contentment

Hello all...
it is with regret that I must inform everyone that this may be my last blog for about a week. The internet at the Tellez home is not working so I am at a cyber cafe (and paying 12 cordoba for one hour... which is about 75 cents haha). So youll have to savor this one because it will have to last you an entire week!

The last couple days Ive spent at the Project have been even better!!! Thursday morning Charlotte took me on the bus route so I could learn how to do it in the morning. And then we walked to the Project because of all of the rain. I am assured that my bike will be fixed for Monday, however. My feet were soaked and muddy, my windsuit (which was given to me by Janeth before I left) was the same. I felt completely disgusting and a little exhausted.

I arrived in my classroom 40 minutes after school started and Yamileth (the first grade teacher) and Enmannuel (her son) came right over to me and helped me hang my wet things and I cleaned myself up with my handy dandy Equate wipes (you can purchase them at WalMart for all of your hygiene needs haha). Once I was settled in Yamileth went back to teaching Math. Theyre still doing subtraction. On this day they were separated into groups. Only 9 of the 16 students showed up to class because of the rain. So there were only 3 groups. Nelson... hes a wild one, but probably my favorite (if Im allowed to have one), doesnt work well with others. And quite frankly Evert (who reminds me of my little brother Caleb) and Ramon were sick of him. So Yamileth had him work on his own. I watched him as he raced through the five problems and then sat in his seat, well wiggled and moved around... he cant sit still! (infact he often gets out of his seat and turns a few cartwheels whenever there is downtime) I would say he has ADHD.
Well, seeing his quickness I went over to check out his problems. They were all WRONG. Hes really intelligent, but he lacks patience. So I sat down and helped him. He was so anxious and eager to do well. One thing I LOVE about these kids is that they LOVE school! Their eyes are always wide open and searching. Every single one of them has a deep desire for knowledge, and it is so apparent in their classroom behavior. Little Nelson (hes 6 years old, typical for a 1st grader in the US, but hes the youngest in his class) was so funny to work with. Each time we finished a problem I pointed to the next one. He would slowly look up at me and say "¿Mala?" because he knew they were wrong. By the fourth one he was saying it with laughter. Then whenever he was done, and I gave him a look of approval he ran up to Yamileths desk "¡Profe! ¡Profe!" he shouted. And he confidently handed her his notebook. He came back with Excelente scrawled across his notebook and he was beaming when he brought it back to me. On the way back he showed off his work to the boys who had been in his group. They had gotten one wrong. It was so cute because they then came running over to me for help!
In the afternoon I had to teach them Art because Verma (the Art and English teacher) didnt show up. Well I was put on the spot, so we did something I knew well. I taught them to make Oragami Paper Cranes! (thank you Aunt Naomi). They loved it! They were so intrigued by my paper folding, and so excited to do it themselves!!! While I was teaching there were shouts all over the room "¡Profe!" because they would get frustrated... but they all did well, and in the end they were throwing their "palomitas" all over the room (i didnt know the word for crane, and i figured a dove is close enough).

We didnt have church Thursday, because its the only day of the week they dont have Culto. But the Youth had a meeting because we are planning a trip to somewhere... we dont know where yet. It will be fun though. I love the young people in the church!!!

Yesterday morning Guillen came by the house at 625 and we walked to the busstop together, picking up Rafael on the way. They both work in Zona Franca, which is where my first bus goes! They took the bus with me there, and then Rafa waited until i caught the bus to Tipitapa before he went to work! They are so sweet, like big brothers the way they watch out for me.
I got to Tipitapa and caught the bus to Masaya, and got off at the project without a problem! I took the nice long walk, and it was lovely out. The view is the most beautiful thing ever!!!

When I got to class I helped my 5 advanced readers. They are Adriana, Nelson, Douglas, Ramon, and Edwin. I love them so much because they just wanted to read and read more and more. They loved reading aloud to each other, and practicing.
I also had a great time taking pictures. These kids LOVE to have their photos taken!!! So i took probably 50 yesterday!!! It is such a blessing to watch these kids grow and learn!
I sat in on their English lesson, and 5 of them were awarded lollipops because they were able to remember the months of the year in English!

After class I enjoyed seeing Charito (the project director!) the teachers had a meeting I sat in on, and I was able to understand everything! My comprehension skills are improving immensely! The meeting taught me a lot about the Project, but my hour on the Cyber Cafe is up, so Ill relate that at another time!!!

I love and miss everyone, and as soon as I can I will blog again and let you know about the interworkings of the Project, my lovely students, my new friends, and how life is here!!!
Hugs and Kisses
and thanks for all the prayers!