Sunday many of the teachers went to church at Vida Nueva. It is a Spanish speaking church, but they translated the service over headsets and radios for those of us who haven't conquered the language yet. I was so glad I could understand the message. I love worshiping here in the Dominican Republic, because so many churches sing well known songs and I can sing along. It brought back memories of when my students and I would sing along to Spanish worship songs off of youtube this past year. (Little did I know it would prepare me for moving here). After the service we went over to the Boehning's for lunch. It was another one of my favorite meals- tacos! However it got better because we had fresh pineapples and mangoes. It was a great afternoon of visiting, getting better acquainted, and playing games together. The ladies had an awesome game of Pictionary going on with a close ending. Several of us took another trip back to La Sirena to pick up things that we still needed. It's a place that draws you in and you wander aimlessly looking for things as you enjoy the air conditioning :) Like a Wal-Mart does for many in the states. We went back to the Boehning's house to hang out. It was interesting to see some of the different television stations/programs in Spanish. Watching them could be a good way to start picking up the language. Visiting at their house was my way of denying that I had several suitcases sitting unpacked in my room. But, relationships are very important in the DR, so I was glad for a day to hang out and get to know everyone more.

Today was an early day. One plus of getting ready early in the morning is it is still cool! We got picked up by bus to go to orientation (there is a bus route for teachers without vehicles). At orientation we each got to introduce ourselves and share how God brought us to Santiago Christian School. It was amazing to hear how God worked in each of us to get us to the place we are today. What a great team of teachers/administrators God has given me to work with this year (and hopefully years to come)! Then we took a tour of the campus and the administrators prayed for each new teacher as we came to each classroom. I wouldn't want to begin the year any other way than to ask God's blessing upon this school. There is much construction going on around the campus, including the construction of a building for more classrooms (hopefully to be done by the beginning of next school year). I loved seeing my classroom for the first time. It is almost surreal to think I'm actually going to be teaching here. And I heard my teaching things arrived that I shipped from home, so I'm really excited to see what I actually packed. (I can't remember what I sent, and I sent a lot!) I'll have the next few weeks to set it up and get my curriculum organized. I'm so thankful for the many people that are so willing to help me figure things out.

We went to lunch at a nice little restaurant (with an air conditioned room- notice the theme of where we go) next to a large moment in more central/western Santiago. Please don't ask me the names of the restaurant or the monument. I'm still working on street and grocery store names :) The food was wonderful, and again we had time to relax and visit. We then went to see the monument. We only walked up to the first landing area, but the view was breathtaking! I couldn't imagine the view if you went up further. Paul explained to us where things were located such as the school, the country of Haiti, the main river, etc.

 The rest of the afternoon I had time to relax and finish unpacking my suitcases, finally. I was able to Skype with much of my family. I have to love technology as untechnical as I am.

I'll end with this thought. Seth shared a devotion this morning that really challenged me. He read Matthew 14:22-33 where Jesus called Peter to come to Him on the water. Peter did, but then he began to look at his circumstances and sink. We are like Peter getting out of the boat. We are starting off strong. We are excited and determined. But, too often, we take our eyes off Jesus. We focus on our circumstances. But, Jesus never changed in this story. He was always right there with Peter. It challenged me to stay close to the Lord, to make time each day to spend with Him, because Satan wants me to doubt where God has placed me and sometimes I give in to his lies. How encouraging though that Jesus didn't give up on Peter and He isn't going to give up on me! Tomorrow's a new day, new adventure...