To give you a quick summary of the last month in Caracas, it was busy. With Thanksgiving came unending rains for several days, which led to landslides and flooding throughout the country. Other states in Venezuela were more affected than us, but many of the people in the poor housing, called the barrios, in Caracas lost everything and some are still in danger of losing their homes if there are more landslides. Three of our staff were displaced from their homes, and my favorite, a sweet lady named Marisol who cleans my room every day, lost everything. The school was working when I left to raise money and donations for her. Right now she is living in a large warehouse with 40 other people who also lost their homes. Because of the widespread damage, help is few and far between.
Because so many were affected and the country is considered to be in a state of national emergency, all schools were closed until after the holidays. Our school had 4 landslides on the property, one of which occurred over the elementary school bathrooms. We had a work day where we all helped to clean up the school; moving dirt, using power tools, or trimming bushes. During this time of no school, we chose to have online classes because with international students and American teachers, extending our school year is not an option.
Trying to move all your classes online proved to be more difficult than I thought. Trying to teach new math content without being able to be there to give examples and explain was hard. My students struggled with the new material and I felt at a loss in how to provide them the support they needed. I spent countless hour online chatting with students trying to give them examples or emailing them homework help. The amount of grading also increased. Although I set up a class website which kept my assignments better organized, students came to school weekly to turn in work and each Thursday I had a mountain of homework and take-home tests to grade. However, it was a lesson in creativity and an opportunity for my students to practice independent learning. I am looking forward to being back in the school building with normal classes in January. It sure makes for an interesting first year of teaching!
I have, however, been making the most of the time not in school. My roommates and I love having people over or exploring more of Caracas and getting to know the culture better. We have been going non-stop even with no school. We are working at building relationships with people from English club in hopes of sharing the gospel with them. The weekend before we all left for the States, we invited everyone we know to come eat pizza and decorate Christmas cookies. We also had a white elephant exchange...so funny to watch all the Venezuelans participate in this!
As I have been home for a week now, there are several changes I would like to implement this upcoming semester. I figure if I write them out here, I’ll have some accountability to actually accomplish them.
1) Focus more on teaching and how I can reach these students better academically. I have gotten caught up in the other ministries I am involved in and not focused enough on teaching.
2) Begin mentoring a student this semester.
3) Hang out with my students more outside of school.
4) Learn more Spanish!!
5) Find a way to get involved with working in the barrios or ministering to people from the barrios.
I love Venezuela and the people here and am continually thankful for the calling God has placed on my life to be here. Thank you for your support and continue to lift me up in prayer as I begin a new semester in January.
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