We started this morning running some errands, shopping for a few more things to finish our organizing project. When we had been cleaning the pre-school closets on Tuesday we realized that many of the toys needed to be replaced so we were able to pick up a few new things for each classroom. The teachers were were so appreciative and it's fun to watch the kids playing with their toys. At lunch there is a two hour siesta so we went to Eddy's sisters house as she had prepared our noon lunch. It is common for one woman of the family to cook lunch daily for the extended family which in Eddy's family can be upwards of 15-20 people. We enjoyed rice and beans and fried chicken pieces that looked similar to our chicken fingers but with a much more interesting flavor. Chicken is the meat that is served at most meals. Beef is not generally served unless it is in the form of ground beef and mixed with something, and pork is only served for special occasions like Christmas as it is very expensive.
In the afternoon we worked in Shelley's office making files for her filing cabinet and filing away papers. After school Shelley, Karen and I went to Carrie & Eddy's apartment for "Girl's Night Out". First we worked on creating a manual that can be used by work teams that come down to Pathway to Jesus which would offer suggestions on how to organize a trip and educates team members about Dominican culture. We then enjoyed Pizza Hut pizza and good conversation. Later on a friend stopped by and was telling us about some recent events where he experienced God's provision in his life and we had the opportunity to hear his testimony. It was very moving to hear how he was obedient to God's calling even though it meant great difficulty for him. We were very blessed by what he shared.
Here are a few funny stories of things that happened this week:
I got a new phone before I left which is able to download apps. I downloaded a translation app thinking that would be my ticket for communicating with my Dominican friends. We were trying the app for the first time with Shelley's daughter Sarah who is bi-lingual. I asked it to translate - "Where is the grocery store" into Spanish, which is did correctly. I then asked Sarah to say in Spanish "The supermarket is down the street". The app then translated that into "The sugar market is anchored care". At that point I decided it probably wasn't a good idea to depend on technology to communicate. Real life translators or even just hand motions work much better.
Karen has made a connection with one of the teachers, Manuela. She is always smiling and is very fun loving. I think Karen and her could be best friends if there wasn't 1900 miles between them. I don't even think the language barrier would be a problem because they both just like to laugh. So Karen asked me to take a picture of her and Manuela and after the picture taking session Manuela came to give me a hug also before she went to her class. Karen started exclaiming loudly "Oh no, you are just my friend. You can't be Ruth's friend too!" Manuela laughed and laughed so now Manuela and I have to sneak in our hugs or we have to endure the scolding of Karen.
Thursday is our last day so we have to make sure to wrap up all our projects and say goodbye to all our new friends. We are not looking forward to saying goodbye but will tell them all we will see them next year, "Si Dios quiere" or, If God Wants as they say to us. - Ruth
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| the unsuccessful translator app |
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| new toys! |
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| Karen with "her" friend |
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