Pico Duarte: 10,164ft Challenge

As if middle school is not hard enough on students, here at Doulos we issue an even greater challenge: Summating the Tallest Mountain in the Caribbean, PICO DUARTE!!!! Pico Duarte has become a right of passage for our 8th graders to earn the right to graduate into High School, or so it seems.  As 8th graders, we start from the first week of school training students mentally, physically and spiritually for the upcoming challenge.  As you might guess, not all are willing participants, nor are all excited for the upcoming challenge that stares them in the face.  Some are excited, some seeming willing, but most are down right nervous wondering if they have what it takes to summit the largest peak in the Caribbean.  You would think this would motivate them to train their bodies and mind, but as middle school goes, nothing about leading is effortless.  Week in and week out Cameron (my expedition intern) and I put the students through difficult workouts, training them physically while educating them how to take care of their bodies and look out for one another on this expedition. Two weeks before departure we took a practice hike up el Mogote (a local mountain we can see from school with an elevation gain of approximately 3,000ft. Starting at 2,000ft and ending at 4,900ft)

Let the training begin!!

After 5.5 hours of hiking, I had a pretty good picture of some of the challenges that lay ahead on Pico Duarte, but we were a team, and as a team we would climb.

As our training came to a finish and the final event lay a hand, we tried to focus our students around the verse 1 Corinthians 12:12 "The body is a unit, though it is made up of may parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So is it with Christ." (NIV)  We really wanted them to see the 8th grade group as one body, that was going to summit as a team or not at all.  We encouraged each of them to use the gifts God has given them, to serve others supporting the whole team.  If everyone is watching out for someone else and helping someone else, we will all be served.  Here at Doulos we emphasize servant leadership, and this was going to be their greatest challenge yet in serving others through their own struggles.  

Monday, September 19th, 2011 the trip begins with twelve 8th graders, 4 Doulos staff and two national Park Guides (required by law). Now to give you some perspective about this hike you should know that you start hiking at about 3,000ft of elevation day 1.  The first available camp site is about 2 hours in (los Tablones), about 4,000ft of elevation (a weak first day, NOT HAPPENING), the next available camp site is Compartición (8 hours in at 8,038ft (a grueling day taking you up to an elevation of 9,000ft then back down to 8,038ft) Well, there is no way on day one you only hike 2 hours, so with an 8:40am start, we were headed for Compartición 8,038ft (estimated time of arrival 5-6pm).  

Over the Rivers 

and Through the Valleys

To Los Tablones we go!!  Well, only for a 15 min break that is.

Over more rivers

And more rivers

and More rivers (Take note the log bridge. Literally only one log wide)

Walking through canyons that have been eroded by rainfall over the years.  And yes, they are called trails.

This is where the photos stop for the day (approximately 12:30pm)  From here on out our adventure from the day in not documented in pictures, but ingrained in our minds.  We were far behind normal pace due to one student whom chose to not eat breakfast that morning at home and was beginning to suffer from hyponutremia (lack of nutrients in the body) making her weak and slowly start to lose body function. Thank the Lord for the Wilderness First Responder training that Tim and I have and were able to catch and deal with this effectively and quickly!!  Then the rain began.  It started to rain at 1pm.  When I say rain, I don't mean a light drizzle, I mean full on cats and dogs. It continued to rain like this until 7pm at night and yes we were still on trail. Our scheduled arrival time to camp was between 5-6pm, but due to many unforeseen and some foreseen things, we were still on trail at 7pm in the rain.  Luckily, as darkness fell the rain lightened up and only drizzled on us until we arrived at camp by headlamp at 11:45pm!!! Ahhh, a warm dinner had never tasted so good, especially at midnight of day 1!!  Day 1 adventures: 15 hour hike, 1 case of hyponutremia and 1 case of hypothermia (same student), torrential rains for 6 hours, 3 emotional breakdowns (mild level), one grande emotional break through (accomplishment he never thought possible), 5 hours of hiking by headlamp, dinner that has never tasted so good!!!!  Wow, what a day 1.

Day 2: Well after such an incredible day one, we figured everyone needed a down day.  So we relaxed, slept, ate, spent time in reflection, played, spent more time in reflection, and played some more.  Moral healing is seen below:

Let the games begin.  Blob Tag!

Much needed rest!

Playing Mofia!!

Cooking food over the fire. A great way to finish a rest day.

Day 3:  Summit Day

After a day of rest, there is nothing like waking twelve 8th graders before sunrise.  A little harmonica, a little breakfast, and up we go to conquer Pico Duarte.

Not a bad sight to wake up to

Hiking at its finest 

Almost there. 1.2 km left to summit!!

A little closer to heaven!!  All in awe of the beauty!

An accomplishment like no other. (10,164ft)

One more time for the camera

Playing Wolverine.  A mofia type game to end the great day.

Day 4: Out Day

After the exciting day of summating, there was still much work to be done.  A night of rest, an early morning wake up call, students in full motion packing and getting ready to head down the mountain.  The only problem was that the first 2.5 hours were up hill to Aguita Fria, then down hill until we hit Los Tablones for the night.  With some complications in the morning we were a little behind schedule, but weather was holding and all was well.  After the uphill stretch, it is about 5 hours of pounding down hill, the students bodies take it well, however the older ones (the leaders) start to ache.  A past knee injury resurfaces itself with one leader, but after being wrapped up, the Lord held the weather off and gifted her the strength to finish the day on her own two feet.  You are incredible Lord!!!  We made camp at los Tablones, swam in the river for a shower, and watched the rain begin.  Last night on trail, time to play some more Wolverine!!

Views we missed on the way in since it was dark already!

Solitude and tranquility in the morning

Mud up to mid shin

Day 5:  Final push!!  2.5 hours from civilization, a home cooked meal, and a shower!!

Around the fire pit the last morning

Last Bridge to freedom

Full team safe and sound back at the trail head.  Congratulations 8th graders!!!

An adventure that will not easily be forgotten by any or all involved.  Thank you Lord for this opportunity.

I have now completed my first ever blog.  Sorry to all those who have waited so long for this post.  I hope it does not disappoint.   

Reflection

Sometimes life gets away from us. Before I know it, its mid-October and almost 2 months since my last post, and I think, "MAN, I really have missed blogging!!" But, what I'm also thinking is, "Wow. It is SO important to take time for reflection!!" I have an inkling that our lives are not about to slow down anytime soon, and if we don't want them to just blow past us we need to prioritize reflecting on what God's been teaching us in small moments along the way.

Kindergartners during Center Time. This class really cracks me up.
God is teaching me to find joy in the silly moments!

Robbie helped prepare the 8th graders for Pico Duarte by taking them on a hike up Mogote. Here you can see them resting and goofing around. Boys will be boys no matter where you live!

In September my bible study (along with the help of many husbands and children) invited the shoe shine boys to a night of games, dinner, and a movie. We did this last spring, and the boys loved it so much they have been asking ever since when we were going to do it again! God's teaching: Keep on loving the people He puts in your path-your impact might be greater than you ever even intended! (MUCHAS gracias to my good friend Leah for these photos-she is so talented!)

The Big Kid Bike and BBQ Chicken

Rubi's big brother helps her get started.

And off she goes! Fearless! 

Last week we went to dinner at the home of one of my former students, Rubi. She lives out in the campo (where there was the Motocross race), and it is always refreshing to be out of town, up in the mountains, taking in God's beautiful creation and fresh air. Her family goes to our church here, and they have always been so encouraging and inviting to both Robbie and I. We truly enjoy spending time with them! Robbie and I went up with some new friends of ours, and new staff to Doulos as well. Christen has Rubi's older brother in her middle school Science class.
The men worked on grilling the chicken (see below) in Rubi's fathers GRANDE grill, while the women worked in the kitchen preparing the rice and platanos. I took a break from the kitchen long enough for Rubi to show off her bike riding skills. Rubi told me that her mom didn't believe that she could ride her big brother's bike--so of course I had to show these pictures to her mom and dad, who both got a good laugh out of Rubi's independence! :)

The men working hard....or hardly working. You know how it goes.

Everyone enjoying the delicious meal!

Love this family!

Beginnings

Almost 2 weeks ago now, we had some students over to our house to teach us how to cook (we are always learning new things here) a complete Columbian meal: "Bistec a Caballo." Translated it means, "Horse Steak," but it really does not matter what you call it when you are eating it, because its just that delicious! Erika and her older sister Paola came over to our casa and gave us our first Columbian Cooking Lesson 101. Last semester we learned how to cook Dominican style, and these girls were there to help but told us that they would have to come over a different day to teach us how to make a Columbian meal. We had them over 4 days before Paola left for college in the U.S., so the evening doubled as a celebration dinner and a "teach the gringos how to cook" evening! Robbie got to be part of the process of getting Paola to the States for college, as he was the Guidance Counselor last year. God opened doors for Paola as He provided almost 100% of the finances for her to attend college this year! Please pray for her time of transition into a new culture, school, and being away from family and friends!

I'll take you through the cooking process, and then when you come visit us, maybe we'll make it for you!

Step 1: Tenderize the meat (bistec/beef) with a glass bottle.

Step 2: Add garlic paste, and seasoning.

Step 3: Add olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Step 4: While bistec is searing on the stove, learn to peel platanos.

Big kids using big knives in the kitchen!

Step 5: Check on the bistec: add tomatoes, onions, ketchup, and mustard. Start deep frying the platanos.

Deep fried platanos ready for the smashing!

Step 6: Smash platanos as thinly as possible! Then deep fry them again.

Step 7: Fry an egg, set it on top of the bistec.

Enjoy! Thanks girls!

College is a beginning for many...but it all has to start somewhere....

First Day of Kindergarten! 

 "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

--Martin Luther King Jr.

You might remember that last year's first day of school was quite difficult, in a number of different ways. This year is a completely different story. In the world of "first days," our first day as a class was probably the best anyone could ask for. What made it different you ask? Probably that I know more Spanish now, which helps in transitioning kids from a half day program all in Spanish to a full day program all in English. Probably that this is a different bunch of kids with different quirks than the last group. Probably that my awesome assistant, Rosmery, and I get to work together again, so classroom routine is even smoother. First day was great, and so have been the days since then. We are getting to learn about each other, learn class routines, and this week we started learning about colors. Please pray for this special group of kiddos, that they would learn to participate, engage, and show compassion with one another. Pray that God would give me wisdom as I teach and guide their precious hearts and minds this school year.

Look at our line! 

Learning about how we will enter the classroom. We have 19 students this year.

Classroom's all ready.

Robbie is beginning a new job this school year as well. He will be both the Expedition Coordinator for the entire school, K-12, as well as the Service Learning Team Coordinator for all teams that come from the U.S. The Expedition Coordinator part is new this year. His job will be to take care of all logistics and fundraising for the various Expeditions this school year. Right now he is preparing for Outdoor Education Week, where he will be leading a group of 12 8th graders up Pico Duarte (the highest peak in the Caribbean, at 10,000ft). He will also be coordinating the 6th and 7th grade trip to Manabao, and leading a group of 4th and 5th graders to Manabao. All in a 2 week period.
After Outdoor Ed. Week, Robbie will have a work team here for one week, and then he will start getting ready for Expeditions. This fall is going to be super busy with Robbie planning and guiding trips, hosting work teams, and learning his new role. Please pray for him and for us during this new beginning!

Last announcement: we couldn't be more excited to have some special visitors this fall! My brother Sean will be coming to visit for about 12 days, and Robbie's parents, sister, and brother-in-law will be coming to visit for about 12 days! We're pumped to share our life here with them!

Bienvenidos!

View from the airplane as we were preparing for landing at the Miami Airport.

We are back, we are back, we are back! 

After a 16+ hour travel day from Minnesota to the Dominican Republic, we were ecstatic to come home to our apartment, and find it cleaner than when we left and stocked with food! Some great friends of ours took care of our place and car while we were gone, and their extra TLC made coming back so enjoyable right from the start!

We had a nice weekend to hang around our place, see friends, and go to church before we started our Orientation Week at Doulos. Monday was a welcome day-we got to meet our new staff members, play name games, have staff devotional time, and get the "staff handbook"! Tuesday we started our "Slice", which, since we are an Expeditionary school, allows teachers to see what a full expedition looks like in a condensed version. Last year we studied sugar production in the D.R. and went to a batey, this year we are studied education in the D.R. and our entire staff (60+) had a chance to go to a small mountain school in Manabao for a day of service. Some groups mixed cement to help build a new preschool classroom and library, some worked on installing chalk boards, some worked on repainting the basketball court, others worked on painting a mural on the front of the bathroom. The Doulos pre-school teachers, me, and our first grade teacher were given the opportunity to meet with some teachers from Manabao to discuss different teaching strategies, challenges and ideas.

Bathroom mural. Our school is blessed with many talented artists who all collaborated to paint this bathroom wall. You can't tell because of the clouds, but there are rolling mountains that surround this school, so the mural fits right in with the landscape of the area.

This weekend we are taking it easy, doing some laundry and settling in before the school year starts. Hurricane Emily did not do much in our area of the island; we had some rain and wind, but nothing that was severe, thankfully. Our area on the island is fairly protected from the mountains, so when hurricanes pass through it is typical to have many days with lots of rain. So far, the temperatures here do not even compare with what we had in Minnesota this summer, which comes as a complete shock to both of us! We'll take it though!

Today we filled up our propane tank (that fuels the stove in our apartment). It was my first time going with Robbie to do it, so I thought I would document the process. Its only the 2nd time we have had to fill it since we bought it in September. Here are some fun pictures of our little adventure today!