Centro Especial Genesis, a mission of Students International, comes along side of those in Jarabacoa that are working with the children of Special Needs in the community.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

June 18-30 Outreach

This outreach we welcomed. Doug Davis, Sarah Davis, Sarah Eaton, Kate McFeaters, and Savannah Shaw to the Special Ed site of Students International. And a great week we had. Thanks guys and we
hope to see you all again. -Mike
Our group, minus Tyler, at Dinner in the Community. What a beautiful Creator we serve.
Doug, Sarah D., Ellie, Kate, Sarah E., Savannah, and Nina.



Antony and Kate
This week I was able to work with the kids at the Genesis School.  I did some one on one work and I spent a lot of time in a classroom with four-six year olds.  I loved the time here, learning about the special gifts God has given each person whether big or small.  God has opened my eyes to a different culture and experience than I would get at home.  The kids showed constant joy and love even to me, an "americana."  The kids were just like any other kids back in the states.  They all want love and someone to play with.  I loved working with each of the kids and will remember this experience for the rest of my life.        --Kate McFeaters
Doug with Anibal, Franklin, and Jonathan.
Hola, its Doug Davis from Kingsburg, California.  I was privileged to serve alongside my daughter at Genesis.  What an incredible group of teachers and staff our Lord has put together here.  I believe the Lord has a special place in his heart for children affected by a disability, and an even bigger place for those committed to love and serve these children. The Lord has provided great leadership here in Maribel, Karen, and Mike.  The children are being cared for and trained not only in academics and life skills but in righteousness as the staff proclaims our Lord daily to these special ones.  Being an educator from the United State,s I had to get use to the relaxed way or approach to the day. I always want to do, do, do, but here its relate, relax and renew as you assist and support the Genesis Staff.  For the Summer, our Interns, Ellie and Tyler, have committed to serve and allow the Lord to use them.  Its evident in the way the children and staff have accepted their sacrifice and they were great helps for us.  For those of you who have not visited the Genesis school, its as beautiful outside as it inside.  The Lords presence is felt the first time you walk up the driveway with its lush trees and bushes and beautiful yard.  A more appropriate name would have been Eden, as it feels like that.  You are then welcomed with the sound of children laughing, singing, and learning, or maybe its just Henny screaming out in joy.  I will cherish my time spent here and miss the children and staff.  But it is awesome to know the Lord has put together a truly wonderful place where very important people in the kingdom are being cared for by the very ordinary followers of Christ. Gracias a Dios, -Doug




Alexander, Sarah D., and Henny playing with blocks.
 This week I was given the opportunity to serve at Genesis, I came into it thinking that I would be able to serve and bless the kids but I think that the Lord taught me much more about true joy and love through all the kids here at the school. I think that sometimes people pity kids with special needs when they in fact are able to consistently express true Joy and Love for others everyday. It was a great and humbling experience. God is good. -Sarah Davis






The team members and interns leading worship.
Sarah E., Sarah D., Savannah, Doug, Kate, Tyler, and Ellie.
Yafreisy and Savannah.
I liked listening to everyone's testimonies and the worship in the mornings before our day started.  I feel like two weeks seems like a long time but when it really comes down to it, it's not long enough to really get to know the kids before we have to leave.  I liked hanging out with the little kids at the school during recess and worship.  I'm glad I got to be in the class and work one-on-one with the kids so I could see how both worked.  I've had a lot of fun and all the kids are really cute:).  -Savannah
Sarah E. playing with Gensis.
I really enjoyed my experience at Genesis.  I enjoyed working one-on-one with the kids doing therapy and just helping them learn their numbers, colors, and other basic things.  I had a great time working with the interns, other team members, and Karen and Mike were amazing as well.  What really shocked me was how much the kids have unconditional love for each other and everyone else.  -Sarah Eaton
"Go shake a friend's hand!"

Friday, June 15, 2012

May 21 - June 2 Outreach

Jill, Tyler, Kim, and Ellie after Friday's Banquet.
The whole Génesis group!

Gissel, Franklin, and Tyler before Worship.

Worship Time!

The Holy Spirit moves so freely through these kids.
Henny and Ellie coloring.

Junior playing with Kim.

Jill and Junior

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

NEW BLOG SITE

     Hello from Génesis, We didn't really go anywhere, we just haven't posted for a while. Here is an update on some happenings at Génesis over the last 12 months. June 28, 2011 was the last post by Amy Green, the director at Génesis, and soon after that post, Amy moved back to the great state of Arkansas to continue her education. She is in the process of getting her Masters Degree in Special Education. Thanks Amy for all the hard work and "life" that you put into Genesis during your time here. It has made our adjustment much easier and the kids still ask about you.
     At that point, one of the current teachers for the past number of years, Maribel Mondragon stepped into the director shoes until Karen and I could arrive at the end of April 2012. The original plan was for her to go back to teaching when we arrived however, she did such a fantastic job in her new role that it was a unanimous decision to go to a three person team in the administrative end when we arrived.
   You can learn more about the journey of our family at our own blog The Unternahrer family in the DR . Maribel is in charge of teacher training along with the help of Karen, My primary role is maintaining of the building and property as well as doing the bookwork and finances of Genesis.
    You can see a photo of each teacher on the tabs at the top of this blog as well as a little history of their lives. The goal of Karen and myself is to follow the leading of God by helping the children at Genesis and at the same time, help the interns, teams, and semester program students to see what it is like be a servant of God in this role, in hopes that they too will continue to do the same their whole life.
     I will try to have a new updated post every few weeks or so. I also hope to lean hard on the interns, teams and semester students for updates, in using that as part of their training.