Christmas 2012

      On Tuesday afternoon/evening the 11 de Diciembre,  We had our Génsis Christmas program with about 70 students and parents there. It was a great time had by all. The pictures of all the events are below and tagged accordingly. Wednesday the teachers returned for the morning to clean their rooms. Two or three of the rooms will probably be painted before we start the January semester so they washed the walls and got ready for that. Wednesday evening then to finish the year out, Karen and I had the teachers over to our home for dinner. It was a great time to enjoy a meal, laugh, tell stories and much more. We fell really good about our relationship with the teachers, and as our Spanish continues to improve, so do those relationships. 

        We are looking at some changes in  January with maybe trying some team teaching with two teachers and then 12-15 kids rather than one teacher with 6-7 kids. It is hard for the teacher to get out of the classroom to help one of the kids with a bathroom break or things like that when there is only one teacher in the room. We will also be making some changes outside on the property. There was a 22' square concrete slab that was unused when we arrived and after doing some simple repair on it and adding a short (2 block high) wall on two sides, we are hoping to get it covered and begin using it for our eating area and also a place for everyone to go if it is raining for bible time and craft time. Right now the porch is the only place to do that and it is not set up for that at all. I am looking at a total cost of the roof being a little under $3000 USD, If you feel you want to help with that, email me and let em know that and I will tell you how you can help us out with that cost.

       The teachers will return to do their planning on Jan 7th, and our first Outreach team arriving on the 9th, then the kids return on Jan 14th. I will try to get one more post in before we begin classes by highlighting one of the kids again. 

Nina and Yonathan practice dancing for the Christmas Program

Nina and Yorkiris practice dancing for the Christmas program

All the teachers and Karen at the SI Christmas dinner

The youngest class practice for the program

Genesis on the day of the program

Alexander with the bunny ears on

The program on Tuesday afternoon

More program shots

Anibal telling the parents how to make the cookies and cupcakes that they made on cooking day

Arcadi on cleaning day

Maribel scraping walls on cleaning day

Nelly and one of our regular cleaning ladies, Lisset

       

Meet Alfri

Alfri using a flag during worship time one day.

       Alcinio (Alfri) Aquino Duran has been attending Genesis since the summer of 2009. He lives with his mom Dina, his dad Alcinio, and his sister Yenifer in Palo Blanco. He rides a moto to school driven by a neighbor or sometimes. The ride is about 6-7 KM. Alfri has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus. It is a condition that means he has water on his brain. He has had this since birth. He is basically non-verbal but........ that does not mean he can't express his needs and wants. One of our goals this past summer for Alfri and others similar to him, are that we are not working as hard on the math and social studies skills with him but rather trying to teach him simple words to help him more in in the life skills area.

      Alfri had an older sister, Alcenia, that died this past fall from a lung disease. She had been in a wheel chair for most of her life. Karen, Maribel and I try to get out to Alfir's house for a home visit fairly often as a support to Dina.

Dina and Yenifer in front of their home in Palo Blanco

Arriving on a moto driven by a neighbor this day

      At our graduation day celebration the beginning of August, Dina came up to us and told us that Alfri would not be able to attend the fall semester as the family only had the one moto and his dad needed it to go to work each day and the van transportation was too expensive. We had an offer from our home church to pay for the van transportation (about $750 USD per year) so we went to tell Dina of that offer. While we were there talking with her, I had another thought. After some discussion, I came up with a plan to donate her a moped that I had available (worth about $300 USD) and then she could use that if she needed to do some errands during the day too. It made more sense to me to go that route as it would be less than half the out put cost and provide more options. He has now been able to come back to school and we have been able to use that money from our church to provide transportation for another student. GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME. 

Face painting day at Genesis

        I try to meet the kids each morning as they arrive but on the occasional morning I am still in the office when Alfri gets there, I can hear him say as he comes up the steps. "Mike?", wondering why I am not where I am suppose to be :).   He always has a hug and a huge smile for me. Alfri is a real joy to have at Genesis

Dia de caballo (Horse day) at Genesis.

Getting his face painted by Elli, one of our summer interns.

Lift Team Nov 5-14

Mike, Karen, Jen, Brian, Zack, Katheren

Brian helping Joselyn walk

My name is Brian Hebert; I am from Danvers, MA. I am currently working at Genesis as part of my two week trip to the Dominican Republic. Genesis has definitely been a life changer for me. It’s been a huge blessing to work with the students and teachers here. I’m pretty sure that the students here are teaching me more than I could ever teach them. They are so happy and loving, regardless of their situations. God definitely has His hand on this place.

 I’ve been having a great time with these awesome kids. Last week, we went on a field trip to the Jarabacoa Fire Dept. The students had tremendous time and it was great to see them cheer and smile all at once when they heard the siren and saw then flashing lights on the fire truck. Whether I’m on the playground with them, trying to teach them the Spanish alphabet, or just sitting with them before the school day starts, these children have blessed me through and through.

Jennifer helping wrap the Christmas presents for the children

My name is Jennifer and I ‘m from Michigan.  Working at Genesis has been a huge blessing!!! I was able to help teach the kids math and the Spanish alphabet. After 2 of the teachers took the time to teach me the Spanish alphabet. =) The kids are always cheerful! It’s been a blast playing with them during recess.  Mike and Karen have also been great to work with! I can see that they really love these kids by the way they joyfully serve.  I came here to serve but I also been served by the kids, teachers and Mike and Karen. God is truly good!!!

Zack helping Alfry paint a block on the wall

My name is Zach Hammond and I am from Saratoga Springs New York. Working at Genesis these past two weeks has given me an all new perspective of what happiness is. The Joy that is so evident in the children here. The life of these children is not easy by any means but they do a better job at being content and showing a Godly example of finding their joy in Christ then anyone I know.

Mike and Karen show Christ to these children daily in everything they are doing. It doesn’t matter if they are correcting one of them or if they are just hanging out with them, in every area they show Christ and what it means to be truly following him and giving up everything for him. 

Catherine, just being a friend to Henny

My name is Catherine Craven and I am from Dallas, Texas. When I arrived at Genesis, I was excited to work with these children and teach them whatever I could. However, two weeks later, I realize that they have taught me so much more. They have taught me how to love unconditionally. Their hearts are so big and nothing means more to them than the attention of another. They have also taught me the true meaning of joy. By American standards, these children and families have nothing but they are content. Not only that, but they are happy. They come to school everyday with a smile on their face and ready to learn. It is so amazing to see.

Mike and Karen have been such an encouragement since day one. They serve God and others without hesitation and they have shown me what it really means to be a light in a dark world. My time here at Genesis has been incredible and I could not be more thankful for the opportunity.

 
          What a great team. We are trying to talk to them as coming back as interns in the future. Thanks so much for the help and encouragement you have been to Karen and myself. All four of you were very mature and have a lot of potential to do Gods work in your life. Thanks again.

The day we each painted a block on the wall. Notice the kids from the public school looking over at what we are doing. They often watch us during our worship and bible story time. It is kind of distracting but then on the other hand, what a witness it is.

Nina the firefighter

Nelito trying his best (with a little help from the captain) to get the photographer (me) wet. Oh, he did succeed.

Zack "Moses" Hammond during one of the bible story times.