End of Year Newsletter

Dear Prayer Partners,

So much has happened since I last wrote an update. The months of November and December were packed full of events and celebrations. Since Thanksgiving isn't celebrated in the DR, the Christmas celebrations start early. In November the weather starts to cool down, Christmas lights and decorations go up, fruit stands line the streets, and Christmas music can be heard throughout the town. Between missionary Thanksgiving celebrations, our school spirit week, and all the Christmas celebrations, the last few months kept me busy. I am currently on Christmas break and am writing this from my home in the States. I am so thankful to have this time to visit family and rest before jumping back into a new year.

Updates

• As many of you know, last year I finally finished the residency process and was able to get my residency card so I can legally live and serve in the DR. This residency is good for one year and must be renewed each year. Luckily, the process to renew the residency card is much easier than the process to get it the first time. After having my new documentation approved online, I went in person to the capital on November 24th to renew my residency. It was quite busy that day at the immigration center, but everything went smoothly and I was able to get my new updated residency card that day! I was very grateful that the process was straight forward and went smoothly this time around.

  

  

  

• One of the ministries that is part of DR Vision (the organization I serve with) is a sports ministry called "Gracia y Verdad." Through this ministry, some of the missionaries I serve with run a basketball league at the church. As the kids practice and play basketball each week they also have opportunities to learn about God and grow in their faith as they participate in devotional times. This is a great chance to reach more young people who may not otherwise attend church and hear the Gospel. On November 30th they had their last game of the season. My roommate and I attended to cheer on some of our students that participate in the league. It was so fun to see our students and missionary friends in action in this ministry. After the game the players had a pizza party to celebrate the end of their season. My roommate and I were able to help serve the food and drinks for their party and celebrate with them. I always enjoy seeing the way the Lord is working in each of the ministries that are part of DR Vision and I am so grateful to be one small part of this missionary team.

  

  

  

• The first week of December we celebrated Semana de la Chispa! Semana de la Chispa is our school spirit week/spiritual emphasis week at Las Palmas. This year our spiritual emphasis was Habits of the Faith. Throughout the week students had themed dress up days, special games at recess, and special chapel services. In the devotional times, Bible classes, and chapel services they learned about different habits of the faith including reading the Bible, praying, giving, attending church, and sharing their faith. They also memorized verses throughout the week that correlated with these spiritual disciplines. Semana de la Chispa is always a fun week for the students and families and a great chance for us to pour into them spiritually. We finished the week out with a Family Fun Day on Saturday where students and their families were invited to come to the school to enjoy food, inflatables, games, and other activities.

  

  

  

  

• December 14th was a special day for our church and chapel. In the morning, we had a special Christmas service at IBEM. Our praise team prepared special Christmas music, the kids and youth praise team each performed a song, and there was a special sermon about Christ's birth that morning. It was a sweet time to worship together and focus on the joy that the Christmas season brings us as Christians that get to celebrate the hope of our Savior together. That night we had a special Christmas service at the chapel as well. My roommate and I led a few Christmas songs and then pastor taught about the names of Christ and the joy and hope we have because of Him. Afterwards we had some snacks and desserts and enjoyed a time of fellowship together.

  

  

  

• The end of December was full of Christmas parties. On December 11th we had our last day of school before Christmas break, which we celebrated by throwing Christmas parties for our students. On December 12th we had a staff Christmas party at the school. We did some team building activities, I helped lead some Christmas songs with our school worship team, and we had lunch together. On December 13th we had a missionary Christmas party with the DR Vision missionaries and on December 15th we had another missionary Christmas party put on by a visiting group from Agape to the Nations. I am so grateful for the community of missionaries that I get to live life with and serve alongside. They are one of the greatest blessings that has come with my time serving in the DR.

  

  

  

• On December 19th I flew back to the States. My roommate was able to come with me to visit home this year. I am so thankful for the chance to be home with family for Christmas, and it has been so fun to show my roommate around as well. We will be briefly visiting family in Iowa this week and then flying back to the DR on January 4th. We will start back at school on the 7th.

  

  

  

Prayer Requests

• Please continue to pray for my health. I am doing a few more medical tests while I am home this break and am hoping to be able to get some more answers and direction for treatment from these test.

• Please continue praying for teachers for our school. We have been short on teachers this year and almost every member of leadership is stepping in to fill teaching positions right now. We are losing another teacher in January and are looking and praying for long term subs to fill a few positions starting in January. We also have additional teachers that are currently teaching that will not be returning next year. We typically look for two or three new teachers from the States each year but this coming year we are in need of five additional English-speaking teachers. We know the Lord has a plan for all of this, but it can be very stressful for our school and especially for leadership to be in this position. I ask that you pray with us for the right teachers at the right time to come and serve with our ministry. Also, please feel free to share this need with your church or your personal family and friends. Please let me know if you know of anyone who would be interested in joining our team.

• Please pray for safe travels and a good start back at school in the beginning of January.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update and to pray for our ministries. I greatly appreciate all your prayers and support!

Blessings,

Natasha