A Celebration!

What do you think of when you think of missions or missionaries? Exotic foods, beautiful scenery, big bugs, daily excitement? Well, there is some of that, but much of life is just like in the US (or Canada or the UK…you get the idea!)—get up, go to work, go home at the end of the day, make (or reheat) supper, do some grading/lesson planning, go to bed, repeat. On a day-to-day basis, I know that I personally tend to forget WHY I am here and doing what I do in PNG instead of in the US.

The Birthday of a King

My Grade 6 English as a Second Language (ESL) class works on one big writing project each term; in Term 1 we wrote a book report, and this term we worked on a newspaper article about the birth of Jesus. When I told them what we would be working on this term, their reaction—as usual—was a collective groan and a chorus of, “But we already know how to write a newspaper article!” (They say this every term, but by the time we’re two or three weeks into the project, they’re enjoying it!) This class is one of my favourites because we have some pretty good discussions, as well as some completely random and ridiculous ones!

What Did You Say?!

For your reading enjoyment: the second installment of Kids Say the Darndest Things.

1.       My first graders during Sunday School:

Kid 1: “Why are all the teachers girls?”

Kid 2: “Because girls like little kids more than boys do!”

Things that Make Me Smile :)

This week has been one full of changes (school starting!) and difficulties (someone attempted to break into my apartment early Monday morning—I’m all right, just a little jumpy and not sleeping very well at the moment). A few months ago when I was struggling to adjust, a friend back home challenged me to make a list of every blessing and provision from the Lord and dwell on those things, rather than the struggles. Anyways, I thought this week would be a good one to revisit the list—so here are the things that I’m thankful for this week:

1. Kids: Does this really need any explanation?! Nothing brightens my day like being with kids—hearing stories about their imaginary friend, Yak, playing games, teaching them, reading bedtime stories, all of it.
2. Christmas cards in January: Mail takes a while to get to Ukarumpa, but that just makes trips to the post office more fun!
3. Friends: I’m so blessed with great friends here in Ukarumpa, in Mexico, and at home in the States.
4. School: When I was really young, I got up and got dressed only a couple hours after my parents put me to bed because I was so excited to go to school…while I definitely don’t do that anymore, I do still love school.
5. Sunny days: They’re just cheerful and make hot water (solar powered hot water heaters)! (And help with #9!)
6. Playing guitar (or flute): I love everything about music, especially making it.
7. Spanish worship music: Again, I love music, but it also reminds me of my friends in Mexico and to pray for them.
8. Baking: Mmm, there’s just nothing like fresh baked cookies or bread (even if it doesn’t turn out quite right)!
9. Clean laundry: Folding clean, dry laundry, fresh off the clothes line is just much more enjoyable (albeit a bit more work) than from a dryer.
10. Earthquakes: Weird, I know, but they remind me of where I am and God’s faithfulness in getting me here and sustaining me.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  -Romans 15:13