It's Time For Class!

Disclaimer: Part of the reason I haven't blogged in a while is because my computer is out of commission at the moment. I've had to borrow other people's computers for things like this. (Many thanks to Raquel for sharing.) I would appreciate your prayers that it would be able to be fixed very soon. It also seems like the longer I'm here the more I have to do and less time I have to do it in. I never have a lack of things to do for sure.

Here's a little glimpse of my teaching experiences here. I will try to give you a word picture of what a typical day of teaching is like. (Pictures of classes will be coming soon).

It seems like every morning I have at least a little measure of teacher's anxiety. I have many thoughts and questions running through my head… What should I teach today - phonics, grammar, vocabulary or reading? How can I teach this in a way that they can understand? How can I keep the lesson interesting to a room full of teenagers? How can I make sure that each individual student is really grasping the new concepts? What's the best way to keep order in the classroom and keep the students from chattering with and distracting each other?

Amazingly, my God helps me pull something together to present to the class time and time again. Praise be to Him! Of course some days run a lot smoother than others… Thankfully, I can learn from my mistakes and trust the Greatest Teacher of all to give me the strength and wisdom I desperately need everyday.

I'm the first teacher of the day to teach the 9th grade class, which gives me the title of the "Grade 9 class teacher." This means I take attendance every morning, help to organize the class special musics up front, plan the class campouts/picnics later in the year, and teach their Sabbath School class...

Just recently, most of us class teachers ordered uniform shirts for our classes. It was a challenge trying to pick a style and color that pleased the most students in my 9th grade class. I'm thankful that the shirts are in their hands now.

After chapel finishes, my students and I meander down the path and across the road to the Grade 9 & 10 building. Sometimes one my sweet 9th grader girls carries my Karen bag for me. The students don't seem to be in a hurry to get to their classroom. I've noticed that in general the Karen people are not as rushed about life.

I never know what to expect when I walk into the classroom. Somedays the students are hyper and happy, other times they are more sleepy and solemn. It's hard to tell what's on their minds a lot of the time. There are some days when I too am tired and don't really want to face all those students again.

Nevertheless, I try to begin the class with a cheery, "Good morning, students!" to which they echo back, "Good morning, teacher!" Once all the students have filtered into the classroom they stand to sing a song. Sometimes I teach them a new song or we just sing one they already know.

"Alright students, let's do our attendance." The students number themselves off and sit down when they call out their number. Then I usually nod to one of the students to have opening prayer.

Classes are full of different activities - phonics practice, vocabulary lessons, learning games, grammar lessons, and reading practice.

"Ok students -- please say after me - Think - t-h-i-n-k - think, thump - t-h-u-m-p - thump…"

"What is the superlative of big?  Yes, that's right - biggest. Good job!"

Sometimes I feel like I don't have enough to fill the 45-minute time period, but some days the ending bell rings much earlier than I expect.

After 9th grade class I walk back down the path to my hut to prepare for my next class - 10th grade.

10th grade is a much smaller class than my other two classes. It only has 11 students… they can be fun and challenging at the same time. Some of them aren't much younger than me--I even have a 20 year old in that class. Many times they act like they are much younger than they really are. It's nice to be able to do more interactive activities with 10th graders though, because of the fewer number or students to keep in line.

I have another 45 minute break between my 10th and 8th grade classes. It's nice to have some time to get a breather and finish up my lessons plans for the next class.

My 8th grade class can be very exciting at times. You see, it's the last class period of the day, so the students are a little more antsy to be finished with school for the morning. I have a lot of active, silly boys in that class. I've had to rearrange the seating a few times to separate some of the more talkative ones. I really like the 8th grade class though - there are a few more spiritually strong students in that class too.

At the end of class the teachers always say, "Thank you, class!" And the students heartily reply, "Thank you, teacher! See you tomorrow!" as they shuffle out of the classroom.

After my last class of the morning, I walk back to my hut with a grateful heart to God for helping me through yet another morning of teaching.

You know, even though I don't always enjoy teaching classes every single day…
Even though I feel very tired and worn out some days…
Even though there are situations that come up that I don't know how to handle…

I'm glad I'm here.
I'm glad for these opportunities to be stretched and challenged.
And I'm so thankful that God has not called me to do this alone.

He is always there to hold my hand, if I will only grasp it. I can be at peace.

I'm a Teacher Now

It's hard to believe I'm actually a teacher now - "Tharamu Marie" to be exact. (There's another "Tharamu Hannah" here, so to avoid confusion I'm temporarily known as "Tharamu Marie.")

The two first days of teaching are behind me now...  I am learning to push pass feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty and just do my best, one day at a time, trusting that God will do the rest. I'm so glad I always have Him as my classroom assistant. 

I'm starting to feel more at ease and comfortable with these students now. My classes are made up of a random assortment of personalities.  There's the silly ones, the shy ones, the mischievous ones (usually boys), the confident ones, the not-so-confident ones, the conscientious ones, the very sweet ones, and more. I enjoy interacting with them. 

For those of you who like statistics, here's the number of students in each of my classes:

    8th grade - 26 students

    9th grade - 25 students 

    10th grade - 11 students 

    Computers class - 15 students 

In total, I have around 62 different new names to learn, plus the others who aren't in my classes... and they're not American names... Let me give you some examples - Saw Morning Htoo, Mah Lah Gee, P'Saw Paw, Htee Nay Htoo, Saw Eh Soe, July Paw and so many more. They're not always pronounced the same as they are spelled. It's exciting that I'm starting to connect more and more faces with names. 

During my first 8th grade class, a helpful student pointed out where the chalkboard eraser was, so I wouldn't have to use my hand to erase the chalk. I quickly said "Ta Bluuu" which I thought meant "thank-you" in their language. 

The kids started giggling and the boy spoke out, "Say that again, teescha?!" 

So I slowly said it again. 

Then they really starting laughing and chattering to each other. I smiled and joined them in laughing, but I didn't exactly know what they thought was so funny. 

Come to find out later I was really saying "crazy" in their language instead of "thank-you." I guess that was my first funny language blooper (at least that I know of). :) The two words sound very similar except for a slightly more abrupt tone at the end of "thank-you." 

I'm sure there will be many more memorable moments that I will collect over my time here. I am thankful for this time that I can be here. I pray that God will touch these students' lives through me. 

One more experience: At the beginning of my first class, I had the students fill out a 3x5 card with their name, age, grade and other information about themselves, so I could learn more about them. One of the questions I had them answer on the card was “What is your favorite thing to do/hobby?” 

One of the eighth grade boys wrote that his favorite thing to do was “God work.” I really liked to see that. I want the other students to know for themselves that doing work for God is so rewarding. I think it’s my favorite thing to do too. There’s nothing more satisfying than to work for God. 

Water droplets after a recent rainstorm

 Grade 9 classroom

 Grade 10 classroom

Acclimatization

It been just over two weeks since I first set foot in Thailand. I think I'm becoming more accustomed to life here at Sunshine Orchards.

(Note: For more detailed updates, you can go to Raquel's blog- raquelariel.blogspot.com.)

I'm getting used to the cold showers, although I still cringe when I pour the first dipper-full of frigid water over my body. Speaking about bath time... Here's an excerpt from my recent journal: "Because we got back late from shopping in Mae Sot and it was already getting dark, we had to take our baths without much light (the bathroom light is not working right now). With the help of my flashlight, I saw lots of little particles in the big water bucket... Evidently the filter is not working very well right now. After pouring a few bucket fulls of cold water over my body and soaping up, I noticed something floating in the water. I examined it a little closer in the dim lighting and found it to be a drowned, tiny, whitish, lizard-type creature. I quickly disposed of it in the toilet. To think that that dead thing could have been poured over my head! I guess that's the joys of being a missionary. :) It makes life more exciting. You never know what will happen next. "

I'm starting to get used to the schedule and having worship so early (5:30 am), even though I would rather sleep in. I enjoy hearing all the singing and seeing the friendly smiling faces so early in the morning.

I've been to the three towns that are in the nearby vicinity - Mae Salit (10 min), Mae Tha (30 min away), & Mae Sot (almost 2 hrs. away). Going to the market is an interesting experience for sure. There are many different sights, sounds, and smells such as squirming eels, golden fish, huge live catfish & other types of fish, tiny squid in containers to be sold; dirty market streets; nauseating smells of pork and other meat mixed with strong smoke smells; staring people (our white skin gives us away); many racks of colorful clothing and much more. I was surprised to see that they have a fancy store in Mae Sot that is similar to a mall on the bottom level and a Walmart on the top floor.

I enjoyed eating the delicious food at some local restaurants too - vegetable/tofu curry, pad thai, yellow mango shake, to name a few of my favorites. I think I feel best when I'm on the simple diet here at school. though. I still haven't come to enjoy bamboo shoots or durian yet. The people here like their food spicy hot, because some of the curries have had quite the heat. I like a little spice, but sometimes it's just too much to take. Raquel and I sometimes like to end our meals with rice, coconut milk and a little drizzling of honey to end on a cooler note.

I've been getting used to bringing an umbrella almost wherever I go... except for last night I left it behind and Raquel and I got quite drenched on the way back to our hut after visiting the girl's dorm.

Taking off my shoes before going into any building is becoming second nature. You have to take your shoes off in some small shops in the market as well.

I'm also starting to interact more with the students here. The day before yesterday, I helped five of the girls sweep and mop the new girls' dorm that was recently built (They haven't moved in yet.). It was an interesting experience, because the girls did not speak very much English or they were too shy to speak it. There were many smiles, laughs, and giggles.

We had a hard time understanding each other. I would say something and they would just giggle and laugh and talk to each other. Then they would try to tell me something and I would say, "Huh, what was that?" I enjoyed working with them though. This just creates in me a greater desire to learn their language, so I will be able to communicate with them better and know what they are saying about me. :)

There are still a lot of new things ahead of me. I will be starting to teach classes next week when the second school term begins. We're on the school break right now, but there are still about 90 students on campus.

The plan is for me to teach English to grades 8, 9, & 10. I'm feeling a mixture of excitement & trepidation. I pray the term will start off well. I'll probably be laughing a lot and a praying a lot. I've been hearing that I have a few mischievous students in my classes. I'll let you know how it goes. :)

Bottom line, I know I will need much wisdom and strength from the greatest of all Teachers in order to be successful in this new endeavor.

I will also be a teaching a vocational computers class in the afternoon. I don't know exactly how to plan for these classes, but I'll just have to do my best.  After blanketing everything in prayer, I'll just have to "jump in and get my feet wet."

It's not all bliss & happiness being a student missionary - I've had those moments of being tired after a long day, feeling out of the loop when the students are talking in Karen, missing home and family, having a sore back and a sore throat...

I still face similar challenges & distractions to the ones I had back home in Arkansas. And thankfully, I still have a mighty Savior who can help and strengthen me just as He has done before. I just need to trust Him fully in this new place, no matter what I face. It's reassuring to know that God is there, wherever we are.

I am very grateful for this opportunity to be stretched and challenged. I'm reminded of one of my favorite verses...

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

Proverbs 3: 5, 6

All of us foreigners wore Karen shirts last Sabbath. So thankful for friends!

Note: If you have been noticing random capitalization, out of place punctuation, or mixed up word order in my posts, it's not because I have bad grammar skills. :) It's due to my computer trying to auto translate/correct what I write. Hopefully I've fixed that problem now. It's somewhat amusing to see what it did to my posts. Technology is not always helpful.