July 4

What a day of independence! Its been a while since we have been able to get to the internet, as you can tell, and there have been some great and unexpected experiences. Teaching the students has been great. It is not easy because of the language gap, even with those of us who speak spanish. The students are eager to learn and we have had fun teaching them about technology. Here is a picture of mine and Ambers class..




We went to Bani this weekend and stayed at a beautiful beach house right on the shore. Claudina and Clara set this whole weekend up. They were very kind and we had tons of fun relaxing and swimming.


The Beach House


Anna's Glamour Shot


My new buddy Yefri. His parents are servants for some of the people who own houses on this beach. He came by a few times and showed us some tricks off the dock.


Yefri running and preparing to jump off the dock


Eating Lunch in the shade


We found these ridiculously huge hats and decided they were necessary while kayaking


More ridiculous hats



Here are some other random pictures of things we've be doing and things we have seen.

The road on the way to school


Common Dominican Home


The "Love Birds" walking home from school



The Santo Domingo Temple


Night Time w/ no power


In other news...Shumway left for home this weekend and we will miss him greatly. He has been a great example and teacher to all of us students here. It was hard to see him go, and a few tears were shed when he left. Dr. Terry and his wife will be coming Tuesday afternoon. We are excited for them both and especially to have a "Mom" in the nunnery with us.

Health Update: So far two of us have become a little ill...Shumway got a parasite, but he is on the mend and now back in the states. Marci had a fever this weekend, unfortunately while we were at the beach house, but she is doing much better now and is back teaching the students. We have a good doctor that we go to who takes care of us...Fear not Mothers and Fathers!

A few of us sat around the table tonight and sang some patriotic hymns. As we sang "America the Beautiful" and "The Star Spangled Banner" in our kitchen/dining room, we felt a little longing for home, and realized how grateful we are for the freedoms we have and for our home country.