El principio de la Enseñanza

     The beginning of teaching English and Spanish classes has been so precious. So sweet. I have students who are all very eager to learn and be attentive in class. I've been so encouraged and motivated by their attitudes and wealth of knowledge that they already have. There have been a few things have made me happy and given me a bit of comfort for when I feel inadequate to do this. 

After my first time teaching!

    One of those things is hearing the feedback on the class and my teaching. At the end of every class, my students answer three questions to summarize their thoughts and reactions to the day's class. Many of my students have written down that they like that they have a teacher who explains the idea well and treats them well. It makes me happy to see that I am doing something right. I am glad that they seem to be enjoying the class. That's my desire for every class: that is would be a fun time of learning. 

    In my Basic English class, the main students are four women who are native Spanish speakers or nearly fluent Spanish speakers. Last week, we focused on personality traits. I had them finish class by writing a few sentences about themselves and a friend or family member. One of my students wrote down that she is "respectful, generous, and a lover of God." I was impressed that she used the words we had discussed well, but especially that she was open about her faith. I hope to meet with her individually to hear more about it. 

    In total, as of today, I have 14 students. It doesn't seem like very many, but considering that I had 4 more students than this week in my level 2 Spanish class that I did the first week, it is pretty exciting! I am looking forward to what God has planned for me and these students in my classes. I am praying every day for wisdom and patience to teach well and in a Christ-like way. I hope that they know that they are loved through our interactions and conversations. 

"See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43:19 

    I think of this verse because I can see through these first couple of weeks teaching that God is doing something new. Something good and beautiful. And I am trusting in him because he is faithful! 

~Kthnxbai!

Oración Poderosa

    I usually sit here in front of my laptop for a while every week trying to figure out what to write for my blog. Sometimes there are too many things I could write about. Other times I can't think of a single idea. This time, I had many ideas, but the topic of prayer came to me so fast and strong. God has impressed upon me that he wants me to write about what I've learned about prayer in the past week.    

    It all started on Monday, a day after Josiah and I arrived in Torremolinos. The many times of prayer we've had with this team. The team gathers for prayer and worship every Monday and Thursday. I was overwhelmed throughout the first session of the week by the fervent and passionate prayers of the people. 

    Second session. Even more passionate prayers. Prayers for the people affected by the earthquake in Morrocco. Prayers for our friends who have been affected. Prayers for our friends who have been serving those in that area. Prayers for our friend who is moving to France for school. Prayers for the language classes that were to start soon at the Center. 

    So, by the time we have finished our prayer time and transitioned to a going away party for our friend/ birthday party for me, I had moved on mentally from prayer and started to prepare myself for lots of conversations and other party-related fun things. I went down the stairs to the party and stood with some of my new friends, unsure what to do as people set food out and prepared everything. Seemingly out of nowhere, one of the staff members on the team walked out of the kitchen with a chocolate cake with my name on it (literally). Candles were lit on the top as everyone around me started to sing. I felt so surprised and overwhelmed with emotion that I began to cry. Once they sang in English and then in Spanish, the sweet friend who brought the cake out said that the tradition at the center is to pray over the... She asked if I would be okay with being prayed over. So, I said, "Yes!" probably too enthusiastically. While two volunteers prayed, I couldn't stop the tears from coming, so I just let them fall down my face... wow... this team barely even knows me and they want to pray over me! How overwhelmingly sweet! 

    

    The weekend went by, which was filled with more adventures and meeting more kind and warm people. On Monday, we had another prayer session, which was to be Josiah's last session. It was so sweet that we gathered around Josiah and prayed for him as he heads back to the United States and readjusts to the semester at UA. We also prayed for the discipleship school that is to start in a week. During this session, I was amazed by my friend's great faith. We prayed for this school with assurance that God would surely come through. With joy and peace that he would work all things together for the good of those who love him, as stated in Romans 8:28. Even the things that were not very clear were prayed for in a way that took away any doubt of our powerful God. Words were spoken from what they had seen, not with their human eyes, but their spiritual eyes. Their spiritual eyes are enabled by their faith in the Lord, in whom they trust with their whole heart. As we were praying, I silently prayed, "I want that kind of faith." It's an unstoppable and relentless faith. Faith that won't give up, knowing that God won't let us down. 

    During our coffee break, I got to talk with a friend, who has been so kind to host Josiah well in his home with his family. I asked him what he enjoys most about leading the discipleship training school. He told me that he loves to teach and model prayer. I thought that was really neat... And it just seems to drive this theme home. 

    

~Kthnxbai!

    

Five Years Later

    Five years ago, I lived in Toledo, Spain for three months. Five days ago, I arrived in Torremolinos, Spain, to teach English and Spanish classes. It has certainly been a crazy time getting settled and meeting new people. I'm still adjusting, planning, and settling in, so I'm going to keep this one a shorter post. But, I promise that I'll give more details of the first week. I have already seen God's goodness in many ways this week, so there are some good things to share very soon. For now, here are some pictures from Saturday and Sunday.

My sweet mama and nana took me to the airport. : ) I'm going to miss them. 

The first plane ride together! 

And we survived the 7 hour flight to Amsterdam! Despite barely getting any sleep... 

The Amsterdam airport has a library! So cool! 

Most of the books are in Dutch. There was a cool interactive station where you can learn a little bit of Dutch. A storybook was translated into multiple languages!

City lights out the window. 

A pretty sunset at the airport! 

We had tapas with our friends in Mijas, a town close to Torremolinos. I think the Bacalao (cod) a la Portuguesa and the meatballs were my favorite!

The view of the mountain in Mijas from where we parked.

There you have it! Pictures from the very beginning of this new adventure. I am very excited to see what God has planned for me, my students, and this team, especially since I've already been amazed me him this far. I hope you can stay updated here to found out more! 

~Kthnxbai!