el día internacional del libro

We’ve had a bug going around school, and every day last week three of our students were absent (some days more).  We were pretty much down to two-and-a-half classes out of four.  This was a blessing in many ways.  It gave us time to prepare during the day (I was so thankful for this because I’m going to NJ for my brother’s wedding next week).  It allowed some of the sick teachers time to rest.  It also gave Betsy a chance to visit a school in the town of Orocovis on Friday.  She's been wanting to do this for a while but has been waiting for the opportunity.

Rather than Judy and I trying to cover Betsy’s classes on Friday, we decided to do a special all-day reading activity.  After we planned it, we found out that it was International reading Week.  Perfect!

With our four students, we read a short picture book (Turtle Tale by Frank Asch) and had the kids recreate it with their own words and illustrations.  This tied in well with what we have been learning in art class as the kids used various techniques to create texture in their illustrations.  This took all morning.

After lunch, the kids worked on making a video of the story.  This provided good practice with changing English sentences into ASL.  When each student finished recording their video segment, the two oldest boys put them together and captioned the story.  The two younger students laminated and assembled the book. 

We finished our project with time to spare, and we all felt a great sense of accomplishment.

We will use our new versions of the story next week during the younger kids storytelling time—since most of them were absent for the activity. 

Here is the video for you to enjoy. 

 

Then on Saturday, I went with some friends to a Coffee and Chocolate Expo in San Juan.

After we were all hopped up on free samples of caffeine, we jumped off a bridge nearby!  Don’t worry, I lived to tell.  Unfortunately I don’t have the pictures.  They could possibly be on Facebook soon.

excursiones

Here are my favorite parts of last week:

In Social Studies class with Saúl and Gaby, we’re learning about homes.  Right now, we’re discovering the differences between houses and apartments.  I didn’t know what kind of background knowledge these boys had about apartments, so on Wednesday I decided to take them to the apartment of one of our volunteers, Laura, and her husband Jack. 

This was such a fun experience for all of us!  The boys got to see the mail room, the pool, and they got to ride in an elevator!  Then we saw the actual apartment complete with a balcony overlooking the ocean.  To top it off, Jack is a former Marine, so he has a sword and some other cool things that he let the boys play with.  It’s funny the things that boys are born knowing how to do.  For example, Jack has a wooden baton that he calls his “swagger stick”.  Saúl picked it right up, put it under his arm and swaggered across the balcony just like he was an experienced Marine officer!

On Friday, we had yoga class.  This year, we have a volunteer who comes every week to teach yoga (or some other activity) to our kids.  Last year, she found out that her daughter was losing her hearing, so she reached out to us as she was looking for new resources and socialization opportunities for her.  We soon learned that she teaches children’s yoga classes.  It’s fun to see how God puts people in each others' lives just when they are needed.  We have been able to encourage her daughter to feel comfortable wearing her hearing aids, and our students are continually showing the mother that the only thing deaf kids can’t do is hear.  She, in turn, has been motivating the kids to exercise and think about living healthy lifestyles.  

This past Friday was the fourth time she’s come to us, and you can see how much fun we always have from the pictures below.  This week she took us on a trip to the zoo.  See if you can recognize any of the animals we saw!  

puesto en mi corazón

For the past couple weeks, God has put a song in my head and on my heart.  The reason I know that God did it, is because I’ve been singing it in Spanish, even though I’ve only heard it in this language once before.  The song is Eres Mi Proctector/You are My Hiding Place.   

After singing it for a week, I wrote it down and expanded it.  I feel compelled to share it with you.  I’m not sure why God has put this song in my heart, but there must be a good reason.  Perhaps He will do the same for you.

Tú eres me protector

            Con quien me siento segura y puedo descansar

Llenas me corazón

            A través de El Santo Espíritu

Con cánticos de liberación

            Cuales me recuerdan de tu soberanía

De angustia me librarás

            Una vez tras otra

Confiaré en Ti

            Porque me dijiste: No te dejaré, ni te desampararé

Confiaré en Ti

            Porque me has dado cada razón para hacerlo y ninguna razón a lo contrario

Lo débil

            De quien soy una

Dirá fuerte soy

            Con tu certeza

Con el poder del Señor

            Debido a nada de lo que poseo yo

Confiaré en Ti

            ¡Porque eres mi Salvador!

* * *

You are my hiding place

            Where I am safe and can rest

You always fill my heart

            Through your Holy Spirit

With songs of deliverance

            Which remind me of your sovereignty

Whenever I am afraid

            Which is all too often

I will trust in You

            Because You said You would never leave me nor forsake me

I will trust in You

            Because You have given me every reason to do so and none to the contrary

Let the weak

            Of which I am one

Say I am strong

            With your assurance

In the strength of the Lord

            And not because of anything I possess

I will trust in You

            Because you are my Savior!

una semana larga

This past week felt like one of the longest yet—even though we had a holiday on Monday.

The week started out well.  I spent Labor Day doing some of my favorite things—exercising in the morning, walking around Old San Juan in the afternoon, and sharing dinner with friends in the evening. 

Then the school week began.  Here are the highlights:

·   The grandfather of one of our students passed away, and we took the kids to the wake.

·   We acquired a new student (whose hearing levels have yet to be assessed, so we’re not sure how long she’ll be here).

·   Our favorite volunteers—the Yoders—returned from a month in the States.

It may not seem like it just from reading the list above, but by our Thursday-night staff Bible study, we were all completely exhausted.  At least one of us may have fallen asleep while we were praying together!  But God gave us good rest on Thursday night because we all managed to have smiles on our faces on Friday. 

I’m thankful that this week is over, and I’m looking forward to starting fresh tomorrow.