Spring Newsletter

Dear Prayer Partners,

We are down to four days of school before summer break at Las Palmas! As we finish of the year I am reflecting on all the ways God has moved all the growth I have seen both personally and in the ministries this year. The Lord has been so faithful and so good to us this school year. Even just this Spring so much has happened in the ministries, and I am excited to share some updates with you about all the sweet memories and blessings from the last few months.

Easter Celebrations

April was a sweet month that held many special activities and events to celebrate Resurrection Day. On April 11th, we had a chapel at the school where the elementary students worshipped together and heard a special message about the resurrection. We had the week before Easter off from school since "Semana Santa" (Holy Week) is celebrated throughout the DR. At the end of this week, I got together with some other missionaries to celebrate Good Friday together. We spent time reflecting on Christ's sacrifice and worshipping together.

On Easter Sunday our church had the special worship service that our praise team had been preparing for over the past few months. It was a joy to help lead worship for this service. Everything went very well that day. There were many songs focused around the death and resurrection of Christ and a sermon that clearly presented the hope we have because He lives. We had a missionary potluck after church that day to celebrate Easter together. I am so thankful that God has surrounded me with such a great community of missionaries here that feels like family.

Home Visits

Each year, as the end of the school year approaches, I like to offer home visits to the families of my students. This is an opportunity for me to get to know the students and their families on a more personal level. When I visit, I always bring a year-long Spanish devotional book, an invitation to my church, and a few small toys and sweets as a gift.

I was able to visit eight of my students' homes over the last month and invite each of the families personally to my church. The students were so excited to have me visit and the families were so welcoming. Some said they were Christians and attended other churches, but a few told me that they were not Christians or were Christians but did not have a church they attend regularly. Multiple of the families expressed interest in visiting IBEM. I enjoyed getting to know each of the families a little better and getting to pray with the families in their own home. Many of the students were very excited about the devotional books and I noticed some of them bringing the book to school with them and reading it throughout the day or sharing it with friends. I ask that you join me in praying for these families. Pray that the Lord might use these visits and the ministry of the school to draw them into a personal relationship with Himself.

Baptisms

On May 18th we had a baptism service at IBEM. There were four individuals that followed the Lord in baptism that day. Two of the girls who were baptized were Las Palmas students. One of these students is a middle-schooler that is always excited to give me a high five and often attends the INVI chapel that I serve at on Sunday nights. It was a joy to watch her excitedly take this new step of faith and begin discipleship. The other two women who followed the Lord in baptism that day are associated with the women's rescue ministries that are a part of DR Vision. Both of these women are of Haitian decent and speak Creole as their first language. Our pastor learned the traditional baptism questions and phrases in Creole so he could baptize each of them in their heart language.

It is such a blessing to see the fruit of our labor in celebrations like this. I love seeing many of my students sit on the edge of the baptismal and have a front row seat to watch each individual who is stepping out in faith to be baptized. After each baptism we always sing "He Decidido Seguir a Cristo" (I Have Decided to Follow Jesus) and it is a beautiful time to celebrate together what the Lord has done and is continuing to do in and through our church and ministries.

Spring Program

On May 10th we had our school Spring Program. This is a program that we host at IBEM each year that showcases some of the things the students have learned during the year. This year was the first year that students had a choir teacher, so each class got to perform a song they have been practicing in choir in both English and Spanish. A few of the older students participated in a narration team that shared some of the highlights of the year, we worshipped together, and then there was a brief message at the end. I loved watching my students perform everything they had been practicing. The program is also always a great ministry opportunity since it gives some of the families that may not typically attend church a chance to visit the church and hear a Gospel presentation.

Prayer Requests

• I will start with a praise. In my last newsletter I mentioned that I had started a new classroom management system that made a big difference in my classroom. I am happy to share that this system has worked very well for the last two months and has made a huge difference for me in teaching! This summer I am taking a few online courses to learn more about consious classroom management and the school director said she has signed me up to lead some professional development sessions for other teachers at the beginning of next school year. I feel very passionate about this because I think the way we approach classroom management makes a huge difference in the way we disciple and lead our students. Please pray for me as I continue to study this topic and train other teachers as well. My prayer is that our school would be intentional about living out "discipline as discipleship" and shepherd the hearts of our students well.

• We are almost to the end of the school year! Our last day of school is June 10th. Please pray that the students and teachers can finish out the year strong.

• Pray for me as I head back to the States for the summer. This summer I will be presenting my ministry at a handful of churches and seeking additional monthly supporters. Please pray that the Lord will go before me and provide exactly what I need.

• Continue praying for my health. I have had many issues with my stomach since I had an infection last summer. I am praying for some answers and guidance with this, and some other health concerns this summer.

• Pray for our INVI chapel ministry. Our lease on the house that we have been meeting in will be ending this summer. Please pray for direction for the leaders of this chapel as they decide the next steps for this ministry.

Thank you so much for all your encouragement, prayers and support.

Blessings,

Natasha