More Spring Happenings

During the spring outreaches we were joined for a couple of days by a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) outreach group from Tennesse. This group came with games, toys, candy, songs, and a presentation for our students. We had a lot of fun playing with parachutes, jump ropes, and new balls!!! Thanks guys!!!




href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SAK77KzX3DH7H048gK3FDilgvcbA1rdoIude8yCH6F-Ek02D73ZDaPgfzbSgJkpMVaWtq0UPCS7E0JKX_cSFkNxvdc1z3gIGvR16ZpaLfS6h2mrYzItRe0EuWIzp6hfiAILLwW3UMSWk/s1600-h/DSCN1126.JPG">

Another spring team has come and gone. This group was from James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University (even though she still claims the JMU group)! We were very blesses to have Brian, Erika, Rachel, Laura, and Bryan with us for the week. Bryan and Laura were a special asset to the Developmental Therapy side of things with their knowledge and interest in Physical Therapy. The other 3 did a fantastic job as well at Genesis getting involved and loving the kids!!!
Thanks for all your hard work, and we welcome you back anytime with open arms!!!!


Our faithful "steeds" Bryan and Brian!!!

The Developmental therapy crew at Melvin's house for community visits

The whole group at the banquet. Thanks again for all your help!!!

JUPITER

We have once again been blessed by our friends from Jupiter Christian School. They were with us for a week and a half and we all had a great time. 4 students were with Fausto and Amy had 3 (who named her super amy and gave her a cape!).

As always the students from Jupiter did a wonderful job in the sites and brought an amazing amount of donations with them. THANKS

this isn't the best pic in the world, but it is rather indicative of the group! molly appears to be missing a head and Michelle is behind the camera, but otherwise, the gang is all here

We're Back!!!

It has been a long time since this blog was updated...our apologies to those of you who check for regular updates.

In mid December we had our Christmas party with all the families. It was a great celebration with parents and children, food and lots of presents! Then we closed for the holidays and vacation. We just returned to classes on Jan 26th. Today (Feb 13th) we had our Valentines day party. We had so much fun!!!

We have already hosted our first team of the year...Thank you to Katie, Patti, and Kathy for all your hard work! We are looking forward to seeing our Jupiter Christian friends at the end of the month.

Enjoy the photos from the last couple of events!


Our Christmas party was lots of fun with our families!














Sancocho!!!!!














Candy seems very happy with her Christmas present














HAPPY VALENTINES DAY or FELIZ DIA DE SAN VALENTIN














Candy, the pinata is behind you!














Fun with pinatas!














I know we've said it before, but we have WAYYY too much fun with cake!

November Outreach

We just completed the final outreach of 2008! It has been a year full of students coming to Centro Especial Genesis to bless and learn from us! We have loved having all of you.

This final outreach was a busy one! We hosted a team from Riverbank and another from The Chapel. Thanks to both churches for sending a team. We hasted 2 participants at Special Ed and one at Developmental Therapy (note the new name!)

Jordan, Denise, and Gwen did a great job of jumping in and building relationships with the kids. It was a joy to have all three of you at the site!!! We also welcomed a number of visitors including the Art Site (thanks for coming to play), Pam and Delora from the SI home office in CA, and various group leaders. Thanks for participating the the Lord's work at Centro Especial Genesis!
Gwen enjoying the love from Daniel Polo

A visit from Amy Babb and art site participants to lead an art activity

Jordan with Daniel Polo and Leonela

Denise with Rances

Student Awards

This school year we have started a good behavior/homework completion program. Our goal is to encourage the kids to behave during class and to do their homework each night at home. If they complete both tasks for the month then at the end of the month they receive a prize and a ribbon. Their names are also placed on a certificate that hangs in the office for the next month, recognizing their achievement. Join us in congratulating this months winners: Nelito, Mildred, Angelica, Madeline, Jonathan, Patricia, Candy, Omar, and Manuel Andres

All of November's winners!

Candy is so proud!

Nelito receiving his award!

Dia de La Raza

Dia de La Raza directly translated means "Race Day". It is the day here in the DR that they celebrate their racial roots. There is not one specific race here in the DR. The majority of people here are a mixture of Taino (the indigenous people group), Spanish, and African. The story goes that Columbus (Cristobol Colon)arrived to the New World on October 12th. He and all those with him came to the island bringing their culture and their diseases. The slave trade also eventually arrived and thus the 3 cultures celebrated. The Tainos eventually died out leaving no indigenous people group here on the island, but the are still remembered on this day.



The poster announcing America's discovery. Can you still name the 3 ships?



Worship time during the festivities...notice all the kids dressed as "tainos"



Patricia came dressed as the Queen of Spain.



Lizbeth in her native taino costume



Manuel the conqueror!



Nelito and Darwin