Valiente Graduation

After five months of teaching English at the Valiente Branch in east Santo Domingo, we held a graduation ceremony with 200 attendees.  Due to the small chapel area of the church building, we had to hold two sessions--at 9:00am for the children age 5 to 12 and at 10:30am for the youth and young adults.

Valiente English Graduation

Branch President Julio Ogando conducted. Elder Park sang, "Teach Me To Walk in the Light" in Spanish and English. It was really nice. Pres Ogando spoke and Sisters Park, Martinez, Aitkens, and McGuire all said a few words. Then we handed out certificates to the younger group. We then served muffins and soda. At 10:30am we began the same ceremony for the older group, with a few additions. We had a motivational speaker and our dear, youmg friend Alwin and Elder Frogley sang "Rock of Ages" with Elder Auger accompanying them. It was really nice for these young people that have so very little to look forward to in their lives. We all noticed that the girls were dressed in their very best and many of the boys wore ties. (Only the church members own ties) They hung around for awhile afterwards, letting us take their pictures and visiting. Some of them had a parent with them. Many did not. Many people work on Saturday.

Randy Singing "at Graduation

One little girl wouldn't sit down after she received her certificate. She stood next to the senior sisters smiling and waiting for Elder Aitkens to take another picture. She is about six. Today at church, when she saw Sister Park, she was so excited still. Another of our special students, is Jose. He studies and every week he comes up to Sisters McGuire and Park and says,"Good morning, how are you?" then answers us with, "I am fine too, thank you." He is so excited to be 12 on January fourth. We will miss him. He is there early every Saturday. Maybe he will keep hanging around the church on Saturdays.

Peggy and Jose at Graduation

It was a great day and we were very tired as we returned to Santo Domingo for a little rest before returning to the beach in Boca Chica for a Stake baptism in the ocean.

We appreciate the senior missionaries, McGuires, Aitkens, and Martinezes for their help the last few months, as well as Daniel Allred, Alwin Nunez, and Jose Rodriguez.  Many missionaries helped us also. Elder Frampton lead the charge for us since he was the co-zone leader in the beginning. He is leaving for home in two days. We will miss him. We appreciate President Corbitt for his support and assigning Valiente branch with extra missionaries to help teach.

Sisters Park, McGuire, Arihanny Soriano  and Martunex

There were sixteen convert baptisms from this English project. The young people and their parents were so impressed with our love and concern for them and wanted to know more about the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is due to the faith and love of Branch President Julio Ogando. We love him so very much. He is just like another son.

Peggy and Randy