5th grade
6th grade
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Joy and a mud bath
I've struggled a lot with sadness and discontentment the past few months, but the past few days, God has been renewing my joy, increasing my love for my students, and giving me excitement about what I'm doing right now and what's to come next school year.
Last Friday, I went with my students to an overnight camp in town but up on a hill among grass and trees. It was relaxing for me, as I only had to sit back and watch the camp leaders entertain my students, though I did participate in many activities. One activity I chose not to participate in were the water and mud games. I was sitting back, watching my students roll around in the mud, thinking how glad I was to be freshly showered. I looked down at something I was reading, and the next thing I knew, I heard shouts and looked up to see a mob running at me. Each of my limbs was grabbed by a camp leader, and I was carried over to the mud hole, dumped in, rolled around, swung/dragged over it, and this was the result:
It was pretty hilarious. My students thought so, too. There are more pictures in my online album.
On Sunday, a group from the States came to our church to share with us. It was refreshing how full of the Holy Spirit they were. Later that afternoon (unfortunately I wasn't present), they and my pastor's family prayed for many sick people in another village. Everyone who came for prayer was healed. That night, they prayed for our pastor, who had broken his leg when he was 13; it didn't heal correctly, and since then, he's never been able to walk straight because one leg was an inch shorter than the other. When they prayed for him, he felt and saw his leg grow, and he now has two legs that are the same exact length. Before the group came, another miracle happened in the life of Yesi, the pastor's wife. Her sister was 8 months pregnant with all sorts of complications, including trombosis and diabetes. When the last ultrasound revealed that the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck, they decided to do a C-Section, but it was very risky, and they didn't know if either the mother or the baby would live. Everything went perfectly well, and mother and baby are healthy.
A couple of weeks ago, I went to the doctor's for my last follow-up visit about my nose bleeds. It's been a long time since I had one of those. The first blood test revealed some marginal issues with hemoglobin, platelet, and white blood cell levels, but the doctor looked at my latest blood test and told me he is no longer concerned and I don't need to go back. What he was concerned about this time were the flu-like symptoms I had the day of my appointment. He thought it was mild dengue, which is spread through mosquitoes. He wrote me a note so I could stay home from school for two days. I took advantage of the note the second day and got some much-needed rest.
The school year is coming to a close. Tomorrow is the beginning of review week, the next week is exams, and the following week, Honduran law requires us to give reinforcement and recuperations to students who have failed. Then we have a week to finish organizing the curriculums we wrote as we went, doing inventories, and packing before I head home. Pray for our focus and for students' attitudes.
Many followed [Jesus], and he healed all their sick.
~Matthew 12:15
"And these signs will accompany those who beleive: In my name they will...place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
~Mark 16:17-18
Last Friday, I went with my students to an overnight camp in town but up on a hill among grass and trees. It was relaxing for me, as I only had to sit back and watch the camp leaders entertain my students, though I did participate in many activities. One activity I chose not to participate in were the water and mud games. I was sitting back, watching my students roll around in the mud, thinking how glad I was to be freshly showered. I looked down at something I was reading, and the next thing I knew, I heard shouts and looked up to see a mob running at me. Each of my limbs was grabbed by a camp leader, and I was carried over to the mud hole, dumped in, rolled around, swung/dragged over it, and this was the result:
It was pretty hilarious. My students thought so, too. There are more pictures in my online album.On Sunday, a group from the States came to our church to share with us. It was refreshing how full of the Holy Spirit they were. Later that afternoon (unfortunately I wasn't present), they and my pastor's family prayed for many sick people in another village. Everyone who came for prayer was healed. That night, they prayed for our pastor, who had broken his leg when he was 13; it didn't heal correctly, and since then, he's never been able to walk straight because one leg was an inch shorter than the other. When they prayed for him, he felt and saw his leg grow, and he now has two legs that are the same exact length. Before the group came, another miracle happened in the life of Yesi, the pastor's wife. Her sister was 8 months pregnant with all sorts of complications, including trombosis and diabetes. When the last ultrasound revealed that the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck, they decided to do a C-Section, but it was very risky, and they didn't know if either the mother or the baby would live. Everything went perfectly well, and mother and baby are healthy.
A couple of weeks ago, I went to the doctor's for my last follow-up visit about my nose bleeds. It's been a long time since I had one of those. The first blood test revealed some marginal issues with hemoglobin, platelet, and white blood cell levels, but the doctor looked at my latest blood test and told me he is no longer concerned and I don't need to go back. What he was concerned about this time were the flu-like symptoms I had the day of my appointment. He thought it was mild dengue, which is spread through mosquitoes. He wrote me a note so I could stay home from school for two days. I took advantage of the note the second day and got some much-needed rest.
The school year is coming to a close. Tomorrow is the beginning of review week, the next week is exams, and the following week, Honduran law requires us to give reinforcement and recuperations to students who have failed. Then we have a week to finish organizing the curriculums we wrote as we went, doing inventories, and packing before I head home. Pray for our focus and for students' attitudes.
Many followed [Jesus], and he healed all their sick.
~Matthew 12:15
"And these signs will accompany those who beleive: In my name they will...place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
~Mark 16:17-18
Friday, April 23, 2010
Adventures
Two weekends ago, I went with three coworkers to Tela, a beach town, all expenses paid by Stephanie's mom, who was here visiting and accompanied us. It was great to have a mom in the house. The following Tuesday, I was finishing up a lesson at the end of the day, when Heather came to my classroom to let me know there was a new volunteer who wanted to meet my students before coming to help the next day. She walked out, then walked back in with my mom. It was surreal. I thought she would never come. Apparently I jumped when I saw her (which you can't see in the video), and my students clapped when we hugged.
She got to watch and help in my classes on Wednesday and Thursday, and I took her around downtown. I was so excited to share my life here with someone from home. We had Friday off from school, and my mom and I went to a place about an hour away called Pulhapanzak to go on a cave tour under a waterfall and a zipline over that waterfall.
Then we drove our rented car to a gorgeous spot in the middle of nature where we stayed in a cabin, and the next day took a quick hike to a smaller waterfall. On Sunday, I got to take her to my church, and on Monday, I saw her off. She kept raving about what a great experience it was, and though she had to force herself to come, now she's talking about coming back with my dad. You can see pictures of my past two weekends in my online photo album.
This past week was the beginning of the soccer tournament between the private schools in the area. The students from my school who were chosen to participate have been doing really well and winning most of their games. The whole school is ridiculously excited about the tournament. The students who play miss the first couple of classes of the day, and when the students who have stayed behind hear them arrive, they run outside to find out if they won, and when they hear the good news, they cheer at the top of their lungs for several minutes. The whole 5th and 6th grade went to the first day of games, and there are pictures of that in my album, as well.
I have some prayer requests for people at the school. Silvia is still in the hospital. Profe Gladys was doing well enough to come back to school, though you could tell just by looking at her that her face was partially paralized. Things got worse, however, and she's back at the hospital getting therapy. Profe Edith's husband is doing better than he was but still undergoing chemotherapy. Esther is in the process of hiring English teachers for next year, so pray for her to make the right decisions and for the right people to come. Yicel, the elementary school secretary who has been working here for 6-7 years and is wonderful, just quit her job because she's going to join her cousin in Spain. Elias, who was the day-time guard for 9 years, recently quit because he needed a change. So basically our school is losing a lot of key people. Keep us in prayer.
She got to watch and help in my classes on Wednesday and Thursday, and I took her around downtown. I was so excited to share my life here with someone from home. We had Friday off from school, and my mom and I went to a place about an hour away called Pulhapanzak to go on a cave tour under a waterfall and a zipline over that waterfall.
Then we drove our rented car to a gorgeous spot in the middle of nature where we stayed in a cabin, and the next day took a quick hike to a smaller waterfall. On Sunday, I got to take her to my church, and on Monday, I saw her off. She kept raving about what a great experience it was, and though she had to force herself to come, now she's talking about coming back with my dad. You can see pictures of my past two weekends in my online photo album.
This past week was the beginning of the soccer tournament between the private schools in the area. The students from my school who were chosen to participate have been doing really well and winning most of their games. The whole school is ridiculously excited about the tournament. The students who play miss the first couple of classes of the day, and when the students who have stayed behind hear them arrive, they run outside to find out if they won, and when they hear the good news, they cheer at the top of their lungs for several minutes. The whole 5th and 6th grade went to the first day of games, and there are pictures of that in my album, as well.
I have some prayer requests for people at the school. Silvia is still in the hospital. Profe Gladys was doing well enough to come back to school, though you could tell just by looking at her that her face was partially paralized. Things got worse, however, and she's back at the hospital getting therapy. Profe Edith's husband is doing better than he was but still undergoing chemotherapy. Esther is in the process of hiring English teachers for next year, so pray for her to make the right decisions and for the right people to come. Yicel, the elementary school secretary who has been working here for 6-7 years and is wonderful, just quit her job because she's going to join her cousin in Spain. Elias, who was the day-time guard for 9 years, recently quit because he needed a change. So basically our school is losing a lot of key people. Keep us in prayer.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Good Friday
On Friday, we drove up to Comayagua, the former capital of Honduras, located about a half hour from Siguatepeque. Every good Friday, they have a display of sawdust carpets (works of art) representing different scenes relating to the crucifiction of Christ, and it's followed by a parade. Click here to see pictures.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Sick
These are the moments that make you realize your worth... Earlier this week, one of my students approached me with a huge wrapped gift and said, "I give you this gift because you are my best friend for teacher, and I like how you teach." It was a big clay mushroom with a ladybug on it. Moments like that make all the complaints I get every day pale in comparison.
I haven't had a nosebleed in a month, ever since I started taking medication. I went back to the doctor this week with the results of a blood test he had sent me to get. My hemoglobin is borderline, which would explain, at least in part, why I'm always tired. My white blood cell count is a bit high, indicating an allergic reaction to something in the air, which could explain why I get sick so easily when I'm in Honduras, besides the fact that there are so many more contaminants in the water and food here. AND, my platelets are a bit low. I'm taking different vitamins and medications and getting another blood test in two months. Please pray for my health and energy - I really need it to teach.
The quarter is coming to an end. Next week, there are three days of exams, two days of mini olympics, and then we have a week off before the fourth quarter starts.
The weather has been switching back and forth from scorching hot to cold, and many students have been out sick. Seven of my 24 fifth graders were out at some point this week. Today was their first exam, and four students missed it. Please pray for everyone's health. It's funny to see some students coming to school wearing a doctor's mask to prevent the spread of sickness.
I am the LORD, who heals you. -Exodus 15:26
I haven't had a nosebleed in a month, ever since I started taking medication. I went back to the doctor this week with the results of a blood test he had sent me to get. My hemoglobin is borderline, which would explain, at least in part, why I'm always tired. My white blood cell count is a bit high, indicating an allergic reaction to something in the air, which could explain why I get sick so easily when I'm in Honduras, besides the fact that there are so many more contaminants in the water and food here. AND, my platelets are a bit low. I'm taking different vitamins and medications and getting another blood test in two months. Please pray for my health and energy - I really need it to teach.
The quarter is coming to an end. Next week, there are three days of exams, two days of mini olympics, and then we have a week off before the fourth quarter starts.
The weather has been switching back and forth from scorching hot to cold, and many students have been out sick. Seven of my 24 fifth graders were out at some point this week. Today was their first exam, and four students missed it. Please pray for everyone's health. It's funny to see some students coming to school wearing a doctor's mask to prevent the spread of sickness.
I am the LORD, who heals you. -Exodus 15:26
Friday, March 12, 2010
Science Fair
Thank you to all who have been praying for me. I was feeling really down for a while, but I've felt much more positive since a Skype conversation with my parents on Sunday that helped put everything into right perspective.
There is a Canadian woman here who is giving watercolor classes to each grade during school hours. Sixth grade had their classes this week, and I got to paint alongside them. It was so relaxing and fun and greatly decreased the amount of planning I had to do. I just added a couple of pictures of the class to my online photo album.
The elementary science fair was today (pictures in my album). It was the responsibility of the English teachers to lead the students through the scientific method to create their own experiments - a very long process, but with good results. One group decided to do an experiment to see what would happen if one of them ate a healthy diet for a week. They used an interview with me as part of their background research to decide the guidelines for healthy eating. The results were that the student was able to run a lap around his house faster, he felt healthier, and his Spanish teacher was no longer sending notes home about his concentration in class because it had improved. Yay :-) Today was a very stressful day, with complaints from students and parents and the responsibility of grading every group within a short time period, but it ended with an early dismissal, so I'm happy.
Another frustration of the week is that on Wednesday, we had no running water in the morning. Having no running water was commonplace in my first Honduran house a year and a half ago, but then we were prepared with a reservoir with which we could fill buckets to flush the toilets and wash our hands. This house isn't supposed to run out of water because it has a well, so we have no back-up plan. Thankfully the problem was resolved within a couple of hours. Events like these make me remember how nice modern conveniences are, so I wrote on my Facebook status that I was thankful for running water, electricity, and hot showers. I don't know if what happened next was God's sense of humor, but I certainly didn't find it funny. The next day, we had a nine-hour power outage, and that night, after the power was back on, my hot shower quickly turned into a cold one, then into a trickle, and while I was still trying to rinse my hair, the water ran out. There was still a little water running out of the sink, so I was able to get the rest of the conditioner out of my hair by pouring that over my head. The problem was fixed today.
Check out my photo album, and thank you for your prayers.
I feel I've been waiting so long for God to fulfill His promises to me, and this verse encouraged me today:
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. ~2 Corinthians 1:20
There is a Canadian woman here who is giving watercolor classes to each grade during school hours. Sixth grade had their classes this week, and I got to paint alongside them. It was so relaxing and fun and greatly decreased the amount of planning I had to do. I just added a couple of pictures of the class to my online photo album.
The elementary science fair was today (pictures in my album). It was the responsibility of the English teachers to lead the students through the scientific method to create their own experiments - a very long process, but with good results. One group decided to do an experiment to see what would happen if one of them ate a healthy diet for a week. They used an interview with me as part of their background research to decide the guidelines for healthy eating. The results were that the student was able to run a lap around his house faster, he felt healthier, and his Spanish teacher was no longer sending notes home about his concentration in class because it had improved. Yay :-) Today was a very stressful day, with complaints from students and parents and the responsibility of grading every group within a short time period, but it ended with an early dismissal, so I'm happy.
Another frustration of the week is that on Wednesday, we had no running water in the morning. Having no running water was commonplace in my first Honduran house a year and a half ago, but then we were prepared with a reservoir with which we could fill buckets to flush the toilets and wash our hands. This house isn't supposed to run out of water because it has a well, so we have no back-up plan. Thankfully the problem was resolved within a couple of hours. Events like these make me remember how nice modern conveniences are, so I wrote on my Facebook status that I was thankful for running water, electricity, and hot showers. I don't know if what happened next was God's sense of humor, but I certainly didn't find it funny. The next day, we had a nine-hour power outage, and that night, after the power was back on, my hot shower quickly turned into a cold one, then into a trickle, and while I was still trying to rinse my hair, the water ran out. There was still a little water running out of the sink, so I was able to get the rest of the conditioner out of my hair by pouring that over my head. The problem was fixed today.
Check out my photo album, and thank you for your prayers.
I feel I've been waiting so long for God to fulfill His promises to me, and this verse encouraged me today:
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. ~2 Corinthians 1:20
Friday, March 5, 2010
Keep Praying
I've been hearing back from my Chilean friends that I emailed. They're all very positive about the situation, and it's encouraging to hear how they're using the opportunity to intercede for their nation and find ways to help those who were more severely affected by the earthquake. Please keep praying for Haiti, Chile, Silvia, and Profe Gladys, because they are all far from recovered.
Today I had the privilege of being approached by a student who wanted to talk about problems with bullies, about Jesus, and about the fact that her father is not a Christian. I was honored that she would approach me and happy to be able to encourage her and pray with her. It gave me renewed purpose.
I don't have much else to share except the pictures I added to the end of my online photo album, which you can see by clicking on the picture to the right. Be sure to read the captions.
Pray without ceasing. -1 Thessalonians 5:17
Today I had the privilege of being approached by a student who wanted to talk about problems with bullies, about Jesus, and about the fact that her father is not a Christian. I was honored that she would approach me and happy to be able to encourage her and pray with her. It gave me renewed purpose.
I don't have much else to share except the pictures I added to the end of my online photo album, which you can see by clicking on the picture to the right. Be sure to read the captions.
Pray without ceasing. -1 Thessalonians 5:17
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