Teacher, Teeeecher, TEACHER!

"Teacher, Mr. Noisy* is speaking in Chuukese!"
"Teacher, I don't understand."
"Teacher, is that a period?" (No, that's another piece of paint missing from the chalkboard."
"Teacher, I don't understand."
"Teacher, Mr. Energy* is eating a lolipop!"
"Teacher, I don't understand!"
"Teacher, what's next?"
"Teacher, I don't understand."
"Teacher, when is lunch?"
Teeeacher, I don't understaaand!"

*These names are fictional, however do hold an element of truth.

And so my day goes in a classroom filled with 18 third graders, some of whom know little English, and one who seems to know only two words in English. The trend so far has been for me to teach and explain an activity from the front of the classroom, only to explain it at least once face to face with every child, and with some children, at least 5.

I have been shown how God gives strength day by day, as this first week of school has been difficult as I try to find new ways teach my diverse group of students in ways that they will all understand. I have been feeling my complete need to rely on God to show me how to teach, because I realize more and more my inexperience and inability every day in the classroom. After the first two days I was wondering if my students were going to end this year having learned anything, and if I would go home with the same major. It is only Thursday, and I cannot say yet that I feel confident about this year, but I know that God has sent me here, and I am learning to rely more and more on Him.

God has been showing me blessings tucked inside would-be discouragements. My student who knows little to no English is quiet and tries to obey, and his smile can take away a frown. My student who's paper is often blank when I walk by after students have been working on an assignment for ten minutes came and asked me to help him instead of sitting doing nothing. And when I forgot to bring my lunch, I was not without food for long.

I thank all of you who I know are praying for me, because I certainly need and appreciate it.

Welcome to Class

Written Monday:

I stand in the doorway of my new classroom, taking in the chalkboard on the front wall, the 20 desks in their neat rows, the brown painted floor with bare patches and chunks missing, my large steel desk which began its life at a military base, and the bare shelves waiting for their varied assortment of books that appear to have outgrown their stay in American classrooms and have now been donated here.  I have met one of my third graders who took my hand when I offered to show her where her new classroom was, and who called out with a smile “goodbye teacher!” when she left.  I have met two parents of my students who welcomed me, and pledged their support to uphold at home what I give their students at school.  It feels surreal.  I am no longer in a class; this is MY class.  I am no longer a student; I am the teacher.

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In other news, I would like to report that the shoe chewing rat has been released from his duties in this life, and will be doing no more damage.  I caught him on a sticky mat, and found that when I actually saw him, my feelings toward him changed.  He was still a nuisance, but as I looked at his scared, furry little form stuck to the cardboard, I felt sorry for him.  It wasn't his fault he chewed on everything - if he didn't his teeth would grow into his head.  Nevertheless, I was glad to have a quiet night without worrying that next he would venture into my suitcase.

I'm now staying in one of the highschool classrooms with 7 other female teachers from the Philippines.  It has air conditioning (when the power is on, which is much of the time), and has been working out, although it is a bit of a challenge to cook right now since we just have an electric two burner appliance.  The building with the girl's apartment has no lower level right as it is being completely reconstructed because everything was caving in.  When it's finished they'll start working on the upstairs.  So we'll be staying here until sometime in October most likely.  The other teachers are all in their 20s, and are a very friendly group.  I was happy to find that while I'm the only American female, I'm not the only girl here!  I have been getting to know all of them more, and forming friendships with them.

School began on Friday with a half day, and begins full swing tomorrow.  Keep me in your prayers, because I really need God's wisdom as I realize more and more that I'm not prepared in my own strength to do this!

Chuuk

I've made it safely to Chuuk, where the trees spread their green in broad expanses, the roads have holes you could almost swim in, and the people smile and wave as you pass.  I am here with two other student missionaries, guys who I met 3 days ago during training in Hawaii.  I believe that we will be a good group.  The rest of the teaching staff is from the Philippines.  We received what was probably the warmest welcome I have ever received in my life which included pictures, flowers, and singing.  I am currently staying in a small apartment by myself on the campus as renovations to the girls apartment are being done.  I think I will be moving there later.  I was surprised to find it has an air conditioner in the bed room, and power more often than expected.  They thought they had rat proofed the room, but.....I now have holes in a pair of my shoes. :P

More to come, hopefully about the extinction of a shoe eating rat.

I'll attach the address for the school for anyone interested.

c/o Chuuk SDA School
P.O. Box 208, Weno, Chuuk, FSM 96942