Santa Catarina Barahona 10K

I hope this new month finds you all well, and everyone enjoyed their summer. I can’t really believe it’s already September and that summer (at least at home) is over. Time goes by so quickly. As all of the students in the states are beginning their new school year, the ones here are in their last two. They finish at the end of October. Many of them are preparing for September 15, Independence Day, where they will participate in parades and activities in the communities with their schools. As I mentioned before, our two University students are now taking exams and registering for the 2014 school year. It is a very exciting time!

I have been participating in various 10K and 12K’s around the area, and ran one in Santa Catarina Barahona on Sunday. This specific race was special because it was in the community where SCFBC works. So all throughout the race, I saw the families that we’ve worked with, and those children that go to Paso a Paso project. It was also special because there was a team from smallchangeforbigchange that participated as well! We made jerseys and were able to give them to our friends who raced, and they wore them proudly. It was a difficult route, called “The Ascent” but everyone had a great time and finished!

It was an encouraging day, mainly because it was an incredible thing to be able to see everyone in the community I love all in one day. I feel blessed all of the time to be able to know such amazing people, and build relationships with them that are like no other. Our one employee, Enoc, (on left in photo) began an intensive 3 month English program at a school called Maximo Nivel. I have been teaching him English and practicing with him, but this will be every day. He will be sponsored as a student, and it will benefit him greatly in the work because he will be able to communicate more with teams and volunteers.

As always, I am grateful for the financial help that the members of CUMC have provided me. Without that support, I would not be here and am continually thankful!