Well I have fallen behind on blogging so I will start with
most recent events and try to work backwards,
Recently we were blessed to host our first visitors!
Jonathan, Kali, and Eddie (their 9 month old son) Sauder came Friday through
Tuesday this past weekend. It was good to have friends here. Josh and I had
about 2 of the days off together but one of us were working 3 of the other
days. They were such kind guests as Josh and I realized it is much more
difficult to host with our current schedule. We enjoyed showing Jonathan and
Kali the different sights and our life here in Jarabacoa. The students enjoyed
having another baby on campus. The Sauder family brought joy to the staff and
students here.
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Chichi - one of the other staff members in house helped us take Jonathan, Kali, and Eddie around Santiago and then back to the airport Tuesday!
Weather continues to be beautiful; cool in the mornings and evenings
but hot during the afternoons. We have been enjoying some storms and still 90
degree weather most afternoons, perfect for river runs in the afternoons when
we can either with students or just a few staff.
The last few weeks we have had a few sicknesses running
around campus. I think I had a little stomach bug and Josh got the chikungunya virus
followed by, we think, bronchitis. Getting a hold of the right medications and
vitamins is a little different, although we are finding in ways it is easier. We
are blessed to have Tina as a nurse reference here on campus. I am feeling much
better and Josh is starting to feel better, although the cough continues to be
pretty rough. We did get to experience a clinic ER experience in Spanish. We
went with another couple, and the wife was able to speak some Spanish after she
checked out her coughing symptoms. At this ER visit Josh got his chikungunya virus
diagnosis and an IV for fluids (as chikungunya includes a fever, achy joints
and bones, and exhaustion)
Also this month we faced the challenge of celebrating family
birthdays from another country. Shout out to my brother Landon (turned 26 on
9/1), dad Ramsier, my sister Claire turned 21 on 9/29, and my mom. There are
ways to get packages and letters out to family but we have still not figured
that process out. As I told my grandma, if you want a card to get here possibly
mail it about 3 weeks before you want it to arrive here.
Recently found luxuries or gifts. With Jonathan and Kali
visiting they brought a care packaged from them and Tom and Jody Klotzle of
Thai sauces, Ghardettos, and dark chocolate. We also found cinnamon mentos on
the island and I have begun to enjoy ginger tea and cinnamon tea using ginger
and cinnamon. We have not done too much exploring this month as it was a pretty
busy month with working in the houses. My favorite thing to do is go to the
river (about 15-30 minutes walk from campus).
Prayers:
Working with the students requires a great deal of patience
and wisdom. We are learning a lot and desiring to be a support to other staff
and the students.
Currently there is a great need for more in-house staff. We
are praying for people interested in living with the students or just working
with them during the day with activities or at school, whether it be full-time
staff or even just interns or individuals that can only commit a few months at
a time.
Looking forward to mom and Cris coming this month and Josh
and I will have about 9 days off together this month.
