The Great Gatsby on Gray Days

Saturday morning I woke up to the pitter-patter of rain on the metal roof above me. I snuggled deeper into my warm blankets. I didn't have to go outside for a few hours and a content, sleepy smile spread across my face. Eventually I grabbed my blanket and went downstairs with my book and settled into the couch with a cup of coffee. Roommates joined me and we continued to refill our mugs with coffee and tea. We all were reading the Great Gatsby for our book club so we decided to play jazz music to set the mood. Such a perfect morning.

Life has been moving at a rapid pace the past few weeks. About a month and a half ago I mentioned to some of you that the school wanted to take a trip with the 5th-7th grade students to a camp about 5 hours away. After some of the drama students created settled down, plans were underway for the trip. I am excited to inform you that on Wednesday at 5:45am I will be heading out with 3 other teachers and 37 students for 3 days of outdoor activities and team building. I am very excited for this opportunity to connect with my students in a different setting. I'm also excited for the activities we will get to do together. It will be a tiring 3 days, but completely worth it! Keep us in your prayers as we prepare for the trip - this will be the first time some of our students will be this far away from their parents for an extended time. I will update again sometime after we return.

I've gotten to connect more with some of my fellow photographers in my class on our outings. I feel like I made a few new friends yesterday on one trip - and to think I almost didn't go because I wanted to sleep in! I'm so thankful that I've been connected with this group - when the time comes to return to the States, this is something I will miss a lot.

Until next time,
-kait

Expect Miracles

While reading an article on relevantmagazine.com, I came across the phrase "expect miracles" and it really stuck with me. 14 months ago when I was going home for Christmas, I remember sitting in the airport with a friend/coworker and we were discussing the future of our school. All seemed dim and everyone thought it was going to close. But my friend and I sat together over over-priced airport coffee and shared our hearts with each other. We felt very strongly that the school was not over yet, that it was not going to close. We expected a miracle. As many of you know, the following 6 months were a roller-coaster ride - but more of the grueling upward climb than the exhilarating downward rush. And then the school partnered with a church and things began to look much more positive. We could see hope on the horizon for the first time, it wasn't just deep in our hearts, it was visible. There was light at the end of the tunnel, however far off the end might be. But now that things were becoming more stable we desperately needed more students. However this had been our prayer all along, after all, more students means more tuition with means more financial stability right? Well of course...in the world's eyes, but apparently not in God's eyes.  It seemed we needed to deepen our dependency on him.

Last semester was the first semester under new administration. We got a few new students, but not very many. Still we have been praying, Father, you know our situation, please bring the students that you want in our school. We need more students. We need to grow. Thank you for all you have done so far.

Then, the start of this current semester came. I got my class roster, 3 new students in my class and several others throughout the school. Best news of all...our preschool class jumped from 5 students to 11! I could sense that God was up to something. The past 3 weeks there have been many families coming to visit and 2 weeks ago we had 4 students visit the elementary on the same day, 3 of which started this past week. God is so good! He is not finished bringing in the students, families are still visiting and seriously inquiring about the school. We only have so much more room to grow before we no longer fit in our building.

The theme of the building has been around for years...since before I arrived, but for whatever reason it just has not worked out...countless times. Now we are praying for God's provision for a new location. We want him to be the sole guide on this one. When the time is right for us to move on, he will show us where to go and make the funds available...after all, he IS God. So now, I'm sitting here thanking God for his miracles - each student he has brought to the school and I am now expecting a miracle of a new location, wherever that may be.

Expecting miracles requires trust and I am wholeheartedly declaring my trust that God will provide in his own way. When? I don't know. But he will. I am expecting it and I invite you to join me in that expectation. What about you? What miracles are you expecting?

With hope and anticipation,
-kait

Chiloé Island: Boats, Boats and More Boats

Chiloé is a beautiful island in southern Chile. I was blessed with the opportunity to go visit some friends, Bekii and Travis in Chiloé at the close of Christmas vacation, just before jumping back into the swing of school again. The six days I spent with Bekii and Travis were some of the most relaxing days I have had in a while, I think it has something to do with the ocean. The view out their front window overlooks the water and on a clear day, one can see the Andes on the mainland in the distance.

It wasn't very clear most of the time I was there. I got to experience more authentic Chilote weather with rain and overcast skies, but it was still very enjoyable. One day Bekii and I took a stroll down the beach as far as we could go and stopped to chat on some rocks jutting into the water. We were there for quite some time and noticed the sky starting to turn from blue to gray. Just as Bekii turned to suggest returning home we felt the raindrops. We tried running at one point back to the beach entrance, but it was difficult, so we stopped under some trees. Just then Travis called and informed us he was laughing, then he offered to pick us up in the truck at the beach entrance. We didn't get too wet and dried off pretty quickly, thankfully and thanks to the ride from Travis. =) Even if we had gotten drenched, the time we got to spend together by the water talking about life would have been worth it!

I enjoyed meeting their friends and neighbors, taking a boat ride to see penguins, playing Ticket to Ride over and over again,  and going to a chochoca festival (potato and flour roasted on a big spit then served with pulled pork inside...delish!)

One of the best experiences was seeing how God is moving in the lives of the kids in the community. Travis and Bekii and another lady in the community run a kids club on Saturday mornings. They used to have just a handful of kids, now there are almost 20! They are coming each week and hearing that no matter what anyone tells them, God loves them. I almost got emotional in the little community center listening to the kids recite their memory verse about obeying their parents complete with motions.

I loved seeing how God is working in Chile, just as he is working all over the world. Thanks Bekii and Travis for opening your home to me and giving me a glimpse into your lives. I hope to come back again some day soon!

-Kait

Bragging Rights

Why do I love my job?
Because my students are fantastic.

I enjoy going to school each day and we laugh (a lot) and learn together. They have really blessed me. Some of you may remember how last year I was struggling with the first year teacher syndrome of not feeling good enough and comparing myself to other teachers and falling short in my own eyes. My students this year have told me numerous times how much they love learning with me and that they love that they can laugh with me. They even had a surprise birthday party for me and then washed dishes to pay for the cake that the cook at school made for it!

So what does a typical day look like?
Morning work on the board, kids coming in and taking care of their bags. Starting (at their own pace) their morning work. I take attendance and they order lunch. The personal assistant for the week waters our pet plants, Bob and Tom (tomato plants). Morning devotions. As soon as my pink and green Bible comes out the hands shoot up to read the verse of the day. Occasionally further discussion arises after we read the devotion book and then someone prays. (Always for the sick people all over the world, that they wouldn't die. I love kids' prayers!)

Language Arts and read aloud.
Break
Math Class
Lunch and Recess
Spanish(sometimes 2 periods of Spanish and with a different teacher)
Science or Social Studies

I love Social Studies and trying to find more hands on ways to dive into history like when we made our classroom a map and the desks formed the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains and the big open space in the middle was the Great Plains then we re-enacted Louis and Clark. So fun! Or when we created the Sistine Chapel in our classroom and the kids drew Bible scenes under their desks and then we put them on the ceiling. Always a favorite. (They can sympathize with Michelangelo now!)

Bible
We get into all kinds of discussions in Bible like what is the difference in a sacrifice in the Old Testament and the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. (Thanks BK for teaching us the 2 cliffs diagram in the Student Leadership Team back in high school...definitely was used in this explanation!)

Or, how do we respond when people treat us unfairly...Joseph, well timed to go with our Thanksgiving story and the Legend of Squanto (one of my personal heroes). Revenge is never the answer and somehow God works things together for good and his glory.

In the middle of these conversations as years of Sunday School lessons come flooding to my mind I am asking God, why me? Why did you send me here to show the truth to these precious kids, eager to learn? I am so blessed. I would not trade this for anything in the world. They are 75% of the reason why I am staying in Argentina longer.

God is good and I love my students.
-Miss (pronounced meess)

New Year Anticipation

Back in July I posted about the song "Beautiful Things" by Gungor, claiming it as the theme song of my school. Six months later I can say that it was an accurate description. God really is bringing beauty out of chaos. But not only is it a song for BAICA, it was a song for me too.

2011 was a year of springtime, the moving from winter to summer. God has been softening my heart and asking me to let go of somethings I was clinging to quite desperately. Only recently have I been sincerely willing to begin letting go and allowing God to have those things. And as he was gently taking them from me, he whispered to my heart that everything is going to be okay and that he has something great and wonderful in store for me. The peace that comes with that is indescribable, and the anticipation is immense!
2012, I have great expectations for you! Is it almost summer?

In news about the children's home, many of you have been asking me how things are going there. Because of my photography class this past semester we've not been able to have our visits as frequently as before, but we still try to go at least once a month. The kids are as lively as ever and still continue to greet us with shouts and hugs. There are more little ones there now than when we started going, many under the age of 6. They are so precious and just want to be held or sit on your lap...which is easy, it doesn't require language!

Now for the news of 2012, many of you know this already, but it is time to make it public. I've decided to stay for another school year in Argentina. I will continue at BAICA through the 2012-2013 school year and my family is coming to visit me in June 2012. I'm very excited about the upcoming visit.

Thank you for your prayers, please be praying for students to come to BAICA, we really need to grow. (I'd like to have a class larger than 4 next year!) Blessings to you in your new year.

Anticipating summertime
-kait

A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine

Where does one begin? This year is Thanksgiving number 3 spent away from family. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday so this should give me reason to complain about the separation, but I will not complain. Two years ago I celebrated Thanksgiving in China, the first time away from my family for a major holiday and it was one of the loneliest days of my life. I wanted to badly to be with them and I cried a lot that day. God showed me a lot about his love during that time - that He never leaves me. Psalm 138-139. I needed to experience that extreme loneliness to prepare me for my adventure to Argentina. 

God is leading me on the most amazing adventure - sure its a lot of day in and day out going to work and living a normal life - but in that routine, I have much to say thank you for. 

1. A fantastic class. I love them, they make my job fun and I love being their teacher. They have restored my heart from extreme self criticism and doubt. Thank you God for my students. 

2. BAICA. Thank you God for breathing new life into our school and giving us another chance. I love this place. 

3. My photography class. Thank you for an opportunity to learn techniques to improve my photography. Also it is helping me move closer to my goal of higher Spanish fluency. 

4. My spanish teacher. She is great and really knows how to challenge me according to my level. Gah! Subjuntivo is SOOOO hard to master! Thanks Mariela.

5. Opportunities to travel. In January I went south to see spectacular parts of Argentina and remember it fondly - I want to go back. Later today I go to Iguazu Falls - I can't believe I am actually going! (If it joins the 7 wonders of the world, I will have seen 2!) Who would have known?!

6. My Argentina friends/family. I couldn't survive down here without the support of my Argentine family the España girls: Anna, Becky, Lauren, Brittny and Donna. And my friends Kris and Candy are essential to my life here as well. So many memories have been made with them. When I told God I didn't want to go overseas alone, I needed someone to make memories with - He gave me 7+ someones. =) God is good. 

7. Julie, Danielle and my family in the States. Your love and support of my life here is invaluable. Thank you for the emails, skype dates, phone calls, letters and packages. They make home not seem so far away (even when I have to wait 3 hours at the post office to pick up my birthday box!). I love you. 

8. Finally, I am so thankful for all of you, my supporters and prayer warriors. I could not be on this adventure without you and I know I say that all the time, but it really is true. Because of your support, I've been able to freely get involved with my community here and go on photography trips and begin relationships with my classmates. I've been able to take spanish classes and get to know my teacher better. Thank you for your prayers as well, they are greatly coveted and appreciated. I am here because of you. 

So as I wrap this up to eat a delicious breakfast prepared by Becky, I am reflecting on how blessed I am. Thank you Jesus for life, love, friends, family and Argentina adventures.

-kait

Morning Conversations

I'm letting you in on an ongoing conversation I've been having with Jesus lately. It is something I've been struggling through recently and I'm opening it up to your input because God also speaks through those around us.

This is from my journal entry this morning.

"Yesterday we (You and me) were talking about generosity and taking care of the poor and the widow.
     Micah 6:8 'He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.'

To act justly: to act in accordance with moral or social standards.

moral: concerned with the principles of right and wrong.

to love mercy: the feeling that motivates compassion

compassion: a deep feeling of kindness that results in an act to help.

to walk humbly: meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude or spirit; not arrogant or prideful; unpretentious

God, I want to be generous and compassionate to people less fortunate than me. I want to share my blessings. I have a hard time with the begging though - it doesn't help them  with their problem, it only fixes the current symptom: I'm hungry. There are times when I feel you prompting me to give coins to the beggars and other times I just feel frustrated and uneasy. I don't want to give because I see them week after week on the same train, doing the same thing. There are organizations in place to help people get out of poverty (like kiva.org, or mediapilapais.com.ar) - I'd like to invest in something like this - but then where does that leave me with the day to day? Do I set aside money specifically to give in those instances? Do I just listen for your promptings and struggle through the internal feelings?

You had compassion on the beggars and gave them what they needed to improve their life situation in order to give you glory. Do I carry around granola bars or the like in my bag and give those to the hungry beggars and children? (It makes it easier to decide when they are sitting outside the grocery store with specific needs and requests).

I just don't know.

-kait