Two Down; One To Go!

Today marks two weeks since we began our journey. As we begin wrapping up the educational part of the trip, our lives and minds are filled with so much emotion. Although it's difficult to out into words, we'll do our best. 

Here's what Erin has to say about her day:

I taught my final lesson today. It definitely wasn't the greatest lesson I've ever taught. In fact, it may have been the worst yet. Some of it was my own fault in planning and preparation, but most of it was just plain misfortune. I've gained a lot about teaching diversely just from this one lesson, and although I won't go into the details of all my mess ups, I would like to share one funny, embarrassing story. 

Let me start off by saying that I've never been a fan of skirts. I'm definitely a dress pants girl. Unfortunately for me, in Belize the women have to wear skirts in school. Skirts, alas, were my downfall. I was teaching on facts and opinions. I started running out of room on the board so I had to crouch down to write an example of an opinion at the bottom. During the process, I had stepped on my skirt and when I went to stand up, I fell backwards. Even worse than falling in the middle of a lesson was having my skirt's buttons pop open as I was getting up. Luckily, I was wearing shorts underneath. I quickly turned away and buttoned it back up while the students continued writing notes. The best part, of course, was that today's lesson was supervised. Did I let humiliation keep me down? Nope. I didn't even cry. I just turned around and kept on teaching. 

All things considered, I've had a great day. It's always good to know that even the worst days can have a speck of laughter - in more ways than one. For example, most of the morning for those at Victorious was taken up by an amazing magic show done by an evangelist from Florida. Scott Humston did a great job incorporating humor and magic into the teachings of Jesus. He even made a different set so that the kids could enjoy watching another one of his shows with their families during Family Night at the local Nazarene church. I decided to go so that I could meet my students' parents. It was a win-win situation. I got to know my students more all the while getting to enjoy another great magic show. I even had the joy to see some of them lead to Christ. I'm glad that instead of dwelling on my day's misfortunes, I was able to end it rejoicing in what the Lord can do. 

Love, 
Erin 

I had the opportunity to share devotions this evening. While I strategically planned to do devotions the night before our last day in the classroom, I hadn't really come across anything that seemed significant - until I heard the following from our morning devotions with the teachers at Victorious:

If I could explain everything perfectly to my students, but did not love each one of them, I might as well be talking to an empty room. If I could find all the answers to educational problems and did not love, my efforts would be futile. If I could buy every kind of educational aid and sacrificed to do so, but did not have love for my students, it would be a complete waste.

Love is patient when it is necessary to repeat a concept over and over to a student who is having difficulty. Love is kind when an irate parent accuses and berates other teachers or me. Love is not jealous when the other teacher has an entire class of well-behaved and extremely intelligent children while mine are not so great.

Love is not proud or boastful when my students improve greatly and really want to come to my class. Love is willing to yield my schedule and plans to fit in with the needs of others. Love does not scream at my class when they misbehave, but seeks to help them understand the importance of self-discipline.

Love does not broadcast all of my students' problems and misdeeds to those in the lounge. Love keeps trying even when it seems a student will never understand long division or the difference between an adverb and an adjective.

Teaching methods, bulletin boards, textbooks, yes, even computers, will eventually be discarded, but love is everlasting. These three things I have learned through teaching: endurance, patience and love. And the greatest of these is love.

As teachers, this is our biggest goal. While there have been many barriers in the classroom, love is definitely not one of them. I encouraged each person in our group to find a way to share love with the kids in the classroom tomorrow despite the emotions. We are here in response to the calling of Christ, and Christ calls us to love. I know it is my hope that, above all else, my students remember the love I have for each and every one of them. 

I hope this brings some encouragement to you, too, as you journey through your daily life. Blessings!

On another note, we are excited to announce that we have reached over 3,000 views on our blog! We feel like our blog has been a way for us to collectively share our stories. We feel blessed that you can join in on a small part of our journey, and we want you to know that we appreciate YOU! Thanks for journeying alongside us, and thanks for praying for us! 

Tomorrow is going to be an emotional day as we say goodbye to the children who have stolen a smallpiece  if each of our hearts from day one. While we all are much richer from this experience, it feels like we are losing a significant part of ourselves. We thought God would use this opportunity in the classroom to bring about change, but I know I didn't think the change would be internal. 

Please, join in prayer with us tomorrow as we say goodbye. I've always been told, "Moving in is simple; it's what you leave behind that's hard." This experience is just one of those times.