Visitor

This weekend/next week we get the pleasure of sharing our home and new country with Shohei. He is a young man from Japan living and working in Guatemala. He and Brian both stayed in the same house when studying Spanish in Antigua.

Christmas Program at El Callejon

Mae has been helping one day a week at one of SI's preschools.  She is a teacher's aide, and she has learned a lot the last few months about working with preschool-aged kids!  Today the children performed songs for the parents at a Christmas program.  So cute- especially the ones who try to hide on stage or just stand and stare out of complete fright.  Memories are being made- for them and for my big helper.  So proud to have a  12 year-old daughter who loves to serve.

Staff Christmas Party

We helped of hospitality staff (yeah for Mary Ellen and Dick!) prepare for 140 guests to attend this year's Christmas party...our missionary staff, auxiliary staff, and their families.  What a night!  We ate lots of food, played games, read the Christmas story, and gave out gifts.  But the best part, being together.   So blessed by the group of people we get to work with.

Coming up next

1. Brian's bible study group for dinner- Had a great time with new friends and some good food.  We loved opening our home to others, and hope we get to do this more in the coming year.  God has sent some talented and energetic servants to Jarabacoa with many great ministries.  So glad to be a part of a bigger story.
2. WyldLife Christmas Party Not a ton of kids, but Mary Emily said it was a fun night.  Thankful for a ministry where she can interact with peers.
3. Five days spent with Shohei Shimada (Brian's Japanese roomate from Guatemala Lang. School)
4. Airport runs with American/ Canadian staff and semester students heading north
5. Christmas cards for all the sponsors at our 3 preschools and our Special Ed school Need a few address, but pretty much can check this one off the list.  Loved hanging out with the Lanier girls while stuffing cards and addressing envelopes.  Thankful for the families that give to help our schools.
6. Mailrun ...here is hoping presents make it down before Christmas Think they all made it.  Still have to secretly open a few boxes.
7. Church Christmas dinner (our first Dominican potluck!)
8. Picking up Sissy's parents who arrive DEC 25th- (Thank you Santa!)
9. Painting and cleaning spare bedroom that has lately been used as storage...guess that probably needs to move up the list ....

 Somehow December here seems almost as busy as it is in the states!  

Looking back at November

Well, we can hardly believe that we have entered the month of December.  The last few weeks have flown by.  Here are some of our "going on's" from the past month- in no particular order.
We visited some college friends who came down to the island for an anniversary trip and a former SI staff member and her family doing medical work in La Romana.
We helped decorate and serve a Thanksgiving dinner to our semester students (who thankfully helped us clean up afterward.)
We began decorating at the base for our HUGE Christmas dinner.
We spent a weekend at the beach (with pouring rain) getting to know one of the SI families a little better.
We began making our house a little homier with furniture (YEAH for a comfortable couch) and paint.

Brian (along with the leadership team) planned and executed a two-day workshop for our staff- which was a great team building experience.
Sissy worked with teachers at the special ed school to develop some standardized objectives and learning goals for the spring term.
Mary Emily continued volunteer work and Isabelle continued piano lessons. Both continue to learn at home- whew!
November was a full month- and one for which we are thankful.
THANKS for YOUR PARTNERSHIP that allows us to work and minister here.