"The Week Between Teams"

    When we said good bye to Kappy and Renee two weeks ago, we had an upcoming week with no teams before our last two week outreach of the year. We enjoyed having my folks with us for that time and having mom help out Karen do some organizing and putting things away. As we approached this week, Maribel had informed me that on  Wednesday she would like to have another cooking class for the students and I (Mike) would be in charge of it and was to make cookies. Instantly I saw a red flag (well actually several red flags) as that was when my folks would be here. So we would need to reschedule it for Tuesday before they get here. Maribel then said that no, she thinks it would be good for my mom to see me with the kids so we stick with Wednesday. GREAT!!!!!!!! THAT'S JUST GREAT!!!! Well it actually went off pretty uneventful considering how it could have gone.

Don't be concerned that his mask is not covering his nose. It got in his way when he had to sneeze (AUGH!!!!!!)

     We also had a couple of dramas that week put on by the teachers. The first one talked about how to clean your heart. It was decided that you can't clean it with a plunger or with laundry detergent. It is best to use God to clean your heart. One of the things that has been so encouraging to Karen and me is how the teachers are so creative in their methods. They also know how to keep the attention of the kids (and adults) and get the message through..

Here the three lions (Lionesses) try to scare Daniel

 The next play on Wednesday was acting out Daniel and the Lion's den. These are done during the time that the kids have their worship and bible time, after lunch. From there, they usually have some sort of craft time.

The king is praying to his God.

Here the kids try on the costumes to play the parts.

Here is a shot of Henny after hearing that the school had just received several cases of wet wipes from our Sunday School class in the states. Thanks so much for that donation and for my folks for bringing them down to us. 

Outreach # 2 October 13-20 2012

   
With another great week behind us, it seems like so much has happened, probably because it has. With our second cooking class, a skit with the best looking clowns in town, and we had the best two outreach participants of the whole group. Here is what they wrote of their experience here.

Renee working with Franklin

I have so enjoyed my time here at Genesis this week! Seeing the children participate in Bible time, choosing what songs they should sing, and raising their voices and hands in praise to God was a joy everyday! Spending time with Mike and Karen and their family was a joy as well! I am thankful that God has provided a beautiful, loving environment for the students to come and learn and grow! I will long remember dancing with Yunior, Spanish lessons with Emanuel, the walk to the park with Henny, and many other fun times! Praise be to God!   Renee

Kappy helping Reymond

When I had to decide on which site to work on in the Dominican Republic, I immediately chose Special Education.  As a parent of a disabled daughter, I was curious to see how special children were educated and cared for in another country.  From the first moment at Genesis, it became obvious that the children are loved and nurtured every day.  Karen, Mike and the teachers have great ideas for fun, informative learning.  If you come to Genesis, the children will steal your heart and you will never be the same.  You can see the love God has for these children pour out of every person at Genesis.  It was an amazing experience.    Kappy   

Vladi and Yunior learning to work in the kitchen

Henny enjoying the ham sandwich that she made herself during the cooking day

Arcadi and Yulissa putting on a skit about "the best way to clean your heart"

What a great week it was. Now we have a week of no outreach groups and then a two week group to finish out our fall groups. Thanks for following us and keep the emails coming.   Mike Unternahrer

1st fall outreach

       

 As you read the following posts from our outreach participants. it is very evident that we had a great week. Destiny and Glenna were wonderful.

    Hello, my name is Destiny I have been overly excited this last week knowing that I would get to wake up and work everyday at the special education site (GENESIS). I have always known my entire life that I wanted my career to be caring for children with disabilities. I was just a little confused on which way to go about it.  But over the summer I got offered to come to the Dominican Republic and work at genesis.  Now after doing so I can honestly say this was the best experience of my life. Being able to come and see their smiling faces everyday and their amazing sense of humor has made me very happy. The staff and children have impacted my life and I pray that God allowed me to do the same.   

Genesis -  “In the beginning…”

As a teacher of students with learning disabilities and a mother of a child who has developmental disabilities, I found it difficult to believe that before this center was established there were no educational opportunities for these children.

This week as I experienced the joy that is Genesis, God touched my heart for Mike and Karen, Maribel and Samuel, each teacher and each and every student. I will continue to pray for each of them as well as their families.

The work that is being done here is happening on so many levels. I loved to see each day begin with a devotional time for teachers to get into the Word and pray for what God has in store for them. On Wednesday I asked the “profesoras” why they teach here and each one answered with a sincere heart. Some had family ties with children with disabilities, but all indicated that they felt called by God to serve Him in this way. They view their students as capable of learning, each in their own way. What a gift!

This blessing that is Genesis has a permanent place in my heart and my prayers. ¡Dios le bendiga!

                                                “…and God saw that it was good.”

Glenna Spindelman

Oceanside, California

         On Friday we celebrated Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day) at Genesis. the teachers and staff put on a skit that  the kids really enjoyed. as you can tell in the photo. I was Photoshopped in with a skirt. Of course I would never wear a skirt, even for a skit. But it really is a great job of editing a photo don't ya think? Now the lady on the far left is Karen. She was not able to find a suitable costume so she just wore her regular everyday school clothes. As you can tell we have a lot of fun at the school too.