Season of giving

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

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

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

Crime

Though Honduras is a violent country, Siguatepeque has always been peaceful as far as cities go, and I don't think the crime rate is higher than that in any given U.S. city. But lately, with the unrest in Honduras, I've been hearing more and more stories of crime. This time it happened to a friend - my 5th-grade assistant, Ana. A few hours ago, some men went into her apartment, looking for a drug dealer. When they realized it was the wrong house, they took her money and cell phone and tied her feet. They put a gun to her head and asked if she wanted to die. She said no, and they left her. She's very shook up but thankfully unharmed. Please pray for her and the rest of us in Honduras, for peace and safety. In anticipation of the responses to this post, I'll say that I don't think the situation is bad enough for me to leave the country. I wasn't called to be safe and comfortable - I got past that desire a long time ago. I'm safer in the place to which God has called me than in the safest city in the world.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. -Psalm 34:7

Laughs

Our school needs prayer big time. So many staff members are out, and the rest of the staff is working double-time to compensate. Profe Edith's husband's surgery went well, but he will have to be in the hospital in Tegucigalpa for a while longer, and she has asked for another 15 days' leave. Profe Sonia, my counterpart, who is the elementary school teacher with the most experience working in this school and had become our go-to person in Profe Edith's leave, has been out since Monday. She will be out for a month, completing her practicum. The woman hired as Profe Sonia's substitute has been out for several days because her mother-in-law died. Yicel, our secretary, has taken over Profe Edith's duties and has been substituting in the 5th and 6th grade for Profe Sonia's substitute, but she was out for a day or two this week as well. My assistant, Ana, is rarely in my classroom because she is filling in for Profe Edith in other areas. Lindsay, the 1st and 2nd grade English teacher has been out sick this week with a virus. Stephanie, one of the high school teachers, was out for a couple of days with a virus, and Shelby, our special ed person who fills in everywhere, is just now getting over a sickness. Steve, another high school teacher, was also out for a couple of days. I came down with a cold (strep throat?) last week from the bacteria-carrying dust that pollutes all of Honduras because of unpaved roads. Last Friday was a tough day for teaching because I was losing my voice. On Saturday, I could barely speak, but thankfully by Monday I had my voice almost completely back. I didn't have to miss a day of teaching, but I'm still getting over the cold symptoms. Please pray for health and wholeness and a fully-staffed school.

Let me tell you how much I enjoy my 5th graders. They have such personality and so much love. There are times when they behave so well and are so engaged in a lesson, and there are times when they sorely disappoint me, but they always bring a smile to my face. For example, this week when I told them to take out their Science books, practically the whole class groaned. Blue Planet, the book we use, is pretty dry, and I'm doing my best to spice it up. I told them that they needed to choose to have a good attitude, and several students said, "Yes! Blue Planet! Woohoo!" So that's the new thing - now they'll groan when I ask them to take out a book they don't like, but it'll immediately be followed by an overcompensation of exaggerated excitement.

For both of my classes, when they've had a good day behavior-wise, I put a sticker on a paper I have posted on the whiteboard that is labeled "Game Time". When they have five stickers, I give them a class period to just play games as a reward. When the 5th graders are getting rowdy, several students will say, "Shhhh! Sticker day!" to remind them that they must behave if they want a sticker. At the end of the day, they ask me if it was a sticker day. If it was, I go to the board and start taking a sticker to place on the "Game Time" paper. Several 5th graders shush the class, and there is dead silence until I've placed the sticker, at which point the class erupts in "woohoos" and applause. They are hilarious.

The 5th graders' classwork and homework make me laugh, too. Here are some examples of things they've written:
Write a sentence with the word isn't: That man isn't a chicken, he is a human.
What connection can you make between the book and your life?: That is beautiful book and is very fun like my life.
Use the word "awesome" in a sentence: The classes of Miss Emily are awesome.
Was your hypothesis right? Yes, I win.

The other week, when parents came to pick up their students' grades, the mother of one of my brilliant 5th graders thanked me because her son is delighted with my class, and she and her husband are delighted with the way I run class and the way I discipline. That felt good :-)

My 6th graders are okay when the two troublemakers are removed, but those two really ruin it for the rest of the class. Please pray for them and me.

Both of my new students are doing well, though Daniela in 6th grade has a lot of catching up to do to reach the level of her classmates.

The Honduran presidential elections are coming up November 29th. We've been warned that there may be more unrest and more curfews around that time. Please pray for peace and for the right people to come into leadership in this country. Thank you.

Changes

I've really been enjoying my students lately. We still have good days and bad days, but the 5th graders are always so eager to learn, and the 6th graders have started coming to school some days eager to learn. I was teaching my 5th graders about surface tension - how water molecules stick together. I demonstrated it by getting two cups of water, and pouring the water from one cup into the other, little by little, until the water bulged above the brim of the cup. They thought it was the coolest thing ever and were exuberant at the chance to do the experiment in partners. They were so engaged that when the bell rang for recess, no one ran from class. Some of them stayed several minutes, experimenting and excitedly showing me their brimming cups. It was a teacher's dream lesson :o)

I had the chance last weekend to go to one of the 5th-grade girl's birthday parties. I played Twister Moves and Hide-And-Seek with her and her friends from 5th grade. They loved having their teacher there - they're still at that age. Not the 6th graders.

I was sick this week from food poisoning, and several 5th graders were obviously concerned for me and kept asking me how I was feeling. Monday through Wednesday, I felt horrible. Thursday was the first day I felt well. Thank God, because that day I had to teach every class from 7:30-2:15 without any breaks (Monday, Tuesday and Friday I have prep time while the students are at Gym, Music, or Computer class). I also had a meeting with a 5th grader's parents at lunchtime. They were upset at how his English grades had slipped since last year and were placing the blame on me for not letting them know every time he failed to pass in his homework, and they questioned my grading methods. Thankfully, with the help of other staff members, they came to the realization that expectations are higher this year because he is in upper elementary school and because the English department is being revamped.

I had a new student, Daniela, join the 6th grade on Monday. Her English skills are very basic, and she's been accepted to the school on a conditional basis with the help of a tutor every day after school. But she has a good attitude, and every day she thanks me for giving her class and tells me that she only understood a little but will learn in time. She's become good friends with the outcast of the class, which has helped the dynamics a bit. Tomorrow, I have a new student joining the 5th grade. Her name is Yvonne. She is from a children's home on scholarship and was in this school before but got pulled out for a year or so because of an attitude problem. Please pray for these two girls and my ability to integrate them into the classroom.

More changes are coming in the staff, as well. Profe Sonia, my Honduran counterpart, has been taking education courses for four years, and now she has to do her practicum, for which she will be on leave from her job during a month. A week from tomorrow, the day that Profe Edith comes back, will be Profe Sonia's first day of leave. Thank God they won't both be gone at the same time, but it's going to be hard not to have Profe Sonia's support for a month and for my students to have their regular Spanish teacher replaced with a substitute for that amount of time. Please pray for the right substitute to be found and for a smooth transition.

There are three students in 5th grade who seem to have ADHD, besides the one in 6th grade. They are a huge disruption to the class, and the school isn't fully equipped to deal with learning disabilities. We do have a teacher who devotes some of her time to special education, and she has started pulling these 5th graders out during Reading class to work with them. Pray for these students and us, their teachers. We're meeting individually with their parents this week because they have each had three detentions - the next step is an in-school suspension.

Just to let you know a little about what life is like in Siguatepeque... The weather has turned cool and rainy. I haven't heard any news of the political situation lately, and life is carrying on as normal. Things in general are just not as dependable in an underdeveloped country... Since we have well water at the school, we at the teacher's house always have water when we turn on the faucet. But our coworkers who live down the street often take showers over here because they have running water only once every few days. Their water situation is worse than mine was in my first house in Honduras. Also, it's not rare to lose electricity at least once a week. Sometimes it's out for an hour, sometimes for a day. Yesterday and today have been worse than usual. The electricity has been turning off and on all day long for a few minutes or a few hours at a time. I don't know what's wrong, but I hope the problem gets fixed pronto! It's hard to get work done without electricity.

Please pray for my ability to relax and rest and receive God's grace in every aspect of my life, to empower me to do what He has called me to do. Thank you so much.

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. -Ephesians 3:7

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.

Political chaos

Ex-President Manuel Zelaya, who was removed from office after having broken many laws, left the country in great debt, and tried to make himself dictator, returned to Honduras on Monday and has been staying in the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa, the capital. A national curfew was imposed at 4:00 pm Monday and keeps being extended so that no one can go out at any time of day and schools had to be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. To use a comparison made by some coworkers, it's like a snow day, minus the snow, plus an ex-president. Hundreds of people have been arrested in the major cities for defying the curfew, and others have been imprisoned for what has been called violence, vandalism, and terrorist activities. The jails have run out of room, and they have started to use stadiums. I heard on the news that even children and the elderly have been arrested. Zelaya has many supporters who have carried out violent demonstrations in the capital in his favor. He says he wants peace, but he had to know that his presence would only bring chaos. He, along with Hillary Clinton and many other authorities, are asking for a peaceful dialogue...to what end? The Organization of American States is demanding his reinstatement as president. Micheletti, the interim president until November elections, insists that Zelaya is either to leave the country or be brought to trial for his crimes.

We are fine in Siguatepeque. There are no demonstrations here - the only evidence of the situation is the curfew. I haven't left the house since Monday, but a Honduran friend walked seven blocks to get to the teachers' house and told us that many people are out, and there are even some stores open. He claims that whether the country is faced with disaster from a hurricane, an earthquake, or war, Siguatepeque is always peaceful. The day things turn scary in Siguatepeque is the day we know we have a serious problem on our hands.

I am thankful to have had this time to rest and catch up with my work, but I also realize the implications of this situation and know some people in Tegucigalpa who are very scared. Please pray for God's peace in this situation and in the hearts of the people. Pray for Him to raise up godly men and women to facilitate a smooth transition into the next presidency and unity among Hondurans.

The nations exhaust themselves for nothing. For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea... The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. -Habakkuk 2:13-14,20

Stomach bugs and Utila vacation

Like I did with my students last year when I was frustrated with their behavior, I asked my 5th and 6th graders to write me letters, telling me one thing they liked about my class and what they would like to be changed. I was surprised at how positive the letters were and how few complaints they had. Some students said there was nothing they would change. There were many specific comments about what they like in my class (independent reading and read aloud were two big hits, and some students said they like how I treat them) as well as some good insights into what I need to change. One point brought to my attention was how hot it is in the classroom. I'm not as bothered by heat as most people are, so I didn't realize how much it was affecting them. I'm seeing what I can do to get more fans in the classroom. I also need to put more thought into science class and devotions and find better ways to reward students who are on task and not always punish the whole class when most but not all of them are misbehaving...not easy.

I continue to be encouraged by the 5th graders: love notes left for me on student quizzes, hugs and "I love you"s throughout the school day. Also, a comment was made by a sixth grader to his mother that out of all the English teachers he's had since he started school, I'm his favorite. I'm still very frustrated with my students' behavior, though, especially the 6th graders'.

I was going to sell Tova to a student, but his family decided not to buy him when they found out he was not capable of making puppies. Another student offered to take him in and treat him as their own until I could get another house and take him back! It's more of a blessing than I could have wished for - no expenses on my part, and I don't have to get rid of my dog. I'm just praying that is works out, though. He's been there for a week, and he gets along great with their other dogs, but he's chewed apart several things in their house already :-/ There are pictures of him in his new home on my online album.

Two Saturdays ago, I came down with some severe symptoms of intestinal problems...I won't go into detail. But I went to the doctor's on Sunday and found out I had a virus and bacteria. Let's see...
2007: parasites from Bolivia
2008: rotavirus and bacteria from Honduras
2009: rotavirus and bacteria from Honduras
The strange thing is that the virus and bacteria aren't necessarily related, so I don't know how they came together both times. I'm declaring that next year is going to be a year free from stomach problems. Please pray for my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, because I know the three are intertwined.

Last week was Independence Week, and we had Wednesday through Friday off from school. I had wanted to go to Utila, one of the Bay Islands off of Honduras, with some of my fellow teachers, but I didn't know if I'd be well enough by then. Thankfully, Tuesday was my first day of good health, so I was well just in time. We spent Wednesday traveling by boat and ferry. On Thursday, the owner of our island inn lent us his snorkeling masks, and we found a beach and started to snorkel. We couldn't find the coral reef, so we asked a native islander for direction. She called in her son from where he was swimming, and he became our tour guide. He took us to the reef, then drove us in his golf cart to the caves where we swam some more. He brought us to a beach to see volcanic rocks, then another beach called the Iron Shore where Hurricane Mitch washed up dead coral onto the shore ten years ago. This was all free of charge. On Friday, we rented a boat to take us to Water Cay, an uninhabited island near Utila. We saw dolphins on the way - it was completely unexpected! The snorkeling off of that island was breathtaking. The whole trip, we felt like we were in a completely different country because the Bay Islands were colonized by the UK, then later turned over to Honduras. All the natives speak English as their first language, with an Irish accent. Most people speak Spanish as a second language, and only here and there did we meet Hondurans who live on the island and don't speak English. There aren't many cars on the little streets, but there are a lot of motorcycles and golf carts. You can see pictures of the trip here. I came back to Siguatepeque on Saturday, while my three companions stayed another day. An 8-hour trip turned into a 12-hour one because of a bridge that had collapsed after too much rain. Our bus was stuck in dead-stopped traffic for hours. I can't tell you how good it is to be home. And now it's back to the craziness of school, for which I need your prayers. Thank you.

Overwhelmed

I am so overwhelmed right now, but I'm taking the time to write this update because I need the prayer support...

I spend every waking moment teaching or planning, and it's still not enough time. There are some lessons that fall flat on their faces or are just boring because I didn't have enough time to think about them. My 6th graders make me feel horrible, telling me they're bored and sometimes giggling throughout class. Some of them are always on task and eager to learn, but it's the rest of them that really draw my attention. I've learned how important it is to praise my students and motivate them with positive comments, but I so often find myself in that class unable to find anything good to say. My 5th graders make me feel wonderful most of the time... When they come into the classroom, I have them greet me with either a "hello", a high-five, a handshake, or a hug. There are a couple of girls who every day walk up to me and give me a high-five, then a handshake, and lastly a loving hug with a big smile on their faces. One of the other girls tells me every day, without fail, "Miss, you come another time pretty." Though they're not an easy group, and they give me plenty of classroom management challenges, I still feel they respect and admire me. I need prayer for the ability to get things done efficiently, creative ideas, a love for my students that they can see, rest... Also, a couple of certain students need prayer for the desire to be good and to learn. They need to realize that they can be good, and I need to find ways to encourage them and show I believe in them.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Tomorrow is Children's Day, and I don't have to plan lessons because it's going to be a day of celebrations. Next week, we only have a day and a half of classes because it's Independence Week. So I'll have a chance to catch up a little, though I would like to go on an outing or two.

Because of the money I earned and received this summer, I have a financial cushion right now. But I am making payments on bills and loans from college. Come January, the payments will be much larger, and my paycheck will not cover them and my living expenses. So I need prayer for regular donations to come in.

Tova is enjoying his new living situation, but as it turns out, I can't leave him there for very much longer at all. So I brought up the dilemma to my students, saying I need someone to either take care of him for a year or buy him. They all want him, and so far one set of parents has agreed with their student that they will take him. They want to buy him, and as much as I hate to lose him, I'm thinking that option would be more convenient and economical for me. I've already poured so much money into him, and if I have someone take care of him for a year, I'll still be paying about $40/month in food, plus vet expenses. Please pray that I'll make the right decision and find the right home for him.

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and the widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. -Psalm 146:8-9

Teaching

I was about ready to give my dog away because no one was willing to just take care of him for a year, then give him back. But literally at the last minute, someone found him a home with the school librarian. Ricardo has a huge yard and a labrador retriever. Tova is so happy running and playing all he wants. He can stay there until January, and then I need to find another home.
Classes started on Wednesday. Since we weren't told exactly what classes we were teaching or what our schedule was until Monday, I'm very far behind in my planning. There are only ten sixth graders, and they're a great group - I really enjoy teaching them, and I had their names down within the first ten minutes of class. There are 20 fifth graders, soon to be 23 because it's normal in Honduras for students to come late. I had a horrible time with them the first day - they were all speaking Spanish (which isn't allowed in English class), and I couldn't keep their attention for more than 30 seconds at a time. But by Thursday I figured out a discipline method for them, and it worked like magic. I've been doing nothing but teaching, planning, eating, and sleeping for 3 days, but I've loved the teaching part.

Please pray for my ability to plan creatively and efficiently. Also that I would be able to breath easily - I've been having trouble taking deep breaths, which happens when I'm dealing with a lot of stress.

I'll leave you with my favorite answers to the questions I asked my students in a survey on the first day. I recorded them with the questions, just as they were written:
3 words to describe myself are... I distract with anything, intelligente and a nice boy.
I need some extra help with... my actitude on class.
The one thing I really want my teachers to know about me is... that I love my teachers.
When I grow up, I want to be... Doctor. because... the doctor they help the people that are sick.
What I like most about school is... learn about the things.
What I like least about school is... They they not have mirrows.
In the classroom I behave... well very good. because... I want a good future.
What I like most about school is... my teachers. And that everyday I learn something new.
When I grow up, I want to be... engineer. because... I love electricity.
The person I most admire is... 1) Funcky, 2) Jesus. because... 1) I love the music. 2) I like to be like he.
In the classroom I behave... participain turn old H/W. because... I like
The one thing I really want my teachers to know about me is... I am consentrate.
My favorite book is... the bible. because... is very good.
Anything else you want to tell your teachers? that don't be berry mad.
The person I most admire is... God, Jesus. because... because how he did all the things of the world, wrote the bible, etc...
In the classroom I behave... not being mad don't being talkin. because... if I don't talk, I can have better my grades and being patient.
I am really good at... Doing homework i like to do homework so much. But not so much like 3 or 4.
The person I most admire is... Jesus. because... he died on the cross for our sins.
I am really good at... language class and science class and I like do letters like this one: K [a block letter], besides I am really good doing that kind of letters
Anything else you want to tell your teachers? Because she is beutiful and she are my favurite teacher.
The person I most admire is... My mother because she work a lot and she is happy in the time that we not have money but she work and work.
Anything else you want to tell your teachers? Your is beutiful
Anything else you want to tell your teachers? that we are a good grade but sometimes we do bad things
My favorite book is... the 3 little pigs. because... the pigs win
What I like most about school is... stay with miss Emily [drawing of a heart]

Christ's love compels us. -2 Corinthians 5:14 (the theme verse I chose for my classroom)

All things work together for good

After several days of cleaning, unpacking, and organizing, we were just about settled in. Then we were informed that because of some unforseen, unpreventable changes in plans, I was going to have to move to a different room in the teacher's house, and Heather and I were going to have to use the kitchen, living room, and bathroom on the other side of the house in order to give the only male teacher his own separate space. We spent a 12-hour day cleaning our new kitchen and sorting through the things left behind by past teachers. Then another day or two organizing our bedrooms and making that side of the house livable. It was hard to have a good attitude about it at first, but I actually enjoyed the chance to take inventory of everything in the house and do a better job organizing my room. My new set-up is much homier, and there are a bunch of reasons why it's turned out to be better on this side of the house. Kind of like the situation where I was named the 5th and 6th grade teacher, even though 3rd and 4th grades were my first choice...but I turned out to be happier with this position and declined when given the option to switch. It was an exhausting first week, but we're finally settled in. You can see before and after pictures in my online album.

The other U.S. teachers got here on Saturday. They are a great group, really friendly and ready to learn. They've had plenty of culture shock already, but they've shown they're willing to adapt. Two other girls and one guy live in the teacher's house with me and Heather (the guy has one side to himself, though he always hangs out with us), and three other girls live in a house down the street.

We started orientation on Monday, and parts have been boring, but other parts have been helpful or inspiring. I've gotten to know some of the Honduran teachers, and I'm getting a better idea of what is expected of me and how to go about planning my curriculum - the school has no curriculum, but the project this year is to develop one. The best meeting was when one of the founders came to tell us the history of the school, which was established in 1990. It is a story full of faith, prayer, and God's provision. The woman told us of two or three occasions when they were praying for funds, and the exact amount of money they needed came in from unexpected sources at just the right time. Getting to see and listen to one of the people that made this school a reality made me think of Hebrews 12 and filled me with a sense of purpose. You can read more about the school here: www.ceehonduras.com

Everyone is scared of my dog, which makes me feel protected. This is just one of many instances: I took him outside the school gate to go to the bathroom, and a young man walking down the street threw his hands up over his head, ready to defend himself with his bag until I called Tova to me. There's been a problem having the dogs on school property, though. They've escaped the fenced-in area because my oh-so-smart dog figured out how to open the gate using his mouth. They also bark when people pass by, and these two issues are going to be huge when there are students here. When added to all the other issues I won't take your time to mention, it seems the only solution is to send the dogs somewhere else for the school year...Georgia is going to live with Heather's boyfriend, and I'm still looking into options about what to do with Tova. It's really upsetting, but the school has already tried to work things out, and there's no other way. So pray that I'll find someone I can trust to take care of my dog until next year when hopefully I'll find a house away from the school with a yard where I can have a dog.
I'll end with a few positive/comical notes about life in Honduras...

The weather has been amazing. Every day has been warm and sunny, and it has rained every night. It also rains in our bathroom because there are leaks in the roof, but hopefully that will be fixed soon.

Occasionally, we hear a loud bang, but we've come to learn that it's mango season, and what seems to be a door slamming open is really just a mango falling from the tree in the yard onto the roof. I tried to eat one of them, but I stopped peeling it when I found a worm.
My last year in Honduras, I lost ten pounds, but I gained it all back over the summer. Then I got in shape and gained another five in muscle weight. When I saw a Honduran friend for the first time since May, he was impressed by my muscular arms and kept commenting that I was bigger. At one point, he pointedly asked me how many pounds I had gained. Which is completely acceptable in Honduras and not at all offensive, so I told him.

So if you pray for me, thank God for His faithfulness, and pray for my dog. Also pray for me and my coworkers to have time, wisdom, peace, and joy in our lesson planning and teaching. Thank you.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. -Hebrews 12:1

Home in Honduras

Monday was a long day that began at 1:30 am and ended at midnight according to my biological clock (10:00 Honduras time). But it was glorious. Heather and I got seats next to each other on the plane from Georgia to Honduras. We kept turning to each other and saying, "We're going to Honduras!" Then when we got here, we kept telling each other, "We're in Honduras!" It feels as though we never left, and we appreciate everything, from the familiar stores to the random guys on the streets professing their love for us. I spent Monday afternoon and all day Tuesday unpacking and settling in, and I'm not completely finished. I left a bunch of stuff in storage here, and I brought a lot back with me from the States, so it's been a project. Tuesday evening, I picked up my dog, Tova. He's enormous! I took a picture and put it in my online photo album that you can see by clicking on the picture on my blog. You can skip to the end by bringing the mouse to the bottom of the screen and clicking on a thumbnail picture at the end. I have my work cut out for me with Tova, teaching him not to jump on people, not to drag me down the street like he did when I brought him home, to go to the bathroom in the right place... Please pray that the situation with Heather's and my dogs will work out, because we have a tiny space to keep them in during the day, and the teachers will be passing through that area. I'm making plans to get together with friends this week, and on Saturday, the other teachers from the U.S. will be arriving. Pray for unity and flexibility. Thank you.
P.S. - The only hint of the political situation so far were a few graffitied walls in San Pedro.

As I go

I will be in Honduras in a week! These are my prayer requests:
That God would grant me love, wisdom, and creativity in my dealings with my students.
That there would be unity among the teachers and staff.
That love would define the relationships between me and my housemates, and everyone else with whom I come into contact.
That God would lead me to the right church, so I can have a body to which I belong in Honduras.
That God would continue to provide all my needs out of His abundance - spiritual, emotional, financial, physical (health and safety).
*That my life would be for the praise of His glory.*

Please let me know if I can add your name to the list of those committed to pray for me on a weekly basis. So far I have three names.
I could also really use however many copies anyone wants to send to Honduras of the book I listed in my last blog.
Thank you for any prayer, emotional, or financial support you're able to give. Just knowing that there are so many people interested in what I'm doing is a huge encouragement.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.-Philippians 4:19

How to help

As of right now, it looks like Heather and I will be going down to Honduras together a week before orientation. God is good :-) Pray for Heather, because she hasn't yet raised the money she needs for her plane ticket. If you'd like to help me with resources, here's the information you need...

Checks can be written out to me and sent to my mom:
Debra Marino
129 S Edgewood Rd
Niantic, CT 06357

School supplies can be mailed to me:

Rapid Transport

2154 NW Court

Miami, FL 33142

(305) 631-0686 (in case of questions)

Attach an envelope to the outside of the box with clear tape, or put it inside the box. On the envelope, write "Forwarding Instructions". Inside the envelope, write:

Emily Marino
Escuela Bilingue de Siguatepeque

Siguatepeque, Honduras
011-504-9-804-8976

This is the fastest way to get packages to me - it takes about a week to get to Florida, then two weeks to get from Florida to Honduras. Keep in mind that I pay a fee per pound the package weighs. If you're going to send me anything, please let me know ahead of time. What I need now are children's books, newspapers, and magazines (reading levels 4-6).

Most of all, I am still in need of people who will covenant to pray for me on a regular basis. Send me an email if I can add your name to the list. I'm so excited for this year, and I need it to be bathed in prayer. Thank you for all the support you've given me already!

Summary of my first year in Honduras

I graduated from Gordon College in May of 2008 with a Bachelors in Elementary Education and Spanish. I had considered teaching abroad for a year, but when I was asked to be a volunteer at a school run by a mission in Honduras, I told God I couldn't do it. I had tens of thousands of dollars in loans to pay off, and who would I get to even cover my living expenses while I taught for free in some foreign country? Silly me, I forgot that "can't" isn't in God's vocabulary. He kept Honduras on my heart and closed all other doors until I gave in. I left in August 2008, met my two fellow English teachers in the Atlanta airport, and dove into my job, teaching English to the poorest of the poor children in Siguatepeque, Honduras, grades 2, 3, and 4. It was a trying experience. There were times I didn't know if I'd have enough money to buy my groceries for the week, and there were times God wowed me with his provision. There were times I pined away to be back in the U.S., and there were times when I didn't want to leave Honduras. I loved my students more than I've ever loved any other children, but they presented countless new challenges for me in classroom management, effective teaching, and patience. From August to May, I lived in four different houses. The first one was bug-infested and had an unreliable water system that sometimes left us going without showers, collecting rainwater, and pleading in prayer for God to send water. Two of the houses were broken into and robbed of our most expensive possessions, but God replaced what I lost with better things. Through all the trials, I developed a close relationship with Heather, my housemate, as well as the Flores, my neighbors (they became my neighbors after the first break-in). I also have my very own Boxer dog named Tova for protection. Heather and I have been hired to teach in bilingual classrooms at a Christian school in Siguatepeque - me to teach 5th and 6th grade. Rather than teaching English as a foreign language, I will be teaching Language Arts, Science, and other subjects in English. Instead of teaching a class of 30 students, my 5th grade class has 22 students, and I have only 11 6th graders. Rather than provide my own materials and the things I need to survive, I will be provided with any materials I need and a monthly paycheck of $300 - enough to cover my living expenses. I still, however, need to raise money because I have loans to pay. I also need to establish a prayer support base and would like to take the names of people who will commit to pray for me at least once a week - please email me if that's you. And then there is the uncertainty of Honduran politics. With a wannabe dictator just removed from power and the rest of the world ignorantly or maliciously punishing Honduras to get this friend of Chavez back into power, things are going to be different, especially for U.S. citizens. It's possible Heather won't go back to Honduras because of the situation, which would be devastating for me. Please pray for wisdom, favor, and protection. I would like to go back to Honduras towards the beginning of August, but this is what God has been teaching me:
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."-James 4:13-15