Guatemala;
Man.
I can’t believe my time here is drawing to an end. I feel like I was just yesterday dragging my pack to my room, excited for the unknown of a new country. I had no idea what ministry would look like, what being on a new co-ed team would look like, or really what anything would be like. And here I am, 9 months later, preparing to pack up for our last week together.
But before I jump into writing my last few blogs and ending this thing for good, I wanted to write about my experience here in Guatemala.
I have had the insane privilege to be apart of Loving Arms, a Christian school here for kids Pre-K to 2nd grade. I learned a lot about myself in my time here. I learned that I seriously love kids, especially my sweet Pre-K class.
I thought coming into this school I would just be an extra hand and get to love on some sweet kids. But man, it has been so much more than that.
I was apart of the Pre-K class, teaching English, and being an extra teacher in class. Every day I was greeted with what felt like a million tiny little hugs, and “Mrs. Seli! Mrs. Seli!” every time I walked in the door. I felt so much purpose seeing these precious kids face’s light up when they finally understood something, or being able to put them on the school bus and sit with them until we got to their homes.
These kids became my own students. I was constantly filled with joy at the idea of seeing them the next day. I want to tell you about a couple of my students, some who really held my heart.
FERNANDO.
He is crazy. He’s the student that eats his eraser, even though I’m yelling, “Fernando! No! Comida!” But he still loved me well. He would snuggle up in my arms and giggle so hard. No matter how hard I tried not to laugh, he would ALWAYS make me laugh.
LUIS:
Luis us brilliant. He has big hazel eyes that will grab your attention from across the room. He is also first to help me understand other students’ spanish, and help his classmates with their work.
DAVID:
David (left)broke his leg the first week I was here, but was never discouraged. All his friends would be happy to roll him around and he even had a smile on his face watching field day from the sidelines. He has a kind heart and would alway shares his snacks.
I could write about all my students.
I could write about all the ways they, as tiny 4 and 5 year olds, have been Jesus to me. They’ve been patient with me as I struggled HARD trying to speak their language when I accidentally call an eraser a t-shirt, and when I make a fool of myself trying to teach them English. Thousands of miles away, they made me feel so at home.
So to Loving Arms, thank you for making me apart of the fam these past few months. This place is so special, and I will seriously-seriously never forget it.
Here’s a photo of me and my class on our last day.
(Off topic: Loving Arms needs a new English teacher for next year! If anyone is seriously interested in moving to Guatemala to teach English, contact me! this place has my heart!)
