May Newsletter

Dear Prayer Partners,

May was a full month. Although my students and I are definitely feeling the end of the school year slump, I have seen God move in big ways in my heart and in the lives of our students at Las Palmas this month. We now have only 8 more days of school. As we reach the end of the school year, I have been reflecting on how much my students have grown throughout the year. I am encouraged to see much growth both spiritually and academically in many of my students. I am very grateful that God called me here at this time to minister specifically to this group of students.

Home Visit

This month our school encouraged us to do home visits to a few of our students to get to know them and their family better outside of school. I have been able to visit two of my students so far. One of the visits really impacted me. Many of the students at our school are from middle-class families and generally have all of their basic needs met and then some. However, there are some students who are living in poverty or in broken homes.

The student that I visited a few weeks ago doesn't speak much English, but she has such a sweet heart and gives me many hugs daily. One of the Dominican teachers and I took a motorcycle taxi to visit this student's home. We drove up to a rickety metal wall. This was the outside of her "house." After pulling the door open (which I was afraid might fall apart as I did so) I found that her home was not much more than an open area of rubble with a small dark shack on the side. I watched my student and her brother walk across the rocks and broken glass with their bare feet to bring me mango juice that they had made in a dirty bucket. They showed me a few of their toys as well as a turtle and fish that they had caught with pride. We talked with and prayed over my student's grandfather and mother (who works at Mercy Workshop- an outreach ministry that is part of our mission organization which gives work to women exploited in the sex trade on the streets of San Pedro). This visit reminded me of the students and community that I am here to serve. Although my tendency can be to think of how I could help students like this financially, I know my call is to meet their greatest need- to teach them the Truth about our great God and Savior and show them His love. My prayer is that each of my students will grow up hearing of God's love and will come to understand what it means to them personally.

Updates

• We have had multiple salvations at Las Palmas this month. There was one day when multiple teenagers got saved on the same day at school and at youth group. While at school that day I saw one of my missionary friends skipping across the campus and beaming with joy. One of my other friends told me that a student had just gotten saved and that's why everyone seemed excited in the teacher's lounge. When I heard this, all I could do was smile. I thought to myself that I was experiencing a little glimpse of heaven. His chosen ones rejoicing together when the lost are found. What a blessing to see Him move and change lives. To God be the glory.

• We had teacher appreciation week this month and my students showered me with many cards, gifts, and flowers. This was an encouragement to me.

• One of my neighbors is a Dominican pastor and I have gotten to know him better throughout the year. He asked me if I could help teach him English. We are starting to meet weekly so I can help him learn English and he can help me improve my Spanish. This has been a good opportunity for me to practice my conversational Spanish and it is also a blessing to hear his perspectives on the Dominican culture as well as biblical topics.

Prayer Requests

• Our last day of school is June 13th. There is a lot going on in the next few weeks with grades due, award ceremonies, visiting groups, and class parties. The students are starting to check-out, and I am noticing lots of behaviors starting as we near the end of the year. Please pray for strength, wisdom, and patience to finish well.

• I will be returning to the States at the end of June to spend time at home. Please pray for safe travels and time to rest and refresh while at home.

• I am still slowly working through the residency process. My application has come back a few times now with comments saying I need to upload documents that I did not know were required. I am still hoping to finish this process before going back to the States, Lord willing. Please pray for me to have patience with this process and not stress about things that are out of my hands.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Blessings,

Natasha