Beauty School

I have earned quite a reputation as a haircutter here. I've been here a little over a month now and I think I've already given over 10 haircuts.

This past weeks Daisy, the leader of the Women's Social Work site, asked me if I would come to her site and teach the ladies how to cut hair. Several of them are interested in starting a salon but don't know how to cut hair. So I went and tried to explain to the ladies that never formally learned how to cut hair (so I I don't really know how to teach cutting hair) but I just learned by practicing on brave souls.


I demonstrated a basic layered cut and then another lady tried it on one of the girls there with me looking on. Overall it was pretty successful and the cuts turned out great. I plan on going back a few more times to demonstrate and help the ladies learn the basics of cutting hair.

Tired

I am officially tired. Now I know that working with kids is tiring, no matter who or where you are. But it is even more tiring because my brain is working double time in another language. Today was especially hard as a few of the kids are very disrespectful. I know that it takes a while to earn respect, but it is just very frustrating when I speak to a child in a stern voice and they turn and laugh in my face.

Plus I think I may have a parasite in my stomach.

And I got some weird allergic reaction on my lips from eating mangos.

It seems the honeymoon phase is over. Real life has set in.

Please pray for me. Not that these trials would pass, necessarily. But rather that the Lord would give me strength and patience to face these trials.

School is Mata Gorda is up and running. It has been so wonderful to be back working in the community that I fell in love with last year. It has been great reconnecting with old friends and starting to get to know new children and their families.

My house

Here's a picture of my house from the front. It is in a neighborhood called Medina and is only about 5 blocks from downtown. There is a corner market, called a Colmado, about 1 block away, which is very convenient for quick purchases.

This is the porch that I sit at every morning to drink my coffee and watch people go by on the street.

This is our dog, Dee Dee. I've taken her running once, and she is not very good on a leash, but I'm hoping with time she'll get more used to it. I am very thankful that we have a dog as it is not very safe for a female to go running alone here, but with a dog I feel a lot safer.

This is my room.

I invited some friends over for the first of many "Family Dinner"s. I made lasagna and it was a big hit. A few more Dominicans arrived after this picture was taken (they are always on "Island Time")

Hurricanes

Saludos a toditos! (Greetings to all) I have received several emails asking me how the hurricane is hitting here. So I thought I would send out a quick note to let you all know how I am doing. The hurricanes are passing by the Caribbean with a lot of force, but fortunately, where I live is for the most part out of harms way. I am up in the mountains in the center of the island, so unless the hurricane comes severely inland, all we get here is a lot of rain. So rest assured that I am safe and sound, but drenched to the core. :-) Last night, in fact, I found out that when it rains, my window sill fills up with water and spills over into my room, thus drenching my bed and pillows. Such is life here. :-)

Thank you for all your concern and please continue to pray for Cuba, who got hit pretty hard from IKE.

Almost settled in

Hola!! I have now been here in the DR one week and I feel so blessed. So many things have happened this week to make my transition so smooth. I bought a car and got my cell phone connected without any snags. The Lord has provided a wonderful place for me to live, as well. I am moving in today to a house with Kenya (a Dominican) and Elizabeth (an American). Elizabeth is my dear friend from when I was here before. She is currently here working with the local church. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful place to live, and the beginning of a community of friends. Praise the Lord for knowing exactly what I needed and providing.

I'll post some pictures soon of my house as soon as I get my room set up.

I Made It!!!

I made it safely to the DR today! Yeah! And I feel so happy. It is strange, but it kind of feels like I never left. Well, except for getting used to crazy Dominican-spanish. That will take a little getting used to. But, everything just feels so familiar and comforting.

Tomorrow I begin the tasks of setting up my cell phone and beginning to look for a car to buy. Fortunately I have this whole week to get settled in before school starts next week.

Thanks for all the prayers that brought me here safely.