"My Kids"

Just wanted to introduce you to a few of the kids in my classroom:

Guess what? I have a son (no raised eyebrows, please!):) No, that's actually just what some people like to call him, but he walked his way right into my heart! He adopted me and I couldn't help but adopt him! He's the light of my life here! Without question he's one of the sweetest little kids on the planet and, yes, I am admittedly probably prejudiced, but others agree with me too!

Papiya's got to be one of the cutest little kids in my class!

This little guy, DuLwehSay, is only four or so. He's got the cutest grin and some of the most ragged clothes. Whether you're trying to punish him or grinning back at him, he is forever smiling.

Moonapi's a little girl after my own heart! She has a pretty rough story, but I'm not sure about all of it yet. I love her laugh! I honestly thought she was a boy at first. In fact, it's very hard to tell with some of the kids. Probably about four or so cute little "boys" ended being girls.:) Moonapi recently had a severe case of malaria and had to have a blood transfusion.

Pockataw's very special to me! I think he's got the most little boy in him that I've ever seen in a little boy.:)

And then there's GiGiThay and her little sister MuQueeLa. They were recently given to the school. They had been living with their grandmother who is a drug dealer. I don't think I've ever met a big sister with a more cheerful or devoted spirit to her younger sibling. MuQueeLa is three, but I was surprised when I learned that. I would have guessed her to be much much younger. We think she was probably a little behind with her development due to a lack of stimulation, but daily she seems to act more and more like a three year old. She's really becoming a little chatterbox!

Pathaclaw's my little knight in shining armour!:)

This is the yougest kid that's been coming to school recently. I'm told he's two-years-old.

I think this one's Pa Day Day (still gotta finish learning all 40+ names!)

Eh Ta Coo is a very sweet little boy that happens to be the chief mischief of the classroom. When the millitary leader found him he was being kept in a cage. I've been trying to somehow get through to him. I was absolutely floored the other day when it looked like he smiled and waved at me from a distance. It's my goal to someday see him without that sad look in his eyes.

Merry (late) Christmas!!

Hello, Friends!! A very late, very Merry Christmas to all of you!

I'm with my family for a couple days or so; so I get the major treat of internet access!!:)

Surprisingly, they do do Christmas here (not everyone, I don't think), but it's just different...and it does feel a bit weird to sing Jingle Bells while sitting under palm fronds and even stranger to hear strains of Silver Bells wafting out from another bamboo hut.:) But then I can't really complain as I always was the one to belt out The First Noel in July!

Have to admit to spending part of Christmas morning laying on my bamboo plastic mat staring up at the bamboo walls and leaf ceiling and picturing.... snow...Christmas trees...laughter...friends...food...and what all of you guys would be doing then...

In the evening I got to go see my family. As I'm sure you can image, that was a major spirit lifter as I hadn't seen them for several weeks. They had just moved into their new house that day so I got to spend the first night there with them. It really felt funny to have wood walls around me and glass in the windows. It's amazing how much a very simple wooden structure can feel like luxury after having only having been around bamboo. I think I'm going to have reverse culture shock going back to the States. Emily really outdid herself and put together a nearly regular Christmas dinner for us! Now that was a BIG treat after rice, vegetables, rice, and vegetables!:)

So...I hope all of you had a really really great Christmas....and I miss everyone extremely a lot.

A video of the kids singing. They can really sing! Sadly due to poor lighting you can't see much.

Our Christmas dinner!

Some Pics

Just thought I'd put on a few pics of where I am right now.



The hut I live in!


This little guy happened to be part of my welcoming committee. He'd already taken up residence above my mat. I'll admit to sneaking a peak at him half-way through the first night, but it was more disconcerting having him vanish a few days later than having him up there.


I love the mountains. Unfortunately, due to them being peppered with landmines, I can't do much exploring though.


The kindergarten "classroom" I spend so much of my time in.


This is a semi-typical meal. It's always rice, but the vegetable dish varies. You see a spoon there, but such things are only used for serving...most of the time.:)


Cooking/dining area for the kids.


Not a whole lot more to the cooking facilities.

Update

I admit to truly having been awful about keeping my blog updated, but I do sort of have an excuse as I really haven't had much internet access. So I thought I'd just basically try to give y'all an overview of what's going on. But at this point we've been here for nearly two months and so much has happened that I'm honestly at a loss for words as to how to tell it all, or even just a small part of it.

Right now I'm at a school teaching. Yes, you heard me right! I can just see those of you who know me smirking right now, but that is really what I'm doing.:) So I'm in charge of some 41 squirmy kindergarten kids ranging in age from about 2 to 14. I'm supposed to be keeping them happy and learning for several hrs a day in a small bamboo hut. We have no desks, no toys (besides coloring), no interpretor, and I can't even speak to them so they know what I'm saying beyond just a few simple sentences. It's the challenge of my life. But I'm really enjoying it and the kids are absolutely adorable and some of the sweetest little people you'll ever meet!


A few of "my" kids.

Quite Alive, I Insist!

Some of you may have caught wind of the rumor that I'm very sick. I just wanted to clear up that I have been a bit sick, but not THAT sick. In fact, much to my chagrin, embarrassment, and amusement I was told that at one church it was announced that I was so sick I was near death and someone else said they were expecting to hear a funeral announcement. At the moment I was informed of the church announcement I happened to be eating quite heartily and having a great time. But that news probably worked out for my benefit as they say laughter is good medicine.:) But I really do appreciate the prayers and wanted to say thank-you to all who have been praying. I was sicker for a while and I don't know what it might have turned into if it hadn't been for the prayers. They took me to the hospital yesterday. The doctor said I do have a staph infection, but I'm sure it will be cleared up soon. So...I protest that I'm really quite alive still.