Dale Rojo!!

These kids like to play. And compete. And this week was a perfect display of their skill and competitive spirits. 

This week the entire school, which was divided into two teams, Red and White, participated in Las Olimpiadas (the Olympics). It started last Thursday with events in speech, poetry, drawing, and math. On Friday, the teams presented their teams with skits and songs. There weren't any classes all week, but this week allowed me to get to know my students better. There was a lot of down time, watching the kids play a lot of soccer. And I mean a LOT of soccer. And we took advantage of the time by talking about whatever we wanted :) Everything from One Direction and which boys they think are cute, to the prosperity gospel and why Cerro is the best soccer team in Paraguay. While at some points I would have rather have been in the classroom, I am thankful for each of the conversations I had with my students this week. 

Including the embarrassing ones. That's what brings us closer, right? Okay, here it goes. I'll start off by reminding myself to never again ask high school boys to teach me phrases in Guarani. (For those who don't know, Paraguay has two national languages. Spanish and Guarani. Guarani is completely different, I only know a few words, but I wanted to know more. Completely innocent.) The first boy taught me to say "I'm hungry" because it's the most important thing to know. But I already knew that, and it's kind of boring. The next boy taught me a phrase and without telling me what it meant, he told me to tell the other boy. And I listened to him. First mistake. Everyone around started laughing. I had no idea what I said. Through their giggling and making jokes, I finally figured it out. I had asked my student to marry me. Great... My face immediately turned red. Mistake number two. But I can't help it! And then they point out that my face is red. Just like my shirt. Perfect. You guys, I don't know how to describe it to you. So awkward. And then he ran off and told his friends. For days, he was telling different people. But I think I (eventually) handled it like a champ. The wedding is in December. You're all invited.

Kidding. But it did give us something to laugh about. Unfortunately, it was at my expense and embarrassment, but I'm realizing that sometimes that needs to happen. Sometimes I need to be vulnerable with my students in order for them to open up. How can I expect them to be vulnerable with making mistakes in English, if I'm afraid to do it in Spanish? As their teacher, I need to set the example. 

Another highlight from this week: On Wednesday night, I went with some friends to hear Nick Vujicic speak. If you don't know his story, you should definitely check it out: www.lifewithoutlimbs.org. Nick was born without legs or arms and is using his story so that others may know Christ as their Savior. I loved hearing his story and spending time with friends (Yes!! I've made friends!). Afterwards, we all went to the mall and ate pizza together. I loved it. It felt so normal. This is my life. 

Oh! And I got to watch the end of the Chargers game on Monday night. Yay!

While the quality is horrible, here's a picture of the red team during their presentation last Friday night. 

 These are my friends ready to eat pizza!

And here we are after hearing Nick speak. 

Another reason I am thankful that I got to spend time outside of the classroom with my students is that I got to hear some prayer requests. If you would join me in praying for Andrea. Her grandmother passed away this week. She was pretty old and had diabetes. Andrea also has diabetes which scares her. Pray that she would find her comfort in the Lord, and that He would sustain her. 

I hope you all are enjoying your fall weather in the states. I have been craving donuts like no other. I know that's not typically a food designated for the fall, but when Sidecar Doughnuts keeps posting their fall flavors on Instagram, I can't help but drool a little. 

This is my life

I would have never considered myself a babysitter growing up. Sure, I babysat. What 13 year old girl didn't? I didn't, by any means, make it a hobby or wanted to do it every weekend. I've never lead a small group for high school or junior high kids. I absolutely look forward to the day when I become a mother, but there's something about looking after someone else's kids that just doesn't appeal to me. Kids just haven't ever really been "my thing." I get super awkward. I don't really know how to connect with them. And I think it's because I didn't do it very much growing up. But somehow this weekend was different. 


On Thursday, we left for camp with the younger kids from school. Two bus loads of screaming children at 8 in the morning. My dream, right? I was told that I was going to be a counselor for the weekend. And I thought, "How the heck am I supposed to do that? I kinda speak their language. What do I do if someone gets hurt? How am I supposed to take care of these girls? I'm supposed to prepare two devotions? What in the world?" And there I go again - worrying. I've really got to stop doing that. Thankfully, God's mercies are new every day. 

Camp was jam-packed with fun activities, competition, worshipping, learning, swimming, soccer, and mud. We did so much! I'll share some highlights. 

I was the counselor to three girls in 3rd grade, Jhula, Yemima, and Nicole (that name was easy to remember). They have the most precious hearts. The first night we were there, we prayed before we went to sleep. I love hearing children pray. So simple and so sincere. They thanked Jesus for being able to come to camp, and for me being their counsellor. They prayed for my friends and family at home and for their families here. Not that I'm biased or anything, but I'm pretty sure I had the best group. They were the ones who always wanted to participate; they were smart; and they were fast. And today at school, they all came up to me at different times and gave me a big hug. I loved it. 

Camp was divided up into two teams. These kids are serious about winning. Most of the competitions we had were for the kids. They played soccer (lots of it), ran around answering cultural, math, and biblical questions. They screamed, read their Bibles, and had to be on time. We decorated our cabins, and put on skits. Like I said, for most of these, I watched and cheered. But on Friday afternoon, there was one competition where everyone had to participate or else your team would lose points. And if the counselors didn't participate it would be minus 10 points. But the teachers were exempt. All I knew was that we were going to run and get really dirty. I tried to pull the "Soy profesora" card, but they wouldn't have it. So, I committed. It's for the kids. I was doing this for my girls, right? And I ended up having so much fun. I wish I had words to describe to you where we were running, the mud we were crawling through, and the swamp we were dragging ourselves through. We smelled so bad. But I think we won!

There was one point when I was covered in mud, my blue TOMS were now brown, and my finger was bleeding from running though trees that I thought "This is my life." Most people my age are in grad school, working their desk job, or trying to figure out what the heck they want to do with their lives. And while I still fall under one of those categories, I get to do it here. I'm in Paraguay, not sure of what tomorrow is going to look like, let alone my future. And lately, I've been loving every minute of it. 

Oh, and back to the whole kid thing - I had many favorite parts to this weekend. One of them being taking care of my girls. I loved the feeling of them needing me to hold their towels while they were swimming, making sure they had enough water when they were playing soccer, them wanting to hold my hand while we walked, and that they brushed their teeth before they went to bed. 

Here are some pictures of me and my girls! Shout out to Charlotte for taking them because I forgot my camera. I know, good one, Nicole. 

 Yemima and I 

Jhula and Nicole

Aren't they the cutest?? 

The second half of my weekend was spent at a retreat for the leaders of Juntos (the youth group at church). The place was beautiful. We discussed what the vision and mission of Juntos is, played ultimate frisbee, ate yummy food, watched movies, and just hung out. I absolutely loved it. It was very relaxing and fun. 

Thank you for hanging through this blog with me. I feel like it's all over the place. I didn't know how to tell you everything that happened this weekend and sometimes I think that the language part of my brain is mushy - including the English part. And Dad, I know I told you that I wouldn't forget how to speak English. I still hope that I can keep that promise!