My Students Rock

I teach 14 of the greatest students ever. My current students include several Venezolanos, Koreans (almost all of whom have the last name Kim or Yoon), an Italian, and a Chinese student. Each student is such a blessing to me and has a unique personality that they bring to class. I am loving teaching them and helping them develop both a love for math and a love for the Lord. I am impressed by their congenial attitudes and zest for life, although my 7:30 a.m. Algebra 2 class is barely awake when we begin. Please keep my ministry to them in your prayers. We do daily devotions and I have been able to share with them about making their faith their own, what it means to have your identity in Christ, and daily giving up our desires and instead aligning them with the Lord's. It's hard to know the impact I am having on them but I continue to pray that their hearts would be softened and I would have more opportunities to speak truth into their lives. 


My days are becoming more and more busy with meetings, after school care, women's bible study, and tutoring that will begin next week. However I am thankful for additional opportunities to generate income here and more time to invest in the students here. After school care is with elementary students and I have really enjoyed interacting with them so far. 


Today I ate lunch with the 7th grade girls and we played a fun game. Pairs of kids took turns speaking really fast in Spanish and I had to try and translate (impossible). Then I spoke really fast in English and they had to try and translate (they also couldn't do it). It was so funny and I love interacting with them outside of the classroom. 


I continue to make connections in the community. We are now on a name basis with the guy at the panaderia who gave Kayla and Alli free chocolate during their lunch break and gave them some to bring to me. We have also gotten to know a girl through salsa classes and look forward to hanging out with her in the future. Pray for opportunities to share the love of Christ both through example and in words. 


Short Stories:


1) My cockroach killing count is up to like 6. I killed a massive one in our kitchen the other day. Honestly, it's the mosquitoes that drive me nuts here, not the cockroaches. I am a master at killing mosquitoes with my hands.


2) I gave my first round of tests in my classes today. They went ok...some did surprisingly well, others as expected. I am learning from it and hope to improve with each unit I teach. 


3) Again about the mosquitoes...I got bit on the pinkie yesterday while I writing with that hand. How is that possible? Am I blind...or do they have invisible mosquitoes here? Despite the numerous bites I get on a daily basis, I am so thankful that I am not reacting strongly to them. Also, dengue fever is very common here. Many of the teachers got it last year from mosquito bites. Praise the Lord I have been safe so far. Don't worry Mom...I am always putting on bug spray. 


Spanish word of the day: zanacudos which means 'mosquitoes.' Are you seeing a theme here?