Overflowing praise.

Oh my Goodness, if you could imagine the laughter! Anyone who knows me well -- or even who simply knows me -- knows how much of a giggle box I can be! Sometimes, each of us in life are utterly thrown into "giggle fits," where laughter cannot be contained much less a smile withheld.

This perfectly describes last night's dinner scenario. Conversation has thankfully been flowing (if I can be so generous) at our house in recent days. We were chatting away, or making our best attempts, last night while we ate. Kymberlee and I were expecting a meager meal because she was supposed to go to Bible study and not eat at home, but that got cancelled. We hoped our meal for one would be split into two; however, the meal we had could have easily fed three people! Oh, comida Dominicana. I'll describe the food in a minute because let me just say that it was my absolute favorite yet! That had to have been also attributed to the fact that I actually enjoyed everything sitting before me on my plate, (and you probably know I eat almost everything!)

Okay, so we're chatting and practicing our Spanish. Maria goes back and forth to the kitchen while we're eating, and that's the time for Kymberlee and I to whisper or talk about the food. I was muy llena (SO full), so she took my yuca. I was so thankful! Well, Maria steps back into the dining room, and we start to ask her about guanabana. It's a cactus-like fruit that makes the best frozen juice dessert or ice cream, but we think it's absolutely horrid by itself! I asked Maria something in Spanish about the fruit that was totally misunderstood. She takes it into the kitchen to cut it up so we can have it raw. Kymberlee looks at me with big eyes and says, "Maddie, did you mean to ask her to cut it up??" Of course I didn't, but I didn't have the heart, guts, correct wording to tell her that's not what I meant.

Things get better. She brings it to the table and splits it in half for us to eat. The texture is that of a large, spongelike banana with enormous watermelon seeds. I lost it, and the giggling began. You see, I think it absolutely tastes like a mix of soap and bananas too -- can you imagine the combo? Kymberlee gives me the eye and mutters under her breath, "I ate your dinner..." I really couldn't stop laughing. Maria and her granddaughter, Mariela, join in with us -- having no idea what we're laughing about, or that we're really laughing about all the miscommunication! And so it continues. I try to ask Maria if birds eat the fruit seeds, of guanabana or anything, and then she starts to tell me how to juice a guanabana -- pulpa, pulpa. Kymberlee has to let me know again what she is actually telling me. Laughter is harder and harder to contain. (I'm smiling so big writing this; even if you were not there to experience it, I have not laughed so hard in awhile.)

So, I try to reexplain to Maria my question about the seeds. Then she interprets my Spanish, which I thought was extremely clear, into me asking if I can have different fruits to try each day. My laughter is almost out of control at this point, and it is hard for me to tell her that is not at all what I meant. Kymberlee is harping in from behind Maria -- "no, no." I try to reexplain yet again, flapping my wings like a madwoman talking about animales en el cielo referring to birds. She begins explaining different types of fruits...mangoes, melons. Then she starts impersonating another type of animal and somehow leads into talking about someone or something "fumar," or smoking. The hilarity stopped there, when I waved my hands crossing back and forth in front my chest to let her know I could obviously not convey my original questions, and to let her know that they were simply not important.

I hope you got some laughter out of that crazy, detailed explanation so you could appreciate the hilarity of all along with me.

Food-
Okay, so dinner was an amazing mix of eggs and onions, bell peppers (aji). There were enormous yuca halves surrounding the plate that tasted scrumptiously like buttery potatoes with a bit heavier flavor. We had juice that I believed to be papaya, and of course she placed a bowl of rice and pasta on the table too. We couldn't eat the rice and pasta and instead took it to school for lunch today. You better believe I ate every bit of my plate though!

After Dinner-
Kymberlee and I rushed down the street to meet friends for hang time after dinner, while they ate at Colombiano's. While we were apparently speed-walking (very un-Dominican-like) down the street, Daniel -- a hilarious staffer from school, pulled over on his moto and let us hop on. He spun around and literally sped a few blocks down to the restaurant to drop us off. While they ate, we laughed and exchanged stories of the day and our families. Eric gave us a ride back, with a three person-moto being the means of transport for the night.

Okay, I have so much more to write but have to head home now. I'm heading back this way soon for a movie night in the school's amphitheatre; students are raising money for Haiti, and the older kids are going to watch "Walking on Water," while the younger kids watch "The Jungle Book" in the library. I'm eating for the first time at Colombiano's, although I've sat there once and pass by it every day. I can't wait to try Kymberlee's favorite, a cuchulpa (spelling?) and tostanos, or twice-fried plaintain chips.

Until tomorrow, or soon enough friends. All my love! May Christ bless you and shine upon you, may you come to know him better with each waking moment. If you don't know Him, I pray you see Him so clearly in others. Simmer on that for now.

God is always present.

This is amazingly true in every moment of our lives. My blog today's not about that thought, but wanted to share the light within.

An older thought-
I wrote this a couple of days ago with intentions of sharing yesterday, and even since it was written, the list has been growing...

"As the time goes by, so will my list grow longer; however, from being here a week, my list is quite long already. The things we as Americans take for granted: [presented to you in spanglish.] luces -- lights. electricidad -- you guessed it. agua -- caliente y frio, or any at all. security -- seguridad. familia. space y privacy. clean streets. clean sidewalks. clean feet. clean anything. silence. cars. clothes. food. healthy food. leftovers. microwaves to reheat those leftovers. computadoras. el internet. mail. puertas -- doors. libraries -- bibliotecas (Mom, you know this one). education. literacy. the desire to read. good company. laughter. peliculas -- films. game systems -- (I'm including this for you, Wes). movie stores -- RedBoxes. shopping. convenience. grocery carts. efficiency. lines! kindness. air conditioning. large trashcans. trash pick-up. flushing toilets. live music. accessibility to it. paved calles -- streets. speed limits. traffic regulations. signs. noise regulations. good policia y politicians -- I believe there are indeed a few who exist. game nights -- with family or amigos. huge stadiums to watch our favorite equipos juegan deportes o futbol americana (...teams play sports or football) -- you know who I mean in particular, GO TIGERS! shelter from condiciones de clima -- weather conditions. seatbelts. helmets. democracy. jazz.

I'd say that's long enough for now.

I hope you're enjoying America in the fullest today."

Today in English-
Now, I'll share some more longings with you, although I do not find myself in a dreamlike state thinking of home often here, if ever. Today, in English the writing assignment given was to answer the following journal questions. "Have you ever been a visitor in another culture? What did you long for?" Here was my response. (I'm no famous author, now!)

“As I write this sitting at a desk in the Dominican Republic, I assume my thoughts are meant to drift home. As much as I hate to admit, familiarities and comforts are the things I miss most.

When I go home, I have a key to my house, when here I wait for someone to let me in as each day ends and I return a mi casa, where I find myself temporarily living during my stay. Days start with freezing cold showers, sending me alert in the morning routine; at home, I am awakened slowly by with whatever temperature shower I choose.

The only thing I choose to make familiar here is breakfast. Classic Raisin Bran is quite different than mangu and fried cheese or sausage that appears on the Café Taino’s counters.
A familiar greeting is even hard to come by in Spanish, as I frequently grasp for the right verb tense or appropriate phrase to use.

It’s funny to be in a country whose smaller city reminds me of New York in terms of the traffic and unpredictable motos and pedestrians. However, I could not truly feel further away from the Big Apple and all of the American comforts I have grown so accustomed to throughout my life.”

Laughter abounding-
Although my sentiments today may seem on a sadder note, don’t let that fool you! Today has been full of life and humor, as are most days here at Doulos and in the DR. I love the sound of children singing praise songs (You are my prince of peace, and I will live my life for you…), laughter at recess, and teachers speaking in a mix of Spanish and English in their subjects or with students during breaks.

I got to teach the English class today, with much assistance from Krista, the director, and it was so fun to hear the 10th-12th graders’ responses to the story we read and what they perceived. Non-fiction was the focus today, and I loved learning along with them while my memory was refreshed and taken back to high school English myself.

I love trying new Dominican foods with each passing meal, and today I tried a trigo salad with lunch, a mix of wheat, cilantro and other fresh tastes.

My favorite part of today was of course involved with music, for those of you who know me well. A hilarious teacher and husband to another fantastic staffer, Daniel (Dahn-yel), shared a YouTube video with me this afternoon in the staff lounge. It was of merengue, one of the main Dominican dances. Ruben Blades, from Panama; Juan Luis Guerra, from Dominican Republic; and Robi Draco Rosa, from Mexico sing and dance to a merengue, “Que Bonita Luna.”

Rodi, a high school math teacher, told me the places I needed to visit to have a full Dominican picture: Santiago, Santo Domingo, and a beach – playa. He said the things I needed to experience to have a fully Dominican life here were comida (food), transportacion public (public transportation), and un fiesta (party). I’m well on my way. Santiago’s my next weekend visit, and I’ve tried lots of new foods with each day. I’m sure I will attend plenty of parties, and the first work team is a group of middle schoolers who are accompanying me to the beach for four days of camping.

OH! And can't forget Bible study last night. It was A-mazing to be with such a welcome, God-seeking group of Christian women who I truly feel I can call myself a sister of theirs in Christ. We shared our stories together and laughed together, prayed together and worshipped through song together. PLUS, I got to hold THE cutest puppy of the most precious litter ever. What a night. The stream beside their house reminded me of Charleston, as far as away as I am.

LOVE! Oh-and here's another friend's blog to check out that actually has picturas on it!

So much on my mind...

Today, I was hit with many thoughts.

I will be helping out with the high school English class (and possibly teaching it) and ended the day with that period. Their most recent assignment was to write some form of sponsorship letter, to colleges or to an anonymous recipient. Stories of parents leaving their children and families, parents dying while the student was at a young age, and students struggling to overcome was the overwhelming air. One boy wrote a touching letter sharing his heart for the Lord, his missionary background, and the fact that he is a boarding student during the week here at Doulos, living apart from his family -- now an hour away in Constanza. Another wrote of the tragedy in Haiti, why others should come together and help support a nation where currently about 10% of people have their houses remaining. He said something to the words of "where there was once a ceiling, now there is sky."

My heart was breaking for these students who read, write and speak two languages, fairly fluently with little struggle. Their obvious joy for life and love for each other is exactly that -- obvious. This alone makes me thankful God sent me here, to see how real others' struggles are yet how much they persevere and succeed. Talent and skill, along with passion and a genuine zeal for learning is present in the majority of the students I have been around and interacted with. I pray that whoever reads their real letters when they send them, whether in a year or a few months, reads them and sees the gem of a student behind the typed words. I pray they have the opportunity to attend whatever school they desire, where God will draw them closer to Him, where they are challenged, and where they can become the best versions of themselves.

I am thankful Clemson was a picture of that for me. (God is good and merciful when we deserve nothing.)

Today's Happenings-
I couldn't resist the smell of Dominican desayuno (breakfast) at the cafe this morning while I received more job training. My dry cereal breakfast I already had at home a couple hours earlier simply would not suffice, and I gave in to the mouth-watering scents wafting my way. Mangu (mahn-goo) with onions and sausages was the plate of choice. Mmmm. The scent and taste is coming back to me all over again writing about it.

This campus is beautiful, and it is hard for me not to smile when I remind myself of the tropical paradise I find myself in. Of course, it's not hard for me to remind myself of that either when the mango tree is the center of campus, a vibrant orange flower grows from the tall tree outside of my office window, and the Pre-K students are learning down the hill in a bohio (bow-hee-oh) that looks like something you would imagine from Swiss Family Robinson.

Doulos days start off with staff prayer and announcements, all done with hands held forming a large circle in the library. Next, we head to the amphitheatre where students lead more announcements and the Dominican pledge to the flag. The pledge is sung to old-fashioned, triumphant sounding music with words I do not yet have memorized nor understand (in my rudimentary Spanish). My favorite part of this morning routine is "the Doulos" for the day. A student jumps on stage and does some form of motion or shouts something vocal for everyone else to do afterward on the count of three (1, 2, 3..."Doulos"!)

This morning was especially touching when one boy courageously stood in front of the crowd of students to announce the upcoming talent show the 8th graders are going to host for Haiti support. It's called "Hope for Haiti: Doulos got Talent?" I could not be more excited about this upcoming display of student talents because I am going to miss the annual talent show held the first week of June. I can't wait to see what hidden talents the students pull out!

Shelly, my boss, took me on my second half of the campus tour and then another tour of town. We checked out the fruit market, where she bought four bananas and a mango for four dollars. Around the corner, we stopped by the vegetable market where she got who knows how many vegetables for only four dollars! How I wish it was reversed in the states-fresh fruit and vegetables for cheap, instead of processed food in boxes, bags and cans! The man at the stand cut open a beautifully ripe, dark purple beet for us to eat after Shelly asked how to prepare it. I don't even like beets, and this tasted delicious -- I think I'll start eating them like apples back at home too. I agree with Shelly when she said anything dark purple's gotta be good for you. We strolled past Dominican markets of trinkets and art, some of which Shelly called "chanky" (or cheap) and others that were full of genuine art that was truly Dominican and not made in China. I learned where the bus stations were and taxi stands, the best places to exchange money -- don't worry, I already stopped there -- what is the best coffee to buy here, and a few other things. We stopped by the grocery store to make a run for some other essential items, and I restocked on my Colombian yogurt that tastes heavenly.

Yet again, that's more than enough for now. Tonight I get to join in Bible study with a group of female staffers, and I am pumped to see what God brings and how he perfectly melds our dynamics together. The plan is to read Beth Moore's "Praying through Scripture." Until next blog.

Paz y amor-Maddie

It's only been six days??

I am sitting in the computer lab at school, with kids gone for the day. I can't believe it's been six days already since my arrival in Santiago this past Wednesday. (Holy cow!) Each day has almost seemed like a week's time, with my body catching up to life and its rhythms here and simply acclimating myself to the culture.

History-
Believe it or not, it was a holiday when I got here, so today (Monday) was my first day of being at school with kids present. Dia de Duarte was being celebrated because Duarte was the man who led the revolution against Haitian rule in the 1870s. My history is not straight from the books, but from my memory of what I've read. So please take it with that knowledge! This goes back further, but who knew that Dominicans are actually not very fond of Christopher Columbus, who found the island first in the New World. Apparently, the native Tainos died out completely only within three decades under his -- and Spanish -- rule.

Moving on from the history lesson-
On Thursday, I jumped right in to activity, literally. Eric, a friend I went to Clemson with who teaches at Doulos, took me on a hike with another couple from school, Jonathan and Shelly, who is my boss. We went to Salto de Jimenoa, which for lack of my pictures being available, you can check out here. We pretty much spider-climbed up red, clay dirt and rocks since we could not initially find the right trail to take. I have to say, that's the first time I've ever done that. I have a feeling it was not their's, but I love "learning" something new! It was also the first time in a long time I have been on any rope or suspension bridges. No, it wasn't extremely high above the water, but what a rush regardless! The picture I linked you to is beautiful, but it's not the taller of the two waterfalls. All I can say in regards to God's beauty we saw that day, is "breathtaking."

Home life-
Chaotic. In a word. There is no established routine yet, and I am not sure there really will be. I live with a girl named Kymberlee, who is doing here student teaching here through Texas A&M. Soon, another will be joining us -- February 14. We live with Maria, una abuela (grandma) who could not be more precious, and her granddaughter, Deni. I believe Deni is five or six. Extended family is around often, and we live about a thirty minute walk away from school. Meals consist of variations of rice, beans and chicken -- usualmente. Music blasts loud into the night, roosters constantly crow in the distance with other birds joining in their calls, and laundry in the back of the house flaps outside my window.

Dominican life-
There's a "dicho" here, or saying, that goes "If you can get one thing done in a day, it's a good day." I would say that's a pretty accurate picture of Dominican lifestyle. Laidback, content and certainly not rushed. Life is at a different pace here all around, but that's not to say moto's (mopeds, motorcycles and the like) don't speed past you frequently -- making you think twice before stepping out into the streets. Lights go out often, along with water access. Ice cold would also be a great description for the latter, when it comes to showers. I don't drink the water and don't like to use much when I'm taking those ice cold showers either. Roads are trashy and dirt-filled, and I'm not writing that for a sob story. Simply to give you a picture of daily life here. Catching rides on those motos is the main means of transportation, if you don't have one yourself. It costs about 30 pesos to ride home - that's 83 cents! Someone told me when I first got here, don't be bothered by the guys whistling at you on motos -- they're just offering you a ride.

School life-
I think God has offered us a beautiful piece of paradise here at Doulos, with its campus centered arond a mango tree. Children learn in tree house like structures and run through a Japanese botanical garden. The open-air classrooms provide glimpses of the nature outside at arm's reach. Different backgrounds of Protestant and Catholic, wealthy and poor of all ages (pre-K through 12), come together to learn about Christ and essential studies. They are learning expeditionally, to become leaders and to know how to tangibly affect their surrounding community positively -- and one day, possibly the world. Eating at the cafe today, I thought the food was amazing; of course, the ensalada is grown on campus by the amphitheatre. The amphitheatre and visible campus spots were mostly expedition projects for the different grades, where they used everything from geometry to create an arbor to studying Japanese culture to create a botanical garden. Work teams helped to build many of these structures, and that's where I come in...

My "job"-
I will be working with work teams from the US, coordinating their trips and time here along with hosting them during their stay. My first group is a bunch of middle schoolers (Ay, Dios!). Who knows what to expect there; all I can say is I hope their leaders have a good handle on 'em! They are scheduled to arrive sometime early February, and this week I'll be jumping in and especially learning more about how I'll fit into this title or role.

Today, I also discovered I might really be jumping in by teaching high school English! They're actually doing a lot of reading -- 40 books each student! -- along with college applications. Now that's something I know something about, but without the international student perspective.

Adios-
That's all for now folks! I know I've "written" your ears off. I'm sending you amor (te amo) and peace. I'll try to add pictures soon! Hasta luego.