Birthdays, The Bridge House, and waterfalls, oh my!

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Hello again! I hope this finds all of you doing well and enjoying life! It has been another amazing week here in the mountains of Tegucigalpa. School is going great, the kids are doing wonderful, and I am getting to know a lot of people. I think it is safe to say that we are feeling pretty comfortable now here at the ranch. This past week held several exciting things I want to tell you about.

First of all, the evening of my birthday was absolutely wonderful. I was thrown, for the first time in my life, I think, a surprise birthday party, and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. To begin with, I was not expecting it at all! Earlier in the day, I had received a call to come over to one of the teacher’s house to meet with the other new teachers and complete some papers that we had to fill out for DiCorps, the exchange bank. I had already seen the papers and they were all in Spanish, so I definitely needed the help. Well I walked right on over with my papers and passport in hand, walked inside, and was greeted with a nice rendition of “Happy Birthday” and a cake! After we had eaten a LOT of the cake, Steve, one of my roommates, said that there was a tradition at birthdays where people were able to say something nice about the birthday boy. Since we had only been here a few weeks, I wasn’t too sure there was much to say, but most everyone said something really nice and it made me feel so welcomed. I think this is definitely something people should do in the states. Morale booster!

Secondly, last Sunday was our first trip to the Bridge House in the city. Some of you may remember hearing me mention this particular branch of WGO’s ministry. If not, let me tell you now. When students graduate from the 12th grade here at the ranch, the next available step to them is to go to the Bridge House in the city. It is a multi-apartment complex in a pretty safe part of Tegucigalpa. The Bridge House is managed by a couple whose names are Robert and Jennifer Butts. They do their best to stay an active part of the students lives even after they leave the ranch. Students that live here can either choose to go to college or to find a job and begin work. The Bridge House ministry is available to them as long as they strive to remain in good standing with WGO and the house managers. The main focus of the house is to give these young adults an opportunity to transition from life on the ranch to life in the city, while learning the importance of managing time, money, and other resources. Our trip allowed us to see up close what this ministry was created for. Also, over the next several weeks, teachers will go in groups of two and stay at the Bridge House for the weekend. This will allow us to get to know some of the students that are currently living there and learn some of the ropes of this ministry.

This week included several tests for my students and some of the other teachers also. I was very excited at how well my students did on some of their first tests, and from what I have heard, other teachers have felt the same way. I am realizing more and more about what “your best” is. For some of these students, it is a day for rejoicing when they make a C or a D on a test. They have a background of inner city education, and the quality of the education in many situations is very poor, especially in math and reading. Then they are plucked out of that environment, and are expecting to meet a much higher standard.

It’s amazing to see what a difference it makes to have students here at the ranch where they are given a good, solid foundation in their education, Bible included. Every day, students attend a Bible class where they are taught about God’s word, and they look to us as teachers to live it out in front of them as an example.

1st Corinthians Ch 10 says:
31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

All of us, as Christians, serve in an important role of being a good example. Sometimes, our ways may turn people away from God. It’s hard to think about the fact that someone may choose not to accept Christ because of the way some Christians live out their life. On the other hand, how wonderful it is to know that we were a good example to someone and that person chooses to accept Christ.

In other news, I am really enjoying teaching the music classes. Several students are interested in learning drums, so they each have their own pair of sticks now and we are beginning the learning process! I found a website with great ideas for music with the younger kids. This week I showed them a little bit about rhythms and we did some clapping. Then, we talked about how music can make us feel different ways- happy, sad, etc. Next, I played them four different selections and had them to draw and color something that visualized how they felt when they were listening to each piece. They seemed to enjoy it and I was really excited to see them be very creative and imaginative with their drawings.

Yesterday was also a VERY exciting and adventurous day. Two of the girls on the ranch are having birthdays within the next few days, so yesterday was their celebration. It started with two big vans taking a bunch of us teachers and kids to one of the local waterfalls. It was only a couple of miles away, and the waterfall was absolutely gorgeous. I’m guessing it was between 60 and 70 feet tall. I had not prepared to go swimming, but of course, I had to jump in. It was so much fun. There is a nice ledge that people jump from. It’s a pretty rocky bottom, and it is very slippery getting up to the ledge, so I was no so daring this time, but I did make it up a couple of rocks and was able to sit under one of the tiers of the falls. Some of the locals have created a dam out of large rocks, so there is a nice open area just right for swimming and relaxing. Last night when we got back, there was a bonfire and games on the campo. I went up for a little while, but rain was starting to set in and I was pretty sleepy, so I retired for the evening.

This weekend promises to be exciting. The new teachers are trying to start up a local Spanish class on the ranch. All we need is a good teacher! I feel a little more comfortable with some of the Spanish, but there is still an infinite amount to learn it seems.

Keep the e-mails coming!!! I know I don’t always get to reply, but I love reading e-mail.
Thank you so much for all of the encouragement, prayers, and support. It is wonderful being here and getting to know these kids and being a help to them. Please let me know if I can do anything for any of you.

Much love and God Bless!!!

-Jesse Tiner