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Valentina: Our First Dominican Student Intern

Our sweet 10 year-old Valentina on an afternoon in August of 2012.

What a privilege it has been to watch Valentina Ferrand grow up in our various programs! A few years ago she told me that she wanted to be an elementary teacher, and thus began the dream that is starting to unfold.

Valentina recently graduated from the local public high school. She attended classes regularly and earned high grades, but it was common knowledge that she was not prepared to enter a quality university due to her level of reading, writing and math skills. After a great deal of research we discovered a four-month college prep program in the city that Valentina is currently attending.

A generous donation is providing for her official prep program, transportation and also individualized tutoring in reading, writing, computer skills and English. We are doing everything we can to set her up to be successful. Will you please pray specifically for Valentina during these four months of intensive classes?

Valentina has become one of my right hand helpers and now we are officially calling her our student intern. (Our first Dominican intern! How exciting is that?!!!) Really we are just formalizing what she is already doing and plans to continue doing throughout her university career.

Can I just confess that I am trying hard to not be a “helicopter mom?” It’s probably a really good thing that we were wearing masks when Valentina and I met with the university’s administrator. He may have thought there was something wrong with me because I was smiling so much that my face hurt and also working hard to fight back tears of joy. It was one of those times that hope seemed tangible. Hope for Valentina to have a career of her choosing. Hope that many others will follow in her footsteps. Hope that someday soon we will have a quality school where graduates won’t have to play catch-up.

 
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Family Picture Project and a Paint Party

Published on March 31, 2021 by in Uncategorized

We strive to do many different projects to better the lives of the people in the communities we serve. Every once in a while we do things “just for funzies,” just to say, “Hey you’re important to us. We care about you!” Our family picture project was one of those.

Our leaders went into their communities with a digital camera to capture family units. I then printed and laminated the photos that are being delivered to the families as I write this. Will it dramatically change the trajectory of lives? Probably not, but we’re hoping it brings some smiles and a sense of being seen.

Today we incorporated a Paint Party into our Bible Study time as part of our Semana Santa (Holy Week) activities.

As she was painting, one of the ladies said with her tears streaming down her face, “Jesus suffered all of this for me. How can I not live for Him?”

A few updates . . .

We are still waiting for the last piece of paperwork for the Mission Base to pass through the DR system. As soon as that happens we are ready to purchase the property and begin some renovations. You will most likely hear my shouts of excitement and won’t need to wait for a blog update when that happens. 🙂

I’m continuing to recover from two cataract surgeries I had here in Santo Domingo at the beginning of March. My surgeon assures me that all is well and that my sight will most likely continue to improve in the next few weeks.

Stay tuned . . .

In April I’m participating in a virtual class to become certified in the Parents as Teachers program. This will allow us access to a curriculum that we believe will have a great impact for many of our families. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about this in the months to come.

We are also working on another HUGE initiative that we hope to begin at the end of April. For those of you who just can’t wait to know more about it, check out www.smartbox.net. 🙂

May we all live like people who know that Good Friday wasn’t the end of the story.

 
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