Another update from break

Ryan and I have been working a lot lately. The last few days we've been working a lot welcoming students fresh off the plane to Ross. They're all tired, jet lagged, and a bit shell-shocked. Some of the parents struggle a lot, but we've found that a friendly face and someone willing to answer questions really helps them relax. We meet them as they get off the bus from the airport, answer questions while they wait for their landlords and gather their luggage, and then take them to a local restaurant for dinner if they're hungry. It's very tiring, and sometimes a bit stressful.

We've got to keep a cheerful face and be very positive. We have struggled a bit to remain positive over the last few days because I received some bad news from home. My grandmother, my father's mother, passed away Thursday after a long and fulfilling life. She knew the end was coming and was ready, but it is still hard to come to terms with it. She will be badly missed by her friends and family, all of whom were very blessed to have known her. Ryan and I ask for your prayers right now, as the last few days have been hard. One of the most difficult things about living in Dominica is that it can be very difficult to get home at a short notice. It is very expensive and flights book up quickly. It is beautiful here, but we struggle knowing that we can't always be there for our families when they need us.