Texas, Our Texas

Howdy folks,

I am back in the great Lonestar State.  What did I do when I first got back?  Well, I have eaten lots and lots of Tex Mex.  This plan sounded amazing, but I found out first hand that going from a diet of rice, beans, and chicken to jalapenos can wreck you.  Ha.  While my body has been adjusting, I have spent incredible relax time with my family in Brenham.  On the island, I told myself that I needed to have a true Texas Experience when I came home.  I can say I have fulfilled my expectations completely by accomplishing the following:

1.  Coyote hunting

2.  TexMex

3.  Hog hunting

4.  Bluebell eating (made in my hometown)

5.  Backroad driving (in my dad's pickup)

6.  Absorbed a outdoor cowboy Christmas village (Santa's Wonderland in BCS)

7.  Shot a .357 revolver

All in all, I have thoroughly enjoyed my break.  It has been shocking to see the differences between here and there (island).  By January 14th, I will be ready to head back on down to my home for the year and continue sharing the love of Jesus to the Dominican and Haitians.

Keep me in your prayers,

Weston

Blame it all on my roots...

Yeehaw.

Life is good. As I mentioned in my last post, I started an English Class at night. My objective was to get to know more older kids in the neighborhood, build relationships, and also to provide them a FREE way to learn English. Most jobs on the Northern Coast require mastering the English language. When I say most jobs, I am not referring to cutting sugarcane, sorting garbage, or shoe shining. I mean self sustaining work at resorts or restaurants or banks. This provides a huge motivation to learn OUR language. As far as I can see from my first two classes, these youth desire to learn....truly. Most of them long for the day to have running water, tennis shoes, and three meals a day. I have seen the same fervor during my P.E./English/Survival skills Class. Thats what first sparked me to offer a more in depth, organized class at night. Yall can be praying for me as I attempt to design lesson plans conducive for class. Also, dont forget to pray for the relationships that I will be building through this. My last class one of my student's dads came up to me and thanked me for what I was doing. He said that he would never of imagined a FREE English class in their neighborhood especially when paid classes are too expensive for them.

I LOVE and miss all of yall. Thanks for yalls financial, emotional, and prayers these past months. Am I homesick? Well, I want some TexMex and hug my family and friends. However, I am at a peaceful place right now here. I am finding why I am down here: build relationships and show God's love to this island. That sounds like a no brainer, but I have just recently embraced that amazing truth.

ALSO, everyone of you should read Shane Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution. I do NOT agree with everything he says or has done, but it provides an amazing look into a Christian that has found what it means to LOVE (especially our poor brothers and sisters). The book is really radical and might work you up (if you have grown up in a Conservative/Republican Christian home....get ready). Read it.....think about it.......and then get off your bum.

Kicking back in boots,

Weston Woodward