After giving my children a coloring page to do and handing out all my normal crayons and twisting crayons, I found that one of the plastic parts to my twisting crayons was missing. I thought little of it and continued arranging. I went on to the next subject and was bellowing over the crowd of miniature sweaty humans, when one of my students came up to me. "Teacher, teacher!!!", he yelled, grabbing my arm and pulling, showing me his half-mutilated notebook with a few scribbles on it. I helped him for a while when I heard a "crunch crunch" coming from his mouth. It was NOT lunch time. And that did not sound like food. I held out my hand in front of him and asked him to spit it out. Can you guess what it was? It was the half chewed, slimy, and sticky piece to my twisting crayon. Well, I found it! Several minutes of class passed and he came running back to me, grabbed my hand, and slid a few more slimy pieces of plastic into it. I wish I could say that these kind of occurrences were seldom, but that would not be true.
There are some sticky experiences that are definitely more enjoyable though, like when a random child ran up to me yelling, "Teacher, teacher!!!", and handing me something in a plastic pouch. "Teacher, it's very tasty. Try it!" Seriously the most delicious sticky sweet rice stuff wrapped inside of a banana leaf. Us SM's found some in the market and immediately bought a whole bunch, which ended up having banana inside of them as well. Even more amazing! Such delicious foods here. I can't even! I love my kids. I really do! They are the most rambunctious, talented, loving, and challenging kids I've ever met. They've given me a run for my money, and have kept me on my toes every single day. Just trying to get by is really not an option, which is a great and terrible thing all in one. I work so hard for these kids, which makes any difficult day (which most days are) hard on me. I am putting my all into this, exhausting myself and loving with all that I've got so that these young people can learn of Someone who loves them beyond anything that the can imagine! I guess it makes sense that I've lost most of my voice now, so croaking to my students to sit down and look at the board doesn't work too well anymore. I called to one of my students who was being noisy today, and it turned out sounding like some kind of bird was dying- VERY LOUDLY. The expression on my student's face was priceless though, which makes it all worth it. Do you remember the sticky situation I was talking about at the beginning? Well, later that day my missing putty for putting up posters was handed back to me, with a big smile on his face, and it was sticky. Not sure I needed that putty as much as I first had thought. I decided I could go a while with tape instead. When I lost a piece to the filtered water dispenser, now you can understand why I immediately went to him and checked his mouth for any pieces. To my surprise, there was nothing in there!! Sometimes, kids surprise you. Like every day! My favorites are sweaty, snotty, happy children hugs. They are seriously the best! I love getting mobbed when kids first arrive at school or when they realize that their teacher is at church too. God has definitely blessed me with an amazing challenge, and a fun adventure of figuring out more about myself as well as who He is. Pray for Timor Leste, the others who work here at the mission, my children, and I as we continue on this crazy-awesome-difficult journey of a year. Love to all! Till next time, Miss McEddy :)
1 Comment
Mom
11/11/2016 01:29:59 am
I loved hearing your thoughts!!! I know God is using you there!! Love you Julia and am lifting you and your 1st grade class always in my prayers!!!! 💕
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AuthorI am an elementary education major and am in love with Jesus Christ. I want to serve Him as best as I can, which has lead me to this missions experience. I also love painting and drawing, cooking, crafting, and spending time with people I love. I grew up living in a whole bunch of different places as a child, so the airplane is a place I feel comfortable. Archives
February 2017
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