Thank the Lord!
Day one was stretching, challenging, tears enduring, and exhilarating all at once. So we were grateful for everyone to walk into a much more comfortable situation today.
Here are a couple pictures of our classes.
Mariah and Bailey are teaching third graders english via song, games and creating musical instruments!
Olivia and Maddie are doing an incredible job with the 2nd graders, teaching them English with animals.
Coby and Christina are teaching 7th graders about American Football and Cheerleading by making footballs and pompoms.
How'd you like for this to be your view from school?! I wouldn't want to leave class!
Malcolm and Henry became our "Profeseros de Ciencias" (Science Teachers) today and lead students through the brainstorm-prototype-test-evaluate-repeat cycle of design by building the tallest marshmallow and straw tower. Here are the 9th grade boys with their creation.
Each day we have lunch in a room on the roof. It's a welcome respite from the sometime chaotic classroom and the constant "teacher teacher, please help!" Today we had the opportunity to hear the story of "Teach Dani", an American woman from Alaska who after graduating came to Ecuador to teach. She is now finishing her first year. We were inspired to see someone make such a bold decision to follow the call to be a on mission.
In the afternoons we play outside with the students. Several of the team took part in a soccer game, and wow, was it humbling! If it wasn't the altitude, or their crazy skills, getting to us, it was the dust kicked up at every step. Again, check out the view!
"The Legend of Perrito"
During rec time Olivia and Mariah made friends with a local they named "Perrito". Ecuador is overrun with strays, which means lots of "awwwwww" moments from our compassionate dog loving team members. We all learned something from this dog though.
After rec time it followed us back to the school and lingered near our van as we loaded. The girls said their goodbyes (after I made sure they knew we would NOT be taking him home!) and we drove off.
Well, little Perrito would not be deterred. In an amazing display he sprinted up the hill (the same ones that get us winded WALKING up them) for a good two minutes, staying along side our van. Suddenly, a pack of strays jumped out and assaulted him! The cries from our came started, "Come ON Perrito! Don't hurt him! Run run run!"
He fought through the strays and stayed with us until we left the neighborhood, watching as we pulled away.
Now, I'm no dog person but it did make me realize:
That may have been the best day of his life!
The dog just experienced love like never before!
No one pays attention to or appreciates or TOUCHES a stray!
I couldn't help but think of Jesus touching the Lepers and showing them...showing US a love we've never had before. I pray that we would run after that love just like Perrito. I pray we would share that love with ALL in our lives. If we can share with a dog, how much more with the students at Amor y Esperanza, with our friends and families, with the overlooked in our lives.
Lord we pray your grace to SHARE your grace!
Amor y Esperanza (Love and Hope) to you all,
~EMT 2015~
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