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.

February 2016 in pictures

On March 1, 2016March 2, 2016 By MitchenersIn AngelaLeave a comment

Time is flying! A few pictures from our busy February.

IMG_20160213_174932crop — We had a sweet time with Scott’s brother Ryan and his wife Erin for a week!

IMG_1138crop — Third quarter parent-teacher conferences went well!

12765671_10100245640382914_882518251_o — Miss Emma with her kindergarten kids in Village Lima

IMG_6579 (2) — A group of 5 visited and worked with us mid-February

A neighbor’s brush fire got out of control and ran rampant on Freedom property! Students moved classrooms as a safety precaution, but no one was injured.

IMG_6584 (2) — It’s always a pleasure to share life each year with this group from North Carolina

Students marched through the streets of Ramon Santana

image1 (2) — The construction crew has been working hard on classrooms and bathrooms on the second floor of the school building

IMG_5587crop — Yuleisy made Leyton a special birthday dinner of bollo and salami

IMG_6736crop — Scott continues teaching music class in 3-week blocks

Our apartment is getting closer! We now have tiled floors and a porch railing!

IMG_5546crop — February was Caleigh’s 5th month

Our Colorful New Home

On February 24, 2016February 26, 2016 By MitchenersIn AngelaLeave a comment

We are so excited! The apartments on the Freedom campus are coming along – railings are going on the porches, tile is being put down, closets, kitchen cabinets, and counter tops are going in… (The Hilgemans have actually already moved – they say the quiet atmosphere is so relaxing!) Life will be so different once we move. I’m personally counting down the days til I get to flush toilet paper again! More than anything, I’m praying this move will help us to more effectively minister to our sweet students and their families.

To keep things moving, missionaries are painting their own apartments. We were thinking it was going to take us quite awhile to finish painting, considering our three little munchkins. Guess what? Scott’s brother Ryan and his wife Erin decided to come for a visit. Perfect timing, right? We put them to work! And it was much more fun painting with company. Scott and I may have gone a little color crazy, but it was so fun picking all the paint and thinking about how we’ll decorate! Enjoy some pictures (click to enlarge)!

Getting ready to begin the big paint job

Caleigh helping us unwrap a paint roller

Finally finished with Noah and Leyton’s room

January 2016 in pictures

On January 24, 2016May 15, 2024 By MitchenersIn Angela, Photos of the MonthLeave a comment

Oh, how my heart has been aching to write. But alas, life is running a mile a minute. I’ve been feeding sweet babygirl, playing momma to the boys, driving to school several times a week, emailing, making phone calls, cooking, planning, and washing (our clothes, our dishes, and our children). Life has been so beautifully and wonderfully full, and I’ve been enjoying this fleeting season. It’s been impossible to find time to splurge on writing. So for now, I’ll post some pictures of this first month of 2016 and try to be more intentional about sharing life over the next 11 months.