Working With Teams

Luis & I had the opportunity to translate for a couple of short-term mission teams that came down this summer.  Luis worked with a group from Anaheim, CA, while Mia & I were in the states in July.  The week after I got back, we had a group in from Utica, NY.  They started their time here with a 3-day camp for youth in the barrio.  This was the first ever youth camp, and it was a blast.  Exhausting, of course, yet fun! 

In my opinion, Luis & I make a great translation team!  (that is my opinion, of course) <smile>  It’s always easier to translate into your own language, so when there is a Spanish-speaker on the mic, I translate to English, and when there is an English-speaker on the mic, Luis translates to Spanish. 

I’d also like to interject here that Luis is an AMAZING translator.  I’ve worked with many translators in my years here in the DR, and he is definitely at the top of the list.  I’m not saying this because he is my husband…it is simply the truth.  It takes something special to be a translator because it’s not just translating word for word what the speaker is saying.  It is understanding the nuances of what the speaker is saying, feeling what the speaker is saying and being able to communicate all of that to your listeners.  In essence, the translator becomes the speaker.  And I’m gonna tell you…my hubby is awesome at this!!

The camp included activities such as basketball, soccer, and dance.  The youth also participated in photography, computer, and cooking workshops.  The church will be offering some “life skills” classes in these areas, and the camp gave the youth a chance to “taste” the different areas and see which ones they may be interested in learning more about.  Each evening ended with a message from Josh (the youth pastor in NY) and a challenge to the youth to make a personal commitment to live for Christ.

 Translating for Bau

 Taking a break and enjoying a limoncillo

Reviewing the camp schedule with the NY Team 

Praying together at the end of the first day 

 Game time out on the basketball court

Playing with some of the little kids during break time

Overnighters

A couple of weekends ago we had the children of some friends in the barrio over to spend the night.  Their mother was celebrating a birthday on Saturday, so we took the kids and the parents had a date night.  Rey & Rosani love Mia like a little sister, so they all had TONS of fun!

It was also nice for me to have “baby-sitters” for 24 hours.  I got a few things done around the house while all the kids played together. 

Home-made pizza was a big hit and a special treat.  Rey & Rosani had lots of fun putting the toppings on the pizza…and they took turns holding Mia, so she could see what was going on.  All Mia could say was, “Wooooow!” to everything.  :-)

On Saturday morning, we made pancakes on the griddle.  The griddle was a special gift from my dad (thanks, Dad!) and cuts my pancake cooking time down from about 45 minutes to 10 minutes…can’t beat that!!

After breakfast, we made birthday cards for Rosa (their mom).  Mia made a card, too…..

….but she enjoyed eating the crayons more!  :-)  The rest of the morning was spent making cupcakes (sorry, no pics of that) and playing with the guitar and the exercise bike.

The kids went home after lunch, and their mother told me the next week that they had a great time.  We had a great time too!!  :-)

Skype Baby

Mia has learned that the computer offers her a fun way to stay in touch with her grandparents…via Skype!  Every time she sees the computer or the headphones, she starts saying, “Memommy!  Papa!  Memommy!  Papa!”  Here’s a cute pic of her waiting to talk with them (the sores on her lips are from the fever she had when she was sick a few weeks ago).

We are so thankful for technology and how it allows us to be in touch even though we are far away!  If you’ve never seen or heard of skype, you should check it out!  Very neat stuff….

Mia LOVES Shoes!!!

Mia daughter is a shoe-a-holic.  She gets it honestly.  My paternal grandmother and myself are both addicted to shoes.  I’m not sure why.  To be honest, I would go barefoot year-round if I could…..but I just LOVE shoes.  “Shoes” was one of Mia’s first understandable words (in both English and Spanish).  While in the states this past July, we took a trip to a shoe store.  Upon entering the store, Mia’s eyes widened, and she shouted, “Sssooooooozzzzz!”  Total cuteness!  Below are some pics of her clomping around in a pair of my heels.  I just love this kid! :)

Sweet Baby Girl

Mia was sick last week with a double ear infection.  This is her all crashed out on the couch (and in front of a fan) on the evening of her first round of antibiotics.  So sweet…….