What does the fox say?

Yep, Young Life Dominican Republic joined the fox craze back in November....   One Friday night we gathered at the school and practiced a dance put to "What Does the Fox Say?", created by our two student leaders.  We then set to the streets of Jarabacoa, flash mobbing the plaza and the favorite pico pollo spot.  The first video is of Karen and Regina (student leaders) teaching us the dance.  The second is a clip from the plaza and the last is from our time at pico pollo.  Enjoy!

Coral Reef Expedition

Approaching Paradise Island

I was invited to help chaperone the tenth grade expedition trip on Coral Reefs.  It was awesome.  I love those tenth graders and I was able to go to two places on the island I hadn't been before.  We started at Paradise Island - literally a sand pile in the middle of the ocean!  We all snorkeled there for an example of a healthy reef.  At one point, I completely freaked out because I was surrounded by so many fish!  But the beauty of the underwater world quickly filled me with awe and peace.  After snorkeling we all played in the waves for awhile, took the boat back through the mangrove trees, interviewed the local fishermen, and ate a delicious, fresh fish-fry for dinner.  That night we loaded back on the bus for Monti Cristi, another town on the north shore.  On our way there, our bus got a flat tire; however, once again I was reminded of the care Dominicans show for one another.  Many strangers stopped and helped us change the tire and get back on our way.
In Monti Cristi, we were able to see an example of a reef that has been damaged by pollution and over-fishing.  Students were once again able to interview local fishermen.  Our classroom for the day was in the middle of the mangroves, on a picnic table in the middle of the water.  Absolutely beautiful.  Snorkeling in this area, I saw a baby barracuda!

The pier at Monti Cristi

Our last day, we went on a small hike on a cliff overlooking the ocean.  We were hoping to see manatees in the water, but did not.  This trip was such a blessing to me and I'm so glad I was asked to help chaperone.  I was just beginning to feel healthy again, and to be out in nature just continued the healing process, physically and emotionally.  I have moments here, where I think, "How in the world did I get here? This is crazy!  This is awesome and amazing."  I had one of those moments, speeding through the ocean in a little speed boat, surrounded by beautiful mountains and people who have become very, very dear to me (when I didn't know this place or these people just 4 years ago).  We are called to be faithful to God's calling - and when we are He can lead us into some pretty cool adventures.  Thank you for the ways you have supported me in this journey.

Our classroom in Monti Cristi

The view from the hike on our search from manatees

The group in Monti Cristi

Making Paper!

If you have ever wanted a glimpse into life in the 4th grade classroom at Doulos, these videos are for you!  Warning, they are in real-time!  The fourth graders made paper as part of their Expedition on trash and recycling.  Yadiel talks you through a few steps of how they did it, as he is working on his own piece of paper.  Enjoy!

Year FOUR!

The Top Ten pictures of the beginning of a new school year (in no particular order)...

Young Life Staff Meeting
Emily, Me, and Melisa (Katie was missing, so we sent her these pics)

FUNdations!!
Alicia (3rd grade teacher) and I are excited to pilot this Phonics program at Doulos!

Rebekah (now a Senior at Doulos!) cooking dinner with me.

PhotoShoot!  Rebekah and I

Couch Olympics!
My dream come true...  Our first YL Event of the Year.  Teams carried couches through the streets of Jarabacoa to complete a Photo Scavenger Hunt.
Here's my team of tenth graders at the gas station!

The team of Seniors with their couch!

Third grader, Alidanfther, working on her Color Poem

Rubi proudly displaying her finished Color Poem

dear Friends being silly during a picnic to celebrate Megan's 25th birthday

Melisa and I drove down the mountain on Megan's Golden Birthday (25 on the 25th) to buy 25 ounces of ice cream with 25 toppings at Sweet Frog.  She was there everyday with friends, her third grade students, or high school girls when it opened last Spring.  She had gone twice the night she died.  Melisa and I had fun celebrating her in that way.

I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into life here in the DR.  Thank you for your continued support in so many ways as I embark on a fourth year here.  Love and peace to you.

2013 Summer Newsletter

Live As You Are Called

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28

This year has been a year of learning... learning to live as I have been called.  I love to look, observe, and compare...and in turn my joy is robbed from me.  My eyes have been opening to the incredible ways I am being used just by living as I am called.  There is great joy in being single and watching the Lord pour out His love through me.  There is a sweetness in being free and available to the Lord’s nudging.  I am not always faithful to that call; however, I am learning.  I am learning that if I am faithful to live as He has called me, that I am often left speechless by what He does around me. 

Expedition Night

Another night of celebration!  Third graders created an Ancient Egypt museum.  Fourth grade students became experts on Incan civilization.  Fifth grade learned about immigration and ran a simulation of a journey to America.  Below are pictures of my classes and here is a link to a video on YouTube that shows snippets from all of the class projects: PK-12.  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hfWnk8di_t0

Marlen and I beginning the mummifying process
(Three students became experts on how to make a mummy, with the end result being to actually make a mummy! - well, sort of.)

Me, Adrian, Natan, and the mummy

And we have a mummy!
Adrian, Natan, Alicia Powell (3rd grade teacher), Marlen, and Me

Ancient Egyptians Anais and Albely

The fifth grade girls and I 

Community

“Your ways, O God, are holy.

What god is so great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;

you display your power among the peoples.”

Psalm 77:  13-14

Hannah

Many of you know that some dear friends here recently had some complications with the birth of their daughter.  Hannah was in need of care that could not be provided at the hospital, here in the DR.  As I watched my friends from the outside and prayed with them, I was amazed at how clearly the Lord shifted pieces of the puzzle.  Many of you, who don’t know the Byker family at all, came forward with information, prayers, finances, offers to help...  We are all so connected and I was moved to tears often because of your generosity and concern for my friends whom you do not know personally.  One of the biggest hurtles for the Byker family was not having U.S. insurance...In less than 24 hours, they had over $50,000 donated from people all over the world to contribute toward hospital costs and Med Evac.  Then, CHOP (in Philadelphia) took them on as a charity case and they are now safely in Philly getting top care for Hannah.  I share this with you for a few reasons.  So many of you followed along with Hannah’s story via my Facebook page as I reposted Joe’s updates and I thought you might be interested to know a little more.  Also, it is stunning and awesome to watch the Lord make a way.  Psalm 77 says, “  You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”  If you would like to continue hearing about Hannah and how you can help the Byker family, you can visit their website at: 

Read Hannah's CaringBridge journal entrywww.caringbridge.orgRead the latest update and show your support. You can be part of Hannah's health journey by reading updates, viewing photos and leaving messages of love, hope and compassion.

Young Life 

WyldLife Camp and Work Crew

Last weekend, another Young Life leader and I took five high school Doulos students to Pico Escondido to be part of the Work Crew for Wyldlife Camp.  It was our first ever Work Crew experience together and it was awesome.  From Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon, we cooked, washed dishes, cleaned bathrooms, washed dishes, chopped vegetables, peeled garlic, washed dishes, swept floors, washed dishes, served smores, washed dishes, ran a County Fair carnival, and washed dishes.  Before and during the weekend we talked about what it means to be a servant and honoring God with our service.  It was so much fun to be with this small group for three days.  It was also such an encouraging time because our Young Life team volunteered to be at camp for the weekend - 2 of us as Work Crew bosses, 2 on Work Crew, 1 on Program, 1 in the cabin with middle school boys (oh my...), and 1 as a superstar volunteer available for whatever needed to be done.  I am so encouraged by the people that I live and serve with daily.  It’s amazing to see people live like Christ and be His hands and feet.

Here are a few pictures from our latest shenanigans in YL...

Curt and I hosting (in gold!) Dominican Idol for YL Karaoke Night
**the sound system "failed" and Emily had to sing from an iPod
She rocked it!

Kate finishing her number from the iPod

The winners...

Jedely, Karen, and I

Doulos 

My parents have made the comment that Doulos is a special place.  Doulos is the hub of all that is swirling around - the good, the challenging, the joys, the relationships, the academics, the celebrations...the list goes on.  This semester is flying by and we are almost ready to celebrate with another Expedition Night.  The third grade is exploring Ancient Egypt, fourth grade is comparing Incan life with Dominican life, and fifth grade is  experiencing Immigration. Below are a few pictures from Revolution (our bi-weekly all-school Friday gathering) this semester.

Third grade

Teachers vs. Students
Danae vs. Rony
(racing to get the scarf first without getting tagged)

Natalie vs. Saul

Friends, as always, thank you so much for your continued support.  Please continue to pray for the Byker family and for the Doulos community.  

Ash Wednesday

"I don’t know what you’re doing, but I know who You are...”  JJ Heller

Pain.  Hard to understand and make sense of it.  There’s been a lot of pain among the community of Doulos this year.  People that surround me and whom I live life with everyday - students, YL kids, coworkers - are hurting... deeply.  There has been death, substance abuse, loved ones moving away, depression, accidents, and general sadness and heaviness for all that is whirling around us.  There have been questions and conversations.  As I enter into my own pain, or someone else’s pain through my love for them, I can see the Lord meeting us there.  A friend shared this excerpt from a book she is reading:  

"Why is heartbreak so universal? It's universal because we're feeling something as old as the world. Something God feels.... The cross is God taking on flesh and blood and saying, "Me too." This can transform our experience of heartbreak. Instead of being something that distances us from God, causing us to question, "Where are you?" every poem by a lover spurned, every song sung with an ache, every movie with a gut-wrending scene, every late-night conversation and empty box of kleenex are glimpses into the life of God."

"The more we open ourselves up, the more vulnerable we are. The more exposed we are, the more in hurts. The more we let someone in, the greater the risk."

Sex God by Rob Bell

If I have been even more absent than usual, it’s because I haven’t known how to write about life here these days... but a good friend told me to just write, because you all want to know.  And you want to pray.  So, friends, please pray for my precious friends down here.

The community here has become dear to my heart and one of the most precious moments came to me this past Wednesday.  My women’s bible study gathered as we normally do on Wednesday nights, but this time we shared in an Ash Wednesday service together.  One of the women put together a service for us to follow and the five of us reflected, sang, prayed, communed, and put ashes on each other in my living room.  It was beautiful.  Beautiful to remember tradition.  Beautiful to be together.  Beautiful to be on our knees together.  Beautiful to partake in communion.  Beautiful to reflect on Christ as we put ashes on each other’s foreheads.  I pray Lent is a time of reflection for us all.

Life continues on here in Jarabacoa and there have been some amazing blessings and joyful moments with my classes and with Young Life these past few weeks.  I hope to share those with you through pictures soon.  For now, here is where I am.  

Joy

"I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High."  Psalm 9:2

It's been a busy, but great, beginning of the year!  Below are a few pictures that show what the semester has held thus far...

Third Grade goes to the aquarium...

We all fit in one guagua!

Jenifer excited to hold a starfish!

Malachi is lovin' life!

total awe.

5th grade performed for "5 Minutes of Fame" at Revolution this semester.  Check out their performance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT6sgZFaXMM



Young Life in Jarabacoa

Young Life kicks off with Water Olympics

High-fiving Jesus during the Photo Scavenger Hunt

"Throwing a wish in a well"
Photo Scavenger Hunt

Climbing a tree in El Parque
Photo Scavenger Hunt

The team with a chicken?  Okay, turkey works too
Photo Scavenger Hunt

The team on a stranger's moto
Photo Scavenger Hunt

Thalia leading Bingo with the elderly during our YL Serv-a-thon
(high school students collected pledges per hour serving to raise money for camp)

YL Serv-a-thon group after a fun and tiring day!

Life...

Kerrie (aka Jan Brady) and I in the 70s...

The Scars.
Celebrating Tim's birthday with a 70s party.
Check out little baby Charlotte's homemade afro wig

I celebrated my birthday with this fantastic crowd and a game of kickball.
It was glorious.

Our kickball game...right in my backyard

Good friends Brad and Amanda came to visit!

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