For the last week or so I’ve been thinking about how I really need to post a blog. I knew it had been a while, but when I actually looked at the date of my last post, I realized it’s been 3 weeks, wow! Where does time go? So I must first begin this blog by apologizing for the lack of communication these past three weeks. And secondly, I must apologize for this blog I am posting right now, because it is going to be a very brief and succinct post. Unfortunately, it is about 9pm, the night before the first day of classes, I haven’t finished preparing, I have my friend and former teammate Mark here in town, and I only got 5 hours of sleep last night. So basically, I am trying really hard just to keep my eyes open and I have to get a few things done before I am allowed to close them for the night. Anyways, here’s a brief update, which I hope to expand on later.
Puerto Galera. When I came here with the World Race we went to Puerto Galera, a beach town on Mindoro island, about a 4 hours journey from Manila. I had the opportunity to go back and have 2 days of relaxation and prep time with my fellow teachers. There were 15 of us in total… 11 teachers, 2 Principals, and 2 ministry volunteers who actually sponsored our trip because of extra funds raised for their time here. Anyways, what I really want you to know about this trip was that the banca (boat) ride involved several people vomiting in bags and over the side, people clenching onto lifejackets, and all of us teachers planning on what to do once the banca capsized. Both on the way there and the way back. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant ride. Fortunately, the two days on the beach were enjoyable.
Teacher Training. The week after we returned from the beach was our intensive week of teacher traning. From 9am to 5pm Monday through Thursday, we met together and talked about the upcoming school year, preparing our classrooms, being effective teachers, and listening to a sermon series on being Christian leaders. Most of the afternoons were spent preparing our classrooms, and in my case, trying to get all the computers working and put together with typing software. And to be honest, it’s still not done.
Mark in town. Guess who came to Manila! Mark Newland, my teammate from the World Race! He’s been in China since January and it worked out for him to stop by and visit me before heading back home to Vancouver. So he’ll be here for 3 full days of fun! And wouldn’t you know, as we were in church this morning, during worship, they sang our team song, “Blessed Be Your Name,” which I haven’t heard sung even once yet during my time here. I think it was a special little gift from up above.
Building a school. This year is the second year that we will be holding half of our classes at the JCCV church next door. Last year we had about 25 students at this location. This year, we will have 127 students in total (over twice as many), with 60 being at the JCCV. So the last month or so they have been doing renovations on the bottom level, preparing the classrooms. Yesterday evening was when they finally completed all the work. 2 days before classes. And when I say “completed,” I mean that enough is done for the studends to have class. There is still much to be done!
Running. I’ve started running again a bit. My knees often hurt, especially when I am running, so it’s not something I’ve done very much in the past 6 months, however, I really miss it, so I’ve been pushing through the pain lately and I’ve been able to get back to a 30 minute run without being in unbearable pain. It feels good to be back out there. But I do hope the pain subsides.
Back Problems. Speaking of pain, my back had been hurting really bad the last month, extremely achey and consistent all day long, both upper and lower back. The last couple days it’s gotten a little better, since I’ve started sleeping on a regular mattress and had a 30 minute massage the other day (for 3 dollars). Hoping this feels a lot better soon too!
Ate Yoly. One of the sweetest and hard working woman I have ever met in my life, Ate Yoly, (Ate means big sister) has been working here at the YMC as a cook for the last year. The family she normally works with went on furlow back to Australia, but at the end of June they are coming back, so she will return to work with them. So unfortunately, that means we will be losing one amazing woman! Some of us were able to take her out to dinner and Starbucks as a thank you for all her hard work. Tomorrow we will go visit her again at her new house and she is going to cook us dinner and then we will have a game night! She is the best!!
Upcoming week. This next week is looking busy as usual! Monday I will begin computer assessments with the kids and spend good quality time with Mark. At night we are going to one of my favorite Ate’s house to have dinner and play games. Tuesday Mark and I are going to go do something fun. Not sure what yet, only time can tell. Wednesday I will wake up at 3am to take Mark to the airport, do more computer assessments, and take my weekly Tagalog lessons. Thursday and Friday I will do more computer assessments and hopefully go with Rollie to get my Philippines drivers license! Saturday will be a day to catch up, work on lesson plans, and do all the things I have yet to do because I am already so far behind and school hasn’t even started yet!
Prayer Requests. Pray for this first week of school, for the construction to be accomplished, enough money to come in to finish projects, for my first week as a teacher, for all my lesson plans to be accomplished, for my planning of my first week of discipleship to start next week, for my back and knee pain, to not stress about how many things I have to get done, and that I would always have energy to serve the Lord each and every day, no matter how much or little I have to do. You might also want to pray that I start writing my next blog soon, so another 3 weeks don’t go by without the next one 🙂
Thanks for bearing with me! Until next time!
