5:42am wake up. Roll out of bed at approximately 5:46. Brush my teeth, throw on a sweater because Guat mornings are chilly, grab my bible, journal, phone, headphones and walk out of my room. Typically Annie is already awake and the other 4 amazing ladies (Caitlyn, Daniella, Laura and Zahli) residing in “Mot Mot” sleep soundly as I slip out to the common room/ kitchen! 5:52, empty the coffee maker, fill it with water and fresh grounds then start it up. Sit down and read my bible as I patiently wait for my liquid energy to be ready! 6:08, coffee is most likely done, fill my blue ceramic (occasionally orange, rarely white) mug up to the brim, no sugar or creamer, a new world race habit. Drink up. Followed by a cup of water (hydrate or die, right?) and some journaling. Watch sleepy eyed, precious friends stroll in. Basic and beautiful and routinized as it may be, this keeps me sane, content and ready for my day! 6:50am head back to my room to change out of my PJ’s and wake up Z before breakfast is served! 7:00 breakfast, something different each morning, my personal favorite being the french toast… or fried eggs.. or the traditional “tipico”… ok maybe everything! Eat up, usually done by 7:30. If its a Wednesday, its my teams turn at clean up and dishes! I would most likely be sweeping, wiping down the tables or making sandwiches for our lunch. 7:32, sandwich party. I’ll 8-10 sandwiches for my team accompanied by the fruit of the day and either cookies or chips! 7:45-8:45 time to chill before heading to ministry. This usually looks like laying on a blanket in the sun on the field listening to a podcast, or the same thing but in a hammock or in my bed. It also sometimes looks like just chatting with friends for an hour, or riding a penny board, or playing with (chasing down) my teams pet bunny, Cheeks! 8:45, both coed teams circle up to pray and walk to our ministry sight 8 minutes away. 9:02am, arrive at ministry, a Pre-K through 2nd school called Loving Arms. 9:15 Jocelyn gives us our assignments, usually along the lines of “5 for teaching, 2 for notebooks, 2 for organizing, 1 with Mynor, 2 for carpentry…” etc. Lately I’ve either been assisting the Kindergarten or English teacher, so I will write about what I’ve been doing this week, english! 9:17, arrive in the first grade classroom. Firm hand shake by Jose, the english teacher, followed by a “how are you today, miss Lissie?”, n which I always respond “muy bien” even though he clearly speaks my own language. Sit as the students come and try individually try their very best to carry on a conversation with me. 9:30, on to the second grade classroom! Get attacked by big hugs and even bigger smiles. Recite a bible verse in spanish and english then proceed to say “I cant find my book” (they’re trying to nail that double o sound) repeatedly until 9:50. From then until 10:30, teach them how to annunciate while singing “Oh when the saints” as Jose plays the flute very loudly. 10:32, walk on over to the Pre-K class where I am greet with little tots saying “Lissie es fea” where a different kid will then reply “no Lissie es bonita!” meaning “Lissie is ugly” “no, Lissie is pretty!” just to see my reaction, which is typically ridiculous sad and happy faces that make them giggle. From then until 11:00 we go over letters. This usually entails crazy games like holding hands with the kiddos at your center and making their bodies into the shape of the letter called out. 11:15 to 11:30 is then spent watching letter videos, doing silly dances and singing funny songs! 11:32, Kindergarten. My personal favorite! Of course we are welcomed by an abundance of hugs! This routine is the exact same as Pre-K, just more chaotic. My kinder babes are wild, thats what makes them so amazing. When Im not teaching english or organizing school supplies, I am most likely in this classroom! 12:30 wrap it up and head upstairs for a lunch break. 1:00 lunch ends, then help with anything around the school that needs to be done! Usually contacting notebooks or tidying up the classrooms. 2:00 leave ministry, 2:08 arrive back at the base. 2:10 change into comfy clothes. 2:15 until dinner at 5:30, do whatever the heck we want! This typically consists of card games, reading, writing, going to the local thrift store a town over, going into Antigua for coffee or wifi, grocery shopping for snackies, napping or watching movies. Truly whatever your heart desires! 5:30pm, dinner. Amazing dinner cooked by our wonderful ladies, Sandra and Teresa! 6:30 team time with my fam/best friends/teammates. 7:30/8:00 team time is finished and our night is free! Sometimes we have a bonfire and smores, sometimes we have dance parties, other times I just shower and sleep! Our days are good, so good. Im incredibly grateful for each waking moment and cant believe this life I’m living is about to completely change!
