A photo from a recent home visit to the house of 3 of our students – Euris (1st grade, left), Perla (2nd grade, center right), and Deivi (4th grade, right) – who are all being cared for by their grandmother, Juana

Hola y prospero año nuevo from Monte Plata! Happy New Year! As I look back on all that God showed me and blessed me with in 2013, I am filled with joy and thanksgiving. It was truly the most life-changing year I have had thus far. Thank you for being a part of all that God has done for me! As I ponder the blessings of 2013, I can’t help but look eagerly ahead to 2014 and all the opportunities it brings here in Monte Plata. The Lord is doing a great work here and I truly have the greatest job in the world since I get to be a part of it and I get to bring you all along to be part of it as well.

 

Here’s a quick update on what’s been going on in Monte Plata since I returned from my Christmas visit to Arizona:

The Lord brought two groups of short-term missionaries to Monte Plata to help the ministry. The Lord faithfully provided healing for several members of the groups who became very sick during their trips. The groups were also able to install mosquito screens on the windows of our houses at Casa Monte Plata, repaint the school, build shelving in our storage room, organize all the supplies we have received over the past month, provide a Kings Day celebration for our kids at Casa Monte Plata, and most of all, love and encourage our kids and us missionaries. God has also brought me a short-term roommate from New York named Lydia who is studying to be a teacher. She is here for 3 weeks to observe, help with classes, work at Casa Monte Plata, and love on our kids. It has been a blessing to have her here!

The Lord is also opening some doors for house-parents at Casa Monte Plata. Please continue to keep this in your prayers. Pray that God would lead the right parents to us, that He would give our directors wisdom in their decisions, and that we would make the best choices for our children. We are excited about the possibility of having permanent house-parents in our two boys’ homes within the next month or two.

School has been back in session for a week and a half. Due to some extenuating circumstances, I am currently (and hopefully temporarily) the sole math teacher for 4th and 5th grade and am continuing in my math-instruction support role for the other grades. We are seeking more ways to give our teachers more valuable professional development time during the work day as well. Please pray that the Lord opens doors for this opportunity!

Clase Biblica starts back up today and our lessons for January will revolve around the theme of snowflakes (something completely foreign to our girls here). Lydia is leading a Bible study today about allowing God to search and know our hearts and bring to light our “grievous ways and lead us in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) Just like when we make a paper snowflake, we have to cut away pieces of our fleshly, sinful life in order to become the beautiful “snowflake” that God wants us to be. In two weeks, we will talk about snowflakes being created beautifully and uniquely and being valuable because they are part of the greater plan that God designed for sending water to the Earth. Similarly, we are all created uniquely but our value comes not from our own beauty but from our Creator who allows us to be part of a bigger, greater plan than we could ever imagine for ourselves.

I know I say this at the end of every email, but I truly do thank you for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement. I hope you will continue to keep me updated on your family and let me know how I can pray for you!

In Christ,
Kristin