September Newsletter

Dear Prayer Partners,

A few days ago I passed the one month mark of living in the DR. What a month it has been! I finally feel like I am starting to settle into life here a little more and I am getting into a routine with teaching and accomplishing day-to-day tasks. To be completely honest, the last few weeks have been extremely challenging. Learning to be independent in a new culture, living in an apartment on my own for the first time, and being a first-year teacher all at once became overwhelming very quickly. I am learning to lean into the Lord in my weakness more and more and He has been faithful to provide joy and peace in the midst of the struggle.

Back to School

Las Palmas had a "Meet the Teacher" night scheduled the Friday before school started. I got my classroom prepped and was ready to greet my students when I got the news that "Meet the Teacher" night was rained out (the streets flood very quickly here when it rains). This meant the first time I met my students and their parents was on the first day of school. School started on September 5th, and I was very nervous about the first day. It was a chaotic day, but I was happy to meet my students and start the school year.

We are now in the fourth week of the school year! Being a first-year teacher has been difficult, especially with the added challenge of my students speaking very little English. For the first few weeks I felt like I was just barely getting by a day at a time as I tried to learn to balance teaching, grading, parent communication, lesson planning, and all the other responsibilities that were thrown my way. I felt exhausted after each school day and then had to prep for the next. But this week I finally feel like I am getting into a routine with school. Teaching is going well overall. I have been struggling with managing disruptive behaviors in one of my classes which has been draining, but they are slowing making progress.

This week I had several moments that were reminders of why I love teaching. I have already watched my students learn and grow so much and I have loved growing with them. The "ah ha" moments, the little gifts, the hugs in the morning, the attempts to tell me stories with broken English, they truly do make it all worth it. I am grateful that God let me be the one to teach each of these students this year and I am excited to see what the rest of the year will bring!

Hardships

Many of you have probably heard about Hurricane Fiona that came through the DR last week. Thank you to those of you who checked in with me or prayed for me during this time. The area that I live in was safe in the hurricane. We were on the outskirts of the storm so there was just a lot of wind and some rain. School was cancelled for two days due to the hurricane, and we lost power in our apartment for a whole day. My roommate and I were able to use these days off school to relax and spend time with a missionary family that we are friends with who live in our apartment building. We are thankful that the Lord kept us safe and provided for us during this time.

A few days after the hurricane, my roommate came home to find water leaking through our ceilings in our apartment. There was standing water in her bedroom and there was water coming into both of our rooms. When I got home from school, everything had been taken out of my bedroom and they were working to stop the water and clean our rooms. We were told that a pipe broke on the floor above us and the leak was not stopped for a few hours. Luckily, none of our belongings were badly damaged.

Every time something like this happens (leaks, power outages, no water) it helps shift my perspective. There truly is a lot I take for granted daily. But everything I have is a blessing, a gift. God has given me all that I need and a whole lot more. I'm grateful for reminders of this even if it comes in the form of a leaking ceiling on a hard day.

Blessings

Over the last month, I have gotten to know many other missionaries that are working with DR Vision, and they have been a huge blessing to me. The missionary family that lives in our apartment building has had my roommate and I over for meals and game nights frequently. They also host the Sunday lunches that we have after church with a group of missionary teachers each week. It is good to feel like I have a home away from home here and be welcomed into their family. In addition to this, I have been able to visit some restaurants, beaches, and stores in the area with other teachers during my free time which has been a good way to build friendships and relax.

I have had the opportunity to visit two different churches and I have started regularly attending a church that is associated with the school called IBEM. Quite a few teachers from Las Palmas attend this church as well as some other young missionaries that I have made friends with, so I enjoy seeing them at church each week. The pastor at IBEM preaches in Spanish but he is American so I can understand his Spanish well. I have been able to understand his preaching without translation which is encouraging! I have also had a chance to visit the church's youth group a few times and have gotten to know some of the teenagers in the church through this ministry. I am starting to look and pray for ways I may be able to serve in this church or get involved in other ministries.

Prayer Requests

• Pray that I have wisdom in how to handle my class that has a lot of disruptive behaviors. Pray that I have patience with them and am able to teach them effectively and lovingly.

• Pray that I would learn to balance work, rest, and ministry well.

• Pray that I would have wisdom in where and when to serve. I want to get involved in ministries, but I also want to make sure I am following the Lord's lead in where to serve and how much to take on as I am still getting used to teaching and living here.

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement.

Blessings,

Natasha Dobson