Domari Gypsy community center

Twice a week I go to the Domari school to teach english to a few kids. It's a community center run by a gyspy lady, Amoun, who is trying to help the gyspy people become better advanced in society. Pretty much anywhere they are the gyspies are considered outcasts; the jews consider them arab muslims, but the arab muslims consider them social untouchables. In schools they get a poorer education, even when they go to the same schools as everyone else. The reason is that the teachers rarely pay them any attention or say anything not negative to them. So we, meaning Kristen and myself, go Mondays and Wednesday to try to help them learn some english so they can keep up in school. They're bright kids and tons of fun, but they just cannot speak english beyond a kindergarten level - and they're in middle school. We have a blast, though, and hopefully they're learning a little english along the way.

Here they are:

These are pictures from last wednesday. They love to build streamer rings and anything else that requires cutting paper and gluing things to other things - we decorated the school : )

These are some of the "regulars," minus the guy second from the left. It's an after school deal, so the kids who come fluxuates a little. Plus, the number of boys tends to be on an increase. The first day i went there was one boy, then a few more came, and they brought another guy and another guy, etc. The small courtyard gets a wee bit roudy when full eight middle school boys with yours truly as the only mature one around - Kristen stays inside with the little ones and does a much more effective job of teaching english.

They're rascals. I'm the innocent one... I promise.

Jonathan Edwards Religious Affections: a thought to chew on

he is talking about what are signs of true believers - gracious affections being those affections which exist only in believers and only by God's grace

"Another great and very distinguishing difference between gracious affections and others is, that gracious affections, the higher they are raised, the more is a spiritual appetite and longing of soul after spiritual attainments increased. On the contrary, false affections rest satisfied in themselves."

- if you're like me you'll have to read that half a dozen times before it sinks in, but it is a challenging idea to ponder. Am i content being where i am or do i have an increasing desire to be more godly and full of love for my God?