March and April 2017 in Pictures

On April 30, 2017May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Photos of the Month2 Comments

Click the images below to check out some of the happenings of the last two months!

November and December 2016 in Pictures

On December 31, 2016May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

Another end to another year! How I pray that the Lord was glorified. I hope that our family looks to Him for strength and joy as 2017 begins.

14958977_10100942657653872_1849830470_ocrop — Our students visited the zoo this year for their field trip!

14975682_10100942658297582_158219258_ocrop — Checking out the flamingos

Our team enjoyed another Thanksgiving together as a group

Thanksgiving getaway! A great time of fellowship for the weekend.

We’ve been trying to battle a serious mold problem! Gross!

We finally took our new desks and cabinets apart and painted all the areas where the pressed wood was exposed. Yeah, it’s humid here.

dsc_0642crop — Miss Rachel and Miss Emma planned a 100th Day of School party for their kindergarten cuties

dsc_0673crop — Silly Jesús with his 100 Days crown

dsc_0767crop — We had fun putting our tree up a little earlier than usual this year!

dsc_0605crop — Caleigh tested out our new LED lights for us

Scott confirmed that he was NOT pregnant. He battled some scary abdominal pain for a few days!

We thought for a moment that we may have had a case of appendicitis! Caleigh helped take care of Dad while he was on the mend.

God is so good. Katie brought us dinner one evening while Scott was sick!

Parent-teacher conferences in the villages!

One of our families in Cabeza de Toro made a Christmas tree out of green pop bottles!

img_7977crop — Our two-night Christmas program was a success!

dsc_1224crop — Noah helped his teacher Miss Mery pass out papers to the parents one evening at the program

dsc_1505crop — Our Freedom team! So thankful for these people!

dsc_1526crop — Staff Christmas party fun!

A church back home sweetly sent our family an entire suitcase of goodies for Christmas!

dsc_1827crop — We loved spending some time with Memaw and Pepaw over Christmas!

October 2016 in Pictures

On November 13, 2016May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Photos of the Month6 Comments

Another full month in the DR! Highlights: Day camp for 2nd/3rd grade and more construction progress!

dsc_9213crop — Third grade circling up for an afternoon of fun at their first-ever day camp!

dsc_9215crop — The kids enjoyed a group game where they introduced themselves with animal noises/silly actions.

dsc_9291crop — Guys and girls competed to see who could carry their volunteers the fastest across the human bridge!

dsc_9054crop — Enmanuel playing a game with his small group

dsc_9070crop — Marcia posing for the camera

dsc_9585crop — Fabiola coloring a picture after listening to the lesson

dsc_9620crop — We love these two! Thankful Rachel is back in the DR as a full-time missionary, and thankful that Katherine has been doing much better behaviorally in school recently!

dsc_0043cropcrop — Caleigh continues to keep us on our toes! We had a little milk mishap one afternoon.

We got in the Christmas spirit a little early when Dad found a couple of Christmas cookie box sets on super sale at the store!

The Pyle girls joined us for the making of some melty snowmen!

Rachel has been settling back in to Kindergarten! The kiddos have been learning lots!

Patricia showing off her writing notebook

dsc_0069crop — Just answering some emails with Dad

September 2016 in Pictures

On September 30, 2016May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Photos of the Month2 Comments

Three more months, and 2016 will be history. It’s funny how days seem long, yet the months and years just fly. At the close of each day, I fall into bed so very exhausted. But, the Lord! He’s so faithful and constant and near. As difficult and full as each day is, I’m thankful for His presence and strength. You can pray that our family would keep our eyes solely on our Jesus as we make our way through each day.

Enjoy some pictures of this past month in the DR!

This section of the school building has reached 3 stories! Scaffolding gone – looks pretty impressive!

dsc_8565crop — More footers and subwalls for new classrooms. God’s provision!

scottmusicclass — Scott continues with music class!

dsc_7990crop — Noah loves that his dad gets to spend a little part of the day with him. Enjoying class with Sebastian.

dsc_8468crop — Leyton and Cristofer are buddies!

dsc_8473crop — Our Accelerate! program continues – Desiree helping her students read through Spanish syllables.

shipment — Two shipping containers arrived with more tools and supplies to continue the ministry!

bateydrive — Airport run! We decided to take the back route through the bateyes. When we were unsure of where to turn, we just asked people along the way if we were headed in the right direction! Who needs maps?!

caleigh — This little one-year-old is developing quite the personality.

img_5139crop — During our down week, we were able to work on some house projects. Thanks to Gabe for helping make loft beds for the boys!

img_4911crop — Leyton continues growing. Trying to take advantage of Tuesday and Thursday mornings with this big man.

dsc_8606crop — Someone forgot to close the bathroom door one afternoon. We heard splashing and found Caleigh enjoying a new place to play! Bathtime ensued (immediately after the picture). Always an adventure…

July and August 2016 in Pictures

On August 31, 2016May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Photos of the Month4 Comments

Tick-tock! Time marches on – our babies are growing, our ministry is changing, our students are maturing. There’s nothing we can do but take advantage of each moment. Here are some pictures of life in the DR from the last two months!

IMG_3158crop — Digging out the footers for new schoolrooms

DSC_5229cropcrop — Heather talking with Estaylin after a trip to the office. He recently chose to accept Christ! This little boy’s life is changing!

DSC_6418cropcrop — Smiles from Meroli as she enjoys spending time with short-term team members

DSC_6023crop — Some of our littles took some time to get accustomed to school. Cuddles with Elle!

DSC_5441crop — Summer teams built the walls of these two new classrooms

DSC_5704crop — Noah working at his technology center in 1st grade

DSC_5731crop — Noah says Jose Miguel is his best friend at school

IMG_3192crop — July was Caleigh’s 10 month

IMG_5714crop — One of the MK’s favorite pastimes is toad-hunting

It’s neat to see Mery as she grows as a teacher. We co-taught our first years in kindergarten.

DSC_6548crop-2 — This little girl loves getting into everything

DSC_6530crop-2 — My little laundry helper

DSC_7485cropcrop — Our newest good behavior incentive – a book giveaway!

DSC_7478cropcrop — We’re loving Anna Luisa’s smile as she picks her book to take home

DSC_6664crop — Caleigh loves to play peek-a-boo

IMG_3849crop — Noah leading his class in the Spanish alphabet

IMG_4312crop — August was Caleigh’s 11th month

DSC_7861crop — First-third graders are beginning music class with Mr. Scott

DSC_7864crop — Carla is learning about musical instruments and their families – she made her own “maraca” out of paper plates and rice!

DSC_5253crop — Fernancia and her classmates continue learning and growing!

May and June 2016 in Pictures

On June 30, 2016May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

Wow! Life. So full! Two months of pictures. Praising the Lord for all He has done!

Mother's Day — Mother’s Day Celebration in May!

Students and mothers worked on a craft together

IMG_0466crop — Yeifrey and Caleigh at graduation

Our last Parent-Teacher conference of the ’15-’16 school year.

Abby and Yuleisy talking with families about student behavior and achievement

We moved! The MK’s did a ton of work helping us get out to Freedom’s campus.

Road Progress — The road to campus was upgraded! No more potholes or standing water!

Furlough has changed to May! Headed back to the States!

Scott shared at an interest meeting for a future DR trip

The boys enjoyed the Columbus Zoo with Grammy and Grandpa

IMG_7232crop — Our amazing interns joined us soon after we returned to the DR!

IMG_1945crop — A shower house was built to the side of the apartment building

Leyton and Noah on their first day of the ’16-’17 school year!

IMG_2236crop — We’ve enjoyed life with several short-term teams so far. Six weeks left in the summer!

Caleigh passed the 9-month mark in June!

April 2016 in Pictures

On May 4, 2016May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Photos of the Month2 Comments

12986567_10100777523703632_1333498745_ocrop — Our 1st and 2nd graders enjoyed their first-ever field trip to the National Aquarium

IMG_8646crop — Alfredo, Woobens, Achuchu

IMG_8703crop — The kids were in awe of everything – the bus ride, the fold-down seats in the theater, the exhibits, the playground…

13036573_10100266028664634_1695465050_ocrop — Noah is almost finished with Kindergarten!

IMG_9342crop — Noah lost his first tooth!

Leyton is all boy – he ran into our sideboard and got a fun little cut one afternoon.

Scott and our intern Patrick had one last weekly meeting at our favorite pizza place before Patrick headed back to the States

IMG_9973crop — Ang worked on sponsorship letters at the end of the month

IMG_0043crop — 1st grade students drawing pictures for their sponsors

13113118_10100269048991874_1127444009_ocrop — Our $12,500 matching gift was met! A new road and drainage system are being put in!

WP_20160425_12_33_00_Procrop — The pad in the middle of the school’s octagon was leveled out. A multi-use building will eventually be built here.

IMG_9947crop — Our family is the last to move out to our campus! We are packing everything up!

IMG_9761crop — Caleigh helping Daddy fix the laundry room walls before the big move.

Independence Day, Dominican style

On March 2, 2014May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Dominican RepublicLeave a comment

Thursday we celebrated Independence Day here in the Dominican Republic. Mery (my Dominican co-teacher) planned the activities for the kindergarten class. She’s getting ever closer to having her own group of kids next year.

The highlight of the day was the parade through Batey Lima. The kids were adorable in their little campesino and padres de la patria costumes. Several parents came out to watch as we marched through the streets of the village. It was fun learning a little more about this nation’s history and culture.

DSC05290crop — Albel, Alfredo, Javier – K

DSC05330crop — Mery and her costumed kindergartners

Furlough

On February 6, 2014May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic6 Comments

Sorry for the hiatus. We’ve been in the States for a short furlough. We’re enjoying our time sharing what God is doing in the Dominican, but we picked 2 crazy weeks to come back – the cold and snow have been a bit of a shock to our systems. Leyton does not enjoy putting on his coat to go outside, and his teeth start chattering after just seconds in the freezing weather.

Pray for us. We have several more meetings before flying back to the DR on February 11th. We’re looking for more people (particularly school-year interns) who are interested in being a part of God’s vision for the DR. It’s been amazing to watch Him provide in His perfect timing. The adventure continues!

A Different Christmas

On December 29, 2013May 19, 2024 By MitchenersIn Dominican Republic, Family1 Comment

Christmas was a little quieter this year. No big family gatherings. No giant spreads of food. No expensive gifts under the tree. It was a different kind of Christmas.

We battled with loneliness more this year than last. Thankfully, we were able to Skype with our parents and give a few virtual hugs. We loved our Christmas Eve visit from the Simos family with their scrumptious cookie delivery. (The cookies didn’t last more than 24 hours – oops.) We also spent some fun nights playing games with the Clines.

We didn’t have our typical turkey-and-potatoes Christmas dinner, but we did enjoy a yummy breakfast casserole for Christmas brunch. (New tradition in the making?)

The boys had a ton of fun opening up their little presents. Funny how the 75-cent bouncy balls and small cups of Playdough were their favorite gifts. They haven’t quit playing with them since Wednesday.

Overall, we loved the slower pace of the week – the time to breathe, love on our boys, and reflect on Christ’s great love for us.