The Long-Awaited Monday Post!

All of us were very anxious to get back into the schools to see the students and work with our cooperating teachers today. 

Jackie is going to tell us about her day at the high school:

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of my day is that Belizean high school students aren't that different from state side kids. Too cool for school, and all that jazz. Not that it stopped me from imparting giant parts of wisdom upon them my second day in. Eye of the tiger, ladies and gentlemen. Eye of the tiger. I taught two lessons to what would equate to a 11th grade class. There are 3 different languages represented in the class, which has given me what I can only describe as the most in depth and rich teaching experience that I have had yet in the field. For that I am extremely thankful, just as I know all of my counterparts feel the same way. On a personal note, I miss you Joe, Jeffery, and Madsion. Stay out of trouble ;) 

All my love,

Jackie

This evening's devotions were done by Tori and McKenzie. Here's what they had to say:

Since being in Belize, we have learned a lot about people. Not only are we learning about the Belizeans  and the similarities and differences that exist between us, but we are also learning about each other. We recongnized that when we came here we had expectations of what it would be like to be in a foreign country and live with 19 other people. These expectations often projected themselves as preconceived stereotypes.

Tori and I both shared our personal expectations of being "gringos" in a culture that we knew little about. We then opened it up for everyone else to share the expectations we each had in coming here and see if they had been proven true. 

The answers blew me away. In the six days we have been here, our expectations and stereotypes had been challenged and ultimately changed. Some of us expected primitive conditions of chalkboards and limited materials in our classroom, but we have been pleasantly surprised by the whiteboards and resources available. Some of us expected the students to speak more English in the classrooms, but we have valued the opportunity to review our multiple years of high school language education...as well as the giggles when we try to speak Spanish with an obvious accent. Some of us expected to be treated as superior or inferior educators, but have been welcomed into the classroom as equals. 

Some of us expected the showers to be colder...actually, no...those are living up to expectations. As well as the bug population. We recently vacated our second turanchula from the girls dorm. Living the life.

We then shared Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may know God's will, His pleasing and perfect will."

This verse took on a new meaning as we had experienced a "renewal" of our perspective. It was a great reminder that we should not project our stereotypes on others, but rather, we should see others as God intended.

We then posed the question: what stereotypes have you lived under and what is something that we may not know about you? I know that I have personally been blessed by the vulnerability, encouragement, and love that our little family has developed in such a short time. We laughed and cried and spent time in prayer. 

Much love,

McKenzie and Tori

We are gearing up for a big day tomorrow as many of us will be teaching our first lessons in our perspective classrooms. Definitely say an extra prayer for us as we begin adapting and teaching in a culture so very different and so very similar to our own.