Ja-ja!

Just a Thought

Closing school on Thursday for a national holiday and making the teachers come to work on Friday is like a bad joke. It wasn't a bad day, but it felt very pointless to spend my day at school having had yesterday off and tomorrow being the weekend.

Happy Friday!

Feriado: Combate de Angamos

Today was a national holiday; therefore, I did not have to teach. Instead of taking a day off from children, I decided to help out and spend my day with the children at the Kids Alive home while the mamás went to a Women's Conference. We took the kids down the road to gather/pick berries on the side of the street, watched Hannah Montana (in Spanish, which was quite an interesting concept...Imagine Miley Cyrus talking in Spanish.), played outdoors, and played with homemade play-dough. It was a different sort of day, but it was a fun day nonetheless.

Stephanie y Yo

Mercedes y Esther chasing a balloon trying not to let it hit the ground.

Jesus y Michel playing in the sandbox.

Shirley y Rosa

Hockey...The new sport of choice.

Antony y Fernando enjoying the plastalina

Josue making maple leaves...
I told him that Maples were the city tree near where I live near in the U.S. :)

The Touch of a King

Today was one of those days where I was forced to stop and take a deep breath. We serve an amazing God, and I often do not give him the credit he deserves. The last three days have been beautiful days with the sun shining brightly on the mountains and the temperatures reaching into the 70s. Spring is a time of rebirth. I wasn't sure what the would look like in a place where there isn't really a "dead" season for plants, but I've quickly come to love the change of weather patterns. Winter here is so gray and cloudy; however, spring is bright and sunny with hardly a cloud in the sky. It really changes the way things look and bring a fresh perspective.

It's interesting to me how the seasons between the northern and southern hemispheres perfectly align with one another. While trees are beginning to change color in the states and the temperatures begin to become cooler, life is being given to nature here in the southern hemisphere. God is at work in both locations creating a beautiful scenary for each of us to enjoy; he gets the best of both.

I'm reminded of Genesis 2:2, "God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he retsed from all his work." Our weeks are busy; we are busy trying to be everything to everyone, fulfilling assigned tasks, running from one location to another, etc. However, we must make a point to rest. God creates great landscapes for us to enjoy; the seventh day of rest is of utmost importance. Sometimes I find it hard to sit still and relax, but when I do I always leave feeling refreshed and uplifted.

In other news, the new aide in my classroom quit today after only a week of work. She felt that the children did not respect her and was really struggling with the cultural differences between the classroom here in Peru and those in London. She left today at lunch without telling anyone she was leaving and later called the school to inform them that she would not be coming back. God's hand is in the situation; I know exactly what she's feeling, but as I look back I am amazed at how far my students have come in just the two months that I have been here. I guess experience has just taught me that if you stick out the hard stuff the end reward is worth it.

Tomorrow is my last day with students. Thursday is holiday and Friday is inservice. They may switch the inservice to give us a 3 day weekend, but being it's a national holiday I'm not sure it's likely. However, a three day weekend would be nice...maybe a trip to the highlands??? I liked one comment made by a friend that North Americans plan their holidays on Mondays and Fridays just to make the weekend longer. Peruvians like random days off; it fits the random lifestyle.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy :)

My first graders practicing for the school anniversary. The girls are "stoning" Steven, and Steven falls to his knees begging God for his mercy.

Kids Alive: Antony, Renzo, y Luis showing off their best moves.

How can you not love them? Vanessa and Jesus

Prayer is Powerful

Sorry for my slightly depressing post yesterday. However, I just wanted to say thank you for all of you that have been praying for me. Last week was a very difficult week as you could read from the last entry; however, in the last few days I have received many kind emails of reassurance and encouragement. I spent a lot of time alone with the Lord this weekend, and today was a much better day. I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful prayer support backing me up.

The next few weeks are going to be hectic and stressful, so your prayers would be very much appreciated. Next Saturday, October 17, is the school's big 15th Anniversary party. As many of you probably know, the 15th birthday in Spanish culture is a big deal. The girls have prom-like parties with very elegant dresses and a large fiesta when they turn fifteen. Therefore, the 15th Anniversary of the school is quite a big ordeal.

On the day of the event my classroom will be transformed into a city from Biblical times and my students are working in 4 groups to put on dramas that travel through the book of Acts (the school's book of study this year). My students are doing quite well memorizing their lines and acting their parts. We will present a sample to the administration on Wednesday and make any changes necessary during the next week and a half.

While the dramas are coming along well, the classroom decorations are lacking. We will spend our "in-service" day on Friday preparing what we can, but I've been told many hours will be invested after school next week to really prepare. It could be a very stressful time, and I've been told patience is of utmost importance these next two weeks. Please pray that preparations come together well and the day itself is a huge success.

I will be sure to post pictures of the event when it is finished. You can also be expecting a section of my upcoming newsletter to highlight this event :)

Emotional Exhaustion

The title of this entry pretty much sums up the last week. I’m a thinker, and I have a very detailed way of processing things through my mind. I don’t often act on impulse; I must weigh the pros and cons of most decisions I make. I’m also a thinker in the fact that I analyze people and conversations a lot. In some aspects being thought driven very good thing; however, sometimes I think it causes more stress than necessary.

Brokenness and Frustration: Monday evening I had a very long, interesting conversation with the principal about her trip the previous week to the jungle. She was very impacted by the trip, and she shared much of her thoughts about the trip with me. People in the jungle of Perú do not always receive birth certificates. It’s almost as if they are treated like animals. They bath, cook, wash clothing, and clean with river water where their waste is also carried. The people have so little; yet the communities are close-knit and loving toward one another. Life in the jungle and in the mountains is so different from here in Lima. Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a large city; while it is very different from the states, it is still pretty modernized compared to other parts of the nation.

Pros vs. Cons: Tuesday I talked with the principal about a housing stipend to move out of the school building. They cannot provide that this year, but she offered me a room in her apartment that is about a 10-15 minute drive from the school. She will move there in the middle of this month. Lots of prayer and thought will go into this decision.

Love and Gentleness: I love Wednesday evenings with the kids at the Children’s Home. They’ve moved devotions from Tuesday nights to Wednesday nights which has changed my homework help time a little, but that’s ok. Each week when I arrive I am embraced in hugs and kisses from the children and greeted with friendly smiles by the mamás. No matter how the rest of my week has been, I always feel loved and refreshed when I leave the home.

Loneliness and Sadness: Thursday I was gone from 7:45 in the morning until about 10:45 in the evening. I was surrounded by people all day, but something just wasn’t quite right. I was feeling very lonely. I think being away from everyone that really knows me, my heart, my passions, my desires, being away from everything familiar is getting a little bit harder. Things here are no longer all new and exciting, and I’m beginning to miss all that I took for granted in the States. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE it here, but it’s not always easy. Just like any other part of life, it isn’t always fun. I miss deep, personal conversations; I miss friends looking into my eyes, knowing something is bothering me, and making me spill my thoughts. I’ve met a lot of great people, but deep, honest relationships take time to build.

Exhaustion, Weakness, and Confusion: My students were not well behaved this week. By Friday I was frustrated, weak, and exhausted. I began counting down the hours to the weekend as soon as I walked into my classroom at 8 a.m. I don’t feel the behavior management system is working with my students; however, because the behavior plan is the plan in the A.C.E. procedures manual, I am forced to use that and only that. The administration does not aide with discipline, and my students don’t care about their behavior. No amount of rewards or consequences seems to matter, and I feel like I have no control. It’s hard to wake up each day dreading another day of teaching. I want to have my passion back, and I believe I would were I in a different school situation.
I’ve begun to weigh options for next year. It’s hard to imagine moving back to the States in December and not returning to Perú for more than a short visit every couple years. However, I’ve checked into a few schools and seem to hit dead ends or haven’t heard back from them. I’m really praying for God’s direction and his plans for my life. I want to be in the center of his will, but I’m confused where that is. I don’t know whether I’m to look for jobs in the States or be more persistent with the schools here.

On a positive note: This week I went to the theater to see Pelham 123. I went out to dinner with a few teachers for their birthdays. Bible Study on Thursday night was enjoyable. I went to the Children’s Home on Friday to help out with sponsorship cards. Lastly, on Saturday I helped one of the teachers move from her home to an apartment across town. After moving, we went to dinner at Chili’s and had a wonderful ice cream treat at a panaderia.

I really do enjoy the casual, unplanned lifestyle I’ve adapted to in Perú. I like just taking things one day at a time rather than having to have every step planned out before leaving the house or a week ahead of time.

The end of the 9-weeks is this Wednesday. I am glad to have Thursday off for a national holiday, and Friday we will work on grades and prepare for the next semester without students present. It’s hard to believe half of the semester has nearly passed. Please pray for the school. Pray for the behavior of my students and my strength and wisdom in knowing how to deal with the discipline best to impact my students for the better. Please pray for my attitude, also.

God's teaching me a lot in many areas of my life. He's opening my eyes more and more each day, to the culture, the people, his plans, and his touch. We serve a mighty God, and it is only by his grace that we may live forever in Christ. His strength helps me to get through each day.

I sent out my 2nd monthly e-mail newsletter this past week. If you did not receive it and would like to please contact me, and I’ll be sure to add you to my mailing list :)