Today was the second day of seminars for the Belizean teachers. It was such a good experience to work with our cooperating teachers before being thrust into the classroom. The seminars contained a lot of new information for Belizean teachers, but they have been eagerly soaking up the new knowledge. God has been so good. Tomorrow we are in our classrooms for the first time, I couldn't be more excited. I am with Mrs. Terry with Infant 2 (our 2nd grade) with 26 very energetic kids.
After our seminar we talked into town (which is quite an experience on Belizean roads). As we walk down the street everyone waves and says hello from their yard/window. You could tell that they weren't just talking to us because we are the foreign Americans, they talk to us because they actually want to build a relationship with us. I really appreciate that part of their culture, the children are so trusting and everyone is so friendly. Of course, this can be a negative (like during the seminar when they continue conversations with ohers next to them building relationships instead of listening to the speaker). We went to the market and did some bartering, found a local grocery store and bought some ice cream, and then started the uphill hike back home. On our way back to our campgrounds a Caucasian man passed us while he was out running, turned around and yelled, "Yay white people!!" It was hilarious! We are still getting used to being the minority.
Having the evenings free is a great time to build relationships with the other girls. We have all grown so close in the past few days, staying up late and distracting our professors on a regular occurrence. I feel like I have been here for so long, but it has only been here 4 full days. It is so weird to think about, we have already become set in some routines and really are feeling so comfortable already. I would love to write more, but it is almost 10pm and we go to bed super early (when the sun goes down we head to bed and wake up when it rises...or when the dogs start barking in the middle of the night). Continue to pray for us tomorrow as we head into our classrooms, we are really anxious to meet our students.
Mrs. Lohnes, please don't scare the Belizean children and make them think that ALL Americans can spin their heads around.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marjorie! I do so appreciate you keeping all of us updated! Our 5th grade class has a hard time understanding what poverty really is about, so I will take in some of your observations. God is using you, Elizabeth, and the rest of your group inn more ways then we can ever fathom. You are in my prayers.
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