University Graduation

Hi! This afternoon we had the opportunity to attend the University Graduation of a number of our teachers. We have been to First Grade Graduations, Eighth Grade Graduations, and High School Graduations, but this was our first time for a University Graduation. It was a lot like any other graduation except that it rained through the entire ceremony. The tent we were under sprung a leak and left a big wet circle on Paul's shoulder! I wasn't in a good spot to take pictures but here are a couple that turned out:

Doris was our daughter's teacher in Grade 2

Melina (left) taught her in Kindergarten
Jessica (right) taught her this year

Many of our teachers start out as assistants then move into teaching roles while still working on their degrees. The percentage of people who actually attend university here in the Dominican Republic is extremely small and most that we have known have taken classes while working. Only 10-12% graduate from high school, let alone university. We are so proud of our graduates!

Marcie Cooper

It's a Boy!

Hello!

We were very excited this week to meet our newest little Dominican friend. In my last post, I promised to post pictures when he arrived. Here they are!

So alert at less than a day old!

Too cute to resist holding!

Proud Papa

Excited big sister

Sister, cousins, and friends

It was hard not to steal him!

Anyone who has met this family knows what special people they are. Alida grew up in our ministry and is now the Administrative Director at our school. Alberto (a.k.a. Chucho) is our Phys Ed teacher, soccer coach, and amazing mentor to kids from elementary school through university. Their daughter is every little girl's best friend, including ours. She will be a wonderful big sister and is already trying to teach baby A (named after his father) how to read.

I have to show you another baby too who just happened to visit the hospital while we were there.

Little cutie!

Her mom, Nany, also grew up in our program and is now one of our employees. She's on maternity leave right now although her three months are almost up. She's a great person to have on campus with her dynamic personality and genuine care for students' health and teeth. We have so many great staff members!

There are more cute babies around but I'll have to save some pictures for another day. I could just look at them forever....

Marcie Cooper

Baby Shower

Hello!

I have not been on top of things since I've had sick kids, a sick husband, and a cut finger.  Fortunately, most of us have now recovered. I have often thought about blogging about different experiences we have had over the past few weeks but haven't had enough energy to sit down and type. Tonight, we hosted a baby shower at our house and it was too fun too pass up writing about.

First, the house had to be decorated with balloons and baby clothes.

Then, guest arrived and the games began (around an hour late, I might add, but that's to be expected.)

ANIJA staff and volunteers

You cannot have a baby shower without the bottle-drinking competition!

And the winner is...

There was food, more games and, of course, cake and gifts.

Less than two weeks to go!

Men aren't really allowed but the Dad usually comes too :)

It always amazes me how much more the games are emphasized than the gifts here. Gifts are almost an afterthought and many times I've seen people leave before they are opened. Once cake is served, it is time to go.

Although I hardly sat down, we all had fun and enjoyed celebrating the new life soon to be born.

I'll have to share pictures of him once he arrives for those of you out there who are baby lovers (or Chucho and Alida fans.)

Goodnight!

Marcie Cooper

P.S. One other interesting thought about baby showers...they have them no matter what baby it is, not just the first. They don't save things from one child to the next but give what they don't need to friends and family. Their generosity often amazes me!

More about a Powerful God

Hello!

I've been reading a great daily devotional called Voices of the Faithful: Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World. I didn't take it to Punta Cana so was trying to catch up by doing a couple of readings at once. It worked out that just as I was studying God's Power through Isaiah 40, I read two stories in a row about God's power in answering prayer. In the first story, two women in Africa stopped listening to a witch doctor and were blessed with pregnancies. In the second one, a missionary visiting a refugee camp in a remote area of Central Asia was asked to pray with a woman who was severely ill and blinded. The following day, two different organizations brought food and supplies. Two days later, the missionary returned to find the woman completely healed!

For more encouraging stories about God's work around the world, look up Voices of the Faithful. You won't be disappointed!

Marcie Cooper

Powerful God

Dear Friends,

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

Isaiah 40:28

We didn't quite go to the ends of the earth last week but drove six hours to the end of the island to spend a week with Paul's family in Punta Cana. It was beautiful!

After a couple days, it got really windy and I was reminded of God's power through the crashing waves.

`

 Isaiah 40 talks about God's power but doesn't stop there. He GIVES his power to the weak. Many of us know verse 31:

But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

We continue to pray for strength for Paul's sister, Lisa, who has not been well but was finally given the OK to travel to visit us. It was great to spend time with a wonderful family!

Marcie Cooper

Eternal God

Hello!

At the end of every month, we watch for adoption news of referrals from China. I just saw a rumour today that they have matched SIX days of files. This is the most that they have matched since October. We are counting down the days until it is our turn although it looks like it will still be over a year to wait.

This week, my Bible study group is looking at the Eternal character of God. We are so finite in our counting of days but God is eternal. Listen to what these verses say:

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

(Psalm 90:1-2)

"I am the Alpha and Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." 

(Revelation 1:8)

What an encouragement! I'm out of internet time since we're on vacation for Semana Santa or "Holy Week." If you don't hear from me before then, have a Happy Easter!

Marcie Cooper

Creator God

Good morning!

How are you this morning? My four year old thinks there is a monster in his room and keeps coming to sleep with me in the night. I'm tired.

In the ladies' Bible Study that I've been leading, a lot of us have been tired and discouraged. We were looking for a short study to do in the next couple months and decided to focus on God's character. We need some encouragement and reminders of who God is who we are serving.

I began this morning looking at Colossians 1:15-23 and studying who God is as Creator. I decided to write out the whole passage. Do you ever do that? It helps me to slow down and really think about the words. 

Are you looking for a short Bible study to focus on who God is each day? Feel free to join us! All you need is a Bible and a journal. Here is this week's schedule:

GOD AS CREATOR: COLOSSIANS 1:15-23

Monday - Read the whole passage. Write it out if you like. Underline or write out things that jump out at you or that you'd like to study more.

Tuesday - Read the passage. Write down statements about who God is.

Wednesday - Read the passage and write out God's promises found in it.

Thursday - Read it again and note God's commands.

Friday - Read it one last time and write down a personal application.

Extra - Read Genesis 1.

Don't forget to pray as you study God's word. I love Psalm 119:18, "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."

No matter what you're studying, may your eyes be opened to wonderful things in the Word of God today!

Marcie Cooper

*Note: Today's outline has been adapted from a Quench Bible study on 1 Peter that I did in the fall: (quenchbible.com/bible-studies/kept/) It's a simple format but I highly recommend it!