September 6, 2012

First Day of School

The Crazy Boys' Class

The big kids' class

Journal Time

     Well, we completed our first week of school.  So far it’s going really well.  My favorite moment was when the kids came into the classroom on the first day, wide-eyed and bushy tailed, exclaiming, “Wow, our class never looked like this before.”  On our last day the kids also went around and shared their highs and lows.  Nico’s favorite:  having a P.E. every day.  Isa’s favorite:  doing an earthquake drill in science, and when Mrs. Edmonds made a mistake in English and the students had to correct her.  Pablo’s favorite:  everything.  Nathanael’s favorite:  coloring and playing on the ipad.  And by unanimous vote, everyone’s least favorite (including Jen) is French class (I’m not teaching that one).  So far everyone is having fun and enjoying the classes.  It’s a lot of work for Jen and I, and we’re nice and tired by the end of the day but we’re hanging in there and getting used to it.

Also, during our time at school Andres and Diana have decided to have their language sessions at our house.  They say it's revolutionized their lessons as they can do two lessons back to back without interruption.  Half-jokingly Diana said, "I've learned as much this week as we usually learn in a whole month."  We're excited our house can be used as a blessing to them as well as to us.  We hope and pray God continues to use us to bless and support the team as that's the reason we came.  

    Speaking of, this weekend we also had our first sleep over.  It’s Diana and Andres’ anniversary so we offered to watch the kids so they could spend a night out in Kamsar.  This is their first "date night" since they were on furlough in Panama.  Later on we’ll be going over to join them for lunch and some pool time if the weather is nice.

     Our prayers continue to be the following:

1.       Safety and health.

2.       Energy and wisdom for running the school.

3.       Growing relationships with neighborhood people.

4.       Continued grace as things start to become routine and aren’t so new and exciting anymore.

     “Thanks Lord for watching over us and blessing us.  Thanks for giving us a good first week in school.  Please help the rest of the year to go well and for the kids to learn and grow.  Continue to reveal yourself to us and work in and through us to establish your kingdom.  Amen!”