8/10/09

The last couple of days have been a lot of work and a lot of fun. We have been cleaning the school top to bottom in preparation for the kids. Today I found a stack of papers and the principal told me to throw them away. No big deal, right? When I went to pick them up I found that termites had hollowed out the center and were living inside. There was a massive nest. There is so much outdated and unused material hanging around. The classrooms were very very dirty. I don't think the windows have been cleaned for years and years. With the leadership of our new principal we are knocking the school into shape. Yesterday we had a meeting about teaching. Th principal did not know that we were all non-education majors with no teaching experience. He set in to explain to us the realities of teaching. In these islands it is typical for kids to be unmotivated. They do not fail anyone so a lot of the kids just skim by learning almost nothing. After talking to the last 8th grade teacher and the principal I have been informed that 7th and 8th grade are the most challenging. I know it will be a collosal challenge but God is with me. Stressing stuff never helps so I'm just learning as much as I can and taking things as they happen.

A couple of our SMs desplayed a great deal of confidence when they first arrive on the island. I heard one say, "Lets face it, teaching isn't that hard a job." Since my mom is a teacher I knew otherwise, but I didn't say anything. After that meeting, this same guy told me, "I can't do this." I told me, "You can do it, you'll be fine. Just take things as they come." He was like, "No, stop telling me I can do it, I can't do it!" I was a little concerned. He left the meeting and said he really wanted to talk with his parents. Just then his parents called on the phone. He talked with them for awhile and they encouraged him to continue and offered some help. He is much more positive today. I praise God for that.

Last night was my first time surfing on the island. It was an awesome experience. My first run out I was so excited I forgot to put fins on my board. I had to paddle back, which is a long ways, and back out with my fins. I caught a couple waves before it got dark. I got up early this morning and several of us went out. We got to see the sunrise on the water. It was gorgeous. I got barrelled a couple times and really got worked by the waves. I'm fine though and learning. I'll get the hang of pulling out of these huge barrels over here.

We have just one more day to get ready for the kids. Pray for us all as we start the teaching process.