TEACHING IN COLOMBIA

The plan was to provide professional development of teaching strategies and English instruction to a group of teachers for 3 days. The team was prepared, eager and ready to go. What we learned about ourselves and others was the true gift of this journey. 

Day 1
Our time together began with the basics;
the alphabet
vowel sounds
colors
songs
etc. 

On the wall was a list of strategies that we added to as they were introduced. Many countries use a lecture format during class instruction, we wanted to acquaint them with some SIOP strategies to help students retain information!

We were pleasantly surprised at how "into it" the 20 plus teachers were. 

While teaching there were many times that I wondered if they thought that we were just plain crazy!

Day 2

All of the teachers came back! After a review the focus was on body parts, vowel sounds, family words, sequencing and sorting. Today was a little different than the first day, about 1/2 hour into the instruction the heavens opened, and the rain fell and fell and fell! The electricity went out, did I mention the hot temperature in Colombia and the humidity? The students scrambled to open windows and as they did the water began to pour into the building, onto the floor and quickly flowing towards all of our supplies, that were so nicely laid out! Now our team was scrambling! Someone turned to me and asked if we should cancel the day and send everyone home. "No way"! 

The class simply took a break and moved outside under the covered patio. One of our team members brought a set of Bal-a-Vis-X balls with her. Everyone had a great time using these balls.  I am not sure which was cooler, the rhythmic sound of the balls or the amazing rain storm splashing all around us! 

After the rain finished we returned to the inside instruction and continued to teach without electricity. Praise God that there was a breeze! Our last strategy of the day was rotating centers. The groups of students rotated through four centers learning and practicing English.


 Loved this day! I kept thinking that the people of Barranquilla must live with this torrential rain system all of the time. Recently I saw this video of what happens here, terrifying and eye opening.

Day 3, 
On this day the students came to us. The Lord had provided a comfortable, beautiful home for us to stay in.  The teachers would come for instruction and then stay for lunch. Many arrived a half an hour early! This was to be our final day of teaching with them and we wanted it to be spectacular! 
The focus today was on the use of pronouns, this, that, these and those, foods, Rosetta Stone and conversational practice. 

The students were excited to use the words that they had learned and often called one of the team over to help with pronunciations. It felt good to see the planning and prayer fulfilling the purposes that we had hoped for!

As our time was winding down, My husband, the team leader approached me and asked if we wanted to teach a 4th day. Originally this was what I wanted to do. Now in the moment, I was stressed out thinking about all of the logistics.  I know that I gave him the "What?" freak out stare! The team quickly agreed and we planned on regrouping and preparing that evening. Immediately, my mind went into planning and controlling mode. Within 10 minutes everything changed. Instead of tomorrow, we were asked to teach the 4th session right after lunch! 

Gulp, breathe, don't freak out, I told myself.

This required a few moments with the team. As I broke the news to them, they were amazing. Let's do it! they all rallied together.  This would require the good old teacher stretch and pull it out method that all teachers understand! So much for planning time! Within 3 minutes we had the whole session planned out! Praise God!

 In that moment, my daughter also a teacher turned to me, looked me straight in the eyes and admonished me, "You're not going to like this, but remember how you wanted to teach 4 sessions and you were not happy that we only had 3? Well Maybe God is saying, Here is your 4th session. It's on my terms not yours." She was so right!  As usual God was teaching me to let Him be in control.

Teaching session 4
After a fabulous lunch of chicken, coconut rice and vegetables we returned to the classroom. I was excited to see how God was going to pull us through this time together!

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Who knew that playing memory would be so much fun? Our culminating activity was conversational centers. Using, scrabble, comprehension  questions, fluency practice, sentence construction and answering questions to solidify the English language acquisition.  Session 4 was by far the best one! The students were so enthusiastic. As a teacher it is extremely rewarding to teach those who desire to learn. 

During our session reflection, our team was showered with compliments, hugs of appreciation and hearts that had become knit together. We are already planning a return trip. 


 

Barranquilla-Colombia

Barranquilla, Colombia
Similar, yet different than the Colombia I envisioned. Perhaps I have seen one too many movies with drug Lords, ancient air strips, gun fights and tropical locations. Barranquilla was filled with colorful buildings reminiscent of it's Spanish roots. There is a definite class system here. Classes are separated by occupation, life-style, income, family background, education, and power. Here it is referred to at your stratus, increasing in your status from 1-5. This level effects employment, education, and relationships.

Our team had several goals on this trip; Instructing teachers, visiting homes and building relationships. All of these goals were with the purpose of sharing the gospel with those we met. I am grateful that the gospel is for every stratus.

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:11

Colombia teaching day 3

We concluded our time with the teachers by doing a day long session. They are so eager, willing to learn and appreciative. We were honored to be with them. Whether we were playing games, singing, repeating or doing charades, they were learning. This day we focussed on pronouns, food and conversation. We even sang some worship songs together. Our team feels deeply touched by our Colombian brothers and sisters.

Lord richly bless their efforts in serving children in Barranquilla.

Colombia trip

Teaching + visiting equalls pure joy!

teaching day 1

Day one of teaching began with Lori teaching everyone how to use Bel-viz-X balls. This activity helped break the ice with our students. The day was filled with learning English basics with Zoo phonics, colors, the days of the week and the months of the year. Througout the language learning was intentional teaching strategies. Our hope is that these teachers will improve in their English and be able to repicate the teachi g strategies with their students.

More than sticky!

Today we attended  a church service at the Rose of Sharon
was awe.some worshipping with the people here, and even though we don't all know the language, we discussed how God knows ourhearts are worshipping Him, even if we are stumbling through the words.
It is very hot here and for some of us that was very uncomfortable, but we are blessed to have a great place to come back to to relax and cool down.
Everyone we have encountered here has welcomed us warmly. We toured the school and went to lunch at the Pastor's house. They have all taken great care of us and we are all really enjoying our time here so far.
The most challenging part of today for most of us was the fact that it was so hot and
sticky that we had sweat dripping down our backs. We kept saying that it has been hot in  Michigan but really it is much hotter and stickier here. You really don't know what it is like until you get here. I think there are a lot of things in life like that. God is calling you to do something that you're scared of, or you think its going to be one way and you find out later that it is totally different than you thought. Whether good or bad, He has gone before you and wants you to trust Him and follow His plan. In this case yes, its hot, but the people, the children, the realization of a calling you know has been given by Him, far outweigh a little discomfort.

Arrival in Colombia

We all arrived safely in Colombia.  As soon as we stepped off of the plane the hot thick humid air greeted us. We are praising God for getting us through the airport without any mishaps. We were reminded that everything was taken care of for us by our Heavenly Father.  He knows what plans He has for us!  Jeremiah 29:11-13
We will focus on this every day!

The team is settling in at Casa de Encuentro. It is beautiful, warm and inviting, they are t
reating us very well. Tomorrow  we have the privilege of worshipping together with Jose and Marta. Kevin will be preaching as the message is translated.

Isaiah 26:8 For His name and His renown

The Journey begins

You are invited to join us on a missions journey, June 23-30, 2012. Our team will be working alongside of I.N. Network at the La Rosa de Saron (the Rose of Sharon) school in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Approximately 450 local students attend this school. They receive an excellent education with medical attention, nutritious meals, footwear and clothing. 

Many students live in modest homes with dirt floors, no electricity or water. In their community the unemployment looms around 80% with the majority of homes being maintained by single mothers. This is who we will be sharing with, loving on and being Christ to! We are so excited to see what God does in, through and in spite of us!

A daily update and Prayer guide can be found at Corinth Missions. 


We are counting on your prayers throughout this trip, so please pray us up! :)

Colombia Trip

We are off to Colombia on June 23, 2012. We will update the blog as often as we can during our time there. Check out the prayer guide page and join us by praying.  This is going to be a wonderful time with the teachers and our team. 

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Pray for our safety as we travel back to GRR today. 

Our flight arrives around 7:30pm.

New Stove and Water filters

Juan and Marvin

Irma's old stove

Kique teaches Irma how to use her new stove.

Six new water filters!

LaVonne and Tomasa, Enrique and Candelaria

Our team at Anastasia's house - Tammy with Enrique

Guatemala Extreme makeover - part dos

Tomasa and her family were the recipients of a great gift today – a house. Our team was quick to get the walls and roof up for this beautiful Guatemalan lady and her sons. 

One of those from Corinth praying for us sent this verse - Luke 4:18,19 which says "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind,to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." We felt like we were living these verses today.

Guatemala Extreme Home makeover - part uno

Manuela and her mother and two daughters live in the mountain region of Chichicastenango. They shared an adobe house with their sisters family. Manuela makes little hacky sack balls that are knitted with different colors and filled up with beans. She makes about 2 quetzales per hacky sack (it is about 8 quetzales to a dollar) and that gives her the money she needs to help feed her family.

Pray America works with community leaders and Pastors in this region to identify the widows that are in need of a home and Manuela was selected. Our team from Corinth arrived with some Pray America staff and carried tools down a valley to the site where we worked to build this simple structure. Some of our team pampered Manuela and the girls with shoes and a pedicure while others were helping to build her a new home. 

Starting to build Manuela's home

Ken, Kevin H. and Ben putting up a wall

Sharon painting nails with Manuela's girls

Trying on new shoes! 

Tammy trying to get a smile! 

Kevin dedicates the house to the Lord

Kique teaches the family how to use the water filter

Guatemala pictures

Sunday in Chichicastenango

Worship is an important part of any missions experience. Our day started with church where we listened to a great message from Matthew 11:11-15.

We were reminded of the fact that our spiritual ferocity is when we hear and see clearly what God wants us to hear and see!

We prayed that God would clear our eyes and ears this week as we serve the people of Guatemala. 

We spent the afternoon in one of the largest markets in Central America - right in Chichicastenango. There are more sights and sounds then one could imagine. 

From large carts with bananas on the street to tight places where you could barely move through a crowded lane we walked and talked to the locals who were selling their wares. 

Many on our team described sadness at the little children who were selling to make money for their families. We were mindful of the many blessings we have in America - where we have so much more than we need. 

We are looking forward to Monday when we will be building a widow's home.