ONE of the best weeks ever

Hola mi amigos! Enjoy the pics and news from this week!

PICTURES
Community Outreach
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027103&l=f95f2&id=156800196
Chapel
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027105&l=28d97&id=156800196
The CRATE!
http://jsu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027104&l=6f77e&id=156800196

NEWS!

Community Outreach

This week was one of our most successful weeks yet. We had spent much time planning something that would be very different than what we had done before, and we wanted a break from doing dramas. So, we decided that we could help them make a “Memory Verse Book” that contained the verses that they had learned so far and also add to it later verses that we learn in the future.

As usual, we started with a fun time of music, featuring Jason and I this week doing a “Welcome Rap,” written by yours truly with the aid of Jason. At first I thought we scared the kids, but they seem to get into it as it progressed. After out time of music we broke into groups and began the verse book project. For the younger kids we had already put the verses in the books and they just drew and colored something that reminded them of the story that we learned about that week. The older kids wrote the verse and drew a picture about that week. It seemed to go really well and the kids really liked it. There are several pictures of the kids from this activity under Community Outreach.

We had also planned to play games afterward, but time ran short and we were not able to, but I’m hoping we will get to in the next few weeks. This past Thursday we had a planning meeting to discuss ways to improve the program. We definitely believe that the time with small groups is very beneficial in getting to know the kids, and we are going to implement several new ways to present lessons, such as puppet shows, more crafts, and simply getting the kids in the community more involved in “recapping” the story at the end. It was a very successful meeting and I believe that much was accomplished that will continue to help this program be a positive thing for the kids from the Ranch and the kids in the community.


Chapel

Over the past several weeks, Eric has been talking about different areas that are crucial for success, and it is an awesome series. These kids have definitely felt “less than capable” because of their different pasts, and these lessons on being successful have been very fruitful. This week Eric started with an activity called the “Trust Fall.” Some of you may know that that is when you have several people lock arms and one person, with their back to the people, falls backwards into their arms. It’s very scary to do but several of the kids did it and it was fun to see their reactions.

The music continues to be so much fun. I have not played keyboard the past couple of weeks just because there has not been much time to practice, but hopefully I’ll be able to again soon.


The Crate

IT FINALLY ARRIVED!!!!!!! We found out about a week or more ago that the crate had left Texas and was on its way to the north coast. In the middle of last week, we heard that it had made it to the north coast and had already made it through customs, and was waiting for some paper work to be finished in Tegucigalpa. From this point, we were told it could be anywhere from a week to three weeks before it made it to the Ranch. Well, since everything went so smoothly, the crate made it to the Ranch YESTERDAY!!! We were actually released from school early to go help unload everything.

I think this was the first crate in about a year, so LOTS of people were waiting for stuff. The trailer was stacked front to back and top to bottom, with no room to spare. There were hundreds of boxes to be unloaded, but we got it all unloaded within a couple of hours.
I was also very excited because all of the donations of music supplies I had gotten were on there, along with a lot of my personal books, movies, some more clothes, etc. It was very fun to see everyone so excited about getting their things. It was just like getting tons of presents at Christmas! I spent most of last night unpacking everything. One of the boxes had my own sheets and comforter in it, and they were so comfy to sleep on last night.


School

I had also ordered some elementary music supplies that came in on the crate so now we had more stuff to use in the music classes with the younger kids especially. I am planning to have all of my classes perform something at graduation. I had bought some hand bells that come with accompaniment music for piano so I think we are going to give that a shot.

This pas week of school was kind of slow. Monday was a national holiday for Honduras so we were out of school, and then Tuesday the kids were out and the teachers had parent conferences all day. All of mine were very good and very productive. I have already seen some improvements I the work of a couple of my students, and believe that it will continue to improve.


Adios!

Well, this has been the 10th week for us of the school year. This Friday will be 3 months since we have been here. Since our visa ends at 90 days, this Wednesday several of us new teachers will have to go into town to renew them. It should be very interesting to see how that works. Sadly, that means that we will not be able to be at the community outreach. Karen is going to take over to are just praying that it will all turn out because the main ones that are normally there will be in the city.

Well, I am still looking forward to being at home and seeing everyone. It will definitely be an exciting time for me to get to see everyone.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support!

-Jesse Tiner