Welcome to the T.E.A.R.S. School blog!

This weblog exists to keep you informed about what’s going on at the school.

Right now we are planning and working on a number of things for the new year:

• Teacher Training Program
  This program is all about continuing education- for teachers and students. A team from Canada is arriving in August to work alongside the teachers at the T.E.A.R.S. school. During this time the teachers will be free from the demands of students, allowing for intense training. Our aim is that, in the end, they will be equipped with the tools they need in order to apply new techniques.

Above: T.E.A.R.S. School with kids in foreground

• Child Sponsorship Program
  Children in Maria Auxiliadora face exclusion from the public school system; they do not have the necessary certificates or the financial means to enter. In this way, families that are already needy must deal with greater injustice, and their children are the most vulnerable to the dangers of illiteracy. Moreover, the early years of a child’s life are very important; it is during this time that a person is most open to learning. However, most children in the barrio suffer from abusive home situations, malnutrition and neglect. This has caused many to become misdirected or even hopeless.
  In such unstable circumstances, many teens have resorted to drug use. We are therefore committed to providing them with the quality education they deserve. This is what the child sponsorship program is all about. There are still countless children in Maria Auxiliadora who are not receiving the benefits of education. It is our goal to expand the T.E.A.R.S. school, one classroom at a time. Initially we hope to support fifteen new students. With God’s grace and with your help, this will become a reality.

• School Supplies
  T.E.A.R.S. School is purchasing all the supplies needed for the next year. It is so important that the teachers have enough materials to train their students effectively. Be sure to have a look at our list of needs and see where you would be able to help us.

Above: T.E.A.R.S. School Child

Our T.E.A.R.S. Team wants to give a whole-hearted “thank you” to our short-term team from Bethany Evangelical Free Church. They are a great group of servants! From the kids’ programs to the mountain village ministry, through work projects and times of fellowship, this group glorified God with their hard work and amazing attitudes.

Above: Bethany Evangelical Free Church Team

Thank you ANGELA JOY DZIURA, ALYSE MAVIS SHERWOOD, ROBERT EDWIN KOPPENDRAYER, CHRISTINE MARIE HUBRED, KAYLA DIANE BROWN, DANIEL JOHN BROWN, MICHELE DIANE-PHYLLIS BROWN and BRIAN ANTHONY KITE. God bless you and thank you for being part of the T.E.A.R.S. Team!

July 22nd to August 4th is rolling around quickly as we prepare for our T.E.A.R.S. Summer Training Program. We will be hosting T.E.A.R.S. Supporters from Canada, Oregon and California! In just two weeks we will come together with these participants to serve and sacrifice as one team. We will be doing a joint community project, live in the barrio with some of the poorest in the community to get a deeper heart for the locals, receive training in areas such as evangelism, contextualization, church planting and much more. Our goal is that everyone that comes will leave well-equipped to further support missions no matter where they are.

Above: A T.E.A.R.S. summer team.

Please pray for our team and the participants as we share and train during this upcoming event.

Rodriguez-Malone Wedding

The T.E.A.R.S. team would like to congratulate Jennifer Malone and Luis Rodriguez on their recent marriage. They were married on June 30th at 9:30 a.m. in the Dominican Republic. Jennifer is a very special part of our team, working as the T.E.A.R.S. accountant. Luis works for a Telecommunications company in the D.R. May God keep them and bless their union.

Above: Jennifer and Luis.

Rod Davis, T.E.A.R.S. Director, has had a life long struggle to maintain a healthy weight. This year, he is determined to get it off with the support of his friends and family! He is launching the “Biggest Loser - Dominican Republic” this month in order to become healthier and more energetic in every area of his life.

Above: Rod July 2007.

Your participation in this challenge will encourage Rod to reach his weight loss goals, and as a bonus, your pledges will go toward monthly support of the Davis family.

As a supporter of the Biggest Loser you can make a pledge to donate per pound lost. Rod will weigh-in monthly for one year and keep supporters updated on his journey.

Weigh in #1: July 4th, 2007: Rod’s current weight is 342 lbs.
Next weigh-in date: August 4th, 2007

To make a pledge, email biggestloser@tears.org. Please include the following information:

I would like to help Rod reach his goal! My pledge is in the amount of $_______/pound lost for the duration of the Biggest Loser-Dominican Republic event (one year), paid monthly after each weigh-in.
Name:
Email Address:

You can also write to encourage Rod anytime you like, by emailing him at biggestloser@tears.org.