Saludos!

Well I've decided it is going to be way too difficult for me to post everything that is happening here, so I'll try and give you all a few little tidbits and then we can talk more when I get home.  Esta bien?  Bueno.

Things are going really well here and I have a great roommate and wonderful host family.  I live in the community of Hato Viejo in Jarabacoa.  There are many people that live in my house because three sisters and their parents all went in together to buy a house.  In addition to these families, many other relatives and friends are frequently over.  They all seem really nice and I can't wait to learn Spanish so I can better get to know them :)

My Spanish is coming along well and I can already tell it is improving greatly.  We have three hours of class each day followed up by lots of homework.  And immersion is probably having the strongest affect at this point.  We're able to communicate on basic daily things and can occasionally get into more detailed conversations - as long as there is lots of patience on both sides to work through the conversation.

I guess I'll share a few stories of some funny mishaps:
#1  On Saturday we had breakfast at the base before moving in with our new families.  Upon arrival, my host grandma began asking me about "desayuno."  Thinking lunch would be lovely in a little bit I agreed that we should eat soon.  As our grandma walked away my (American) roommate came over to me and explained that she thinks I had just ordered a second breakfast.  Desayuno does in fact mean breakfast, not lunch.  And so began the saga of us constantly having way more food than we need and the battle to explain that the food is delicious and we are simply full.

#2  We have a 9 year old brother named Rancel who is full of energy - all the time.  One time, he brought us up to the roof of their three-story house to hang out and upon finding a styrofoam apple and an old can/tube for caulking, we began to play baseball...on the roof.  Naturally, the "ball" would fall off the roof and Rancel would run down and throw it back up to us.  As I was looking up to catch the ball (near the edge of the roof) I tripped over a rebar sticking up at of the roof and began hurtling toward the edge.  As my life flashed before my eyes and I lamented the fact that I'd only get to enjoy one day with my family, my roommate (Courtney) grabbed hold of me and helped stabilize me.  I am still alive and we have now decided that there should be no running on the roof.

#3  While we (Courtney, Rancel, and I) are playing outside, our host mom begins calling us over and telling us to get in the truck.  Hearing some mention of fruit, we happily jump in the back of the truck, excited to go to the fruit market.  Next thing we know we're pulling over at some kind of sketchy looking place with a bunch of guys sitting around and a number of cars (maybe a mechanic shop?).  Our mom tells us to stay in the car with Papi (our grandpa).  Rancel complains or whines about something (I couldn't understand) and next thing I know we are getting out of the car and approaching (with some concern) the mystery location.  Our mom ushers us into a different car there and then we drive the 5 minutes back to the house.  I'm still not really sure what that was about...

I'd love to show you all some pictures, but I don't know if that is possible because the internet here can't seem to handle uploading pictures.

Prayer Requests:
- That I have the strength to continue learning Spanish
- That I have opportunities to speak with people about Jesus

Praises:
- A wonderful caring family
- Safe travels thus far

God bless you all!