Cathy’s Caribbean December Update
This past hurricane season was a rough one throughout the Caribbean as I’m sure you’ve heard. Hurricane Maria is the one who inflicted the most damage to the Dominican Republic, but thankfully we didn’t have the significant damage that many of the other islands suffered. Thankfully God moved hearts to make gifts to improve housing this past year and we’ve assisted 9 families so far to improve their living circumstances. The projects have ranged from minor repairs, to partial or complete new roofs and even a new home. Jan has a new home now, pictured here with before and after shots. He invited a neighboring family to shelter with him during the storms that hit this fall, as they await their turn for assistance. There are many families still living in leaky and insecure structures needing assistance. Should you feel drawn to help with this project, please send a check to SAMS with “Donahoe Project” in the memo line and 100% of your gift will go towards improving housing for people in need in my community. Please pray for discernment in which families to help and to what extent.
At the university this year, I have had a total of 9 classes with about 180 students. Most of the classes have been in the neurology tract and have been a mix of the old and new curriculum students. We are 3 years into the new curriculum and there are notable improvements with the students’ understanding and abilities. God has continued to shape my teaching style, to which many students seem to respond well. Please pray for wisdom with my teaching.
I am very grateful for your support and that God has given me the opportunity to be a part of these ministries.
May you have a very Merry Christmas and may God fill your 2018 with amazing blessings!
In Christ,
Cathy
Summer is always an intense time for me. The heat is tremendous and with air conditioning, a very limited commodity, it takes its toll. I remember flexibility being one of the characteristics that Peace Corps was interested in for potential volunteers. It seems to be the same for missionaries. This summer term I started with 2 classes and ended with 4. While I enjoyed the students and the classes, both additions were new to me so required more preparation and an extra day and a half in the capital every week. The pictures are students learning about plyometrics and my group in the clinical rotation on our last day as a group. The director of the program recently left on 
maternity leave, though she will be checking in here and there. Please pray for her and her first child, as well as all the professors as we head into a new term the beginning of September without our director helping to put out fires that inevitably crop up.
