My school every year in December asks the students to bring in toys and clothes in good condition the last weeks of school. Three grades go out at a time to distribute these gifts to children in the very poor neighborhoods nearby. Yesterday, we went with 4th, 5th, and 6th grade to distribute gifts. There were so many needy people, it was overwhelming.
Since it is the season of giving, I thought I'd give you some information about how to do it as far as my school is concerned.
Books:
Go to www.ceehonduras.org.
Click on amazon.com Wish List (bottom of page).
The school is especially in need of Spanish books at all levels, from kindergarten to 11th grade.
I am in need of English novels for reading levels grades 4-6.
Money:
Go to www.lam.org
Click on Become a Donor.
-->to a Canadian LAM missionary
-->Bettney, Dave & Esther
--> Yes, I'd like to financially support Bettney, Dave & Esther
-->Work Funds (the money will go to the school)
Thank you!
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. -Luke 6:38
Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Almost Christmas
I'm going home for Christmas in a week! I was going to be home for two weeks, but I recently found out that the day after I planned to leave was the day my brother was given leave from the Air Force to go home for break. We would miss each other by a day, and I'd have to wait until summer to see him. I didn't think there was anything I could do about it, but my boss felt sorry and gave me permission to extend my stay and miss the first two days of school in January. I'm incredibly grateful :-) Now I have to work on sub plans :-/
I've noticed significant behavior improvements in several of my students and slight changes in others. There is still much to be desired, and there is still one student in each grade that continues to defy my authority, so they still need prayer for continued improvement. On top of that, with only a week until Christmas break, all of the students are getting pretty antsy. I can't say I'm not antsy as well. I need a break. I need prayer for patience and that I will continue to show my students Christ's love rather than my bitterness.
When I go to pick up my paycheck every month, though it's not much, I still find it hard to believe that I actually get paid for my work. I'm used to last year, when I invested all of myself into my students without receiving any monetary compensation. Moreover, all the paying jobs I've had in my life were just for the purpose of making money, whereas now my job is a lifestyle and something from which I reap greater rewards than just money.
The money I make is enough to cover my living expenses, but I'm being sucked dry by my college debt. In January, I'll have even bigger payments. There are plenty of programs out there that forgive loans for people in my situation, but none of my loan companies participate in them. The way things are going, I'll be in debt my whole life and losing money every month, mostly to interest. Of course "the way things are going" doesn't limit God. Or good advice. If anyone has insider hints that would help me, they would be much appreciated. God has never left me dry in all the times he's called me to take leaps of faith. It's just a horrible feeling to be in debt and to not be making any progress in paying it off.
Our school has updated it's website, and it's worth checking out: http://ceehonduras.org/
I'll see many of you soon.
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22
I've noticed significant behavior improvements in several of my students and slight changes in others. There is still much to be desired, and there is still one student in each grade that continues to defy my authority, so they still need prayer for continued improvement. On top of that, with only a week until Christmas break, all of the students are getting pretty antsy. I can't say I'm not antsy as well. I need a break. I need prayer for patience and that I will continue to show my students Christ's love rather than my bitterness.
When I go to pick up my paycheck every month, though it's not much, I still find it hard to believe that I actually get paid for my work. I'm used to last year, when I invested all of myself into my students without receiving any monetary compensation. Moreover, all the paying jobs I've had in my life were just for the purpose of making money, whereas now my job is a lifestyle and something from which I reap greater rewards than just money.
The money I make is enough to cover my living expenses, but I'm being sucked dry by my college debt. In January, I'll have even bigger payments. There are plenty of programs out there that forgive loans for people in my situation, but none of my loan companies participate in them. The way things are going, I'll be in debt my whole life and losing money every month, mostly to interest. Of course "the way things are going" doesn't limit God. Or good advice. If anyone has insider hints that would help me, they would be much appreciated. God has never left me dry in all the times he's called me to take leaps of faith. It's just a horrible feeling to be in debt and to not be making any progress in paying it off.
Our school has updated it's website, and it's worth checking out: http://ceehonduras.org/
I'll see many of you soon.
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22
Friday, December 4, 2009
Restoration and some craziness
Profe Edith, my principal, came back to school this week. It's so wonderful to have her here and to know that her husband is recovering well from his surgery.
Quite a few of my students have really been improving their behavior, and I'm enjoying both 6th and 5th grade immensely. Here are some sentences my 5th graders wrote using their spelling words, which were superlative adjectives (kindest, smartest, happiest, etc.):
Miss Emily is the kindest teacher in the school.
Miss Emily is the kindest teacher in the world.
Miss Emily's class is the funniest in the world.
Miss Emily is the smartest in Honduras.
Miss Emily is nicest.
Miss Emily is the nicest of all school.
Miss Emily is the best in this world.
Oh, how I love them :o) Last night, when I was standing with some other teachers outside a parents' meeting, three of my 5th-grade girls saw me. They exclaimed, "Miss Emily!!!" and all together ran to hug me.
Election day was completely peaceful, and over 60% of Hondurans voted. Pepe Lobo was elected president in a landslide. There's no more talk about reinstating Zelaya, and some countries and organizations are recognizing the legitimacy of the Honduran government now. The changes in office will take place at the end of January. Many comparisons have been made between Lobo and Zelaya, so please pray that this president will be very different from the last and will have the Honduran people's best interest as his main concern.
On the down side, I just keep getting sick. First a virus from contaminated food, then food poisoning, and this week I had symptoms of food poisoning AGAIN. I'm almost better now, and the pain wasn't debilitating like it was last time. But this is the second morning in a row I've woken up with a migraine, and I don't doubt they're tied to all the medications I've been taking every time I get sick. Please pray for my health.
Siguatepeque is about the safest city in Honduras, but lately there have been some crazy things happening. Several weeks ago, a member of a drug gang stood outside a friend's church during choir practice and held a gun to a 9-year-old girl, taking what she had. Then he beat up two men from the church. Heather's boyfriend, Ariel, and his friend were robbed of their cell phones at gunpoint in a taxi in Tegucigalpa. Someone was robbed in the middle of the day a couple of blocks from the school. And I already told you the story about Ana being robbed in her apartment because they had mistaken it for a drug dealer's residence. I'm not thinking of leaving Honduras (except for Christmas vacation in two weeks!), but I ask you to pray for peace and safety in this country.
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. -Psalm 41:1-3
Quite a few of my students have really been improving their behavior, and I'm enjoying both 6th and 5th grade immensely. Here are some sentences my 5th graders wrote using their spelling words, which were superlative adjectives (kindest, smartest, happiest, etc.):
Miss Emily is the kindest teacher in the school.
Miss Emily is the kindest teacher in the world.
Miss Emily's class is the funniest in the world.
Miss Emily is the smartest in Honduras.
Miss Emily is nicest.
Miss Emily is the nicest of all school.
Miss Emily is the best in this world.
Oh, how I love them :o) Last night, when I was standing with some other teachers outside a parents' meeting, three of my 5th-grade girls saw me. They exclaimed, "Miss Emily!!!" and all together ran to hug me.
Election day was completely peaceful, and over 60% of Hondurans voted. Pepe Lobo was elected president in a landslide. There's no more talk about reinstating Zelaya, and some countries and organizations are recognizing the legitimacy of the Honduran government now. The changes in office will take place at the end of January. Many comparisons have been made between Lobo and Zelaya, so please pray that this president will be very different from the last and will have the Honduran people's best interest as his main concern.
On the down side, I just keep getting sick. First a virus from contaminated food, then food poisoning, and this week I had symptoms of food poisoning AGAIN. I'm almost better now, and the pain wasn't debilitating like it was last time. But this is the second morning in a row I've woken up with a migraine, and I don't doubt they're tied to all the medications I've been taking every time I get sick. Please pray for my health.
Siguatepeque is about the safest city in Honduras, but lately there have been some crazy things happening. Several weeks ago, a member of a drug gang stood outside a friend's church during choir practice and held a gun to a 9-year-old girl, taking what she had. Then he beat up two men from the church. Heather's boyfriend, Ariel, and his friend were robbed of their cell phones at gunpoint in a taxi in Tegucigalpa. Someone was robbed in the middle of the day a couple of blocks from the school. And I already told you the story about Ana being robbed in her apartment because they had mistaken it for a drug dealer's residence. I'm not thinking of leaving Honduras (except for Christmas vacation in two weeks!), but I ask you to pray for peace and safety in this country.
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. -Psalm 41:1-3
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