Hot Dog Encouragement

Way back in the summer of 2006 I went for my first job interview. I remember that morning I prayed that God would give me the "people, place, and purpose" that He wanted for me. My mom drove me to the interview, 4 hours away. It was really hot. I was nervous; when I changed into my interview clothes in a public restroom I remember looking up to the skylight and feeling like Joan of Arc going to the stake. (Dramatic, yes.)

I interviewed. They offered me the job that day, but I followed proper etiquette and said I'd think about it... Then I called the principal early the next morning to say I'd take it. Her reply: "Hot dog!" Her enthusiasm made me so happy. Then, after I started teaching I got this cute metal hot dog decoration in a gift from the district. They didn't know about her declaration, but it's been an encouragement to me ever since, hanging in my classroom wherever I go.

I'm so thankful for God giving me the people, place, and purpose He gave in that first job, and when I taught in Dar es Salaam, and where I am now, in Musoma. I'm also thankful that I know He has good plans for the future, though I don't see what they are right now. Maybe here, maybe somewhere else.

Journal Jar All Filled Up!

As I prepared for the new semester, I realized that the Journal Jar needed attention. The kids write in their journals when they finish all their other work. Sometimes they just can't think of what to write. The Journal Jar is there for inspiration... Only problem is I need inspiration to know what to PUT in the Journal Jar. Since I had many other things to plan, like math and writing and African geography, I decided to call for help. I emailed a few friends and asked for writing starters. The responses were fantastic. The Journal Jar has never had such fun inside him. He's very happy. Here are a few examples:

• Today I am thankful for....
• The color purple reminds me of....
• Describe your favorite t-shirt and why you like it so much.
• Three ways to cheer someone up are...
• If I were a cookie, I would be….
• What is your favorite thing about socks?
• If you had all the LEGOs in the world, and the time to do it, what would you build?
• Have you ever seen a miracle? What was the best miricle that you know of?
• I wish I had never read my teacher’s secret journal, because it made me feel…

My Fridge

When people live overseas there are items that are priority, regardless of limited luggage space, which might surprise. For me, glitter is important. So are favorite art pieces and handmade dishes. Then there are magnets. My grandparents collected magnets from trips, and I always liked looking at their collection. I think I caught the fetish from them. Some of my magnets are theirs, some from my own trips, some are presents, some I made... Many are art pieces in themselves. But the best thing about magnets is that they hold photos.

Mostly I have photos of friends and family who aren't near me now. There are memories of adventures and holidays and shared meals. They bring smiles when I'm putting toast in the toaster, or taking something out of the fridge.

Back to School

This week I've been preparing for the new semester. One family will be in Israel for the semester, as the father studies Hebrew to improve his Bible translation skills. So I got materials ready for them to work remotely and for me to teach the two families in Musoma.

I moved furniture, prepared books, planned for an Africa geography unit, figured out a schedule, etc. It was a lot of work, but fun. I'm looking forward to starting with the kids on Monday.

Here's a tour of the learning center, all ready to go!

Christmas Around the World

I was just talking with a friend about our Christmases. I told her about the three-way Skype I had with my family: my older brother & his girlfriend in Seattle (top left), my parents and younger brother & his girlfriend in Portland (bottom right). I told her how it felt all warm and cozy to "all be in the same room together." Then I laughed because I don't think that's exactly how my mom felt about it; somehow over the years of being away, with loved ones all around the globe, now a Skype does feel like being together. Lovely friends in Australia & the USA emailed me, I WhatsApped with a dear ones in N. Ireland & the USA (bottom left). God's given me love around the world. And I was with one of my favorite families here in Musoma... but I guess we were having too much fun to take photos of anything but the cookies we made (top right)!

Literacy Impact

 Awhile back my friend who works in literacy asked me for ideas for the literacy workshops her team leads. (They teach people to read in their mother tongue, which is uncommon even if they're literate in Swahili. This paves the way for reading scripture.) I shared an idea that I saw and used when I helped at an English learning group years ago, during my teaching program.

The technique is to pick an area of high cultural relevance, like farming, weddings, family, etc. It depends on the culture. Then have groups draw detailed pictures, talking about the topic. Of course I would like techniques with drawing!

I recently learned that the literacy team has really enjoyed the technique, because it stimulates lots of use of the mother tongue. After the drawing, groups label the images. Later in the workshop they use those words to write sentences, then short stories, as their comfort writing in their mother tongue increases.

I Feel

Today we finished the semester. We invited friends and family. The kids read aloud writing projects, showed art, acted out a play about Archimedes, sang Australian Jingle Bells, etc. It was a good time. It's been a good semester.

Before the presentation one of my students said, "Are we going to toss around that ball with the sentences?" It's a beach ball I have. It has sentence starters like, "I feel," "I liked," "I learned," and "I wonder" It's a great way to sum up a time period with students. It's fun, and everyone can put their thoughts/ feelings to words.

I hadn't remembered the ball; it's been in a drawer all semester. I love it when students do the leading!

I said, "I feel happy that it's been a good semester, with the G family back, and I'm a bit sad that the N family will be gone next semester."