Hard times

Tova is dead. The family that was taking care of him did a great job, and he was very happy, but because he was so crazy and stubborn, he would still sometimes escape. They tied him up at night to prevent it, but they couldn't keep him tied up all day. They got back from church two Sundays ago, and he was gone. They found him on the side of a road and could tell he had been hit by a car. The family was devastated and felt guilty, though I told them I don't blame them and am thankful for everything they did for him. That dog was such an inconvenience, but he was a great dog, and I loved him and invested so much time, energy and money into him. I went through the stages of grief pretty quickly: shock, tears, acceptance. But it's hard to move on, because people keep finding out about it one by one. Yesterday, my neighbors asked me how he was doing and said their girls had been talking about his upcoming birthday. They're the ones who found him for me, brought me to pick him up, and lent me the money to buy him. I had to break the news to them. Today, Iris (my cleaning lady) asked how he was doing and said her son has been asking if they can visit him. She's the one who took care of him over the summer. When I told her, she began to cry and share good memories of him. He was a well-loved dog, which makes his death that much more painful.

This week was exam week, and I have to turn in the grades for quarter one in two weeks. A lot of students are failing because they don't turn in homework. If a student fails, I'm obligated by Honduran law to give him/her an hour-long reinforcement class after school and then a recuperation exam as a second chance at passing. So I have a lot of work ahead of me, and I've already done so much work to try to stay on top of these students. But what I've done isn't enough - certain parents keep asking me to do more, like write a note in the agenda of every student who didn't turn in their homework that day. Even though I already have a homework chart where they can see what they're missing, and I constantly remind them. Even though I sent individualized letters home to the parents of students who were in danger of failing to tell them what they had to do to pass. Even though they're old enough to be responsible for their own work. I'm pretty much exhausted, but I'm feeling a lot better about next quarter because I am much better planned, I actually know what I'm doing this time around, and I have better systems in place to deal with all these potential problems.

Please pray for Juan in 6th grade, who might get expelled because of his extremely disrespectful attitude and lack of self-motivation. We're working with him and his mom to try to turn things around. Pray for Samuel, who can't seem to calm down and cooperate and always disrupts the class. In 5th grade, pray for Cesar, who obviously has special needs and is finally going to get some one-on-one help next week. He's smart but can't sit still for two seconds, and he's dishonest. Pray for Salvatore and Javier, who also have trouble staying on task. Pray for all the other students who are either led astray or discouraged by their classmates' behavior. Pray for me. I'm starting to get a handle on classroom management, and things are getting better, but I have a ways to go.

Pray for Profe Edith, my principal. She is a wonderful woman and a huge support to me. Her husband has cancer and was going to have surgery, but they keep putting it off because he is too weak. They've rescheduled it once again for Monday, and Edith is going to be out for two weeks, which is going to make things harder for me and many other people. Pray for restoration, health and peace.

I've been informed that the family of Micheletti (our interim president) has been the target of terrible acts of violence by those wanting to put the ousted president, Zelaya, back in power. Micheletti recently announced that he is no longer going to stand in the way but is going to allow Congress to vote on whether or not to reinstate Zelaya. His term is almost over, anyway - elections are in November - , and I don't think Congress wants Zelaya back. I don't think anyone intelligent does. Please pray for wisdom and peace and for God to raise up godly leaders.
See my online album for new photos. Thank you for your prayers.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. -James 5:16

Visas, soccer, and the roller coaster of life

Last weekend, the English teachers all had to leave the country to renew our visas, so we went to Belize. We really preferred not to go...we spent half the time traveling, got behind in our work, and had to spend money on border fees, lodging, food, and ferry (the school paid for our ground transportation). But the part we spent in Belize was pretty amazing. Photos are here.

Soccer is huge in Honduras. EVERYONE follows the games...except for me. When Honduras has won, I know it because people everywhere are cheering, and I can usually hear it from wherever I am. A little while ago, Honduras lost a game against the U.S., but they still weren't out of the running for the World Cup. The other day, Honduras was playing against El Salvador at the same time the U.S. was playing against Costa Rica. In order for Honduras to make it to the World Cup, they had to win their game, and the U.S. had to win against or tie Costa Rica. Honduras won, but the U.S. was down by two for most of their game, and the Honduran commentators were giving updates on both games at once. Then towards the end, the U.S. scored, and finally, in the last 30 seconds, they tied. As soon as they knew the outcomes of both games, some friends went downtown to join the hundreds of Hondurans who were celebrating in the Plaza. There were Hondurans waving U.S. flags and thanking the gringos for allowing Honduras to be in the World Cup. I highly recommend seeing the video one of my friends took here.

In other news, my 5th graders are a wonderful bunch of kids, but I'm still having all sorts of ups and downs with them. And I still don't feel at all respected by my 6th graders. So please pray for wisdom, favor, creativity and help. I'm still bogged down in work, but this weekend gave me a breather, and there's no school on Wednesday. Exam week is a week from Monday, and then the first quarter will be over...that means I have exams to write, subject matter to review, and grades to calculate. With all the stress and all the ups and downs, though, I still wake up most mornings with joy and a feeling of excitement. It's refreshing because most of my life hasn't been that way.

There are a few new photos in my online album.
The ex-president is still holed up in the Brazilian embassy.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. -Psalm 90:14-17

Standstill

Things are back to normal in Siguatepeque, but the situation with the ex-president is still not resolved, so keep praying. Here's an excerpt from an article published earlier this week:

"Honduras’s interim leaders suspended key civil liberties on Sunday for 45 days in response to calls for insurrection by ousted president Manuel Zelaya.

The measures were put in place just hours after Mr Zelaya urged his supporters to stage a protest in Tegucigalpa on Monday, to mark the three month anniversary of the coup that ousted him.

The government announced the decree on national television on Monday saying it was to protect the public and guarantee peace in the country.

It means that police and soldiers have the authority to break up any unauthorized public meetings, arrest people without warrants and restrict the news media."

My 5th graders exhaust me because it is so hard to keep their full attention. Many of them have told me they love me, they love my class, and I'm their "favorite Miss" (meaning favorite English teacher). Their parents have told me that their children are very happy with me and they can tell I'm a quality teacher. The 5th graders show they're enthusiastic to learn, yet I don't have their respect. I'm supposed to be observed sometime soon and get some much-needed advice, so please pray that it will happen soon and that I can turn things around.

Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible. -Matthew 19:26

P.S. - There are a few new pictures in my online album.