FAQ Part 1

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't had a chance to post anything over the past couple weeks. I've been keeping busy with first quarter exams and grades. And I just got back from high school camp. More to come on that later, but here's a sneak peak of the view!

I've decided to split this one into two posts, but here is part 1 of my frequently asked questions:

What are the students like?

The girls love One Direction, Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus. The boys love to play sports (mostly soccer) and video games. I’ve come to realize that teenagers will be teenagers wherever you are. There will always be students who test boundaries, and students who like to talk. There are students who ask lots of questions and study really hard. Really, though, the students I work with are great. They are respectful, hard working, and funny. I’ve definitely enjoyed my time working with them so far.

How do you communicate with people?

I am lucky in that I work with high school students at a bilingual school that most of them have attended since preschool or kindergarten. So they have very strong English skills already. I am working with them on things that I learned in English classes in high school. We do composition, grammar, and speaking.

Around town and with the teachers at the school I speak Spanish. I’m able to speak pretty well now, especially simple things like ordering food or buying something. And I can understand pretty much everything, as long as I’m paying attention and I’m not too tired.

Do you live alone or with a roommate?

I live alone, but I have neighbors that I talk with frequently.

How do you get around town?

The school owns a bike that they are letting me use for the year, so I generally ride my bike to school and church, and generally around town when I’m out during the day. If I will be out in the evening (always with other people), I either get a ride with a friend, or take a taxi – they are everywhere.

What foods do you miss most from the USA?

Pumpkin pie, In-N-Out burgers, Pepper Tree Frosty Milkshakes, and anything my mom makes.

Do you stand out with your blond hair?

Short answer: Yes.

Do you feel a sense of danger?

I don’t really feel a sense of danger here in Tela. I am always cautious, especially since I stand out as a foreigner, but I feel safe to be out and about during the day. It has a very laid back, beach town kind of feel.

What is the local governing group like? Do they approve of your mission work?

There isn’t really a strong governmental presence in Tela. There is an presidential election coming up in a few weeks, so I see lots of posters up for the candidates, and sometimes there are groups of supporters out with banners and signs and things. From what I understand, the government doesn’t have a problem with mission work within the country.

Have you figured out a daily routine yet? If so, what is it?

I have a pretty regular routine. I wake up around 5:30 and get ready for school. I leave my house by 6:35 and ride my bike to school, which starts at 7:00. I usually leave school by 2:45 or 3. On Wednesdays I head right back at 4:00 for Discipleship (Bible Study). On Thursday afternoons I go with the Rector and another member of the church to a mission in a nearby village for Bible Study. I also go to a gym with a three of the other teachers a few times a week. Saturdays mornings I clean and catch up on any school work. On Saturday afternoons I do absolutely nothing. On Sundays I have church in the morning and we go back out to the mission in the afternoon for evening prayer and Sunday school. Then I’m back at it again Monday morning :)