The Reason for all of this

It is nearing our time here in Brazil and though it has not quit ended we are still beginning to really reflect a little more. For me (Paul) I finally had a few moments last week that reminded me why I teach. One of my main goals as a teacher is to equip kids with the skills sets they need for the future. One way I try and accomplish this is to make them self-learners. So often, all semester in fact, we here the constant whine of students saying 'oh, teacher I don't know' or 'oh, teacher, I can't'. I feel as teachers we sometimes don't want to here the whine anymore so we simply give the answers. Or we can say 'yes you can' until we are blue in the face, but when that moment comes when the student realizes that they can do it on their own, it is an awesome look on their faces. We had those moments last week. I was trying to help kids learn context clues to figure out words they don't understand either verbally or written. Most often they rely upon the dictionary, which is a momentary fix but not a long term help, or they ask a classmate who knows. (another form of a dictionary) At the beginning of the week, we went through a book and all I heard was 'oh, teacher I don't know or oh, teacher I can't.' Through some stress, and thinking through a little bit we finally got it!! It was great. The reason why I love teaching. I could almost see the light bulb go on above their heads and the flash of smiles that comes over their faces. They are so proud when they get it on their own. Since English is such a pivotal attribute for the future success of these children, it is really cool to be able to help them better their futures.

Ruth and I decided that we won't really see the fruits of our labor (per say) but we have been confirmed over and over that this is where God needed us to serve; whether it was to serve the kids or serve the need of the Alcance. All in all, what joy it is to be where God wants you to be and to also be in the will of God. (The safest place to be) Or at least, when you feel like you are. :-)