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.
The Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to work with the kids here on campus. There are 4 classes - nursery, 1 year olds, 2 year olds, and pre-school. The childcare is for children of the students studying to be missionaries. Each room has regular staff women who work everyday with the kids, but moms have to work also to fill the ratio of childcare worker/children. So, every time I work, it enables a mom to go to class with her husband and get the training. Women are just as much missionaries as their husbands - half of the tribal people we hope to reach are women!! So, it is very important that the women get to hear the training also!
I thank the Lord when I am able to work and let moms go to class. I enjoy working in all the classes - I get to rotate around & know all the kids. Its so fun when they see me out of class & run to hug me or shout out "Hi, Miss Rachel!"
They are darlings!
Then, I stayed the night & ran the Half-Marathon the next day. My Uncle Gerry & Aunt Marge came from St. Louis to cheer me on! Thanks so much guys - that was SO special!
Candelario & Matara - I love the joy that just bubbles up out of them! You can SEE it!!
Alejandra, Sarahi, & Lili - some girls come and go. But, Sarahi & Lili have been there from the beginning.
We're all ready for the Birth of Christ this week & all the prophecies that His birth fulfills! I'm excited!
Sometimes we have some fellowship time, too. This last week, some were hungry, so we made a run to Wendy's to make use of their "Dollar Menu."
As you creep up the Mexican side of the bridge, the vendors get fewer and fewer, but there are still a few persistent ones. There was a guy dusting cars under the watch of the Mexican eagle.
Ah, finally, we're getting close to the United States. The glorious Stars & Stripes. As soon as we crossed the top of the bridge over the border, there was only lines of cars. No colorful people selling all manner of stuff. Just plain boring lines!
I had wanted some snow since we didn't really get any in Mexico this Christmas. And, the weather has already warmed up beyond snowing possibilities. Well, the Lord sent snow starting yesterday afternoon. It is beautiful, but slippery, b/c there was sleet mixed in. So, thinks are slick. So, I'm up here freezing in the teen temperatures, but enjoying the beauty of God's handiwork.
