En Las Cárceles

All of my classes begin with conversation and sharing time. I do this because if you can read and write in a second language, that's great. However... and I base this on my own personal experience, it's much more difficult to speak a language well than read it or write it. During my 1st year here, if I could have written down everything I needed to tell those around me, communication would have been a breeze. I'm certain that my students feel the same at times.

Anyway, I begin my days with 2nd grade English class and they always have plenty to say. Conversation topics are usually light-hearted. Something like "Teacher, I am happy because today is gym class." or "I am sad because the weather is cold." is the norm but occasionally we discuss more serious topics. So on Wednesday when one little girl raised her hand and told the whole class that she was sad her because grandfather had died I really wasn't that surprised. The kids are pretty open about what's going on in their lives. What did surprise me was when another little girl chimed in with "My uncle died." and then used a flurry of Spanglish to describe how it had happened in a huge fire that morning in Comayagua(a city about 45 minutes from Siguatepeque). That was how I found out about the prison fire that killed at least 382 inmates Wednesday morning.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17055231

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/Latin-America-Monitor/2012/0215/Honduras-prison-fire-kills-more-than-300-highlights-regional-problem-video

Basically what happened is that a fire started in the overcrowded prison sometime on Tuesday night and quickly spread. By the time the guards had found the keys to unlock the cells it was impossible to get everyone out. Everyone seems to know someone who was at the prison and there are several Destino students who had family members there. In addition, this morning a huge fire burned down part of a market in the capital. To sum it up, this has not been a great week for Honduras. House visits are coming up within the next couple of weeks so this will be the perfect opportunity to see exactly how many families have been affected and how we can support and encourage them.

David(2nd Grader) and I

Gaby (2nd grader)

Throwback Pic! Some of my 2nd graders goofing off when they were in kindergarten!

A picture from last year when they were in 1st grade.

This year's Christmas performance. 2nd grade

It was the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The Holidays in review...

In the middle of the fall semester...

Ana & Blanca 7th Grade

we received a surprise. After the well's pump broke(and a few days of no water in the school) classes were canceled for a week and a half.

Surprise!

So the English teachers went to language school during the unexpected vacation. Fortunately the well was fixed and we returned to Sigua in time for exams.

We learned to make tortillas!



After exams, everyone gave thanks. Thanks for water, food, and especially the school's new well pump! We had all gained a new appreciation for running water and indoor plumbing.

Happy Thanksgiving!


Enjoying recess. A team visiting in October repaired all the broken equipment on the playground.

Sixth Grade and Teacher Jenna impressed us all with their rendition of Our God by Chris Tomlin.

"Our God is greater. Our God is stronger. God you are higher than any other." Chris Tomlin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA5IDnpGhc&feature=artist

And before we knew it, Christmas came!

La Programa Navidena/The school's Christmas Program

Crafting with 3rd grade. Christmas party!

Thank you for all your continued support and prayers. I consider the fall 2011 semester a great success and look forward to all the surprises and adventures I'm sure 2012 will bring!

Angeles-2nd Grade

Over the Mountains and the Seas....

Here's the latest Sponsor update. I'm going to begin publishing the monthly updates on my blog so you guys can enjoy them too!

Destino's English Staff 2011-2012 From left: Sheena Rader, Jenna Murphy, Dani Copa, Amanda Bowen(Me!) and Amanda Bruin.

Dear Sponsors,
The 2011-2012 school year is well underway! During the fall semester, from elementary school to college, I felt like the time flew by. Now that I'm a teacher, it still feels like I've been in school for two weeks and then I check the calendar and realize that two months have already passed! So much has happened since my last update. Classes are well underway and all the students are advancing academically and spiritually. My roommates and I were able to attend a conference for Hondurasn missionaries here in Sigua a few weeks ago. Due to the school schedule I was only able to attend a few sessions but it was great, nevertheless. The keyn ote speaker was Jim Elliot's brother-in-law.

The Honduran schedule is divided into four parciales(kind of like midterms). We're just a few weeks away from the first round of exams at school. I'm very pleased with my student's progress. They're all so eager to practice their English and their enthusiasm keeps me motivated. I'm also very pleased with how my Spanish is improving and how many opportunities have opened up for me because of it. My responsibilities at school now include my 2nd, 3rd and 7th grade English classes, 7th grade music class, assisting in PE classes and presenting the country of the week during devotional.

I have a few prayer requests. The first, safety. My roommates and I were robbed a few weeks ago. We just lost a cellphone and a camera. The incident was over in a couple of minutes and we walked away unharmed, just nervous. Please pray that we will not be distracted from our task of ministering to the students. Also, the ministry is currently in need of one more person to come teach gym class and assistant in some of my English classes. So....if you are(or know somebody who is) willing to relocate to a foreign country, take on some challenges, and help out in my classes please let me know!

To end this update on a high note, I'll share some great news about one of my 2nd graders. Karina, a student from the children's home, was saved last week! During my first year working with the Destino ministry Karina was in my 1st grade class but due to her responsibilities at home she rarely attended. Last fall, Rhonda asked her parents if Karina could come live at the children's home during the week so she could continue her studies, she had quit school so she could work full-time. Fortunately, the parents agreed and it has been great to have her back and now to celebrate salvation!

It's hard to believe that in only two months I'll be back in the states for a Christmastime visit. I will be arriving on Saturday December the 17th and return to Honduras on January 2nd. Hopefully, I will be able to plan some visits to share what the Lord is doing here in Siguatepeque. If you are interested in having me come speak to your church, youth group, Sunday School class, etc. please contact me. Thank you all so much for your continued support.

Sami with his corona/crown. James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

I Am a Book Hoarder

In a previous post I shared about my love for the 2nd graders and teaching them to read. Their progress and enthusiasm excited me so much that I purchased a special bookshelf for next year's 2nd grade class and had my father assemble it during his visit. Then, during a trip to Half-Price Books I picked up about six or seven children's books for this new bookshelf. At only 50 cents per book how could I pass up such lightweight items? This type of purchase has been repeated at various yardsales, thrift stores, etc. during the summer. Now, two days before returning to Honduras I realize that I have 45 lbs of books! No exaggeration.

A Little Summer Update

August finds me sending fundraising letters, preparing for this weekend's fundraiser yardsale and of course spending as much time with friends and family as possible during my time in the states! My plane ticket was just purchased a few hours ago and I will be returning to Honduras on August 20th. We start the year with two weeks of orientation for the teachers and classes begin the first week of September. I haven't yet written about one of my neatest Honduran experiences....planning and hosting my family's first visit! Their first week was spent helping out at the ministry in whatever way possible. The majority of their time was spent helping me clean my classrooms and pack materials. Thirty of my kindergarten students graduated during this week and my parents were able to represent all the sponsor/padrinos from the states during the ceremony. We were also excited to attend the Destino del Reino School's first ever sixth grade graduation!


Wendy's and baleadas at the Honduran airport.






Celisa, meet Sophie! At the children's home.




Kindergarten Graduation




Ready to go!

Thanks Dad! A new bookshelf for the 2nd graders....

...and some new books for them to enjoy!

Are you ready for some fútbol?

It's time for Sigua's annual soccer tournament. Here's a picture of the young boys team(aka the Mosquitoes) after winning their first game!

Cafe y Bananos

Their generosity, just one of the many thing that make my students so wonderful. I could go on and on about this. However, what it boils down to, is that most of my students come from families that have so little yet their so willing to share whenever they can. They lift my spirits. The coffee was grown, harvested, roasted, ground, etc. by Dilver(1st Grade) and his family.