Glimpses of April and into May

Wow, time flies.....In just over two weeks we will be flying back to Canada. The school year is rapidly nearing the end at Santiago Christian School, and when we look back at the past two months there are many fond memories and reasons for being thankful.

School has been going well. This past week we had our spring concert with the themes of Exodus, for the primary grades, and Heroes of Faith for the intermediate grades. The students were all very excited to sing their songs and speak their parts, and both programs were attended by many parents. Both programs focussed on the wonderful ways in which the LORD cares for His children, and so a great way to share the gospel with parents that may otherwise not hear it regularly in church.

Music classes for secondary end next week, and it is sure nice to hear from students that they are already looking forward to next year and 'what are we going to do then, mister?' I've already been looking into catalogs for what we can do, starting in the fall. At SCS we want to streamline our arts program a little more efficient next year by trying to work thematically across the arts program. We hope to have themed art evenings at the end of each quarter during which both music and fine arts students can show what they have learned. Exciting.

Well, let's get to some pictures and other memories.....

The weather is getting hotter and more humid again at this time. We had some incredible thunderstorms and much rainfall these past months. This is looking west from our roof.

Kaelie and her friend Drew Houck loved their fieldtrip to the farm in April.

Mattais playing soccer with highschool students from Plumstead Christian High from Philadelphia who came to visit during our spiritual emphasis week. We had a very nice time with those students and their team leaders.

 

The music room. I love the Wenger roll-and-flip stages for choir; easy to move around, and very sturdy. The music room is also used for ballet and chapel. It's really a beautiful room with lots of space and light. The only big need at this time is air-conditioning. Hopefully we'll have some soon. Temperatures easily hit 40 Celsius here in September. Yup, that's when you feel like having a shower several times a day.

 

With Seth Cohen, the director of SCS.

 

With Paul Gibbs (curriculum coordinator) and Jacob Bader (HS Bible) at

the pro-d day on Love and Logic in the Classroom.

 

With Reina, Erica, and Bruce off to Cayo Paraiso (Little Paradise Island) near Punta Rusia. Reina, Erica, and Bruce came during the first week of April, and we had a wonderful time with them. Cayo Paraiso is an incredible place. Just a teeny sandy island with six huts. Snorkelling there is phenomenal. The island is pretty much the top of a massive corral reef around which is home to the most stunning ocean life.

Quiero geneo maduro. Cuanto? Buying sweet bananas from the locals,

just outside Puerto Plata.

 

Danilo vs Hippolito. The signs are everywhere. One must wonder how much these two rivals have in their campaign budgets. It must be millions of pesos. Danilo's face is on just about every other power pole, and that's not exaggerated. Downtown Santiago is so bad that the power poles are too short to carry all the signs that the PLD and PRD want to put up for the elections. LOL. Downtown businesses actually have been complaining about the overwhelming amount of political faces that are just about everywhere you turn. 

Frutas y gomas. Oh yes, and there happens to be the smiling Danilo also.

 

Kaelie and Debrah Cohen. Those two are always up to something funny.

 

Sherilyn exploring old town Santiago with Mom Krul. James loves the Snuggli.

We had a really nice time with mom Krul, and we can't wait for all of our parents to visit us this next Christmas, the Lord willing.

 

Dairyland fresh. We use only the strongest of mules, and the finest of men to carry the rich and creamy milk from northern hillsides of the Cibao Valley to the local barrios. Quality you can trust!



At Playa Ensenada.

Mattais and Kaelie are very proud of their little brother James.

 

Grandma loves you!