Wow! I'm officially a teacher. I can't believe it! Do I love it? Absolutely! My students and I are having such an awesome time.
I wouldn't say that I was nervous for Day 1 of teaching, but it was really weird standing up in front of a class to teach for the first . . . umm 10 seconds! It was so amazing. I can't believe how much I'm enjoying it. Talk about loving your job, THIS IS IT! Of course lesson planning is annoying and grading countless papers everyday is a pain, but I love doing it because my students are awesome. I feel so incredibly blessed to be loved by them already. It's a mutual feeling!!
Third day of class, I had my Biology students write down "how they've seen God work in their life" for bell work. Just a quick tidbit on bell work, best way to ALWAYS have your kids come in the classroom quietly (the way it should be) having something to do. Back to the story. I felt like it would only be right to share how God has worked in my life since they were telling me how He's worked in theirs. I started telling them a little bit of my past as a student and what helped me to become successful, in school, and how I completely gave everything to God and told Him to show me what He wanted me to do, which led me to Yap. (Yes I just shortened the story so much, sorry.) I told them, "I can clearly see why God wants me here. He wanted me to come to teach and to love you guys and that's so easy for me to do with each of you. Then one of my boys raised his hand and said, "Miss, please stop! You're making me cry." I said, "I can honestly say that I love you guys and I have no idea how I'm going to say goodbye at the end of the school year." (Almost tearing up, of course) He says again, "Seriously Miss, I'm crying now. We love you so much." I had to let them know how blessed I feel to have them as my students. When I was in high school, I always had an attitude towards the "new teachers". I can't imagine what my experience would be like if they treated me that way. (Sorry to any "new teachers" that had to deal with my attitude.)
Friday afternoon I'm about to start algebra class. Everyone is sitting down and I walk over to my desk to retrieve my book. One of my students comes up to me and whispers really quietly, "Miss, I am so sorry that I don't have an apple (apples are SUPER expensive here) but I need you to pretend that you're going to high-five me."At this point I'm super confused, but trust him and pretend to high-five him. He puts in my hand two chocolate bars and says, "Don't tell anyone because I didn't bring any for anyone else." What a sweetheart, right?
A student that I invited to church comes into my classroom during lunch and says, "I really don't want you guys to waste gas on me to pick me up for church." I replied, "Are you kidding me? That is NOT wasting any fuel. I will pick you up and we will sit together at church. I want you to be there." "But Miss, I don't like when people do other things for me. I want to be able to do things for myself. I can't accept a ride." I said, "Look at it this way, God called me here to do everything and anything for you guys. That's what I'm doing right now. I have no other priorities besides my students (and God). So you can go tell God that you want Him to stop me from loving you guys." Finally he says, "Okay Miss, I really want to be there. I will accept the ride." It's so important for the kids to know that we love them so much and we would do anything for them but not because of who we are but because of who God is, in us.
Students from day 1 of my PE classes where so shocked to see that I was going to play some ball with them. We have been enjoying our time in this heat. It's still burning hot and we are constantly sweating, but I have to say that I think I'm pretty used to it.
Last one, I promise!! I gave out a Biology quiz on Friday and every single one of my students got an A. I was so proud of them. They have so much potential. I just want them to understand the abilities they have! These kids absorb things like a sponge. I couldn't ask for a better group of high-schoolers.
A huge thank-you to everyone for all the prayers, love, and support. It really means a lot. Just wanted to share SOME stories with you. Of course there are many more, but these were some of my favorites. I hope you enjoyed them.
To all my friends going back to college, good luck :) I am praying for you. Make this a great year. Be successful and always try your best. Let go and let God.
God bless you all.
Until we meet again,
Ivana
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Living in a New Home
I can't believe it has almost been an entire week in Yap. A lot has happened so let me take you along the journey: We arrived Saturday night (skipped a day jumping 20 hours ahead) only to be greeted by wonderful church members and students at the airport. We were greeted with leis for the head and around your neck. They were the coolest things I had ever seen. Grass woven and flowers all over. It was a great gift.
Let me just say that the airport was a lot different then the airports back at home. We walked off the plane onto the very short run-way and went through customs. I didn't even know where to gather my luggage. They kind of just set it out there for you to grab. The airport is nothing but a cement roof with walls. It was quite interesting. Anyway, we loaded the vans, leaving my luggage on the side-walk amongst other luggage, hoping they would make it home somehow. Indeed they did. Phew, that was a relief.
We walked into our apartment only to find cockroaches. I've never seen such huge roaches before. You might even confuse one for a bird. Just hearing that crunch as you smack down your sandal killing it, is so nasty. I would like to take a moment and thank the people who invented "Raid". That stuff works wonders.
On to more exciting things, we went into town and got some groceries on Sunday and looked around at our classrooms. I spent a lot of time cleaning my room, getting books, organizing, lesson planning, etc. It's really interesting that in Yap, we take off our shoes before entering anywhere. Even some stores operate that way. It's very different walking into your classroom without shoes on, even church!
The humidity is crazy. Sweating every minute and every hour of the day is just plain normal. I'm just used to it now. It's so nice to not have to worry about "saving hot water" for the next person to shower. There's no such thing as "hot water"! Freezing in the morning and refreshing at night.
After school, I offer tutoring on the days that we don't have prayer meeting, pathfinders, and staff meeting. We are pretty involved here which is a huge blessing!
I'm very excited for each of my students to be successful. What's better than seeing your students succeed? I don't want them to go home each night and only remember learning about academics but also learning about Jesus. There are so many ways to show who Jesus is through teaching and having fun!
The island is beautiful. Green everywhere! There are so many coconuts trees, everywhere. Good thing that I love rice because that's pretty much all we eat here.
My colleagues are wonderful as well. It's great working with an amazing team. We all have different jobs but the same goal (to show the love of Jesus). I know that I'm not a certified teacher but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I have no other option but to fully rely on God and that's what makes the experience even so much better.
Thank you for all the prayers as we begin school and continue to work here. Remember that showing Christ's love is so easy. Make people wonder why you're different and why you're happy.
God bless,
Ivana Gomez
Let me just say that the airport was a lot different then the airports back at home. We walked off the plane onto the very short run-way and went through customs. I didn't even know where to gather my luggage. They kind of just set it out there for you to grab. The airport is nothing but a cement roof with walls. It was quite interesting. Anyway, we loaded the vans, leaving my luggage on the side-walk amongst other luggage, hoping they would make it home somehow. Indeed they did. Phew, that was a relief.
We walked into our apartment only to find cockroaches. I've never seen such huge roaches before. You might even confuse one for a bird. Just hearing that crunch as you smack down your sandal killing it, is so nasty. I would like to take a moment and thank the people who invented "Raid". That stuff works wonders.
On to more exciting things, we went into town and got some groceries on Sunday and looked around at our classrooms. I spent a lot of time cleaning my room, getting books, organizing, lesson planning, etc. It's really interesting that in Yap, we take off our shoes before entering anywhere. Even some stores operate that way. It's very different walking into your classroom without shoes on, even church!
The humidity is crazy. Sweating every minute and every hour of the day is just plain normal. I'm just used to it now. It's so nice to not have to worry about "saving hot water" for the next person to shower. There's no such thing as "hot water"! Freezing in the morning and refreshing at night.
After school, I offer tutoring on the days that we don't have prayer meeting, pathfinders, and staff meeting. We are pretty involved here which is a huge blessing!
I'm very excited for each of my students to be successful. What's better than seeing your students succeed? I don't want them to go home each night and only remember learning about academics but also learning about Jesus. There are so many ways to show who Jesus is through teaching and having fun!
The island is beautiful. Green everywhere! There are so many coconuts trees, everywhere. Good thing that I love rice because that's pretty much all we eat here.
My colleagues are wonderful as well. It's great working with an amazing team. We all have different jobs but the same goal (to show the love of Jesus). I know that I'm not a certified teacher but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I have no other option but to fully rely on God and that's what makes the experience even so much better.
Thank you for all the prayers as we begin school and continue to work here. Remember that showing Christ's love is so easy. Make people wonder why you're different and why you're happy.
God bless,
Ivana Gomez
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Meetings in Hawaii
Dear friends and family,
It's been quite the adventure thus far. I do understand that this is nothing compared to our adventures in Yap. This morning, at 5:30 am, we hiked up Diamond Head. It was so beautiful. I have not fully adjusted to the time change, but who cares because we are about to have a twenty hour difference from Hawaii.
Tonight we went shopping at Walmart and the place was packed with humans. Yes, we even saw "walmartians". I couldn't believe my eyes. People were grabbing items off the shelf left and right! We have two tropical storms coming, so everyone is getting food, laundry detergent, water, and anything else you can think of. We are praying that we can leave here on time.
We haven't done much more than sit in meetings all day. Don't worry, they are quite helpful. Not to mention the fact that i've been sleeping through most of them! Tell me why I chose to sit in the front row on day two when I was still exhausted? Oh well!
The group going to Yap is so awesome. We can't wait to get there and start this adventure. I found out that I will be teaching Math and Science for High School. Yay!! I'm actually excited about that. I'm so excited to have students. Although I'm completely responsible for their knowledge, I know that I will be entirely unsuccessful without God by my side. We are going to make an awesome team. It makes me so happy to know that God will use me to teach these kids in an educational aspect and teach them who God is. I can't believe that I'm blessed with this opportunity.
I will try to blog as often as possible. Maybe once a week or so. Ah, maybe once a month (joking). Prayers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)
P.S. I miss you Mom, Dad, Omar, and Austin <3
Love,
Ivana
It's been quite the adventure thus far. I do understand that this is nothing compared to our adventures in Yap. This morning, at 5:30 am, we hiked up Diamond Head. It was so beautiful. I have not fully adjusted to the time change, but who cares because we are about to have a twenty hour difference from Hawaii.
Tonight we went shopping at Walmart and the place was packed with humans. Yes, we even saw "walmartians". I couldn't believe my eyes. People were grabbing items off the shelf left and right! We have two tropical storms coming, so everyone is getting food, laundry detergent, water, and anything else you can think of. We are praying that we can leave here on time.
We haven't done much more than sit in meetings all day. Don't worry, they are quite helpful. Not to mention the fact that i've been sleeping through most of them! Tell me why I chose to sit in the front row on day two when I was still exhausted? Oh well!
The group going to Yap is so awesome. We can't wait to get there and start this adventure. I found out that I will be teaching Math and Science for High School. Yay!! I'm actually excited about that. I'm so excited to have students. Although I'm completely responsible for their knowledge, I know that I will be entirely unsuccessful without God by my side. We are going to make an awesome team. It makes me so happy to know that God will use me to teach these kids in an educational aspect and teach them who God is. I can't believe that I'm blessed with this opportunity.
I will try to blog as often as possible. Maybe once a week or so. Ah, maybe once a month (joking). Prayers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)
P.S. I miss you Mom, Dad, Omar, and Austin <3
Love,
Ivana
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