I meant to write an update over Christmas, but it just never happened. I was too busy processing everything that had happened in the last two months! So, here we are and it is almost February and I am finally getting some coherent thoughts in order.
I was able to go home for two weeks over Christmas break. It was an amazing blessing to be with my family as we had originally figured that I would stay in Belém for the holidays. I immensely enjoyed being with my family and getting to experience some cold weather for a little while. While I don't miss the prolonged cold, I do miss changes in the weather. The temperature never gets below 72 degrees and probably only has a 10-20 degree range. While home, I experienced weather in the 40s, as well as temperatures in the negatives. I must say that I kind of reveled in the freezing weather. Even though it was all a bit cold, the 60 degree difference was a welcome change.
Upon returning for second semester, we had to hit the ground running. Our apartment building had several different issues that caused some stress (and in some cases, still are). On top of that, I lost three students and gained four new ones. The four new students know little to no English, so it's interesting and both frustrating trying to communicate with them and them with me. Mostly, they are here for language acquisition as they have already finished grade three or four in a Brazilian school and do not need grades. They do, however, need language skills to be successful in the next grade at the beginning of AVA's new school year in August.
I now have eight third-graders and eight fourth-graders. We changed the schedule around a bit- thinking that the third-grade teacher would be here soon. Unfortunately, there have been more delays with her consulate, so we can't even put a guess on her arrival time any more. With the schedule change, I am juggling both math curriculums in a fifty-minute time slot. To say there's a bit of a time crunch is an understatement. Between my non-speakers and this new predicament, the first couple weeks of the semester were quite stressful. Although I still don't have it all figured out, I am sort of getting the hang of it and am feeling a little better about the situation.
I led chapel for the first time on Friday. I love how God always uses these moments to teach and speak to me just as much or more than those I am speaking to. January's chapel topic has been peace. During the lesson portion, I spoke to the elementary students about how Jesus calmed the storm and made the sky and sea be peaceful in Mark 4. Using a candle and a fan, I went on to explain that often there are storms in life that threaten to put our light out, but if we trust in Jesus (represented by plastic wrap in a cardboard frame), He will protect us and give us peace so that our light can continue to shine without even a flicker.
Life had been threatening to blow out my own light the week before I started preparing the lesson. God used it to remind me that I am never alone and that I only need to trust in Him to keep me safe from the storms of life. He gave me peace and it's my aim to better remember that lesson!
I can't believe it is already almost February. I imagine if the first two months of my adventure have gone this quickly, if I blink, I'll miss the next five completely! I better go find some toothpicks to hold my eyes open!
Blessings from Belém, Brazil, my friends!
