Honoring Teachers

In Mexico, people and relationships are very important. As a result, people are honored. May 15th was Teacher's Day. We had a wonderful time all gathered together - most of the students (a few were sick) were there to honor & thank their Spanish teachers for the great job that they do.
In the US, thanks to Hallmark, it is quite appropriate to send a card. It conveys our love, our respect, and our thoughfulness - that we took the time to pick a card, write in it, and mail it.
Here in Mexico, sending a card like that would be an offense. Because it shows you don't care enough about the person and the relationship to go and spend time with them to tell them in person how you appreciate them. We could learn from this, don't you think?At our Teacher's Party, each student prepared a bit in Spanish expressing their thankfulness to God for bring the teachers into their lives, for the valuable input the teachers have had, for their friendship outside the classroom as well as their patience and perserverance inside the classroom. It was great to hear how much everyone has progressed in the last few months. It was a very encouraging time!
Yoshi Castillo has been helping 3 of the women with Spanish & Mexican culture. She's trusting the Lord to be able to enter NTM's missionary training here in Mexico in the fall.
Dany, on the left, is a great teacher, who is ready at the blink of an eye to help with whatever needs done. He never says no! He's been a wonderful part of the Spanish Program for the last 1.5 years. He's currently looking for an English as a Second Language teaching job in Texas. We'd love to keep him around, but know he would be good at this, also.
Edwin, on the left, is planning to enter NTM's missionary training with his wife this fall.
Steve & Katrina Marti, center, wrote a song put to a traditional Mexican melody, and delighted us all!! I wish I'd recorded it...
Caleb & Rosario have been a great part of the program. Rosario has been finishing Bible School this last semester. Caleb was ahead of her, so he was already done. But, he'd accompany her and a few days would come upstairs to the Spanish department to help different students with Spanish. And, every Friday, he would teach a Bible class in Spanish so the students could practice their "spritual" words! He's a great teacher. They are trusting the Lord, also, to be able to enter NTM's training in the fall.

America, left, filled in different times and days when she was needed. She's very flexible and has been a great help being able to teach some of the mom's in their houses. She's heading to NTM's missionary training with her husband, Edwin, above. Arehmi, right, is a member of NTM, and has been teaching Spanish for the last year. She's hoping to work with one of the tribes in Baja California when the team is able to move in.