escuelita de verano

Here’s a six-word memoir for the week:

We survived a Puerto Rican VBS!

Jen and I decided to participate in our church’s Escuelita de Verano (Vacation Bible School).  We were also able to bring three of our students to the program.

After the first day, we were ready to quit.  This VBS was not like the hyper-organized programs staffed abundantly with vigilant adults that we were used to.  Instead, this was yet another cultural experience for us. 

Once we got past this initial shock and our kids had an idea of what was going on, the rest of the week went very smoothly.  Jen interpreted for the two little boys, and I interpreted for our eight-year-old girl.  I also taught a little ASL to the older kids.  Each day the kids had breakfast, sang songs, watched a puppet show, learned Bible stories, did arts and crafts, played games, and heard a missionary story. 

My favorite part was perhaps learning some Spanish children’s songs (like this one that contains the following lines: Tengo gozo en mi corazón.  Si el diablo no le gusta, que él se siente en una bomba—BOOM, y si este no funciona que se siente en un cañón—OOOOOO!  TRANSLATION:  I have joy in my heart.  If the devil doesn’t like it, he can sit on a bomb—BOOM, and if that doesn’t work, he can sit in a cannon-OOOOOO.)  A little violent, no?  But the kids loved it!

All in all, we’re glad we participated and brought our students.  This was a good week for everyone.  Jen and I were able to practice our Spanish and ASL.  Our three kids had a chance to interact with many children and be surrounded by God’s word.  The other children at the camp had the opportunity to interact with our kids.  For many, these were the first Deaf people they had ever met.  They learned how to communicate with their hands, and perhaps an interest in ASL was sparked in some of their lives.  It was a lot of fun for me to watch the older kids embrace sign language.  On the first day, most of the older boys were too cool to sign.  By the second day, they were waving at me during arts and crafts to ask me more signs.  Every time I saw them throughout the day, they were practicing and discussing what I had taught in the morning.  This week was truly a blessing all around.

To top it off, the week’s offerings are being donated to our school.  Each day the kids were asked to bring in change.  The boys and the girls were competing for the heaviest bucket of offering.  We are very thankful for the generosity of the church and community members.  

los carteros

Today, when the mailman delivered the mail, he wanted to talk to me.  He asked I understood Spanish well.  When I answered yes, he asked me if we would be able to stop by the post office later with a van to pick up food.  I said yes, smiled, and said thank you—all the while thinking I must have misunderstood.  Why would we go to the post office to pick up food?

Later, when Jen and I went to mail some packages, the man at the desk asked (in English) if we were there to get the food.  (So I had understood correctly.)  He explained that the USPS had recently had a food drive and the chosen charity did not want the food.  So, the men at our post office thought of our school.

We pulled the van around the back and they rolled out a huge cart filled with food.  The back of the 15-passenger van was full!  It took Jen and me two hours to put away all the food.  

The generosity of the community and the thoughtfulness of the mailmen was truly touching.  Food is our biggest school expense, so this gift was extremely appreciated!

Side note--We finally discovered our mailman's name.  We've slowly been making friends with him.  (It helps that we have cute deaf kids that run excitedly to his car every time he drops off a package.)  On his birthday, we made cards and sang to him: "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.  Happy birthday dear----(awkward glances when we realize we don't know his name) mailman, happy birthday to you."  Now we're ready for next year!

acto de graduación

So now it’s officially over.  Graduation was last Tuesday, and our visitors and some staff have gone home.  Peace and quiet has fallen over the school.  We’re all alone here, ready to work and to relax.

Graduation was beautiful.  There were laughs and tears and cake!  Johanely has shown interest in going to a local Bible college, and we pray that everything will work out for her to make it there in August.  

our graduate waiting to enter

walking in

guitar club and Jen's class singing and playing Alabaré

bells

cake

me and my graduate!

  

At the end of June, Jen and I will be traveling to Washington D.C. to attend a conference at Gallaudet University.  We’ll also have the opportunity to visit with friends and do some sightseeing.  After that…home to New Jersey for a few weeks.  I can’t wait!

Happy summer!

las reflexiónes

School’s out for summer!  Graduation is on Tuesday.  I can’t believe this time is here already. 

I began the school year teaching a writing unit on memoirs.  To introduce the unit, I asked my students to write six-word memoirs.  I did the same.  This was no easy task.  I started with many ideas, and slowly reduced them to just six words.  My students each came up with a shallow list of six adjectives.  

During the last week of school, I asked my students to write new six-word memoirs to describe themselves at this point in their lives.  I also did the same.  My students’ work was much more thoughtful this time around.  For me, it was simple to find the perfect words for my memoir: I survived my first year teaching!

Kevin's before and after memoirs

Johanely's before and after memoirs

My before and after memoirs

It’s been quite a ride!  I am so thankful for the wonderful staff that I have had the pleasure of working, praying, and hanging out with.  Each person helped to make my transition as smooth as possible.  

I think I can safely say that this has been the hardest year of my life, but also the most rewarding.  For every frustration, helpless feeling, and exhausted day I’ve had, I’ve experienced at least as many smiles, laughs ahh-haa moments, hugs, and miracles!

Here’s a short list of what I’ve learned this year: How to use an ASL classifier, how to use a weed-whacker, how to eat a mango like a Puerto Rican, how a single raised eyebrow can completely change the meaning of a sign, what to do with termite-infested furniture, where to get the best ice cream in Luquillo, that ASL and English are too different to be compared the way I’d like, how to play a few songs on the piano and guitar, and how teaching deaf children is almost nothing like teaching hearing children!

God has truly guided me through a busy year.  He has been with me each step of the way so that I could do the best job possible.  I’ve learned so much this year and I can only begin to imagine what is in store for next year.

las gemelas

The school year is winding down…only two weeks left.  So now we’ll spend our few remaining classroom hours tying up loose ends.  We have a group coming in from California for the next two weeks, so we’ll have extra hands to make the graduation and end of the year arrangements.  This team should be a great blessing for us, as there is so much to do! 

 

One project that is finally finished is Johanely’s packing tape replica.  Below you can see the two of them posing in their graduation garb.  There was a time during this long process in which she wanted to give up.  There were many funny photo ops that I took advantage of, too.  I’m glad she stuck it out because she has a finished product which she can be proud of. 

And for anyone who’s counting…last Sunday was my third attempt at a 5K, and I was finally able to do it.  I had a great time, and I got to see a different side of Puerto Rico than I’m used to.  It was overcast with a constant sprinkle so we were cool and refreshed the whole time.  I look forward to doing many more.  

Happy Mother’s Day!  Have a great week.