Wednesday

It is hot again today.  As we are told so often happens, there is no wireless connection right now.  We are fortunate it is not the electricity that is out.  This can happen on a daily basis.  If you saw how the wires were hanging all over the street in clumps overhead at every intersection  and up and down every pole, you would expect nothing less.  So there will be not pictures today, but plenty when we return.

This morning we went back to Concordia to meet as a team with their Principal and head Pastor.  We were discussing what the next step might be as we try as schools in the South Wisconsin District to raise up the level of education offered at Concordia.  They really can´t look to public schools for any assistance at all as the DR ranks 132nd out of 134 countries around the world in their educational performance.  This means that they are in a dead heat for last and their methods, materials, and teacher training leave tons to be desired.  There is no state aid for private schools in the DR.  Workbooks here would cost the equivalent of 20 American dollars per book, per subject.   Since most of the families don´t know where the next meal is coming from, that is not possible. 

We were met again with eager faces who treated us as amigos today upon our return to Concordia.  Again they had a 22 minute opening at eight A.M. and went to classrooms until ten A.M. until the first group came out for breakfast - a corn grist (like Cream of Wheat).  This is the one and only meal many of the kids will eat today.  At that break we brought out white boards and markers-something they have never seen before.  Everyone was trying to share (?), grab, and use them at the same time.  A football one boy brought became a recess game. 15 students were willing to sit in a long line waiting for their turn to catch it. Students here returned after their break to finish their day at noon. 

We have learned that teacher education, especially modeling, will be important as we work to enhance the education students receive at Concordia.  One chalkboard per classroom and one notebook and pencil per student are the only supplies students have.  Art supplies sent by St. Michaels, Ft. Myers, FL have to be locked away and stored for use as needed.  Boy and girls do not have supplies like this in their homes and need to be taught how to use each one. 

After school we took a walk through Palmar Arriba.  We were able to see the day-to-day life and activites that go on in this very poor, but clean, town outside Santiago.  Laundry hangs on most fences and chickens, dogs, and a few cats run as strays.  Adults sit around on their porch or in their yards playing dominoes.  Most adults don´t read here, so their opportunities for employment are limited. 

A big pasttime is watching the farm team for the New York Mets in Palmar Arriba.  There is a field that was built by Jose Reyes where young men with big dreams practice and play baseball.  We walked past this location today.  This walking tour certainly impressed on us how much we have Americans and how little we appreciate all we have been given.

Tonight we will be returning to Concordia to join the 80 or so church members who will gather for worship at 7:30 P.M.  We have been told this will be quite an experience and we are looking forward to it!

More and more we are reminded of how God has blessed each and everyone of us.  Seeing each child at Concordia and the Good Shepherd group home helps us realize how God´s children are all over this world. Even though we find ourselves in different circumstances, He loves each one of us the same.   We return to tomorrow filled with Thanksgiving that we have had this opportunity.  We have made new friends, learned SO many new things, and look forward to seeing you all soon!  Please pray for safe travels.