It's embarrassing. Nearly 7 months here, and it's just now that Jace and I are taking our classes to get certified for scuba diving. I'm not really sure how it happened, because I'd planned to learn to dive here, knowing that it's reported to be one of the best places in the world for diving, particularly wreck diving. But it got put off in our first few months here as we were adjusting to everything new, then put off because the instructor was being replaced, put off because my family would be here at Christmas, put off because........
Well, enough of the reasons it's been put off. The important thing is that we're doing it now, and will have time for some amazing dives before coming home.
Plus, it's a good way to get off campus. It's hard to describe how stifling this place can get.
Perhaps more stories later about the joys of seeing wrecks, colorful fish, stinging myself on nasty ocean plants (which leave itchy rashes which are the height of delight), filling my mask with water on purpose, and nearly knocking Jace's regulator out of his mouth. (Those videos where they show you clumsy divers meant to impress upon you the importance of knowing how to get your regulator back are based on people like...me.)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Explaining
"Teacher, what's an urchin?"
"Teacher, why are you sweating?"
"Teacher, what are those spots on your face?"
"Teacher, are you rich?"
"Teacher, why are you sweating?"
"Teacher, what are those spots on your face?"
"Teacher, are you rich?"
Friday, February 18, 2011
Pinkie Promise
Never before did I realize the power of a pinkie promise.
"Tpherson, I really really need to you to focus in class. You need to stop leaving your desk and do what I've asked you to do. Can you do that for me please?"
It's a speech I've made multiple times. I held little hope that it will be any more effective than it was the other times I gave it.
"Ok teacher, I'll do better. Can we pinkie promise so that I'll do better this afternoon?"
"Sure."
Our pinkies locked in agreement, and we headed back inside. That afternoon saw a not perfect but fairly diligent note copier who only left his desk a few times.
"Hey teacher, can we pinkie promise again before I leave so that I can do good again tomorrow?"
"That sounds wonderful! Let's do that!"
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Where did this student who does his work come from? Each time he got distracted it just took my pinkies locked in the air waved meaningfully in his direction to elicit an "oh yeah!" as he headed back to his work.
Maybe it won't last until the end of the year. But I'll be holding on to pinkie promises for as long as I can.
"Tpherson, I really really need to you to focus in class. You need to stop leaving your desk and do what I've asked you to do. Can you do that for me please?"
It's a speech I've made multiple times. I held little hope that it will be any more effective than it was the other times I gave it.
"Ok teacher, I'll do better. Can we pinkie promise so that I'll do better this afternoon?"
"Sure."
Our pinkies locked in agreement, and we headed back inside. That afternoon saw a not perfect but fairly diligent note copier who only left his desk a few times.
"Hey teacher, can we pinkie promise again before I leave so that I can do good again tomorrow?"
"That sounds wonderful! Let's do that!"
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Where did this student who does his work come from? Each time he got distracted it just took my pinkies locked in the air waved meaningfully in his direction to elicit an "oh yeah!" as he headed back to his work.
Maybe it won't last until the end of the year. But I'll be holding on to pinkie promises for as long as I can.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Changes
Sometimes I wonder. are these kids really learning anything? Is anything changing? Am I actually making any positive influence? It can sometimes be so hard to see, and discouraging when you can't. But yesterday I suddenly realized something:
I no longer have to separate fights nearly every day, sometimes multiple times a day.
I no longer have a student cry about some irritation or frustration every day of the week.
Complaints about someone stealing one of their items have decreased.
I don't know if anything can be accounted to me or not, but whether or not it can, change does happen. Sometimes it just takes a while for it to appear.
I no longer have to separate fights nearly every day, sometimes multiple times a day.
I no longer have a student cry about some irritation or frustration every day of the week.
Complaints about someone stealing one of their items have decreased.
I don't know if anything can be accounted to me or not, but whether or not it can, change does happen. Sometimes it just takes a while for it to appear.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Planting, and other sundry things
I'm sorry. I really didn't intend for more than a month to pass without me updating my blog. But as we all know, good intentions are never enough on their own. I'll attempt to summarize the main happenings of the last month.
Christmas:
Christmas was good because my parents and brother came to visit me! We spent time snorkeling, visited a couple of other islands,hiked, and saw a couple of noteworthy places on Chuuk. We also spent plenty of time inside playing games or watching movies when there wasn't much else to do. It was wonderful to see them again. It still didn't feel like Christmas, and I can safely say I think it's the only time I will eat mashed potatoes, bananas, and no-bake cheesecake for Christmas dinner. It made me look forward to Christmas next year. I'm glad the holidays are over because now my brain doesn't have to reconcile the thoughts that it was the Christmas season and I was hot and sweaty with no pine trees in sight.
New Years:
People in Chuuk stay up all night New Years Eve banging out beat and yelling happy new years and other things in Chuukese. They continue this for the next few days, but luckily it starts to taper off after new years day is over. We had our staff party Saturday night which was enjoyable, but on actual New Years Eve I went to bed early and was thankful for an air-conditioner and pouring rain to drown out the noisemakers outside!
Back to School:
School started back up on January 3, and the first day back I had only 8 students. It was heavenly, and I found myself wishing I always had that many students! It was quieter, and most of all I was actually able to help everyone who needed help! It reminded me that I really do enjoy teaching when I'm not constantly trying to keep everyone on task, or unable to help everyone who desperately needs it. This semester does seem better than the last so far, and for that I'm thankful. Last week was our Spirit Week and the students enjoyed the chance to dress up each day. I gave them the tie-dyed t-shirts my mom made for them for their rainbow day, and third grade was ( in my opinion) the cutest class on campus! Friday was Community Service day and we picked up trash alongside the road. It went fairly well, although I did wonder how much of what we were doing was sinking into the student's heads when after filling our last trash bag one of them threw his candy wrapper on the ground. I guess we can't always see the results of our efforts right away!
I sometimes think of my time here compared with the month I spent in the Philippines, and how it is in the planting sense. In the Philippines I was more of a reaper, sweeping in doing fast work gathering in the harvest. Here I'm planting the seeds, and only seeing some of the results of what I do. It's like there is row after row after row to be planted, everyday. Walking along in the blazing sun or the pouring rain (like the mailman!), always planting those seeds. They're both important.... But I realize more and more what a different experience it is to be a planter rather than a reaper.
Christmas:
Christmas was good because my parents and brother came to visit me! We spent time snorkeling, visited a couple of other islands,hiked, and saw a couple of noteworthy places on Chuuk. We also spent plenty of time inside playing games or watching movies when there wasn't much else to do. It was wonderful to see them again. It still didn't feel like Christmas, and I can safely say I think it's the only time I will eat mashed potatoes, bananas, and no-bake cheesecake for Christmas dinner. It made me look forward to Christmas next year. I'm glad the holidays are over because now my brain doesn't have to reconcile the thoughts that it was the Christmas season and I was hot and sweaty with no pine trees in sight.
New Years:
People in Chuuk stay up all night New Years Eve banging out beat and yelling happy new years and other things in Chuukese. They continue this for the next few days, but luckily it starts to taper off after new years day is over. We had our staff party Saturday night which was enjoyable, but on actual New Years Eve I went to bed early and was thankful for an air-conditioner and pouring rain to drown out the noisemakers outside!
Back to School:
School started back up on January 3, and the first day back I had only 8 students. It was heavenly, and I found myself wishing I always had that many students! It was quieter, and most of all I was actually able to help everyone who needed help! It reminded me that I really do enjoy teaching when I'm not constantly trying to keep everyone on task, or unable to help everyone who desperately needs it. This semester does seem better than the last so far, and for that I'm thankful. Last week was our Spirit Week and the students enjoyed the chance to dress up each day. I gave them the tie-dyed t-shirts my mom made for them for their rainbow day, and third grade was ( in my opinion) the cutest class on campus! Friday was Community Service day and we picked up trash alongside the road. It went fairly well, although I did wonder how much of what we were doing was sinking into the student's heads when after filling our last trash bag one of them threw his candy wrapper on the ground. I guess we can't always see the results of our efforts right away!
I sometimes think of my time here compared with the month I spent in the Philippines, and how it is in the planting sense. In the Philippines I was more of a reaper, sweeping in doing fast work gathering in the harvest. Here I'm planting the seeds, and only seeing some of the results of what I do. It's like there is row after row after row to be planted, everyday. Walking along in the blazing sun or the pouring rain (like the mailman!), always planting those seeds. They're both important.... But I realize more and more what a different experience it is to be a planter rather than a reaper.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Island BFFs
10 Reasons why I like Aynee and Jace:
1. They are practical. They think of ways to get things accomplished, and don't want to spend time on unnecessary things. They think of tangible ways to show God's love.
2. They are helpful. Whether it's washing the dishes for everyone, helping move furniture, decorating when it's not their responsibility, adding some of your clothes to their laundry, or helping you carry something, when they see a need they're there to assist.
3. They're thoughtful. Example:
We're at a church meeting, and the pastors wife has brought some food. At the urging of the pastor I take a serving of something I've been told is a banana dish, and return to my seat next to Aynee to eat it. I don't know what it is, but it is not banana, and I find my tongue recoiling at the taste. Aynee smiles, quietly asks "Need some help?" and goes to get a fork.
4. They make me laugh. Watching Jace do "song interpretation" during vespers when his voice was gone, making jokes about english words pronounced in unintentional ways, and making jokes about cultural differences are only some of the things that keep me smiling.
5. We get each other's sense of humor. Sample conversation between Jace and I:
J: Aynee! Come!
H: "Good grief, could you be any more DEMANDING?"
J: "Hannah, be quiet. I did not invite you to be part of this conversation."
H: "I will speak whenever I feel like it, thank you very much."
J: "Hannah. Shush"
H: "Aynee, you see how domineering and rude he is to me? I think we should throw him out."
A: "Jace, stop being rude."
J:"I'm not being rude, she's not allowed to join a conversation unless I say so. Now come."
H: "Jace, calm down, she's coming. Have a little patience for once in your life."
J: levels what is supposed to be an intimidating stare at me
"Did I invite you to join this conversation? No. Aynee!"
And thus it will continue until there will likely be a sudden switch in our conversation, and we'll move on to talking about what to do together that evening, or what we're going to cook for supper.
The truth is that if Jace and I started being polite to one another it would be an indicator that something was seriously wrong with our relationship and that we were most likely mad at one another.
6. They love Jesus. I can see it through their words and actions, and the sacrifices they're willing to make for the God they serve.
7. They like to play. Whether it's games, swimming, or running around in the rain, they like to be involved, and bring people together to start activities.
8. They're good for a serious conversation.
9. They don't take life too seriously, and can keep a sense of humor in a tough situation.
10. They're up for spontaneous activities. And for dealing with the consequences if the spontaneity was a little too rash. :P
Love and Sacrifice
“God… I’m really tired this morning. I just don’t feel like I have the energy to get through another day with my students.”
No, you don’t. That’s why I’m here, remember?
Daily strength. Hourly strength. Minute by minute strength. That’s what He provides. No, I don’t feel strong enough to keep going for another 5 ½ months. But I don’t need to, because God has shown His provision through each moment of each day as needed. It humbles me to realize how rarely I rely on Him when I need Him. How often I let my frustration take control of me, or forget to ask for guidance when I’m not sure what to say or do. But as I let him take control, I find myself learning how big His strength is, and learning new lessons.
----
Of the four love languages, one of my greatest is physical touch. It’s been a joy to me as my students have grown closer to me through the months, and many freely share their hugs, hold my hands as we walk, and compete to be the one to sit on my lap in chapel. One of my students is especially needy when it comes this area, and usually I am happy to return her hugs, wrap my arm around her as well, and let her clamor into my lap. This week however, everyone seemed determined to push me off the edge of my patience. It seemed every moment I turned I was met with someone needing help, asking a question, or complaining. Again. This was not so unusual, but for some reason this week it was frequently accompanied by someone’s small hands. Then came Thursday, the last day before the Christmas program.
“Teacher!” My arm is vigorously shaken. “Teacher, when are we going over to the church?”
I take a deep breath. “Remember that I’ve asked you lots of times not to grab and shake my arm because I don’t like it?
“Oh yeah. Sorry. So when are we going to the church?”
---
“Teeeeeeeeacher, my stomach hurts!” A small body plasters itself against me, hanging from me and almost knocking me over.
“I’m sorry it hurts. Have you been drinking water?”
“Yes, teacher, I’ve drunk lots of water like you always tell me to, but it still huuuurts.”
“Ok, you can call your mom if it’s really bad, or you can just sit there at your desk and rest.”
2 minutes later.
“Teeeeacher, my stomach is hurting!” The small body once again grabs my arms and hangs from them.
“Did you call your mom?” “Yes, but she doesn’t have a car to come get me. But teacher, it hurts!”
And so it went every five minutes for the rest of the day until lunch which apparently cured my student’s malady. This was accompanied by students randomly coming and grabbing me in sudden balance-unsettling hugs on their way to the bathroom, or to sharpen their pencils, and more arm grabbing and shaking when someone needed help or a question answered.
Then it was time to go to the church for Christmas program practice. Then came my little clinger, wrapping her arm around my waist. “Teacher, I’m going to walk over with you.” We walked over to the church, bodies pressed close together. We made our way down the aisle, and over to our designated pew, where she immediately transferred from my side to lap, and proceeded to sit there for the next two hours as the room became warmer and warmer. “Teacher, I’m hot.” “Well, you know,” I replied in a hopeful tone, “if you sat on the pew right next to me you wouldn’t be so hot, because our bodies make extra heat when you’re on my lap.” She vigorously shook her head no, and snuggled even closer against me. And so we stayed that way the end of the practice, with a bit of relief when it was the elementary students turn to present up front.
It was hot. It was long. And I didn’t want her sitting on my lap making me hotter, slowly limiting the circulation to my legs. Especially after being shaken and hung on all morning, and really all week long.
I was tired of being touched.
But it was what she needed, and wasn’t I there to meet my students needs? Wasn’t I there to share love in the ways that my students needed it? My student missionary service wasn’t just about sacrificing things that I miss at home, about adjusting to a different life, about teaching my students about math, English, or even about God. It was also about this. Holding a child on my lap when what they needed most was to feel the touch of someone who cared about them.
And it was this that God brought to mind as we finished the program and I surrendered my will again as we walked out of the church, bodies so close we looked almost like one being.
No, you don’t. That’s why I’m here, remember?
Daily strength. Hourly strength. Minute by minute strength. That’s what He provides. No, I don’t feel strong enough to keep going for another 5 ½ months. But I don’t need to, because God has shown His provision through each moment of each day as needed. It humbles me to realize how rarely I rely on Him when I need Him. How often I let my frustration take control of me, or forget to ask for guidance when I’m not sure what to say or do. But as I let him take control, I find myself learning how big His strength is, and learning new lessons.
----
Of the four love languages, one of my greatest is physical touch. It’s been a joy to me as my students have grown closer to me through the months, and many freely share their hugs, hold my hands as we walk, and compete to be the one to sit on my lap in chapel. One of my students is especially needy when it comes this area, and usually I am happy to return her hugs, wrap my arm around her as well, and let her clamor into my lap. This week however, everyone seemed determined to push me off the edge of my patience. It seemed every moment I turned I was met with someone needing help, asking a question, or complaining. Again. This was not so unusual, but for some reason this week it was frequently accompanied by someone’s small hands. Then came Thursday, the last day before the Christmas program.
“Teacher!” My arm is vigorously shaken. “Teacher, when are we going over to the church?”
I take a deep breath. “Remember that I’ve asked you lots of times not to grab and shake my arm because I don’t like it?
“Oh yeah. Sorry. So when are we going to the church?”
---
“Teeeeeeeeacher, my stomach hurts!” A small body plasters itself against me, hanging from me and almost knocking me over.
“I’m sorry it hurts. Have you been drinking water?”
“Yes, teacher, I’ve drunk lots of water like you always tell me to, but it still huuuurts.”
“Ok, you can call your mom if it’s really bad, or you can just sit there at your desk and rest.”
2 minutes later.
“Teeeeacher, my stomach is hurting!” The small body once again grabs my arms and hangs from them.
“Did you call your mom?” “Yes, but she doesn’t have a car to come get me. But teacher, it hurts!”
And so it went every five minutes for the rest of the day until lunch which apparently cured my student’s malady. This was accompanied by students randomly coming and grabbing me in sudden balance-unsettling hugs on their way to the bathroom, or to sharpen their pencils, and more arm grabbing and shaking when someone needed help or a question answered.
Then it was time to go to the church for Christmas program practice. Then came my little clinger, wrapping her arm around my waist. “Teacher, I’m going to walk over with you.” We walked over to the church, bodies pressed close together. We made our way down the aisle, and over to our designated pew, where she immediately transferred from my side to lap, and proceeded to sit there for the next two hours as the room became warmer and warmer. “Teacher, I’m hot.” “Well, you know,” I replied in a hopeful tone, “if you sat on the pew right next to me you wouldn’t be so hot, because our bodies make extra heat when you’re on my lap.” She vigorously shook her head no, and snuggled even closer against me. And so we stayed that way the end of the practice, with a bit of relief when it was the elementary students turn to present up front.
It was hot. It was long. And I didn’t want her sitting on my lap making me hotter, slowly limiting the circulation to my legs. Especially after being shaken and hung on all morning, and really all week long.
I was tired of being touched.
But it was what she needed, and wasn’t I there to meet my students needs? Wasn’t I there to share love in the ways that my students needed it? My student missionary service wasn’t just about sacrificing things that I miss at home, about adjusting to a different life, about teaching my students about math, English, or even about God. It was also about this. Holding a child on my lap when what they needed most was to feel the touch of someone who cared about them.
And it was this that God brought to mind as we finished the program and I surrendered my will again as we walked out of the church, bodies so close we looked almost like one being.
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