tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19737301636229231052024-03-04T22:44:52.523-08:00Mark and Ciara in the DR.Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-49285892105198846492008-11-25T12:08:00.000-08:002008-11-25T12:17:50.156-08:00It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.Well, we thought we should start some new, good habits. Thus, we are blogging again this week! (Yes, we are secretly smiling at each other and patting ourselves on the back.) This week has certainly had its trials. I came down with tosilitis or strep, we're not really sure which. Of course, I wanted to share my feverish delight with Mark. We both missed school this week. Yuck.<br /> Our bodies are mending slowly, but we have great staff ar Doulos who were such great blessings and took our classes while we were away. My fifth graders are in the final stretch of their expedition. I can't wait to finish this!!!!!!! I am so excited. I will try to post their final product, but we'll see.<br /> Pray for the Doulo staff, many are ill. We are praying for safety for you and yours this holiday season. We love and miss you all!Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-79261390231080921752008-11-20T05:35:00.000-08:002008-11-20T05:50:31.350-08:00Sorry for being incomunacado!!!Hello! I know we have not updated in awhile so I am really sorry! Things here have been great! Expeditions are in full swing which is marvelous and stressful!!!<br /> Mark is really settling in with his kids well. They absolutely love "Mr. Mark." Sometimes on long weekends Mark will even say he misses his kids! He is taking his boys (14 boys out of 21 students, crazy, huh?) camping in two weekends, so please pray for him. Also, Mark's birthday is tomorrow, November 21st! Happy Birthday, Mark!!!<br /> As far as I go, well, it has been crazy. As you know we are designing a waste water treatment facility for our school. I never realized how important water is, but my students and I are learning every day. We have studied, in my opinion, every possible type of water purification system known to man! We had an expert, Lisa Ballatine, share about her project aqua pure, a water purification project that is bring clean water to Dominicans in the vally where we live. If you would like to learn more information go to <a href="http://www.aquapure.com.do/english/home.htm">http://www.aquapure.com.do/english/home.htm</a> or<br /><a href="http://www.insituform.com/content/416/insituform_donates_to_dominican_republic_water_filtration_project.aspx">http://www.insituform.com/content/416/insituform_donates_to_dominican_republic_water_filtration_project.aspx</a><br /> I promise pictures will follow if I can ever find a way to upload my photos from my camera. <br /> Dios te Bendiga,Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-40235083456333314492008-09-03T10:26:00.000-07:002008-09-03T11:12:03.197-07:00A hurricane or not a hurricane that is the question<div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTew7YeU2KeLs19wZEvk3lnFEagmF6JWPyFbSEyKz03rWDIkogZ5IgI2rzBuX6WZlGRzmaU-_zYHIac3VWg7WvNq74m0RumF4T4Za_YI_uxDEFQrvgf8Y8prKXBW9uglxEGIdTyHlnIe6/s1600-h/cclassroom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241850796383826706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTew7YeU2KeLs19wZEvk3lnFEagmF6JWPyFbSEyKz03rWDIkogZ5IgI2rzBuX6WZlGRzmaU-_zYHIac3VWg7WvNq74m0RumF4T4Za_YI_uxDEFQrvgf8Y8prKXBW9uglxEGIdTyHlnIe6/s320/cclassroom.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Hello to a new year! As Mark reported previously the school year has begun!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">The last couple of days we have been experiencing rain, but everything is fine here despite Hurricane Hanna's best efforts! Don't worry about us we are doing fine!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I am very excited about my new class! They are amazing kids, very respectful and obedient! They are a smart bunch, but their English needs some help. Please pray for guidance and wisdom for me!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span>Mark seems to be settling in well to his second grade class. He enjoys taking them outside to the pond. His expedition this fall will even be about fish! Is it anyone surprised, I'm not?!<br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Dios Bendiga,<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"> Ciara<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9HsE50Z3fBYUhD02UyXL5yKQOSYDQhUMqVSM-Iv-IGWcVaWU6olzt3zrOmiuwe6H9040W6H_0IiXgziew7haG5zJEWXOO5aBTMpNpTf22ea7gQuAZHpv_5XE3f41Z3lAdUm-EKFj6f-_/s1600-h/Hurricane+Hannna.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241857608483571506" style="CURSOR: hand" height="107" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9HsE50Z3fBYUhD02UyXL5yKQOSYDQhUMqVSM-Iv-IGWcVaWU6olzt3zrOmiuwe6H9040W6H_0IiXgziew7haG5zJEWXOO5aBTMpNpTf22ea7gQuAZHpv_5XE3f41Z3lAdUm-EKFj6f-_/s400/Hurricane+Hannna.jpg" width="148" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFtiC0cuOV7MiIW6t5s0_YSB7OnlpjXAGyQvglOLFm-_lTbTaYV4QvbNz2z-KYoOfK-0di4d-YVRe3kMTt-ouyqFbCUda6K5btw0Kih1Mr7lnRjUPtltB9uabiEcwUkemsGjhFsco45h4/s1600-h/Mark's+class.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241857952427349570" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFtiC0cuOV7MiIW6t5s0_YSB7OnlpjXAGyQvglOLFm-_lTbTaYV4QvbNz2z-KYoOfK-0di4d-YVRe3kMTt-ouyqFbCUda6K5btw0Kih1Mr7lnRjUPtltB9uabiEcwUkemsGjhFsco45h4/s400/Mark's+class.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdFScjcU0mUlCqz1qOiSAjU0VRQ2zAXdQdmRrN7OvPUulUcCjsZNXmiHJU4lw6BdvLtFir3gcsxrMvkvbAv-yfcvWH3WSNgQhRQeKG8aXakNDwdamORg9yBkDChyphenhyphengkGGitN15eDqkeAaC/s1600-h/sisinmyclass.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241858200631218434" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdFScjcU0mUlCqz1qOiSAjU0VRQ2zAXdQdmRrN7OvPUulUcCjsZNXmiHJU4lw6BdvLtFir3gcsxrMvkvbAv-yfcvWH3WSNgQhRQeKG8aXakNDwdamORg9yBkDChyphenhyphengkGGitN15eDqkeAaC/s400/sisinmyclass.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qlrm2TmlQZTw7ofcndOw0IL31VPYOZXyYk6_R1eFu_vIV9n6CHX2QJXOcXOPCO-gdakLfx6bo8mqvYe2SyAY3y762na5jFWHYVIqOV_0SoUmWm6N671-eAdbzbHlnh4guSNacHBuRJy7/s1600-h/cclassline.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241858531976628690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qlrm2TmlQZTw7ofcndOw0IL31VPYOZXyYk6_R1eFu_vIV9n6CHX2QJXOcXOPCO-gdakLfx6bo8mqvYe2SyAY3y762na5jFWHYVIqOV_0SoUmWm6N671-eAdbzbHlnh4guSNacHBuRJy7/s400/cclassline.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">Hurricane Hanna Mark's class My sisters in my room My classs</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30125083&id=1186590140"></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30125083&id=1186590140"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-21699549272672159392008-08-27T12:53:00.000-07:002008-08-27T13:21:51.208-07:00Back To SchoolHey everyone,<br /><div align="left"> We didn't forget about y'all. The school year has begun, and wow, pretty crazy. I (Mr. Mark) now have 21 bouncing 2nd graders: Isaac, Eliezer, Alberlyn, Jansys, Josue, Ramsel, Frandi, Briam, Luís, Marcos, David, Oliver, Jeremy, María, Pricila, Annaly, Katerin, Bianny, Francina, Helen, and Heidy. And God knew that I could not do it alone, so I have an assistant, Ricardo Lambis. Please pray for Ricky too. And Ciara, a.k.a. Mrs. O, has 14 niños: David C., Fredery, Juan David, Juan Carlos, Pedro Luís, David D., Helen, Tiana, Iliana, Claudia, Genesis, Zuleiky, Kate, and Emely. We thank all of you who have been supporting and praying for us while we are here in the beautiful country of the Dominican Republic. Without y'all, we would not be here.</div><div align="left"> Much love from the D.R.,</div><div align="left"> Mark and Ciara</div>Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-28486385941244066542008-06-19T07:34:00.000-07:002008-06-19T07:57:14.453-07:00Home for the Summer!Hello,<br />Wow! What a year we have had! I would like to take this time to re cap our year!<br /><br />Teaching Fifth grade this year has been an adventure! My major project this year was building the stage. My students designed, budgeted, and built it with two different work teams. My students used math skills, Language Arts, Science, and Art to accomplish this feat! They are truly amazing kids!<br /><br />Our final project as a Fifth grade class was to build an immigration museum. The kids each had their own"rooms" (seperated by sheets) and talked about the lives, hopes, and dreams of immigrants to America in the late 1800's, early 1900's. My goal in teaching them about immigration was to encourage them to understand the similarities between Dominican immigration to the U.S. and Haitian immigration to the Dominican Republic. Both immigrants seek a better life. I hope my students have stepped away from this experience and finally understood what prejudices and harsh circumstances Haitians face and decide to change not only their own attitudes, but also those of their family, friends, and community.<br /><br />I am especially proud of one accomplishment this year! At the beginning of this year I would ask my students, "How do you go to Heaven?" I recieved the general gamut of answers ranging from "I don't know." to "By dying, of course!" Mostly, my students would say by being good, by doing good things. I spent much of this year trying to teach them about Jesus, about what he did on the cross for us. At the end of the year, I asked my students to write me a letter about what they had learned. I was suprised and brought to tears by their response. Many wrote things like I learned to do fractions or how to write a paragraph well. However, many wrote "I learned that Jesus loves me, and he died on the cross for me. He is the way to Heaven."<br /><br />Sometimes, between adjusting to Dominican culture, worrying about grades, expeditions, projects, my students' home lives, and completing the curriculum, I get lost. I forget why I am in the Dominican Republic. I am their to impact people for Christ. If I taught my kids nothing else this year, I hope they know how much their Savior loved/loves them.<br /><br />Thank you for your prayers and loving support,<br /> Mo&CCiara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-66276647099849206812008-03-29T08:59:00.000-07:002008-03-29T09:22:17.220-07:00Back to the Drawing Board!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRQNkVUaHlyqjIGmT_92Aa0E0-p5xD7U_2bHSC4y_lcV0YofJ_hDL7dLS4epVl8PRZ9WEkatZZqhQPbIRhGTPL9DWQ-AB_pcVO30_BVNlDKgxVwlO0yn3qG_KmAWdYpyPIskcTTIkxVBW/s1600-h/ciara's+kids+stage+055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183199170219168562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRQNkVUaHlyqjIGmT_92Aa0E0-p5xD7U_2bHSC4y_lcV0YofJ_hDL7dLS4epVl8PRZ9WEkatZZqhQPbIRhGTPL9DWQ-AB_pcVO30_BVNlDKgxVwlO0yn3qG_KmAWdYpyPIskcTTIkxVBW/s320/ciara's+kids+stage+055.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU96aSHCKBoziS1Yz_RDpvZc100z7A8A3euhWweIgRqpeli2CU54e-ezF76OerI2yDqTbp0UatWx_9K0_XoxT_J10KWnycPynioGlzUvDtWCzg4tHnUDHMjqOt89gifQbHnRJoUGUmcjK/s1600-h/ciara's+kids+stage+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183198594693550882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px" height="188" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU96aSHCKBoziS1Yz_RDpvZc100z7A8A3euhWweIgRqpeli2CU54e-ezF76OerI2yDqTbp0UatWx_9K0_XoxT_J10KWnycPynioGlzUvDtWCzg4tHnUDHMjqOt89gifQbHnRJoUGUmcjK/s320/ciara's+kids+stage+042.jpg" width="320" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div>These are pictures of my kids working on the stage they designed!</div><div>(On the picture to the left starting on the left is Massiel, Marines, and Arlette. On the picture to the right is Adriando showing his muscles!)</div><div> </div><div> I finally made it home on Monday. After having to deal with mechanical failure and the dread that the U.S. thought that I was already in the D.R. when I was still in Texas. I was so glad to get home, but I was very excited to see many of you!!!! </div><div> It has been a nice week. The sun is shining, work teams are coming, my kids are crazy! Please pray for our upcoming work teams safety. Also, we, my fifth grade, have a lot of things left to cover this year! Please pray that we can successfully accomplish all of it!!!<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-41010699146258504372008-03-19T08:13:00.000-07:002008-03-19T08:25:07.093-07:00Hello...Hi,<br />I must apologize for not updating our blog! Many exciting things are happening in our lives. This week is semana santa, so we have no school. I am home for my sister's wedding. Yeah! I am enjoying my time here very much!<br /> This last semester my kids finished designing and building the stage we worked very hard on!! We are about to begin our new expedition over immgiration.<br /> Mark's schedule has been rearranged a little, and now he helps me out during the day, which I love. He is also helping do some maintance around the school.<br /> God is so good, and He never fails to show us His love. Mark's labtop screen broke, and we were only able to use it hooked up to a monitor at the school. Well, needless to say, I was struggling to get my online coursework done. "Randomly," a man who is moving back to the U.S. asked if we needed a monitor. He said it was old, but what a blessing to be able to do my schoolwork, both Doulos, and my final college courses, at home! God is so good!!!!!!!<br /> Please pray for Lindsay, our first grade teacher, as she still struggles with her health.<br />Please pray for these students because they are really struggling; Erys, Anthony, Santiago, and Arlette.<br />Thank you for your prayers and support,<br /> CiaraCiara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-49088716370879389742008-01-02T20:30:00.000-08:002008-01-02T20:36:18.903-08:00I'll Be Home For Christmas!Hello,<br /><br />Mark and I have been home for over week and half. We are preparing to return to the DR. We had a blast hanging out with family and friends. We spent part of our time with Mark's family in Tyler, and partially with my family in Oklahoma. We are glad to be back, but we are missing Jarabacoa, and Doulos. Please pray for safe travel as all the Doulos' staff travels during this season. Thanks!Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-72255864756040698312007-12-14T06:32:00.000-08:002007-12-14T07:20:46.206-08:00Hello friends<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfT3c7cpZGLGBS935ZkATiF4D4vovBqaVyScl0FXBuH2H51GHKpV0VSyYTD_J1AJMKKdRTd0mbfr2OJVYNujaD6ATDeIg7DERj2Yn65uzK-DVhp5Zsn7zCW6jHq4mtrJnBvsE2_jmJHNYA/s1600-h/more+doulos+099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfT3c7cpZGLGBS935ZkATiF4D4vovBqaVyScl0FXBuH2H51GHKpV0VSyYTD_J1AJMKKdRTd0mbfr2OJVYNujaD6ATDeIg7DERj2Yn65uzK-DVhp5Zsn7zCW6jHq4mtrJnBvsE2_jmJHNYA/s320/more+doulos+099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143848617691982226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gZpDz0y8pWYz_1C-4B6R37G97OvNF89plfCErejk1Vky7tHi3OAxNscq4mjexjrRUDvwwni9MDQJhX0IGhTESGuzCB43ZhJ2WNI88FqZjA9J95oVClUhtBm2Rj9134pZQgy24V0QTxlo/s1600-h/more+doulos+197.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gZpDz0y8pWYz_1C-4B6R37G97OvNF89plfCErejk1Vky7tHi3OAxNscq4mjexjrRUDvwwni9MDQJhX0IGhTESGuzCB43ZhJ2WNI88FqZjA9J95oVClUhtBm2Rj9134pZQgy24V0QTxlo/s320/more+doulos+197.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143847707158915458" border="0" /></a><br />Sorry for not updating, it's been pretty crazy here. The first grade teacher, Lindsay Warrens, got Dangay. I don't know if I spelled that right, but it'll do. It's a type of flue I think. You get a really bad fever, and it's hard to break that fever. Anyways, she went home, and your's truly, Mr. Mark, has been the new first grade teacher for the last three weeks. It's been pretty awesome. I realize a little bit better how hard it is to be a full time teacher. On another note, Christmas is fast approaching, and we are very excited to coming home. We leave December 22nd and come back the 5th of January. We look forward to seeing some of you over this break. Until next time,<br /><br /> Much love from the DR,<br /> Mark and CiaraCiara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-17224801317395364332007-10-31T14:22:00.000-07:002007-11-01T09:41:18.971-07:00It's raining, It's pouring.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfzKLk4uENJ52PVVHSbVhk7jqq99DxjQxn34U3Q7LDdFtxkOk-yGTz5FdZPq2mksJ8Rbi4yPk2JsoxUpz_VUWb7oYRoDbe5TOqhGlL7DWLv_bXsG9nM1RNJC-FqOtF2ZrKwQkbjhob95g/s1600-h/no+say+277.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfzKLk4uENJ52PVVHSbVhk7jqq99DxjQxn34U3Q7LDdFtxkOk-yGTz5FdZPq2mksJ8Rbi4yPk2JsoxUpz_VUWb7oYRoDbe5TOqhGlL7DWLv_bXsG9nM1RNJC-FqOtF2ZrKwQkbjhob95g/s320/no+say+277.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127911610903469394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMX8vPuVLarfNDpzFkFlzedVkWOKLlkdHPwC7pY-K4yB4t0xxP-BFsBPlarvQPJUo9D9JtQfNEUhuUm2Tz_Xo99S7WXX6E5qZq_10mL5AcfL6gy5SXMgV3Uuw8P2AQSswm48FFw4oI5Ba/s1600-h/no+say+289.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMX8vPuVLarfNDpzFkFlzedVkWOKLlkdHPwC7pY-K4yB4t0xxP-BFsBPlarvQPJUo9D9JtQfNEUhuUm2Tz_Xo99S7WXX6E5qZq_10mL5AcfL6gy5SXMgV3Uuw8P2AQSswm48FFw4oI5Ba/s320/no+say+289.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127911632378305890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well, we saved some money, and thanks to some of you readers, we finally have transportation. One beautiful, X-1000, motorcycle. I thought it would be hard to learn how to balance, switch gears, and not kill myself or any other poor soul. My friend, Daniel Ayra, said that I'm a natural.<br /><br />The fifth graders have started planning on how to build the stage which they are all excited about. It has rained for about a week now. Therefore, classes have been canceled, and today is our first day back since last Friday. The river here has flooded some areas of Jarabacoa. So, please pray for those people who have lost their homes, and possessions.<br /></div></div><br /> MUCH LOVE FROM THE DR.,<br /> <br /> MARK AND <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">CIARA</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />P.S.- PIC'S OF OUR NEW RIDE WILL BE UP SOON.Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-40899611338455736782007-10-22T13:40:00.000-07:002007-10-22T14:01:01.336-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxCBKED9RF-9C20kd1iKcffi-KfcJqmtIIMqlDkZmV98cvee0XEhal57tLqBSK7b7RLbT3_99Rg4KJuosuQqji8pN6lvTZ4nBRW54jH02ITTpxvlO5FGbfUr5jOIuGEP9hxsYmRXVwXfI/s1600-h/Ciara's+Pics+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxCBKED9RF-9C20kd1iKcffi-KfcJqmtIIMqlDkZmV98cvee0XEhal57tLqBSK7b7RLbT3_99Rg4KJuosuQqji8pN6lvTZ4nBRW54jH02ITTpxvlO5FGbfUr5jOIuGEP9hxsYmRXVwXfI/s320/Ciara's+Pics+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124268271090510850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mHcJjH8it5tYa4qvEl8oH8TXK6YUu4yK6J4AzjNn9PrmGWLHEkERdlbiAoylbEsOtteuniSJW3uRwMGQU3LbCZAqrcPxw1-AFtJT_p1HxmYzDrgbjvCM8nAI_QdlyfTD34eN_ui2q1yu/s1600-h/Ciara's+Pics+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mHcJjH8it5tYa4qvEl8oH8TXK6YUu4yK6J4AzjNn9PrmGWLHEkERdlbiAoylbEsOtteuniSJW3uRwMGQU3LbCZAqrcPxw1-AFtJT_p1HxmYzDrgbjvCM8nAI_QdlyfTD34eN_ui2q1yu/s320/Ciara's+Pics+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124264976850594802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Here is a picture of my babies with Brenda and to the left my babies just hanging out!<br />Hi,<br />Life seems to be settling in here. Brenda and Frank came for a visit last week, that was terrific. It did not rain the entire time they were here, but the weather has ended its sabbatical and has started to pour down rain! Here are pictures of my babies. We had earned five smiley faces in one week, so we had a party and watched Surf's Up. Lola, Mark and I's cat, has joined us in the DR. Please pray for two things this week. First, a little boy in my class has Dengue, a pretty serious illness contracted from mosquitoes. Second, next week 4-6th grade are heading out to Manabao for outdoor education week. Teachers and students will teach/live/breath the outdoors. We will even build the structures that each group (one teacher and seven students) will stay under, and will be responsible for cooking meals. Pray for no rain, and that we impress upon our students how important it is to take care of God's creations! Nos Vamos! (Bye!)Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-58524471238808507092007-09-14T08:48:00.000-07:002007-09-14T09:10:13.818-07:00I LOVE FRIDAYSI AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR FRIDAYS AS I AM SURE THAT EVERY OTHER TEACHER HERE ARE TOO. IT'S OUR FIRST POST IN SEPTEMBER. SORRY ABOUT THAT. WE ARE DOING VERY WELL. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO IS SUPPORTING US WITH DONATIONS AND IN PRAYER. I DON'T THINK THAT WE COULD MAKE IT HERE WITH JUST ONE OF THOSE. WE HOPE THAT EVERYTHING IS WELL IN THE STATES AS WELL. THIS SAT. I AM GOING ON A 2 DAY AND 1 NIGHT CAMPING TRIP WITH THE CHURCH THAT WE ATTEND HERE (LA VID). THIS WEEK HAS ALREADY BEEN PRETTY BUSY. YESTERDAY I WENT TO ONE OF MY STUDENT'S BIRTHDAY PARTIES AT THE YWAM BASE HERE. WED. I WAS INVITED TO LEARN HOW TO WHITEWATER KAYAKING. IF YOU KNOW ME, YOU KNOW THAT I COULDN'T REFUSE. AND CIARA HAS A BASKETBALL CAMP THAT SHE IS IN CHARGE OF THIS SAT.. OH YEAH, HERE BASKETBALL GIRLS ARE SPENDING THE NIGHT TONIGHT TOO. SO TO END THIS POST, WE SAY FAREWELL TO ALL, AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.<br /><br /> MUCH LOVE FROM THE DR,<br /> MARK AND CIARA<br /><br /><br /><br />P.S.- THE PICS FROM ISABELA'S PARTY ARE ON OUR PHOTO'S LINK IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THEM. THEIR IN SECOND GRADE.Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-74682186540562105132007-08-30T08:15:00.001-07:002007-08-30T08:21:59.856-07:00SicknessHey guys,<br /> <br /> Ciara is doing well with her classes. Crazy kids, but I think that is in every class right now. Tara, the second grade teacher, has been sick this whole week, so I, Mark, have taken care of them. Ciara and I need all the prayer we can get. I am coming down with a cold, please pray that it gets better fast. We hope all is well back in the states. Gotta go back to class now.<br /> <br /> much love from the DR,<br /> Mark and CiaraCiara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-71203430594283557822007-08-25T12:32:00.000-07:002007-08-25T12:35:16.072-07:00Please commentHey guys,<br /> please comment on our posts. Let us know how y'all are doing, what's going on, or comment on our posts, or something. We would really appreciate it if y'all would. And check out our photo's, there's a link that will take you to them.<br /> <br /> much love from the DR,<br /> Mark and Ciara O'NealCiara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-62106855724938359752007-08-20T14:43:00.000-07:002007-08-20T11:44:11.920-07:00SchoolHey guys, sorry it's been a while since the last update. We are alive and well. School starts tomorrow, and we are pretty pumped for it to finally be here. Thank you all for your support so far. Please keep us in your prayers, we need them all.<br /><br /> much love from the DR,<br /> Mark and Ciara O'NealCiara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-70889745847662073752007-08-15T09:12:00.000-07:002007-08-15T09:25:37.163-07:00Hello!Hola,<br /> Mark and I have made it to the Dominican Republic! We have moved into an apartment, and have started getting settled.<br /> Classes start on Tuesday, I am really excited but I am also a little nervous. I switched to a larger classroom, but now my room is still in a bit of a disarray.<br /> We have been able to visit a giant waterfall that was incredible. Looking around the city, (at the mountains that surround Jarabacoa) and looking at the waterfall (un salto) makes me remember how great and powerful God is.<br /> We have been here three weeks, done a lot of workshops, and spoken even more Spanish. It has been a very interesting couple of weeks. We have seen answers to prayer, Doulos finally got a fourth grade teacher! Yeah! We have really been praying for one, God is good. We also have quite a few prayer request. One teacher is very sick and needs prayer. She has a kidney infections and possibly Dengue, an illness caught by mosquito bites.<br /> I will try to update this more consistently. Key word being try!<br /> Love always,<br /> Mark and CiaraCiara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-44658178645764463052007-07-18T14:56:00.000-07:002007-07-18T14:57:21.562-07:00This is our support letter...Dear Family and Friends,<br />It is always exciting to see God’s plan in His peoples’ lives. Mark and I, over the last year of our marriage, have been able to meet many people and see their wonderful ministries. Throughout this time, Mark and I have continually prayed for God’s guidance about a ministry of our own. We are now extremely excited to announce that we feel God has called us to do full time mission work in the Dominican Republic.<br />Mark and I were able to visit the DR this last March on a mission trip with the First Baptist Church of Tyler. The FBC mission group went to Jarabacoa, a small city on the northern side of the island. We had the privilege of building two new classrooms for Doulos Discovery School. While we were there, Mark and I found that God was guiding us to these wonderful, giving people, and this remarkable school.<br />Although the DR is a Spanish speaking country, Doulos is an English immersion school. The school has Pre-K through tenth grade, and adds a grade every year until reaching twelfth grade. I will be teaching fifth grade and possibly helping coach different sport teams. Mark will be assisting the Pre-K teacher in acclimating the children to English. He will also be the event coordinator for the entire school. He plans to start an after school program as well as possibly doing some construction.<br />Mark and I have agreed to teach for the next two years. We are so excited that God has guided us to this very special opportunity, but that also means that we will not be receiving a salary for the next couple of years. We ask that you would carefully consider supporting Mark and I on this new adventure. Please pray about joining our team through monthly support or a lump sum donation. Checks may be sent to:<br /> Doulos Discovery Ministries<br /> P.O. Box #3080 <br /> Burnsville, MN, 55337<br />*Please make checks payable to Doulos Discvery Ministries. On the memo line please put “for Mark and Ciara O’Neal.” (All donated funds are tax deductible.)<br />We cannot express how much your prayers, love, and support does and will mean as we travel along this new path in life. We would love to send you a newsletter about our journey. If you would like to receive one please send an email to <a href="mailto:ciara.storm@okbu.edu">ciara.storm@okbu.edu</a>.<br />Your Brother and Sister in Christ,<br /><br />Mark and Ciara<br /><br />P.S. There will be an online site where you can donate using your credit or debit card. To donate go to the staff page and click on our profiles. If you would like to visit the site to learn more information, or to learn more about the school, please visit: www.doulosdiscovery.org.Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973730163622923105.post-34469857588348315852007-07-16T17:39:00.000-07:002007-07-16T17:40:44.423-07:00Our First Post...Hello,<br />Mark and I decided to start our own blog to keep our friends and family updated on our lives.<br />Well, we have twelve days until we fly out. We leave July 28th at 6am. Neither Mark nor I are morning people, good luck to us! Right now we are trying to get everything organized and decide what else can possibly fit in four suitcases!! I have spent a lot of time in prayer about my class. I will be teaching fifth grade. I am estatic, I cannot wait to get started! Mark is going to be doing a variety of activities at Doulos like planning school activities.<br />We need heaping amounts of prayer for our journey. Please pray for my class, and for travel. I am deathly afraid of flying!!!Ciara and Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10398828471612338146noreply@blogger.com0