Two More Days...

It's true, I only have 2 days left in the Dominican Republic. I fly back to Arizona THIS Friday! Here are some pictures to give you a glimpse of what I've been up to the past few days...

Mallory is going to be a new missionary with Kids Alive here in Jarabacoa. Since she won't be coming until October, we decided it would be good for her to come for a week to 'learn the ropes' of what her responsibilities will be (Anija sponsorship and the library).

I tried to use as much change as I could.

I told Karolyn that I am her new 'madrina' or sponsor.

We've had a good time hanging out. :)

Said, "Bye" to the lizard in the library.

"Mr. Lizard" if it's a boy and "Lizzie" if it's a girl.

Took the work teams on barrio visits.

Enjoyed huge mangoes. :)

I've also hang out with the summer interns a bit. I took the girls who are helping at Anija to a jewelry shop in town and they loved riding on my motorcycle!

Spent time with the Coopers and hanging out with Joshua.

I made sure to take a picture with Justin Cooper so he will remember me :)

El Maraton del Arca

Here's a few pictures from the Ark Maraton this weekend. There were four different routes and distances. One for each age group. I ran the longest route which was 3.85 miles. It's mostly Ark kids, staff, summer interns, and Kids Alive missionaries who participate.

A few of us who ran...

Melia was excited to run.

Joshua wasn't so sure. He went to the start and then cried once they said, "Go!" so his dad walked him back. :)

More 'gringos' who ran (I'm not sure how Rosalinda-one of the Ark kids- nudged her way into the picture).

Prayers Needed

Please pray for one of our kindergartners at Anija. We just found out that her mom was put in prison because of her involvement with drugs. Her dad is apparently taking care of her but we aren't convinced this is the best situation for her. We are praying and people are talking to see if living at our residential site, the Ark, would be an option for her.

I also found out that a Haitian friend, who worked at Anija last year, is being beaten by her husband. When the police came she wouldn't say anything she just sat on the floor, crying. They just had their first baby a few months ago. A lot of people are surprised and have tried to get her out of the house but she refuses to leave.

I'm Officially a Sponsor!

After a long time of thinking about which kid I wanted to sponsor from Anija, I've finally decided who I'm going to sponsor...

Karolyn!

Karolyn was in my small group during Awana this year. She's had a tough year of moving around and is now living with her parents and younger sister. I've enjoyed getting to know her and love on her during library classes, hanging out at her house and coloring, and leading her in Awana. She will be in fourth grade next year. I feel privileged to be her sponsor. :)

**Please let me know if you would like to sponsor someone with Kids Alive here in the DR and I will get pictures of them before I leave on Friday!**

Saying Good-bye to Kenyely

Today I stopped by Kenyely's house, and I'm glad I did. I was planning on seeing her next week at Anija when the summer program starts but I found out she will be with her mother in Santiago all summer starting this weekend. So, I ended up saying bye to her and her grandmother this afternoon. I also met her father for the first time. I told her I'd miss her a lot, that I will be praying for her, and that I am already planning a trip to come visit!

Kenyely (far left), her sister, and friends.

From the DR to Arizona

It's official.

I'm moving back to Arizona (and a little sooner than I expected)!

God has graciously opened doors for me to be the 5th grade teacher at Chandler Christian School next year and I am excited! There are so many things running through my mind right now, I'm not sure where to begin...

First, I've had to change my departure date (originally Aug. 1) from the DR as the first day of school is August 3. I haven't quite decided when I'll be back but I'm thinking around June 24-28.

Second, I have a whole lot to do before I leave. My first priority is to finish the sponsorship progress reports. Then I will help welcome 25 summer interns (and live with them for a week or two). I will get to talk about sponsorship with the first couple of work teams for the summer and show them where some of our students live. I'm also hoping to tidy up the library and prepare it for the next librarian.

In between all of that, (and the hardest part about leaving) I will be saying good-bye to many, many friends and all the students I have fallen in love with. I'm not even sure who to start with...

How can you help me during this process?

Please continue praying and sending your encouraging words as I know I'll need lots of support in transitioning to life back in the States. As I process everything that's happened over the past two years, I pray for a way to continue to be a part of the ministry with Kids Alive and the kids of Jarabacoa.

Other prayer requests-

I'm looking to buy a used car. I will also be looking for a roommate in the near future. Please let me know if you can be of help in these areas!

Lastly, I would love to reconnect with all of you who have been so faithful in supporting and praying for me during my time in the Dominican Republic. I'm hoping to have an open house of some sort but either way, please let me know if you'd like to get coffee or if you'd like me to share with your Bible study, Sunday school, church, etc.

I look forward to all God has in store for me and praise God for all He is doing here in the DR!

Julie-Anne

Adventure of the Night

Even though she hesitated at the beginning, I convinced her she could do it. After a little screaming, shoe throwing, and then searching, she found it and conquered.

Or as my roommate would say, we "demolished" it. Can you even tell what it was?

A typical GIGANTIC cockroach.

Random Pictures of the Week

Here are some random pictures from the week. Enjoy!

Since moving into a new house a few weeks ago, I have loved sitting out on the balcony in the mornings and watching the sun rise.

Although this is not from the fruit tree we have in our yard, this is a picture of a guanabana.

This guanabana is from our yard and this is what the inside of one looks like. I never knew how to eat one of these until a (Dominican) friend showed me.

It definitely has a slimy texture and almost every bite has a seed.

Some pictures from 'Coloring Wednedsay.'

Isn't she beautiful?!

I love happy kids.

PS- these kids still need sponsors! :)

This weeks sighting of 'the lizard.'

Getting some more 'thank you hugs' from the 5th graders after our ice cream party.

Celebrating May, June, & July Birthdays!

Before summer vacation starts I wanted to make sure we celebrate summer birthdays. Every grade is on a different schedule so we end up having several birthday parties (we had 5 this time!). We had presents, ate brownies and chips, and enjoyed Pepsi and Red Rock to drink. :)

Here are a few pictures from the festivities.

Happy Birthday!!!

Library Prizes!

The end of the year has come which means it was time to give out library prizes! During the semester I kept track of the students and class who behaved the best, walked quietly in line, obeyed, turned their books in on time, signed the note card correctly, and read the most. I gave a new book to one student in each grade, to the top students who checked out the most books, and to the class who participated and behaved the best.

Here is a picture of the prizes I gave out to individual students- thank you for all the donations!

We had an ice cream party for the class prize. I also gave each of them a pencil with an eraser, a bookmark, and a bracelet.

I think all of the 5th graders love me a little more after today.

After we were done eating our ice cream we had some fun taking pictures. :)

Thank you teacher Yudy for helping your 5th graders win the class prize!

Melia's Birthday

Yesterday was Melia's birthday. Melia is one of Paul and Marcie Cooper's children. They are fellow Kids Alive missionaries that I had lived next to until a couple weeks ago. Paul works with me at Anija (he's my boss) and Melia is in first grade there. I've loved getting to know them, play with and babysit their kids, eat dinner with them, call them for a helping hand, having good conversations with Marcie, and so much more.

I took Melia for ice cream after school.

Melia invited the girls from her first grade class (and me!) to her birthday party.

The Coopers also have a little pool which was so fun for the kids to play in. A Dominican tradition is to dump water on the birthday person so they were chasing and splashing Melia in the pool.

Luisanna didn't bring her swimsuit so we stayed inside and colored. She is so sweet and well-mannered!

The party was fairy-themed. They played a cute game which ended with them all dressed up! Overall, I think Melia had a very fun day. :)

Yescauly

This week I took Yescauly home after Awana.

We colored with her little cousins :)

Library Class with the First Graders

"De Paseo Por La Selva"

Future Anija Students?

Here are some more pictures of kids we visited as we continue our search for future Anija students!

Lindsey (above) already attends Anija, we were visiting her little sister (below).

This little girl's sister also attends Anija already. It's cool to hear what a difference families can see in kids who attend Anija compared to a public school.

One of the things we look for when talking with the family of a potential student is if they really can't afford to pay for school. In this case, the mother asked, "If my child doesn't get a scholarship, can I pay for my child to attend Anija?"

She was a cutie whose older sister already attends Anija as well. She just wanted to go outside and buy an ice cream.

And this guys sister also already goes to Anija. I don't think he'll end up coming to Anija as his dad told us that they are probably heading back to Haiti in July.