... but in the style of Doulos, it’s done in a creative and adventurous way!  Answers often had to be sent down a zipline to an awaiting team member, sprinted across a field, and even shot with a paintball gun.  The bonus round included shooting a faculty member with the paintball gun.  Don’t worry - with all this adventure, Doulos is first and foremost about safety and supervision!  What a great week for students to celebrate all that they have learned this school year.  Graduation was another joyful night of celebration on June 2nd.  Glenys, our Young Life Student Leader of two years, graduated that night.  She plans to attend college in the States and is praying that her funding comes through.  She has been an amazing student leader and even though I will miss her tremendously, I’m so excited to see how she will be serving next.

The Third Year...

As you know, I have agreed to continue serving in the DR through Doulos and Young Life for at least another year.  Many of you initially agreed to support me for two years, because that was what I initially agreed to.  I do not feel released from here yet and would like to invite you to continue this journey with me.  I am still in need of financial and prayer partners.  Please indicate your recommitment on the included card.  Thank you so much for your support over these past two years.  It has been a joy and privilege to share and serve with you.  

“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. 

Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." 

Habakkuk 3:2