Big date

On Friday night Ariel took us all out on a date. We went to Puerto Plata first for dinner and then out to Cofresi to Ocean World for their show, Bravissimo. We had fun and laughed a lot and then enjoyed walking around a bit in the hotel and casino.

Helpful mom

My mom's still here and she's been helping us at school all week. It's time again to weigh and meaure the kids, which is always a task when there are 200 kids to be seen!

We also gave each on an de-worming pill but didn't tell them until after they had taken it. I know, it feels wrong, but it 's just that last year they found out before what they were meant to take and then it was too hard to make them take it...especially the teenage girls who were afraid that they'd then have to get rid of the worms somehow. Anyhow, they took their pills like mostly good kids and then we also have been trying to help Candace get the next sponsorship project together. I wish my mom was here ALL of the days, it's been great!

Educational

I saw this store whilst in Santo Domingo and it made me laugh a bit. It's a little ironic I thought that a store called "Kid' Stuf" is offering educational material. I think I'll keep looking...

Santo Domingo

I'm a little behind, but last weekend we went to Santo Domingo to take my dad to the airport. He left on Sunday, but we got in on Friday so we could play the full day on Saturday. We walked and walked and saw lots of old building and all things related to Columbus.

Trips around the island

Yesterday we took a drive to Rio San Juan, Laguna Gri-Gri, and Pozo Dudu. We took a boat ride through the lagoon and past a cave and beaches, then drove to a little pool of crystal clear water and ended the day at Playa Grande...one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Ariel topped off the day by making us dinner. Don't worry, I go back to work on Monday. I tried talking my parents into staying forever, but they said something about work and bills and a house and my cat that they have to tend to...whatever that's all about!!!

Family dinner

On Tuesday we had a big family dinner with all of Ariel's family. We had Sancocho which she made over a little coal fire out back and had a good time talking with everyone having both families get to know one another.

More parent time

The good times continue with my parents here. My dad took me diving which was great...I held a jellyfish and didn't even get stung. It has been so nice showing them around and being with them in all my "normal" places. It's been better than I imagined!

Jarabacoa

We took a road trip to Jarabacoa yesterday and my parents met all the Kids Alive-ers up there and saw the other Kids Alive sites. It was a nice day to drive and hike the waterfall...we went on the lower waterfall since the previous rains had made the water muddy and rivers rise. We had a picnic at the waterfall of pastelitos and chips! It is so fun having my parents here, my two worlds are getting to know one another and, although weird at first, it has been special to share my Dominican world and my parents with each other!

Ocean World

We went to Ocean world yesterday!!! It was a treat from Ariel and his cousin and we had such a fun day!!

I touched a dolphin! To be honest, I was actually IN the dolphin show and got to play ball with them, get kissed by them both, then ride one...with everyone watching! It was an amazing experience, I still can't believe I got to do it!

It was such a fun day...

Mom and Dad

My parents are here!!! These couple days have already been so special, better than I even thought. The worst part is that it's going too fast. I seriously have the BEST family in the whole world!

Ike

Still doing fine after Ike passed...or continues passing. We got a good amount of wind and rain last night and off and on today, but it looks like the worst of it is over. I have to say it was nice sleeping with a blanket!

Hurricanes

Just to let you all know, before I get anymore hate mail for not updating, we have all been fine through these hurricanes. So far the South has been hit harder than us, we have just had a few lovely rainy days that have cooled us down and reminded us that we do like living here (sometimes you question it with so much heat!). Hurricane Hannah is apparently passing right now with Ike on the tail, so we'll keep hoping that it stays in the ocean and just graces us with nice rain.

Landlord love

We have the best landlord. He has fuzzy hair that is manicured well and wears his pants high on his waist with a belt and shirt tucked in. He always says ?Que tal? (How's it going) and waves and smiles like we haven't seen each other in years. Most times when we pay our rent he gives us gifts. But as he owns an auto-repair shop, the gifts make us laugh. We have gotten smelly car trees, key chains, and lately mangos. But yesterday we came home to find these coconuts delivered to our door and waiting for us. The only problem is that after two years, I still don't know how to open one up. What a sweet landlord we have.

Happy not to be a hen

Remember these ladies?? We got them about a year and a half ago...

They're now turning into this! Their egg production has never been that amazing and it now turns out that we're paying more for per egg than we would in the store because feed prices have increased so much. So what do we do? Eat them. Ew. They killed 10 of them yesterday and then went through the whole de-feathering-gutting process which is, not great. Some of the hens had eggs forming inside them (bottom left photo) when they were opened up. Whatever happened to just swinging past Safeway on the way home for your boneless-skinless chicken breast??!!

Gira

This is Gira (Jee-ra). I know I'm not supposed to have favorites so I'll just say that I really love her. She used to have crossed eyes but was able to have surgery to fix them. During Easter Week, she got braids that were almost longer than she was tall. Her little voice makes me smile. She is best friends with Estefani and they hold hands and walk around school together. Her little brother is Melfy...yes, his name is Melfy and that makes me laugh each time I say it. I miss her and can't wait to see her this week as we enter back into classes.

Sunset

"Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths." -Etty Hillesum

Good-byes

Two of our friends from the group Makarios, who have a school here in Montellano, left this week. Weston was here for a year and Camille for two, both living in Montellano as well. They saw many changes and I'm sure go back different people...hopefully only to come back and visit us again!

More options

Another option is to donate through my name on the Kids Alive website using Paypal and direct debit. It's all become so easy, I don't know how missionaries ever did this in the "olden days"!!

Thank you

I write between my regular updates because of present needs. I want to start by thanking those who have already supported me through these past two years. It’s hard to believe that two years has gone by since first arriving on this amazing island.

This purpose of this entry is to officially ask for your support. As the years have gone by, I have been amazed to see how I have always been provided for and the amount of people willing to help in allowing me to stay here. .

For those who don’t know exactly what I do (I guess I don’t sometimes either!!) I am serving as a nurse and assistant director to a before/after school care center in the Dominican Republic. We serve both Dominicans as well as Haitians in a very poor area on the north coast of the island. As school nurse, I have plans to start a toothbrush program, daily vitamins, anti-worming, sex education, vaccinations, nutritional support and evaluation, as well as regular health assessments.

To be able to do these things, I need approximately $14,850/year to continue serving with Kids Alive. As it stands, I have a bit under half of that need coming in through monthly supporters. To continue here I would need approximately 29 people to commit to supporting me at $25/month. One-time donations are hugely appreciated as well. All money is tax-deductible when donated through Kids Alive International.

I will continue to keep you updated on what is happening in my life and with Kids Alive. There are constant changes to the Park Care Center as well as things in my own life, all of which I enjoy sharing with you.

You can send support marked for Jessi Mather to:

Kids Alive International
2507 Cumberland Drive
Valparaiso, IN 46383

With all of my heart I thank you.

Jessi

Last day

The last day of medical outreach we stayed at the school and opened the office clinic up to the families of our workers. Our construction workers have very few benefits and some are making only 250 pesos (8 dollars) a day, so we thought this would be a good way to give them something special. We found a lot of high blood pressure, did wound care, and treated coughs and colds. This was my favorite day because I got those that are normally working so hard, in a new light as they were caring for their kids and brought in their families. It really is an honor to be able to do things like this.