Again, there are two posts to read. I wasn’t able to get to a computer between Tuesday and today.
After I wrote a blog for this Tuesday, God provided Yadira and I with a really helpful conversation. She told me that she thinks I’m sad when I don’t speak much. Yadira’s concern for me made it clear that my difficulty adapting to the loudness and vast amounts of people is apparent. Thank the Lord that we talked, because it gave both of us more understanding about each other and also renewed my strength and lessened my negativity. “Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way ever lasting.” Psalm 139:23-24. I think that focusing on things that frustrate me leads to judgment and negativity. It distracts me from being joyful and loving. My prayer for the past few days has been for God to help me with this, and I used the verses above as my prayer. Thank you God for providing Yadira and I with a conversation that answered my prayer!
Wednesday we had to cut class short because it started to rain. The chalkboard sits just outside the roof in the front yard, and as I tried to write on it, the rain drops smeared the chalk. It was only a light rain and I told the students that this was nothing compared to what we experience in Michigan, and then all of the sudden it started to rain harder and the students screamed and scattered. It was quite comical!
Here is the typical class schedule:
I listen to the appropriate lesson a day or two in advance and type up the conversation spoken at the beginning. It is usually very similar to what we learned in the previous class on the previous CD. Then, as I listen, I continue typing the commands of the speaker to use as questions in our class. Lastly, I type the final conversation in the lesson, which is usually a bit more challenging for our students because it introduces new words. In class, we always start with prayer. Yadira or Sophia explains the importance of opening with prayer to God and prays in Spanish. Then, after we listen to the lesson of the day, I write the first conversation on the board. We translate it into Spanish line by line, or I write it in Spanish first and have them translate it into English (which is more challenging). After we recite the conversation as a group, the students practice speaking it in groups of two. I go around the classroom and listen to individual conversations and gently correct pronunciation errors (this is where American-English speakers will be very helpful if they visit!). I pick out students to speak the conversation out loud in front of the class. Then I write the second conversation, the one with several new words, on the board and we go through the same steps. One thing I like about the CDs is that at the beginning of each class, I don’t have to review what we learned in the last class. The CDs do that for us. We close the class with a praise and worship song. Right now we’re learning “Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord.”
I keep forgetting to share how I’m learning what it’s like to have a baby. Well, I don’t think anyone except the mother really knows what it’s like, but I’m learning a LITTLE bit. Since I share a room with the baby, I get to witness the 2 A.M., 3 A.M., etc, feedings and diaper changes. I also get to burp him, rock him to sleep, etc, when Laura needs a break. We all help out with the baby. Young Arturo especially likes holding Brayan and singing to him late at night when Laura is ready to topple over with exhaustion. For me, this is a new experience because there is only one baby in my family and I didn’t share a room with her, Scott and Hollie when she was born.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Enjoy eating “pavo!” Have a bite for me!
Anayeli turned 9 years old on Tuesday, November 25th.
Here’s the baby all sleepy and cute.
Here’s me burping the baby.
As you can see, it’s impossible to write on a rain-dropped chalkboard.
4 Comments
December 1, 2008 at 4:31 am
Saw a program last night called CNN heros, it was an award program honoring, I guess, what CNN considered people who have contributed in some
way to the betterment of mankind. I was flipping
between channels not really that interested but the story of this woman from El Paso Texas caught my attention. She was being recognized for her efforts in helping the Mexican’s in Juarez Mexico, a city just across the border from her home. She had experienced the poverty in Juarez, and was moved to make a difference. She saw that there was a need for the basics, starting with providing
food for those in need. Over the years she has made enough of a difference that she was receiving this CNN award. I am not always sure of
why people get involved in these types of projects
and the similarity of her efforts and your attempts
to help the less fortunate caught my curiosity,
especially since both your focus, and hers, was with a Mexican city right on the border of the United States. I was surprised, in her acceptance
speech, when she closed with why she was involved. She quoted Philippians 4:13 which says
basically that we can do all things through Christ who strenghtens us. She provided a tremendous witness by telling the world that her strength and
motivation for her mission was God inspired. She was willing to help the less fortunate because that
is what Jesus has told us to do, and that she knew
that she, through the grace of God, would have all that she needed to accomplish her task. I am humbled when I hear stories like this, and I write
this to encourage you in your efforts to make the
difference that God is allowing you to be a part of.
I know your heart is in the right place, and that God is using you to accomplish His kingdom building. You are in my prayers daily.
Love Dad
December 1, 2008 at 7:02 pm
What a beautiful baby!!! I’m sure Laura appreciates all of your help. You are more than welcome to share a room with us when we have our next baby. You will be an old pro by then.
It sounds like the class is running pretty smooth now. Keep up the great work!
We are looking forward to hearing more when you come home for Christmas!
Love,
Hollie
December 1, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Nice post, good to hear things are getting better. Also nice to hear about the convo w/Yadira that you’re adjusting/adapting somewhat to living w/so many peeps. I thought living with that loudmouth Sarah would have prepped you for that (Sarah, if you read this, don’t kill me, ’twas a joke)!
That is indeed a cute bambino. Or is it nino? I believe nino means kid. So let’s roll with bambino.
Again, you’re in our prayers!
Ben
January 29, 2009 at 11:30 pm
kelly! hey it’s sam from mexicali…ESL team! yay! what a cool experience. i’m a little jealous of you actually. i;m bummed that i can’t go this year. i’ve enjoyed reading about your adventures! is that elizabeth’s baby? God bless your journey!