Thanksgiving

Well today you are all celebrating Thanksgiving back home as I sit here in my office thinking about all the good memories I have from Thanksgivings with my family. Though I miss being home during this holiday season, I can't help but think about how much I have to be thankful for here. The Dominican people are absolutely amazing and have become my other family. When I'm missing home, they help take my mind off it by making great memories with me here to hold on to. Last night Allison and I made apple and pumpkin pies. If you know me at all you might laugh at that because I can't cook or bake anything! But these pies actually turned out really yummy! The Sala de Tarea has been going on for about 2 weeks now and I love it! The kids are so much fun and I'm learning lots from them. They love the Bible verses and it's so great to see them excited about learning them. Even a couple kids who didn't seem all that interested about it at first now can't wait to show me that they've memorized it. On top of all the incredible things going on here, I still have so much support from all of you back home! Let me tell you, God has truly blessed me in so many ways and I stand in awe of just how much He has given me to be thankful for.

"Teacher"

Well, the Sala de Tarea has been going on for a few days now and I absolutely love it! On Thurday one of the little girls brought her neighbor and told her that she would have so much fun here. We did some water painting and played a game with the English flashcards which they love! They kept saying, "Teacher, teacher," to get my attention and give me their beautiful paintings. It's kind of cool, and funny, to be called "Teacher." Last week I only had girls and it was okay because I have all sorts of materials for girls to play with...they like coloring and painting. Yesterday my first guy came in and I was a little worried because I didn't want him to get bored with what I have. There isn't very much for guys to play with. But today I brought all sorts of Legos with me, so hopefully that will do. Yesterday I started having the Bible time. I told them the story of creation and then had them draw it. I now have a very nice collection of pictures on the wall! We have a memory verse that they are excited about learning because I told them that on Friday, if they can repeat the verse without looking at it, the will win a prize. It's fun to watch them be so excited about learning the story and repeating it back to me.

DR Beauty

I spent a few days in Samana which is on the northern coast of the island (I am on the southern coast). It was absolutely beautiful! We spent all day Monday on the beach which I have heard is rated one of the top 5 in the world. The sand is white and the water is so blue. It's completely unspoiled...no tourists yet, just natural beauty. It was so good to get out of the city for a few days and enjoy the peacefulness of the country. I got to lay out on the roof at night and gaze at the stars in silence...no motorcycles or loud music playing, just the donkey that occasiouly decided to sing. Today was the start of the Sala de Tarea. I wasn't expecting to have any students show up, but I ended up having 3! I know that doesn't sound like many at all, but that is actually really good for the first day. These are people that hadn't even registered before. I felt kind of bad because there are only a limited amount of supplies for activities and the kids finished their homework quickly. I apologized to them for not having much and they told me that it's ok, cause it's what I do have is really fun. We did some water painting, coloring, and even played a game with English flashcards which they really enjoyed. Next week I'll add in the Bible time which should be fun. Hopefully I'll start thinking of other games and crafts to do too. My Spanish is even getting better because there was no one else there today, so it was just me and the 3 kids. I was obviously forced to speak in Spanish to them, and it wasn't half bad which is a good sign. Please pray for this ministry. I only have 4 volunteers, but they don't work everyday, so I need enough people to help me out daily. Pray that more and more kids will come and that the Sala de Tarea environment will be a fun place for them to be after school where they can learn and grow in God as they build relationships with other children.

La Sala de Tarea

Hola amigos! Como estan? I have now been here in the D.R. for 3 months and love it so much more than when I first arrived. There has been so much going on and I am excited to share it all with you. We have started having weekly Bible study which is so amazing. It's Allison and I, and our 3 girl volunteers. It's been awesome spending time with them every week in a really casual setting just getting to know them. I talk Spanish around them and it's great to just listen to them too. My friendships with the girls are growing stronger in the midst of it. The children's ministry starts next Tuesday. It has been kind of stressful trying to get it all ready...figuring out what to do, having time limits, finding space and materials, finding kids to be involved and volunteers to help daily. But now that things have really started to come together, I am unbelievably excited about it! It is a Sala de Tarea which is pretty much homework help. It's mainly for elementary aged kids to come and do their homework in a supervised setting because most go home while their parents are at work and have no one to help them with their assignments. It'll start everyday around 1:00pm and last till about 6:00pm. The main focus is homework help, but I also have all sorts of other activities planned; a Bible time with a devotional and possible crafts and songs, board games, all sorts of books both in English and Spanish, crafts, and so much more. I've been working really hard over the past few weeks trying to get it all ready. It's kind of hard because there is no funding or supplies for the ministry, so I'm starting off with very little. So if you would like to send anything...used books or craft like materials, anything fun for kids to play with, I would greatly appreciate it. If you are interested in doing so you can email me at agmahathey@triad.rr.com My relationships here are getting stronger and stronger everyday as I get to know the people and learn the language better. I was riding in the back seat leaving the office the other day and it just hit me how much I'm going to miss it here when I have to leave...which is awesome. That's exactly how it should be and I'm excited that I finally truly love it here. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as you are all in mine too. Pray for this ministry...that I will continue to get more volunteers and supplies, that I will truly be able to help the children and be able to show them God's love. Pray for the many minitries that YFC is starting here...there is a program called Sin Excusas..the truth about life, love and sex. We are starting youth ministry training programs for various churches in the community as well as trying to come up with new, fun ideas for Vida Full. Thank you so much for all of your support! You have no idea how much it means to be so far away yet know that I have so many people back home that are supporting me and loving me through it all. Dios te bendiga.