Blessings upon blessings . . .

Every morning while doing devotions I keep asking God, "Why are You so good to me? I just don't understand it. I feel like I say it all the time but it's something that I can't entirely describe. How selfish to think that school was way more important than taking a year off to be a missionary. I'm so glad that I listened to God's calling. He REALLY knows what's best for me. It's easy to say but something completely different when you actually experience it. Wow, God you are AWESOME!

This past week was "Week of Prayer" and the students enjoyed it. I was honored to speak to them and tell them my entire story. I was blessed to have students come up to me and say things such as "wow, God can really do that for me too?" "I'm so glad God called you here." "I'm inspired, God can do great things." etc . . . We had lots of laughs as well! Overall, Week of Pray was a blessing. 

Teaching is still going really good. I haven't gotten sick of it yet. Can you believe it? ;) How could I ever get sick of hanging out with these kids. I just have to say that when I have 8, 9, or how ever many students in my classroom after school, we have such a great time. We get lots of work done and are really getting to know each other super well. 

We also had testing this week. I'm talking about those standardized tests. It was so weird to be on the other end for once. Reading all those repetitive directions for each test . . .! It was pretty fun though. I talked with a lot of enthusiasm, for once, so the kids would listen well and not get bored of my voice! I was told that I sounded like a flight attendant. Regardless of what I sounded like, the kids where angels. I was so proud of them so I baked them a cake for tomorrow. Just a small surprise "thank you" for the excellent behavior.

I was especially blessed by one of my students this week who came up to me and said, "Thank you so much for being my homeroom teacher. I know you care a lot and you're helping me become a good kid." Wow that comment took me back for a second. One of my little trouble makers has seen THE LIGHT!!! Here's another good story to share. I had a student in detention with me this Friday and usually I have them sweep and mop my classroom but I decided that cleaning can be kind of fun sometimes. Since when is detention fun? I thought sitting in silence, listening to me lecture about how his behavior needs to change, and writing me a four page paper would be a better punishment. So he's sitting there and I had a lot to say but I started off by saying, "Listen, I need to tell you something before I tell you something else. You need know that I love you, as a student, and care for you a lot. There's nothing that you can do to make me appreciate/love you more Sometimes it might be hard for you to see that since I have to discipline you quite often." Immediately tears ran down his face. It was shocking. It's like he never knew that someone cared so much for him. I continued by saying, "If I don't discipline you and if there were no consequences, I would be a terrible teacher. That would mean that I don't care if you are unsuccessful or disrespectful. I believe that you can completely change.  I know you can get good grades and YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL in my classroom. " I proceeded to tell him that I even moved him from the front row of the classroom because I believe he can behave himself. (He HATES sitting in the front!) With tear filled eyes he replied, "No one has ever believed in me like that. I promise I will try my best and we are going to have a better week." Well, I didn't make him write me a paper and we just had a great heart-to-heart conversation. These kids just need someone to love them and believe in them. 

Saturday was great. Sabbaths in Yap are always awesome but we had communion and two of my students really wanted to participate but they had never done it before. They understood what everything signified and meant but I was so blessed to participate in foot washing with them. They thought it was so wonderful! Students are seeing Jesus. He is becoming so real to them. I also love watching my kids participate in church and help lead out in Sabbath school. 

The bible verse that reads, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Acts 20:35 is so true. I'm constantly blessed beyond words.

God is so good. Praying for everyone back home. 

Until next time, 

Ivana 

Time is flying

I can't believe how fast the time is flying by. I'm officially in love with this place. This is my home. I wish I could stay here for many more years. I don't even want to think of the day when I have to leave. It brings joy to my heart knowing that one day we will be able to spend eternity together.

The opportunities to witness are never ending. We are starting another Bible study on Monday nights. We will have two Bible studies happening at the same time. I have to admit that I almost cried yesterday (Monday) when two of our students led out in the Bible study. The lady is from the outer islands of Yap and doesn't speak good English so the boys agreed to take over! They've been doing it every week (in their language) and she is so blessed by the word of God.

There's an interesting story about that Bible study. We were asked to change the light bulb so as I was screwing in the new bulb, I didn't realize that the electricity was still on and the bulb burst in my hand and I definitely felt the electricity. Don't worry, my parents obviously taught me well enough to know that you always make sure the switch is off when changing a bulb but I was there with other people and I thought it was a group effort. AKA I thought they would turn the switch off! Haha that was an interesting experience.

It seems as though Sarah and I are with our kids ALL day. Literally all day but we love it. I wouldn't want it any other way. We both agreed that we would do anything for them. I mean, this is a once in a life time experience. No time for scuba diving, movies, and nonsense.

Friday was crazy. We had a "Freshman Welcome Party" and demolished the freshman with water balloons. We pretended that we needed a class photo on the stairs of the library and the rest of the high school was hiding under the stairs and around the building and creamed them! The freshman were good sports about it! I thought the water fight would die down after that but it only got worse. We all ate food together and I got ice water dumped on me about 15 times throughout the rest of the afternoon. Every time they got me with water, they would say "Welcome to Yap Miss Gomez"! Well, one of the Juniors got me at least 5 times so I grabbed a gallon of cold kool-aid and nailed him, got two pieces of chocolate cake and got him right in the face, and last but not least I cracked an egg on him. It was so fun. These kids put frosting all over my face and egged me about 10 times. At least it was hot outside and we all got to enjoy the afternoon.

I was just watching a video of my house (in Michigan) and it left me in tears. I knew that it would be hard for me to see home again and get adjusted back to "life" after the year but the fact that majority of my kids don't even have a door on their home breaks my heart. I'm so used to living here and it's amazing how inviting the students are even though they don't have much. Some don't even have a mattress . . . I am so thankful to God for things that He has provided me with.

If you ever wonder, "does she see Jesus right through her students?" I sure do. Last week Friday, I'm kneeling next to the desk of a student and ask, "hey would you like to come with us to church on Saturday?" He shrugged his shoulders and I could tell he didn't want to talk about it. I said, "It's okay. Just let me know when you want to come and we will pick you up." (By the way, we pick up all our students every week. We've got a few big vans with benches and one crew that picks kids up on one side of the island and the other group goes to the other side.) Immediately he was silent and his head hung. With tears flowing down his face, I placed my hand on his shoulder. "Miss I can't believe I'm crying. I don't want to make excuses for church anymore. I want to keep God first but my mom doesn't believe what I believe. She's looking for a faith and I'm telling her that I found it. I found God but she doesn't want to accept it." How can that not touch your heart? These kids are learning so much about God and they are trying to share it with their families. Thankfully, Sarah and I called his mom and she was happy to let him join us at church. Nothing makes me happier than to see my kids at church and involved in Sabbath School. God is good.

The crazy thing is that my students don't even know that they are missionaries to me. Their beautiful notes, hugs, smiles, laughs, jokes, etc. are the things that get me through each day. I can't imagine the joy that we will feel in Heaven.

I never thought I'd be a teacher, a preacher, or one to take off a whole year of school. Once I told God that I was done trying to run my own life and make my own plans, He had other plans for me. I told Him, "Lord if you want me to do something, I need you to literally hit me in the head with a ton of bricks. I don't work well with little hints." He made it so clear to me. I was kind of nervous to come here and teach kids that aren't much younger than I am but God told me, "This is what happens when I control your life. I know what you need. I have a perfect plan for you." God knew exactly what He was doing. I can only thank God for these blessings. Talk about blessings over flowing!!! WOW!

Again, I thank you for taking time to read these posts,  for all the prayers, and support. Never doubt the power of God. We are seeing Him work in mighty ways, here.

Love to all,

Ivana Gomez

September Already?!

The days are flying and the adventures get better and better. I can't believe I've been gone from home for a month now. The experience, thus far, is something I never quite imagined. It's worth every second. Looking back, seeing my friends embarking on yet another year of college saddens me sometimes. Wow, I wish I could be enjoying the year with my friends, but then I'm constantly reminded that God chose ME to come here. Why should I be thinking about what my year would be like if I was home? This experience is far greater than anything else I could be doing back at home. This is a once in a life-time deal. When I stop and think about it, I know that I would not want to have it any other way. It's crazy to think that I've completely put my life on pause (back in the States). My students don't quite understand it. "Miss, you left everything?" I love when they ask me that question. "Yes, I left it all just to spend this year with you and teach you as much as I can. Can you believe that God calls people to go across the planet?"

It's been three Sabbaths, here, and I've specifically been trying to get a particular student to come to church with me every week. First Sabbath he said, "I will try." Second Sabbath I told him that he HAS to come and we will give him a ride. He wasn't able to make it because his step-dad said no. Third Sabbath, I called his step-dad (yes, I was nervous) and asked him if my student could come and he said YES! Right after he said "yes"  (he was a man of VERY few words) he hung up so fast (super awkward). So one of the church members went to pick up my student and said, "Hey, are you ready to go?" My student says, "I don't think I can, my step-dad didn't say anything last night after the phone call." Not seeing him at church and hearing the story was so disappointing. I tried so hard. I even called his step-dad and that was really hard for me. Monday rolls around and he comes up to me with a panicked look. "Miss, it's okay if you never like me again." "What are you talking about?" (I knew what he was talking about ;)] "I know I didn't come on Saturday but I promise, I really wanted too." I said, "It's okay. I really missed seeing you there but it's going to happen this Sabbath. I know it will. You're step-dad told me that it was OK." He had no idea that his step-dad gave permission for him to come to church with us and that's why he didn't accept the ride. "Miss, you're not going to give up on me?" I replied, "See, I've felt like that before. There have been so many times where I feel like God should just give up on me, but I'm so glad He didn't because I wouldn't be here if He did. If God keeps trying and trying, why shouldn't I? As long as I'm here (in Yap) I will do everything I can to get you to church every Sabbath." With a relieved and loving look on his face he replied, "Wow, that's amazing. I promise I'll be there." What's even better is that we have about 12 students that want to come to church this Sabbath. There's nothing that makes me happier. Praise God. I'm so excited!!

With good always comes the bad. I had to give out my first detention last week and that was surprisingly really hard for me to do. I tried giving so many warnings but at a certain point, you have to discipline them so they can learn from their mistakes. One student was being so disruptive and was asked to be quiet about 4 times. Finally, I gave an infraction (slip that the student signs recognizing his/her misbehavior) and said, "Next time, It's a detention." Of course next time came or the story would be non existent ;) Detention was held last Friday and we had a good twenty minute talk about the misbehavior and things we can do (the student and I) to avoid future detentions. Comes out, he wants to be a good kid but he's kind of the class clown. What's a class clown if they aren't hilarious and disruptive? Anyway, he helped me sweep and mop my classroom and things have gotten a lot better. I've seen so much improvement in all of my students, whether it's academically or behavior wise.

Don't you love those heart-to-heart conversations? This happened yesterday (Monday). Talking to one of my students during PE, he informed me that he got expelled from the public school and that's how he ended up here(at the SDA school). "Oh wow, so how did that happen?" "I get really angry sometimes and I fight a lot of people." What do you even say to that? I giggled and said, "Well, I don't understand how beating someone up solves problems. Can you explain that?" He laughed and said, "Miss, I know it doesn't solve problems. I just got mad." "Ah, I see. So how do you feel about coming to this school?" His answer was mind boggling. "I couldn't believe it. Everyone was so nice. I never knew people really acted this way. When I first got here, I didn't know anyone. Skyler (not really the students name) came up to me, welcomed me, and told me that he would take me to my first class. Now we are best friends. I love it here. I'm learning how to have a better attitude and better sportsmanship." The fact that other people see a difference in us is completely God. I'm so glad that the Holy Spirit is here on this campus.

I wish that I could give my students everything that I have back home. In reality, their happier with less. I'm completely adjusted to living with very little. It's so awesome. You see so many more blessings all around you and you have more time to spend with people that matter and people need you. God is crazy amazing and I'm honored to be His child. Everyone is called, few are chosen.

Last but not least. Driving a manual van with the steering wheel on the opposite side was sweet. Not when we found a cockroach next to our feet, but It's actually way better than driving in the States. I love it :) I think the girls enjoyed my epic/crazy; YET safe driving ;)

Continued prayers are always welcomed and appreciated. Keep praying for these kids. They are seeing God more and more each day. I ask that God would reveal Himself to each and every student in a way that He has never done before. May God bless you all in the States.

Until next time,
Ivana Gomez