First Impressions

Tegucigalpa, Honduras is even more than I imagined!
-Gorgeous green rolling hills dotted with homes, even a Jesus statue greeting us with open arms as we flew in..
-Bienvenidos. The warm welcome was evident from the warm brazos (hugs) and smiles exchanged at the airport between the IST chaplain, guidance counselor, and kindergarten teacher (also a friend from Westmont).

Staring out the window wide-eyed, I tried to soak in the unfamiliar surroundings that will become my home next year. One-story houses with multicolored doors and neighborhood shops with large advertisements for the products inside lines the streets. Men sold Honduran soccer jerseys (they qualified for the World Cup!!) on the side of the road or lingered in doorways, while women and children carried groceries home for the day.

With only a few clouds in the sky and a cool breeze, it looked to be a fantastic day at 3500 feet.
The chaplain drove us straight to the school. Passing out of la colonias (the neighborhoods), we followed the nicely paved road up the hill.

IST is located on a plateau with warehouses and dry, rocky areas surrounding its base. The school has a green roof and a fence around it and looks imposing from a distance. I bit my lip--this is where I'm going to teach?

We pulled into the gravel parking lot and got out. I could see kids in the school's blue and white uniforms, and my heart leapt for joy. This was their school, our school.

The chaplain and counselor led the way, greeting everyone ("Hola!") as we passed. As we continued across the sloped campus, I noticed green all around me: palm trees, lush bushes, flowering trees, and lots of grassy areas. It looked more like a park, then a school--in fact, an oasis of sorts. The school buildings looked well-maintained, and benches had the name of the school mascot, "Tigers," inscribed into them.

The school is composed of 2 main buildings (elementary & middle/high school) and many smaller buildings which house: preK, K, computer lab, library, doctor's office, daycare center, teacher's lounges, cafeteria, snack shop, offices of everyone, and more classrooms.

I also noticed there were purified water dispensers in every hallway (so thankful), macaws and other colorful birds in the courtyard, and Prometheus (smart) boards in every classroom 4th-12th grade.

Meeting the teachers/staff was so encouraging, especially meeting the other 4th grade teacher who will be there next year. It was the last day of school, and teachers were clearing out their classrooms, which was perfect timing for me to meet all of them. Also, the principal was very approachable and supportive, even walking with us for much of the tour. This is truly a gift, because this week is crazy at IST with graduations, teachers' farewell party, etc.

After our grand tour, meeting anyone and everyone in the school, : ) the school chaplain treated my mom and I to a delicious lunch of gallo pintado (rice & beans), patacones (cooked plantains), pollo (chicken), tortillas, y Fanta naranja.

post continued in: 3rd World Country

Image Test

This is just a test my ability to upload pictures to the blog.

This is a picture from Harding Science Night 2010. My group and I did a simulation about phases of the Moon. The kids were so excited by the simulation and loved talking about what they saw inside our "Moon tent!"

School site

This is the site of the international school where I will be teaching 4th grade next year:

http://www.internationalschool.hn/index.html

Here is an overview of the school from the website:

International School is private Christian bilingual school in Tegucigalpa, Honduras with a current enrollment of approximately 1100 students. IST was originally founded in 1981 as a nursery school. In June of 1991 IST graduated the first senior class. A culturally diverse body of approximately 110 full time teachers compromise the International School faculty. The student/faculty ratio is approximately 12.1

IST student body consists mostly of Honduran natives who have learned English as a second language. All students that graduate continue on to study in four year Universities. All core subjects in grades Pre-Kinder through 12 Grade are taught in English, by certified teachers. IST is staffed with approximately 130 employees, (teaching assistants - administrators). Teachers hold a bachelor's degree in education or a teaching license from a North American institution. In addition there are faculty and administration who hold a Master's/Doctors degree in education or business administration. Curriculum experts are brought in from Canada or USA annually to consult the material being taught.

Soy extranjera

(translation: "I am a foreigner.")

Recently, I had the chance to meet up with a 26-year old international student from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She is studying English at the Kaplan school here in Santa Barbara, and we had a connection through one of my Westmont professors. (Talk about God's plan right there!) It was so exciting to hear from her what living in Honduras is like and already experience the warmth and generosity that Hondurans possess. We barely knew each other, and she was already inviting me to come stay with her family in Tegucigalpa!

She drew a map of places I had to visit:
-Copan Ruinas (beautiful Mayan ruins)
-Roatan (Caribbean beach famous for coral reefs/surfing/scuba diving)
-San Pedro Sula (city)
-La Ceiba (city)
-Amapala

Gave me a conversion chart: $1 = 20 Lempiras.
I'll have to get used to converting money daily.
And told me I needed to go to El Patio (a traditional restaurant) and try Baleadas (like a burrito, but at the same time, not at all like one).

Also she gave me some phrases that will come in handy when I'm down there:
-Donde puedo tomar el taxi? (Where can I take the taxi?)
-Disculpe (Excuse me...followed by a question)
-Necesito su ayuda (I need your help.)
-and my favorite: "Habla ingles?" (Do you speak English?)

We talked through safety tips (like don't wear any jewelry, watches, or have your cell-phone out) and she said the country's more stable now that they have a new president. It was a great conversation, and she reassured me many times: "Don't worry."

I'm not, but I am mentally preparing for the things told about in IST teachers' blogs:
-cockroaches and other large unkillable insects
-boiling water (being patient)
-frequent power outages
-awkward conversations as I acquire the Spanish language
Knowing what to expect really helps in terms of keeping an optimistic/grateful attitude, as well as knowing how to plan ahead.

More adventures/surprises to come!

Open Doors

Romans 12:12 "Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble and always be prayerful."

I am so thankful to all the people God has placed in my life this year that have spoken words of truth and reminded me to trust in His good and perfect plan!

God has confirmed so clearly that He wants me in Honduras next year, and I can't wait for the journey to begin! I even get to experience a taste of what it will be like to live there from June 7-12th, when I get to visit Tegucigalpa and IST.

When I get back, it will be a rush to pack up everything and move out by June 15th. I'm in Chico with family for the entire summer (with some road trips in between). Then, going down for orientation at IST the beginning of August. I begin my first year of teaching at the end of August! Can't wait!

Waiting on God

It is amazing to reflect on how God has provided this year: a convenient place to live, a great housemate, wonderful prayers/support from friends, fellowship, encouragement, safety, strength, peace, joy, and His Spirit to counsel, guide, and remind me of His promises.

Twice this year, God has placed tangible signs of his promise. Last semester, after a particularly discouraging day in the classroom, I was driving home and, just as I turned onto my street, saw a rainbow stretching across the whole sky. The colors were vibrant and stunning in beauty. I pulled over to the side of the road to admire it and praise God for His faithfulness. His strength would get me through and He'd never leave me to face these trials alone.

Another time, God punctuated my mom's patient reminders to me of this same theme to "trust His timing and rely on Him," with what I call an unforgettable "sermon illustration," placing yet another rainbow, this time arched above the hills in Chico. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

And so I can trust him, wait on His timing, and rely on His power as I approach the coming months, finishing up a year of student teaching (including a 2 week take over), crafting my Masters paper, finding a part-time job/place to live? in Santa Barbara, and then continuing the adventure of serving Him in Honduras. I can do this only by Christ's power in me.

Habbakuk 1: 5

"Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.

This is a poem I wrote this year in the form of a letter from an English Language Learner (ELL). The funny thing is that I had the chance to experience what it would be like to be a Language Learner, when I took a class that was entirely in Spanish. I feel so much more empathetic toward my ELLs, having shared a glimpse of their experience.

If I had the words

If I had the words

I would tell you

I want to learn

I would ask you

If I could draw what I know

Instead of writing a 5-sentence paragraph on oceans

Too shy to raise my hand and ask how “ocean” is spelled

If I had the words

I would let you know

I’m intimidated by the flurry of hands

Shot into the air like cannons

I know the answer but I sit quietly with my head down

I rack my brain for how to say it

You call on me, though I didn’t raise my hand

Surprised. I’ve forgotten what I wanted to say

Unrehearsed. I’m still sorting my thoughts.

You stare me down with patient eyes, waiting.

Everybody is waiting.

I want you to think I’m smart. I don’t want the class to laugh.

You ask again, eager to hear an answer.

“I don’t know”

I mutter

Almost inaudibly

Like I was ashamed

But I knew the answer

I just couldn’t find the words

Sometimes I wish I had a microphone that could read my thoughts and

Speak them for me.

You move on and I become lost again in the unfamiliar phrases that constrict me to the basal reader. I want to read a chapter book.

My mama reads to my sister and me, snuggled close on the couch at home.

When mama reads, my dreams are filled with adventures

Or soccer tournaments

Dribbling the soccer ball down the field

As her words bounce in soft cadences

light taps as the text marches down the page.

Closing the book, there is a goal to celebrate.

And I drift off to sleep at peace.

At school, reading is painful

Everybody waits, but I can tell they’re annoyed

Clamoring for their chance to read

But I just need the words

Acting out the story is what I enjoy most

Everyone has their turn

And you can speak as fast or as slowly

as

you

want

It’s all “acting” to everyone else

To me, it’s my voice heard

If I had the words

I’d tell you my hopes, dreams, and how it feels to be seven

I’d tell you

I want to go to college someday

Do you have the words?