concurso de talentos

To end our school year, we had a talent show.  The kids worked excitedly to prepare their performances, and on Wednesday, they got to show them off to their classmates, teachers, and families.  For those of you who were not able to be there (or who would like to see them again), I have compiled a summary of the morning.  Enjoy the show!

Lara Michele

Juan José

Gabriel

Saúl

Mizael

Kioneyshka

Larimar

Kristian

Kevin

Betsy

el fin se acerca

This is the last week of school.  Judy leaves tomorrow and then we're taking the kids to a pool party.  Wednesday is our talent show and award ceremony.  I can't believe I only have three more days with the kids.

lágrimas

I was never much of a crier before I came to Puerto Rico, but that sure has changed over the past three years.  Maybe it’s the heat or the hormones in the chicken, or maybe I’m just at a new stage in my life. 

My most recent tears started two weeks ago when the grandmother of three of our students was admitted to the hospital with multiple brain tumors.  The tears continued when she passed away and we broke the news to her grandchildren.  Then, there were more at her wake and funeral.  They persist some nights when I lay in bed thinking about what will happen to these precious children now that their primary care-taker (that is an understatement to how important she was to their lives) is gone. 

It seems that all the conversations and prayers around here lately are about departures.  In addition to Abuela’s passing, four of the five staff members are moving on from this place within the next month.  All five of us are facing uncertainties in our futures.  So I find myself crying at the thought of leaving these lovely ladies, these precious children, my wonderful church…and then I cry some more.  

Last year I cried mostly because I was unwell, exhausted, and lonely.  I was quick to list all the things I would never miss about this place.  This year I have been healthy, and I have finally found the sense of community that I was missing before.  Recently, I’ve actually caught myself listing the things that I will miss about this place.  The list is a bit longer than I had once thought it would be.  So there are a few more tears than I anticipated. 

Mostly, I am able to keep my tears between myself and God.  But lately that is becoming more difficult and I find myself shedding them even around other people.  It’s amazing how time changes things.

el día nacional de oración

Thursday was the National Day of Prayer.  Betsy took the older kids on a prayer retreat in the rain forest, and Judy, Stefanie, and I had the four little boys back at school.  To celebrate the day, we set alarms throughout the morning to pray every half-hour.  We hoped that this would show the boys that prayer can happen at any time of day (not just before lunch and during devotion time).

I don’t think any of us foresaw the excitement that the boys would have throughout the morning.  After chapel, we all met together in my classroom to write or draw prayer requests.  Then we folded them up and put them in a pail.  I let the boys watch as I set alarms on my phone, and then we started school as usual and went our separate ways.   

Every time I showed the kids my sounding alarm, they jumped up, grabbed the pail and went to our preassigned prayer spot (the stairs outside the classrooms).  Whichever boys I had at the time ran to gather the rest.  Each boy and one teacher took turns drawing a request and praying. 

 By the end of the day, it was obvious that the boys had enjoyed the activity.  Our greatest hope was that they had learned a little more about prayer too.  However, I don’t think any of us envisioned Saúl’s continued enthusiasm on Friday morning. 

When Betsy started to go over the day’s schedule, he insisted that they follow Thursday’s plan.  He actually wanted to get it out of the garbage and photocopy it so that he could use it again.  Naturally, Betsy was excited that he wanted so badly to pray, so she suggested that they pray together.  But he said, “No!  We have to pray with Elizabeth outside on the steps!”

Later when he and Gaby came to my class for math, they told me their suggestion for the events of the morning.  I was also pleased at their desire to pray.  So each time they came to my classroom throughout the day, we set an alarm and went outside to pray.

I have really enjoyed the boys’ enthusiasm for prayer this year.  Each afternoon in devotion time, I have seen much growth in their prayers.  There is something about talking with God that brings out some of the best language and maturity in them.  Please pray with me that this passion continues throughout the summer when they are away from school.