When I leave my Saturday and you start yours…

…Blessings to you!

Things are going really well. Not only am I flu free but my lesson planning is almost complete.

Parent Meeting On Monday

This is when we will introduce ourselves to our homeroom students’ parents and go over school policy with them.

Classes Start Wednesday

Yay school! It’s such a surreal experience planning for an experience like this for a year, arriving two weeks ago and  having my own classroom for the first time. It was a far off plan for so long it’s arrival creates an indescribable feeling. I was walking through the mall in town yesterday, which is our main air conditioned hang-out spot. I thought: “I can’t believe I live here. How blessed am I?!? ”

Our 11th Grade Homeroom Is Ready And Our Theme is Coffee Shop

And Bethel Looks Great Too

My Housemates Have Arrived

Camille and Kaila have arrived! They have come as independent contractors through an organization that provides Chinese teachers to teach Mandarin throughout the Philippines. They are staying in the room next to mine. They don’t speak much English and I don’t speak any Mandarin, but we are getting along just fine.

We went to the mall this morning (which has everything) and bought what we needed to start off our time together on the right foot.

I haven’t taken a picture with them yet as they’ve only been here less than 24 hours and I’m not my mother in the sense that my camera is attached to my arm (I love you Mom. Anyone who knows her knows I’m right. haha.) 

So here is a picture of our apartments instead. We are in the middle one. Principal Isobal is on the left and the Varbergs’ on the right. 

I Met Some Families Santa Barbara Community Church Helped During Typhoon Yolanda

My church while I was at Westmont, SBCC, collected a special offering for families who lost their homes in 2013. And today I met some of them! They are so grateful for SBCC’s generosity. I got to see the physical impact having a rebuilt home has on them. It was such a humbling experience.

All In All

The transition has been pretty smooth and I’m happy I’m here.

Prayer Requests

1. I can find a Life Group at Tacloban Bible Community Church. There are many “young pro” groups I can join. May the Lord lead me to the right one!
2. Prep for Monday and Wednesday goes well!
3. I can learn some Mandarin
4. And some Waray Waray
5. Now that I know all the teachers’ first names, I can learn their last names so I know what students call them.
6. Pray for Ninja who has fleas and is not too happy.

 

Love to you from Tacloban!