Past, Present, and
Future
Hello from Pennsylvania! In case you
haven’t heard the exciting news, I have been accepted with One Mission Society
to continue serving in Haiti, this time, as a first-grade teacher at Cowman
International School! I am so thankful for God’s faithfulness in His call for
my life as His plans continue to amaze me as they unfold.
I’ve been in Bensalem for about a
month now and this “in between” feeling is new to me. I’ll elaborate a little
bit on how I feel like I’m stuck between the Past, Present, and Future.
Past
Okay,
so when I say “past” I really don’t mean that far into my history, just the
past year. I just finished my first year of teaching, my first year living away
from home, and my first year living in a foreign culture. As challenging as it
could be at times, I loved it. I loved my housemates, I loved my community, and
I loved my class. My thoughts have been stuck on Susie’s return to Canada and
Erin’s move and on nights of Hawaii 5-0. My thoughts have especially been,
though, on my fourth graders. Those 10 kids became like my own children and
6/10 of them shed tears at the end of the year because I wouldn’t be their 5th
grade teacher. (I’m talking sobs from 4/10 of them!) I wonder if they are
having fun this summer, if they are eating enough, and if they are talking
through the tough stuff. I wonder if they are practicing their multiplication
(probably not) and if they are reading at all (I hope so!). I wonder if they
are thinking of me too and if I really made an impact on them last year.
Present
My favorite part of being in my stateside home is
being with my family. I have to remind myself that my time with them is short
and to not focus on the past or future too much. I’m enjoying watching my
sister play basketball and quoting movies with my brother. I’m enjoying going
to thrift stores with my mom and talking about animals with my dad. I’m
enjoying eating ice cream (and lots of it!) and chocolate and my dad's cooking.
The most humbling part of being here is
fundraising. I am completely reliant on people’s faith promises and special
gifts to continuing living and ministering in Haiti. Telling stories of what
God is doing there and showing pictures of my kiddos is exciting, but seeing
people’s response is so humbling as they sacrifice to partner with me. I hate
asking for money, but seeing people give so generously and freely leaves me in
awe.
Future
Lord
willing, after I’m finished fundraising, I will return to Haiti at the end of
August to start my 2nd year of teaching! My mind also wanders to
this and I’ve even found myself having dreams about the first day of first
grade. I’m so excited to move down and work with younger kids, but I’m also
nervous. I’m wondering how I’ll memorize 27 names so quickly. I’m wondering if
I’ll be a good partner with my co-teacher and assistant. I’m wondering how I’ll
introduce writing workshop and what books the kids will like best at
read-aloud. I’m wondering if I can build a strong bond with them all and make
an impact on them. I’m wondering if it’s possible for a classroom to have too
many elephants. There will be so many firsts in this first year of first grade!
I’m sure it will be a blast and I can’t wait to tell you stories as it
progresses!
For now,
though, I’ll leave the past as it is and pray for my fourth, now fifth, graders. I’ll
live in the present and enjoy time with my family, friends, and church. And I’ll
continue to look forward to what God has planned in the future.
