I finally found a church that I look forward to going to on Sunday mornings. It's the only bilingual church in Siguatepeque - the pastor is from the U.S. and preaches in English, and his Honduran wife translates. I really didn't want to go to a bilingual church, but I'm glad I gave it another try, because the music, preaching, doctrine, and people are all just what I needed.
Our school has three principals (one for preschool/kindergarten, one for the elementary school, and one for the high school), an English program coordinator (as of this year), and a director for the whole school named Silvia. Silvia has been very sick and in the hospital because of allergies and asthma, so please pray for her. She is out of school indefinitely and went to stay with her parents who live near one of the major hospitals. Also, our school secretary Maribel was out because her grandma just passed away.
My stomach has been feeling better since I started taking remedies my mom bought me for parasites, though my energy level hasn't been very good. I sometimes have more joy than I can contain and am full of thankfulness. Then there are days when I am ridiculously tired and unmotivated, and I just don't feel purposeful. Part of the reason I think is some certain 6th graders. The elementary school principal (Profe Edith), English program coordinator (Esther), Spanish 5th and 6th grade teacher (Profe Sonia), and I met with these three boys and their mothers on Friday afternoon because they are all failing the majority of their classes in English and Spanish, and it's because of their bad attitude and unwillingness to do their work. Two of the mothers admitted the problem was with their son, felt very sorry, and are willing to do everything they can, though they feel pretty helpless. The other mother blamed my teaching methods and the injustices that have happened to her son, but Esther defended me because she's observed me, and Profe Sonia affirmed that the problem is not just in English class. According to this student, nothing is ever his fault, and now I know where he gets that idea from. These boys really ruin my whole time with 6th grade. On Wednesday, I realized that my attitude had become very negative and was only making things worse for me and the rest of the class. I made a determined effort on Thursday to be positive, and I did a lot better, but it's a continual struggle. I have a great connection with 5th grade, however, and am glad for the opportunity to teach them again next year.
I've been thinking a lot about my future, which can be upsetting... I really want to stay here, but this next school year is the last one when I can be on economic hardship. After that, I need to get a job that will provide enough salary to pay my loans..which means I need to go back to the States. I was considering the possibility of donating my entire salary here to loan payments and raising money for living expenses like I did last year at Destino. But the more I think about it, the more I feel it'll be time for me to go back to the U.S. when the time comes. And if I leave, I have a feeling I won't come back for anything long-term. But who knows, I still have almost a year before I need to make that decision. A lot can happen in a year. Please pray that God will make clear the steps I need to take.
The picture below of the school campus was taken by another teacher this week.
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. -2 Chronicles 20:12
