More Matacanes

The opening to the cave - the green in the front

The end of the caves, the waterfall we had to propel up

Repelling

Me doing my cliff jump!!!

Our Matacanes trip

Katie and I

One of the big slippery rocks we had to climb over

We used anything to help us up - even people's feet

Kathy, Cathy, Katie and I

We are so tough!

Yesterday I experienced one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life... But it was so worth it!! A group of us went canyoneering at Matacanes. You can check it out at www.matacanes.com... Anyway, people come from all over to go to this canyon and you need a guide. Luckily, Juan, who works for Back2Back is a guide and has trained some of our guys to help. We had a group of 13 and we wore helmets, harnesses, and life jackets. By the time we traveled along a rutted, bumpy road for an hour we arrived there. The water was extra high from lots of rain lately and it was dark because of recent fires. Because of this we couldn't see through the water to see where rocks were and we had a lot of falls and bruises...I wasn't expecting so much water but we were in the water a lot. We started by hiking along the water on the rocks and then we had to get in. We'd swim some then get out and climb over rocks, then wade, then swim some more, and over and over. Then we got to the cave! I was not excited about entering a cave with an opening of 2-3 feet that we had to swim through. It was really beautiful inside when I could see and when it was dark I didn't really enjoy it!! Then we had to rope repel up a waterfall and that was a challenge with water pouring down and trying to get a handhold. Eventually we reached the cliff jumps. You didn't have to do this part but I actually jumped and it was at least 35 feet above water...!! After that, Juan had packed lunch in a waterproof bag and we had cheese, salami, and granola bars...Then we had to turn around and do it all again to get back! All in all it was 10 hours of hard work. I was proud of our whole group for not giving up. The hardest for me was being cold and the water was very cold so you never had a chance to warm up. But at the same time the whole experience was so beautiful and invigorating!!! Hopefully there will be photos to share with you soon...

feliz cumpleanos Marlen

Marlen, the sister of Ewelin, turned 12 yesterday! She lives down the road at Casa Hogar Douglas. I took them out to eat and we had a good time talking and laughing. It was fun to watch her as the waiters sang to her and then she tried to blow out trick candles!

Last Sunday I had the privilege of going to our pastor's quinta. A quinta is a weekend/holiday home that some people from the city have. This home has been in their family and it is beautiful. We enjoyed sitting and talking, playing games, and eating, while the kids swam.

Hanging out with my friends!!!

One of the staff kids, Ben Huffer, is playing soccer here in the city. I am so proud of him for trying something new and especially when it involves everyone speaking another language. Good job Ben!

ice skating

Yes there is an ice skating rink at the mall here!...Saturday we took the girls from Monantiel de Amor for a picnic in the parking lot, skating, and then ice cream!! It was fun to introduce some of them to something new and build our friendships!

My Students learn about pesos

Every Friday the fruit/vegetable guy comes and so this week my students had 10 pesos to spend. We practiced how to ask in Spanish how much an item costs and then ask for what they wanted. They all had fun and then we ate the food!!

Let it Rain!

We haven't had rain for a long time and everything is super dry and one of the Childrens' Homes doesn't have water in their well - So we were rejoicing that it rained yesterday! Because of the mountains on both sides of us, the ground being hard, and so much cement in the city, there was flooding all over the place.

It's time to share the news!

Well I wish I could talk to you all in person but I have made the decision to stay another year here at Back2Back! I am once again amazed at how God is working in my life and how what had been so difficult has now become a passion. God started changing my heart a few months ago and lots of things were falling into place for me to stay and I wrestled with God to figure out what to do. I now have good relationships with everyone and the language is getting better! I feel like I spent a lot of my first year working on myself and God changing me, and now I want to give more to others. This next year I have the opportunity to work part time as teacher and part time with the orphanages and groups that come. I am excited for this new adventure! Please pray for me as I come home in July and August to be with friends and family and once again raise support!

My Favorite Group!

I spent this past week with 19 friends who I feel are like family. The Master's Commission group from Atlanta were such a blessing to me and an encouragement this week. I spent all my extra time with them, debriefed with them, played games with them, laughed with them (a lot), and even cried with them. It was fun to watch them grow and I hope to see them again!

More visitors

My friend, Judy Gregory, and a group of her students from Master's Commission in Atlanta, Georgia are here this week! It is so great to hang out with them! We had a cookout at Casa Hogar Douglas on Sunday and then I meet up with them in the evenings for dinner and debriefing, since I'm in school during the day. Tomorrow I have off and plan to go with them to the Casa Hogar Del Norte.

Matt Cooper and Judy

I had a great visit with my parents last week. I enjoyed showing them my life. We went to the city riverwalk, some fun restaurants, the market, several childrens' homes, and more.

Here is my dad at the Rio 3

My mom is making sandwiches with the group at Rio 3

They both enjoyed sitting in the palapa and relaxing

Well I saw my first scorpion today! It was about 3 inches long and it was in the school!!!! Of course I screamed and jumped on a chair...

spring break

Well I had a quick trip home last week with appointments and catching up with people! I had no luggage for the first 3 days and it was cold and snowy. I had to get used to it again! I am so thankful for all my friends and family that I got to see. I spent Easter with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece.
That's my girl!!!

Love you Mia!!!

I got to spend an evening with my good friends, the Merrills, who used to live here at Back2Back

Eating baked potatoes at the Market

I like to try new places to eat although some people maybe would be afraid. Friday Corrie and I bought these baked potatoes with meat, cheese, and tons of butter. We could only eat about 10 bites.

Check out Beth Guckenberger, one of our directors telling one of my favorite stories from Back2Back

Life is an Adventure!

I am learning a lot about myself and I have learned even more that I love unexpectedness and the unknown, and I don't enjoy routine. Well I go walking as many days as I can outside the property and each day is a new surprise. You never know what you might see. It could be a parrot in a tree, a horse tied along the road, baby goats just born with the umbilical cord still hanging (gross), or my favorite dog, Patch (my name for him).


'Patch'

My first Quincenera

Wednesday night I got to go to a Quincenera, which is a celebration this culture has for girls when they turn 15. It is almost like a wedding. The girl is dressed up and there is a ceremony. She receives a watch, a ring, a Bible, and flowers. Then there is a meal, and music and she sits up front. Of course I didn't understand all of it with the language but I am able to comprehend more and more every day.
It was held at a new childrens' home, Imperio de Amor, because that is where Liseth lives.
Inside the childrens' home:

Liseth lives at the childrens' home but was escorted by her father:

Jazmine, Ewelin, and I