So I'm currently posting from the only internet source I know of in the town I'm staying at for my internship. My first few days here have been nothing like I expected, and they've been pretty challenging. My host family is very nice, but not exactly chatty. They take good care of me and show interest when I initiate interactions, but other than that I'm pretty much on my own. I've had a lot of time to myself which I've filled with reading and just hanging around.
The school I'm working at is understaffed to say the least. There are 3 teachers for 1st-6th grade, and while the school runs on a split schedule, there are often two grade levels in the same classroom at a time. I don't quite understand how the scheduling of classes here works, but I've been getting to school every morning at 7, and the latest I've stayed was 2:30. There are quite a few breaks throughout the day, and while some of the things I've been asked to do have made time seem to crawl, overall it feels like the school day flies by.
I've done a pretty wide variety of things so far at the school, some of them more enjoyable than others. For example, I've been given groups of students with whom I am supposed to lead open discussions on a number of occasions. Kids in 3rd and 4th grade aren't exactly the clearest speakers, and while my Spanish has improved, I'm far from fluent, so these conversations have been pretty challenging. Today I led two math lessons (in 5th and 6th grade) which went pretty well except that I had no warning and nothing prepared and my Spanish math vocabulary is incredibly limited. The teacher who was supposed to be in charge at that time apparently didn't have anything prepared either, but the students did really well, and working with the older students was much easier for me.
Some other things I've been asked to do include weighing the 4th grade class to update their files and whiting-out responses on a worksheet so that more copies could be made. I've also supervised a recess during which the custodian burned brush in the play yard and the ESL teacher took a nap on the slide in front of which a fight broke out. I crossed the playground and helped the student injured in the fight before the ESL teacher even blinked an eye.
The students at the school have been incredibly welcoming and sweet, and the frequent kisses on the cheek I get from them are really encouraging. The incredible scenery (we're often surrounded by clouds and the mountain forests are beautiful) and nice afternoon weather also brighten my day. I'm living at a pretty high altitude on the side of a volcano, and the mornings and evenings are incredibly cold (I've been wishing for my winter coat and mittens), but when the sun comes out it’s the perfect temperature.
I don't know when I'll be able to get back online to post again, but your prayers would be greatly appreciated as I work through these next couple of weeks. I'll be here until April 12, and I'm a little nervous about how far away that seems. I'm being reminded of how much I need God and how much He blesses me through this experience. The only way I can get through is by leaning on Him, and I know that He will be with me no matter what's going on around me. I also know that He has something here for me to learn, and I want to give this internship my all in order to honor Him and to serve Him in whatever way He wants to use what I'm doing.
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