Finally Some More PICS

Here are some pics of my classroom.

It is actually a big room compaired to some of the others. I only have 20 students. Some classes have more students and a room half the size of mine. The only problem I have with this room is the windows there on the left side. They line that whole wall and right outside is the hallway. During the afternoon I fight with noise from the courtyard and whatever else is going on. It is a very noisy room. I try to shush the noise outside thinking it will help. Note to self...it doesn't!!!

Here are some random pics of other things:

A shot from a country club we went to.

Houses upon houses

Funny Story

Okay, so I just have to share this...

we were on our way back from the grocery store. We were stopped at a light, lots of traffic, people, and police traficing the signal. Well, as we were waiting to go we saw this kid messing with a lock on a bike chained to a tree. My room mate was like, "hey, I think that kid is trying to steal that bike!!!" So we watched him get the bike loose from the tree and start to take off with it. This was too small for the bike and had touble getting onto it. We could not believe what we were seeing...all those people around, in brod daylight, with police just around the corner in eye sight and the kid was stealing the bike. One of the guys, Zack, stuck his head out the window of the car and asked the kid if he was stealing the bike. To which the kid made faces at him. Zack told the kid to cool down and asked him if it was his bike. The kid said that the bike was an old man's who sells stuff around there. Then we watched as the kid rode off down the street. I know it is not right, but it was hilarious. Poor old man, but we were cracking up just watching this little kid steal a bike and we couldn't do anything about it (and neither did anyone else). Made our day (amongst other things).

One Month

Well, it has been one month since I have arrived in Honduras. At times it feels as though I have been here for a long time, at other times it feels like a very short time. It has been a time of excitement, frustration, awe, and learning all wrapped into one package. Excitement for the new things I am seeing and culture that I am expeirencing. Frustration at the barrier of communication in my classroom and the effort it takes to understand what is expected of me. Awe at the things God is showing me.

I can't quite say that I love it here. I do like it, but not love it. That will come in time.

School has been quite a struggle. There are many things the administration expects us as teachers to do and provide, and it has been hard to get these things figured out. Some of it was explained to us, but because of translation, it can be hard to understand. Other things were not explained, so it feels as though I have been going through these past weeks by the scruff of my neck to get things done and figured out. I finally feel as though I am beginning to get those things smothed out. Then there is my class. I have 20 students - 11 girls and 9 boys. The first week was really difficult for me. I can not speak a lick of spanish, so when these kids are not understanding what I am saying or want to know how to say something in English, I can not help them a single bit. I keep hearing how this is a good thing because the students will learn English better, but it doesn't make this time any easier. Slowly things are getting a little better, but there is still that barrier. For the most part I feel that most of the kids can comprehend what I am saying. Although, there are a couple that I am not sure about. The first week, it was hard to get a response out of the students, they would just sit there and stare at you. Now, it is a little easier to get their participation, but there are still moments when you may be able to hear a cricket chirp.

I am trying to figure out the best way to get the material I am teaching across to them. Some of it is not relivant to their world, so I have to tweek it a little. With other subjects it is hard to change to their understanding. I am praying that this part will also get better as the weeks go on.

I am still having a hard time in the Church services at CEAD. There are times when I am able to participate in what is going on, but for the most part I am just an observer. I thank God that there is an English service at a different church that I go to. I don't know what I would have done without this connection. It has been great to have this outlet and time to be able to join in corprate worship.

Well, that is all for now. I will try to post something more regularly and tell more about the people.