school days

I was able to spend the past week at the school that I will be teaching at, Christian Academy in Mozambique. This year a record has been made as there are over 60 students enrolled, which is the most there have ever been. I've been able to meet and get to know the other teachers during three days of orientation, and also was given a couple of days to set up my very own classroom. I am teaching 6th grade and will have a whole five students! I'm excited for the opportunity that I will have to get to know them all pretty well. 

When I first arrived at the school another curve ball was thrown at me. I was asked if I was interested at all in teaching US history to juniors and seniors. After a couple days of considering, I accepted the challenge. School for the high schoolers actually started on Thursday. So I've had two days of being an "official" teacher. The class is great so far. There are 8 students, with five countries being represented. It is definitely going to be interesting teaching US history to such a culturally diverse class in Africa. But it will be good! I like history quite a bit and have since high school, I'll just have to brush up on some of the material.

I'm excited as well as anxious for Monday to come. To meet my students and establish myself as a professional. Luckily since I am teaching one class for the high school kids, I don't have to teach grammar and spelling to my sixth graders. I'm grateful for that. 

One of the hardest things about leaving the US to come to Africa was the fact that there is natural distance that will grow between myself and people at home. Honestly I was never looking forward to that aspect of all of this, but communication is easier now than it ever has been. And I've been able to be a witness of God's provision in this area on both ends. I am looking forward to seeing these relationships grow even more over the next year. Something that I have recently and once again been reminded of is God's faithfulness in providing for our needs. Not in the same sense that I learned and realized this while raising support, which was definitely awe-inspiring, but my eyes have been opened to how our God provides friendships and relationships when and how we need them most. In those new relationships He's definitely also provided encouragement. I'm extremely grateful for this. 

Pictures of the school and my classroom are soon to come!!