1st Form Welcome Assembly

The 1^st Form Welcome Assembly is fun for both the students and the teachers!  Every class plans a performance to welcome the new students.  It’s now a tradition that the volunteer teachers contribute a surprise performance of their own.  My first year we dressed and acted like the students, making a classroom setting, and saying all the funny things we hear from them in class.  Their roaring laughter turned to screaming when we finished it all with a synchronized dance number.  Then last year we realized the students cheer and scream so loudly it doesn’t even matter what we’re saying in the mic because they can’t hear it anyway.  So the new lyrics for Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic (which we stayed up way too late writing) were completely lost.  No one could hear a single word once the students saw a male teacher in a homemade wig dancing around as “Rose”.  For anyone who taught here while Ms. Katherine was teaching flute (recorder) you’ll really get a kick out of the new lyrics: 

Every Tuesday and Friday

We hear it, We fear it

That is how we know it’s begun

Far across the campus,

There’s not enough distance between us

We have come to tell you

move on, pick a new song

ONCE MORE WE TRY TO IGNORE
BUT THIS SONG JUST GOES ON AND ON AND ON

Once we hear the song one time

It haunts us, a lifetime

Even in the states we’ve moved on (But we still keep hearing this song)

Know that you don’t sound bad

It just drives us so mad

And we’ll just be so glad, it’s done

ONCE MORE WE TRY TO IGNORE
BUT THIS SONG JUST GOES ON AND ON AND ON

(Dancing – Dave’s Interlude)

CELINE DION, MOVE ON TO MOPAN

AND WE’LL HOPE THAT YOUR SONG IS LONG GONE.

BUT WE MUST STAY AT MT. CARMEL ANYWAY

SO WE’LL WEAR OUR HEADPHONES, HIT PLAY, AND

FORGET, THIS SONG.

(Pull out recorders and play short piece – squeak at end)

This year we decided to mock the students and their quirky behavior once again.  The students have a great sense of humor and love making fun of themselves (and us making fun of them, too!)  Here we are in the school uniform.

After a long day...

As I walked home after a long day yesterday I was thinking:

Why is it so hot?

I wish I had air conditioning.

I wish I had a car.

Why does my hair have to be so big? (and it really is record-breakingly huge in the humidity of the rainy season here)

I’m so tired.

Why am I so busy?

Why can’t I have some personal free time?  Just a little bit?

I saw one of my students walking toward me.  She’s a sweet, smart, and quiet girl.  I taught her last year, but wasn’t particularly close to her and unfortunately haven’t had the chance to talk to her very much this year.  In fact it took me a minute to recall her name.  As much as I hate to admit it, that’s just what happens when you teach 150 kids every year, you just forget a few names over the summer.  As we chatted almost immediately she said she had a question to ask me and proceeded to ask me to be her Godmother!  She’ll going to be baptized at Easter!   It was a big decision for her and it was beautiful to see how excited she is about it J   As I hugged her and told her I would be honored I was immediately pulled out of my previous self-pitying thoughts and questions… amazing how that works!

She’s why I’m so tired and so busy,

she’s why I don’t have any personal time. 

She’s why I am here. 

And she’s worth all of it.   

From Another Volunteer

If you'd like to hear more about life down here, and hear it from a different perspective, here's another volunteer's blog:

http://zachbutz.tumblr.com/

p.s. There's a fun video clip of me!

"But I shall show you a still more excellent way."

"Brothers and sisters:
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.

But I shall show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues
but do not have love,
I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy
and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;
if I have all faith so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give away everything I own,
and if I hand my body over so that I may boast
but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, love is not pompous,
it is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails."   - 1Cor12:31-13:1


This was the 1st Reading in Mass today.  I know most of us have heard it 1,000 times, at least the second part "Love is patient, love is kind..." but somehow it always seems new to me in some way.  



I love how frank it is.  You can accomplish great things in life but without love YOU FAILED, you can have the faith to move mountains!... but without love?  YOU'RE NOTHING.  Kinda puts me back in the right perspective.  What are my goals in life?  And my goals for today?  What am I trying to accomplish?  Well, my first priority better be to love those around me, and to do everything in love, otherwise I'm wasting my time, it will all turn out to be fruitless.  I can keep striving to be the best sister, daughter, friend, teacher, etc... but I'll never get there without love.  Love is the key to my success.  Love is the key to my happiness.    

And how are we to do it?  How are we to grow in love?  Fr. Mark pointed out something about the second part in his homily today.  All the things that are mentioned describing love are actually choices to be made.  Love is patient, love is kind - I can choose to be patient and kind.  I can choose not to be jealous or pompous, I can keep myself from being inflated or rude, I can choose to seek others' interests instead of my own, I can learn to not be quick-tempered or hold grudges, I can choose to rejoice in the truth, I can choose to endure all things...  these are all the actions of love.  LOVE IS A CHOICE.  It's not just something that happens by accident.  We choose to love.   And here's a list given to us of what love looks like in action when we choose it.  It's not always easy to choose love, we have to put others before ourselves, and that's never fun!

  

So if we don't want to choose to love we don't have to; we do have a choice... we don't have to choose to love... but, as it says, without love "I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal... I am nothing... I gain nothing"

 

What to do in a 25 minute class with 35 freshmen boys on a Friday with early dismissal for a city-wide high school rally

I say play a game!  Now, there was a time when I would’ve have attempted a game with my Freshmen boys.  I realized they were too rowdy and things got out of control.  The possibility of tempers flaring and fights erupting just made it not worth my while to attempt games!  So, why did it work this past Friday when I did it?  Well, the boys aren’t that different than the boys I had two years ago… but I am a bit different.  I’ve become a lot more familiar with the boys, the culture… I know what makes them tick… and what ticks them off!  Of course, I don’t know everything, but being here the past two years has really helped my classroom management!  I organized the game completely differently than I would’ve before. 

Here’s what we did.  We were having “Scripture Races”.  The guys got into groups of four.  Everyone has a Bible and looks up the verse I write on the board.  The first person to find it wins 4 pieces of candy (one for each of the members in his group).  This way even the students who are slower and have no chance of winning on their own may get a piece of candy if one of the other guys in their group finds the verse first.  Then, after about 4 or 5 rounds we switched it up.  You see, that’s about the time when they start getting antsy and distracted and start goofing off or fighting.   So, we switched up the game.  They chose the fastest member of their group and that member came to the front of the room.  Those 7 or 8 boys raced just against each other but still received 4 pieces of candy for their group if they won.   After 4 rounds I chose the 2 fastest boys and the rest of the class chose which of the final 2 contestants they’d support.  They moved their desks to one side of the room or the other and the classroom was divided almost equally.  They were so excited, if they hadn’t received any candy yet, this was the time they could get a piece since the 2 final contestants were playing for candy for their whole team (half the class).  They were chanting their contestant’s name.  I wish you could’ve seen it, or heard it… it sounded like the boys were cheering for the World Cup or something!  Best 2 out of 3… and I was so happy it was 1-1… the bell rang but none of the boys moved, they were too into the game.  After they final race was won they were shouting and cheering so loud I’m sure the whole school could hear it.   

What a great 25 minute class with my boys!   They’re so much fun.  I’m thankful I’ve learned enough that now I’m at the point where I can play a game with my boys’ classes and not worry about giving JUGS or demerits, or breaking up fights. 

Church Bells

Last weekend we traveled to Flores, Guatemala.  About 2 hours away by bus, Flores is a small town located on an island in the middle of a lake.  We planned to go to Mass at 9am on Sunday morning (remembering that was the time of Mass from our trip there last year) but about 7:30am on Sunday we heard the bells ringing and walked to the church as the bells usually ring 1 hour, then 30 minutes, then 10 minutes before Mass to let people know there will be a Mass.  Thanks to the tradition of the bells before Mass we knew Mass was earlier than 9 and we didn't miss it :)



It's one of the simple things I appreciate about life here.   The ringing of the Church bells at 6, noon, and 6.  Some people don't even have clocks in their house, they go by the bells, and others set their clocks by the bells.  It feels quite nice to hear the bells ringing as you're waking up in the morning.  Real bells, not a recording, real bells rung by someone pulling the rope in the belltower (or in the confessional in our case).  We even have a "death bell".  People hear it's not so lovely sounding tone and know someone has passed away.  People immediately pray for the deceased and call the church to find out who passed away (or send their kids to run up to the church and ask).  There's just something "small town" about it... bells that can be heard throughout the whole town, reminding us to begin our day with prayer and stop to give time to God throughout the day.  Those of you who know me know how sentimental I am, especially about things from the past.  It's not surprising I love the bells so much, I feel they connect my life to the lives of so many others that lived before me.  It's a small piece that remains of a less-complicated time from the past.

In the towns here the Church is usually the center of the town and the tallest building.  It is the center of the town, the community, and our life.  As it should be.  You may not be able to see the church from where you live, but you can always hear the bells.

p.s. If you have an iPhone you can set your alarm to the "Bell Tower" ring and see how nice it is to wake up to the church bells tomorrow morning.  Although, our bells aren't quite that nice, but you get the idea :)

Opportunities

Yes, I am a volunteer teacher, yes, I am a missionary, and yes, I live in a country very different than the U.S. ... but,  I still woke up tired this morning and my first thought was not about the opportunities before me today it was "THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY" Just like everyone else, I wanted to just pull the covers up and stay in bed.  Well, no, it's way too hot here for covers, I wanted to turn the fan on high and point it directly at me... but you get the point.

On Fridays we start the day with Mass for the entire student body.  Since we have over 400 students we won't fit in the Church.  The covered basketball court fits everyone and the students learn (sometimes through trial and error) that they have to be reverent even though it's the basketball court where they have P.E. and eat lunch everyday.  During Mass I began to think about being a new version of myself.  (The Gospel was about pouring new wine into old wineskins)  I thought about how we're changing everyday(for better or worse) in the smallest of ways.  We don't notice it as it's happening but can look back and see the difference over months or years.

That got me thinking about opportunities.  Why did I wake up dreading the day?  Well, partly because I am tired from a long week!  But also because sometimes I fail to see the opportunities of the day, instead I see the routine and the mundane.  And who wants to get out of bed for routine and mundane?!  I see another Friday, the last day between me and my weekend... instead of seeing what's really there... the opportunities to do many small and wonderful things, or great and amazing things throughout the day.  As I thought about it, the details of my day, I realized how many opportunities I have today to affect those around me.  From the words I speak to my roommate when I first wake up, to the "Good Morning" to those I pass on the street walking to school... every "good job", "nice answer", or "you're really paying attention today" said to my students is so simple for me to say but has the potential to change their day, and if heard enough over it has the potential to change their confidence, self-image, and their life.  I have the opportunity to stop by a coworker's desk that I usually don't talk to much and ask how he's doing, or what his plans are for the weekend.  I have the opportunity to do so so many small things this day.  And what's amazing is that every day provides different opportunities.  Many unplanned opportunities pop up throughout the day.  Like this morning when my 1st period class (which I had planned a quiz for) was cut down to only 15 minutes... an opportunity is set before me... will I be the new me, always striving to change for the better?  or will I be the same old me and complain about the unorganization and lack of consistency around here?  Will I avoid the person who tells boring stories and goes on waaaaay to long?  Or will I show him the love of Christ in that moment and attentively listen the way Christ shows interest to each one of us?  All these opportunities aren't put before us just so we can help others.  They're also given to us for our sake.  Every time we take advantage of an opportunity we are choosing to be a better version of ourselves, bit by bit... everyday, 1,000 times a day, we are given the opportunity to become more like Christ little by little.  No opportunity is too small, just like every kind word and act of love from Christ was never too small.  The best part?  Even when we fail to see the opportunities or to act on them, God never stops giving them to us.  Every new day He gives us 1,000 more opportunities!

Nobody's life is routine or mundane... we all have days when we feel like it is.  I often think of my sister changing diapers for two kids all day, doing laundry, dishes, etc, but there are 1,000 new opportunities in her day just like in mine.  And how cool is it that the opportunities I've been given are unique to me, specifically designed for me, for me to become more Christlike and designed specifically to help those around me, too!

We had the opportunity to make Sean's birthday special by combining his 2 favorite things, hockey and chicken burgers!  

Never a missed opportunity to appreciate the beauty of creation at the beach :)  

Swimming in the river, a great opportunity to spend time with the students outside of school

God, help us to see the opportunities you put in our life today!     

Off to a good start

It’s hard to believe I’ve been down here two years, then at the same time it feels like I’ve lived here forever.   I’ve been back for 2 weeks and everything is right where I left off... in full swing! 

                        Here’s an update on the school, community, and my life here in Belize.  

School orientation and workshops were the best out of the three years I’ve been here.  I can see the administration really put a lot of thought into what would be of use and of interest to the faculty and staff.  The orientation week flew by and before we knew it we had about 150 new 1^st Formers nervously staring at us from the bleachers at orientation!  Along with teaching Religion, this year I’ve been assigned a homeroom.  In the U.S. this is primarily a role of taking attendance but here in Belize you are the mom to a particular class.  The students are your kids for the year and you take care of them, look out for them, and report back to their parents about twice a year on their progress.  I have 38 1^st Form girls I’m responsible for!  My goal is to keep all my girls for the whole year.  I don’t think this is a realistic goal since we usually have about 6-10 girls drop out of each class or fail between 1^st Form and 2^nd Form, but I don’t care if it’s unrealistic, it’s still my goal!  The girls are very quiet and sweet.  At this point in the year they are shy and still nervous about being in High School so I have to pull answers out of them in class.  I’m not worried about it; I’ve been here long enough to know that it will change soon enough and then I’ll be trying my hardest to get them to STOP talking.  The boys on the other hand… they warm up a lot faster!  They are quiet for the first 2 days and then they start in being funny, yelling out answers, talking to each other, and just acting like normal 14-year-old boys.  Once again this year, I am so thankful the classes are separated.  It’s so helpful to their learning at this age.  Coming back into the classroom for a third year here is a wonderful feeling!  It’s definitely a feeling of being “home” when you are at school where you are teaching all the 1^st Formers and know all the 2^nd and 3^rd Formers from teaching them in previous years.  For some of my students this year I’ve already taught 2 of their siblings! I feel like part of their family J

I realize every new school year how much I LOVE teaching!  It’s so fun challenging the kids to think on their own, to ask questions, and to find the answers!  They say little kids are like sponges, but I think they’re still pretty spongy their first year in high school!  By the end of the day I’m usually exhausted.  Any teacher will tell you how much energy it takes to teach.  But, it’s a good kind of exhausting; it’s rewarding, and it feels good to know you’ve given so much to the kids!

As you may have heard, I will be helping prepare for our Jr College to open Fall 2013.  We can use some prayers for this!  Having a Jr. College here in Benque will be so beneficial for the community here.  Right now people have to travel to go to college and the inconvenience along with the cost deters many people from being able to attend college.  There’s a lot to be done between now and August 2013.  I keep reminding myself “His grace is sufficient”!  It’s neat to be a part of something from the ground up and it’s great to see so many things are falling into place beautifully, Thanks be to God!  I’ll be posting information about Our Lady of Mt Carmel Jr College on my blog this year so you can be a part of it all!

We have an awesome group of volunteers this year!  We have 4 new men and 3 new women from different places in the U.S.  It’s refreshing to have new faces around, new people with new ideas, new friendships to form, and new memories to be made.  All the new volunteers are eager to be the best teachers they can be, to serve the students well, to learn about the culture, to experience new things, and to be part of the community.  It’s a great reminder to us returning volunteers of why we’re here, to serve, to give it our all, to be exhausted at the end of the day, to lay down our lives for others, to LOVE.