Infamous Public Schools in Colombia

Me and technology have not gotten along very well in Colombia. About 4 weeks ago my beloved Ipod to which I listened to many podcasts as well as American music (!) passed away. While this little 4 GB box of heaven got me through countless hours of training this past year, I belief its death was premature! So therefore I will be writing a letter to either Steve (CEO of Apple) or Steve Wozniak (Co-Founder of Apple)...that's right I googled the head haunchos!

Than a week later I went swimming with my cell phone! There will be no letters sent on this one because I am simply an idiot!

To top it off, I was working on a new blog update when I leaned on my computer. PS: Never lean on anything that costs a lot. When the "Black Screen of Death" appeared...I knew I was about to pay alot. Somehow in my insane muscular strength and body mass, I broke the hard drive. Apparently, they just don't make them like they used to (I used to have a 1970's Commodore desktop that weighed 240 lbs!). But thanks to a failing economy and good friends, I paid about $120 bucks for a new drive, Windows 7 (Team Bill Gates...take that Apple...like you need it), and labor (you da man Ivan!). Which leads me all to say that i'm still alive and kicking and ready to share some of the experiences I have been having here in Colombia via this blog!

So how about I finally talk about my teaching placement here in Santa Ana!

When I was asked to switch from my University teaching placement in beautiful Cartagena to dirt, dust, and donkees of Santa Ana, I was given the opportunity to chose which of the 2 teaching placements I would prefer here on the Island. In Santa Ana I knew there were 2 schools (a private and public) to choose from. The only differences I was given, in that moment, were that the public school co-teachers tend to be less engaged and therefore you have more autonomy. So being a glutton for a good challenge, I excitedly choose the Santa Ana Public School!

I am an english teacher in a community where learning this language translates into money. If you know english- you can get a job. In fact, this beautiful island has attracted potentional real estate giants as Donald Trump. In the past year, there has been as all-inclusive resort that opened near Playa Blanca with plans for several more within the next 5 years. You ask any kid "why learn english" and they will draw you dollar signs! Tourism around Playa Blanca is what their parents often do and is a career many will fall into as well (not very many options). The difference is that if these children learn english, instead of spending 10 hrs days in the hot sun trying to sell food, beverages, necklaces, or massages, they could work in an air conditioned resort or restaurant. According to some reports they can make upwards to 30% more in such positions- that's some serious "plata!" The tough reality though, is that if they done learn english, they could be displaced by more competetive individuals who would tend to know this highly valued language (English speaking tourists).

I have come to learn the hype around public schooling in Colombia is true (can't tell you how many presentations we had in Bogota about the problems in education here).

While the kids in both schools (private and public) present teachers with the same problems each day, I have come to learn that the institutions themselves are to blame. The culture of learning in the private school here (Barbocoas) is impressive. The teachers, who live here during the week, are prepared and eager to teach. There seems to be appropriate accountability from executive leadership to all faculty and staff. While every institution has its problems, I feel they work very diligently to keep the kids first!

At the public school (Santa Ana Public School), while I believe there are good intentions, the culture of learning is flawed. In Colombia they have one of the most powerful teacher unions every assembled. For many this means serious job security. The reality is that there is almost nothing you could do to be fired from your position. So it's obvious how this can matriculate down to the education of these beautiful children. What hurts the most, is that these kids here in Santa Ana don't have any other resource to learn from. What they get here will often be all they get!

But this is the reason WorldTeach and Volunteers Colombia has us here- so bring it on!

So while there are 6 of us "gringo's" here in Santa Ana, only 2 of us teach at the public school. The other teacher is an awesome girl named Kim Handel. She is from California and has the perfect balance of humor, reality, and sarcasm for such a placement as ours! Most mornings we make the 10 minute walk to our school together often laughing at the impending insanity that is our world!

I am teaching multiple classes in 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th grade! I average about 23-25 hrs each week in the classroom. Most of my classes have anywhere from 20-30 kids in each classroom. Hopefully, you can get a perspective of what the classrooms look like in the pictures I will post. If this is your first time reading my blog: Its hot here! By hot, I mean I take 3-4 showers a day. So these classrooms are somewhat open and are all equipped with 1-2 ceiling fans that occasionally work. Needless to say, I am soaked by the time I am done! Its awesome!

The kids are the reason I am here! So while there have been many instances I wanted to toss them in the ceiling fan- they are beautifully tolerated and loved. Its a tough job teaching english here but Kim and I are learning new strategies and methods to get the information across. Let me not sugar coat things and say that a day doesn't go by where I did not ask a student to leave or hand out a zero for cheating, but its getting better. They are learning that while the "gringo" means business, he really cares for them! I thought it best to fight these battles early on so we can make some real progress down the road. Respect is everything here.

All my teacher friends are probably wondering how much time I spend lesson planning each week with so many grades...well a lot less than I anticipated because they are all almost at the same level (which happens to be a 6th grade or less ability). If Donald Trump rolled in tomorrow, these kids are screwed. But if Kim and I can make some real progress this year helping change the learning environment of our school, encourage and educate our Colombia co-teachers, and if WorldTeach commits to this project for 5 years, I can see real change coming to this community!

Classes are an adventure but I have to say I have really been enjoying it! I have seen a little progress just in the fact that I don't have to use my ghetto spanish to teach the whole class anymore! This week was full or ups and downs but I saw a lot out of them the past few days! My 11th graders were awesome while my 4th graders were on crack. I also had some tough conversations with the principle about some of my concerns regarding the disorganization of the school. I am hopeful He can make a few changes that will greatly impact the learning environment here.

Its South America and we have all quickly learned to adapt and overcome. This is a different world and sometimes I feel I barely display that in this blog. Yet, I pray this experience gives you a different outlook on life and a blessed perspective of life where you are this moment. I am sure i'll talk more about teaching and these kids- its a huge part of my life here. So until the next time, hug your children and get involved in their education! Maybe someday they can use what they have learned to come and attempt to make an impact where kids simply are not as fortunate.

Talk soon- have a blessed day!

Yo No Se Manana

I dont know about tomorrow.

The title of the blog is actually a really cool song here in South America. Its by a guy named Luis Enrique who from a few web searches seems to be "the man." To put it in a way that everyone at home could relate, I think he is the Latin American version of Sting. He certainly went through some narly haricuts (the Kid and Play hightop to the spanish Fabio mess) and some weird outfits (gotta love the sweater vest with no shirt underneath), but after just watching his music video for this song, the man is a pimp (Mom- not in the way where someone takes money from hookers for providing care and protection- but its actually an endearing term)!

While I may not understand all the words to this song, and i'll kind of ignore the line where I think he says something like "from the cafe to the couch," I certainly have been digging the killer salsa beat and rhythm of this kind of music. Do I love it so much to get out of my bed at 11pm and show my Santa Ana neighbors my true Colombian rhythm and footwork...not so much. Yet, I appreciate their consideration to serenade us "gringos" with the all the hit records of South America at times where I believe that even my donkey friends are sleeping!

I don't know about tomorrow! So every day here I have tried to make it memorable. In the mornings when I head off to school I know that I wont have to do anything personally to make it an adventure. Something is bound to happen that will give me an awesome story to share with my fellow American teachers at lunch. I know I have said this before, but more details to come.
For all my teacher friends, I think i'm heading to the Bronx to teach after i'm done here. Woah.

Both during and after school, I have become a regular at the panaderia (bread shop),which is actually out of this families home, (helped him move a new dresser into it the other day) across the street from the school. The first time I met them they said laughing "usted no entiende nada" which lovingly means "you don't understand anything." While they are correct, they love me because I bust out my 50 mil (25 cents) and routinely buy 1 pastry and 2 cookies from them like 2-3 times a day! Gotta support the local economy!

The midday is me, sweating that pastry and 2 cookies away, laying on my bed with a fan full blast aimed at my grill! Hoping no one busts in my door without knocking because I may or may not have many clothes on. This is when I get the opportunity to have some quality God and me time. I like to think that me being almost neked may enhance these moments. He certainly had Adam and Eve walk around without shame, so im sure He won't mind if reenact this during our time together (i mean its like 98 degrees here...everyday!).

During the early evenings I try and do some form of exercise. Funny story: so the other day i'm running down 1 of the 2 dirt roads I often frequent here. Its about 4:30 pm which still means its smoking hot but not as bad as earlier in the day. Its swear I am in Africa on these runs. There is nothing but fields of cattle, donkeys, and weird looking trees. But I have to admit its really relaxing minus when a truck comes and im covered in dust. So anyways, I turn this corner and there are like 4 huge cows. This is nothing new, but for some reason I forgot to walk past them and my running startles the little one. So they start running down the road infront of me. No problem but there are fences the line the road for miles! So for about 5 minutes I feel like I am in Pamplona, Spain running with the bulls (yet they are kind of infront of me). Funny gets hilarious when as 1 unit we turn the corner and we meet my other friends, the donkeys! There is a small family of 4 who also gets wigged out at the 3 tons of beef and the 150 lb gringo that is running at them. So they decide to join us and we become quite the site for another 1/4 mile until a legit (not an uber mutt) guard dog comes out of nowhere and thankfully changes the direction of my herd. If the farmer who owns all these animals happens to learn how to use that fancy box gringos always seem to carry around and reads this blog...I am sorry!

The evenings have been about culture! From learning new ways to perfect patacones to making empanadas, I just upped my stock just in time for dating season (starts tomorrow until Halloween...another blog in itself). I am also doing a language exchange with a really cool young man named Luis. I truly feel that God had his hand in us meeting each other as I believe there will many cool ministry opportunities that may come from this. And of course, I regularly play with my South American Sandlot crew. The other teachers I work with have been coming with me more regulary (to play of just hang out) and its been a pretty fun time. The crew is growing and I am considering finding a new spot- which means a serious clean up project!

The night is about chilling out with the great group I am here with, getting ready for another day of classes, and spending some times talking about all of you to Him! At the end of the day, I double check the walls for man eating mosquitos that have rocked me in my sleep a few nights last week, and then pull the covers over my already 99.8 degree body.

For those who made it this far in todays blog always lovingly ask yourself this: While life is always full of adventure, can you say it always has purpose? What makes my day so awesome is that I know I am doing the things God wants me to do here. I have never felt His presence in such an amazing way and that makes me both excited and terrified in what He will present next! And so why I have do not about tomorrow, I will walk with Him and make the most of all He gives me today!

Waves

Life here in Santa Ana has been going awesome! I am truly in love with this country and have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this community! Though the other night I could have traded my kidney for a good ol’ American Cheeseburger, every day I feel more at home here in Colombia!

Today was my first day teaching! I had an 11th grade class that began at 6:30 am and you can only imagine how excited they were to be up that early to learn English…some things are universal! This was followed by another 11th grade class, a two hour 9th grade class, and a 6th grade class from the underworld. Anyone remember the beast from Revelations 13? The one with 10 horns and 7 heads who wreaked havoc on all the earth’s inhabitants…that kid is in my class! Otherwise, it was a pretty cool day and I am excited to put some cool lesson plans together to help them learn English. It was very clear we have miles to go before they’ll be at any level of proficiency! More to come!

For this blog entry I want to share something I read the other day. Last Saturday I met the IMB Ministry team in the morning. I will be helping in these missions every weekend while I am here. I hope to share more on this very soon! I was suppose to meet them at 8:30 am but the motorcycle driver I took that morning must have just watched Fast and Furious because I was almost 30 minutes early! So I hung out on the beach (rough life) and read my daily devotion which at the time was in Ephesians. I was in chapter 4: 14 which says:

“Then we will no longer be infants tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunningness and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is Christ.”

As I read this I looked out at the waves and made some observations. Waves come in all different shapes and sizes. Waves are relentless, yet incredibly unpredictable. Sometimes when everything is normal, you’ll have a huge wave come in and surprise you. I noticed how strong they were. When they crash you can see the sand turn underneath it. Sometimes they pull rocks back in as the wave recedes while other times it pushes them up on shore.

In all these observations, it was not hard to see why Paul used this example. Even the person who wrote the motto “Life is a Beach” may have been on to something. In a spiritual sense, Satan’s attacks are relentless. He will present them in creative and different ways. When everything appears calm, the god of this world throws something at us that can be overwhelming. We have moments where it feels as if the ground is being swept out from under us. Another day we feel as if we’re being thrown against the rocks. Satan wants nothing more than for us to lose our bearings and in a moment, feel scared. Can you relate to this? What are the waves in your life?

As I observed the ocean that morning, there was something else I could see. I noticed that the waves of any significance were only near the shoreline. The deeper you went out, the calmer the water was. I reminisced when I did Ironman Florida. I had worked on a few strategies to get through these “breaker” waves. I kept the mantra to “just stay focused and relax” because when I did successfully get through them, the rest of the swim would be easy as I knew the conditions were better the farther out you were! How important is it for us to “get off the shore and into the deep water” as it relates to our faith? The reality is that this can be a daunting proposition because of two reasons: it’s scary and people don’t know how to swim.

I listened to a sermon the other day and the pastor referenced The Chronicles of Narnia where someone asked “is the Lion safe (God)…No! But He is just!” When we rest our lives in His hands it doesnt always mean "calmer waters" as we would imagine. Yet, as we venture out in Faith, the waves that once crashed around us, causing us to become disorganized and at times fearful, disappear. Instead He replaces them with purpose and direction. A storm out in sea is not uncommon, but remember what Jesus said to the disciples in such a similar situation in John 6:20 "It is I; dont be afraid." The sea is always unpredicable, but unless we get out of the surf and into deeper water, we may never come to know Christ in the manner we are told to.

Doubt can also creep in when one does not know how to swim. How many times have you ever felt convicted you needed to act on His behalf and thoughts of inadequacy overwhelmed you? There were moments, a few years ago, when I joined a swim team to learn how to swim. After a few practices- I remember wanting to crawl into somewhere and die! It was hard and I thought I would never learn. But I trusted in my coaches teaching and saw in her ability that she knew what she was doing! Sound familiar?

God has given you and me everything we need to swim and to freestyle our way into calmer waters. He has given this entire world His words, teachings, team (church), instructions, and the Example!

There were moments this past year that seemed overwhelming. Times where I lost my focus and felt scared! Yet, as I write this I am excited for what He is doing in this life. I know there is an amazing, overwhelming amount of me that needs to go to Him. But I pray that each day the Holy Spirit convicts me of this and I am able to give them up. All of us have gone through some serious “breakers” in our days and maybe you are in that moment today. So I want you to know that as it is in Christ, as we grow up into Him, we are granted the peace, joy, and strength to swim to that place. A place that is dangerous but we feel safe. A place that is unchartered but we aren’t lost. A place that is foreign but we feel at home.

For me, my best friend Kendall has been that encouragement and example for me. She showed me that in His hands, there is no room for fear. She reminded me that God doesn’t look for the qualified, He makes them.

In moments of crashing waves and dangerous currents, are you clinging to something or possibly someone that is not Him and should be? Can you even see the calmer waters in front of you? Prayerfully let go of what you are holding onto this moment. Trust in the Creator God. Allow Him to guide you through these breakers and out in the deep waters. Sometimes we only see the waves and forgot there is another world to be discovered behind them. Find that place and I guarantee you that is where He has always wanted you to be!

The Usual in Baru

To my mom and the other 2 people that read my blog- “Que mas” from Isla Baru!

I got a few requests to write about my usual day here in Santa Ana, Baru. So here in my suprisingly slick and childish sense of humor...a day in Colombia.

Every morning I wake up fairly early because I’m an idiot. However, in reality it’s not a bad thing because starting next Monday, my school begins at 6:30 am! Despite my pretty ghetto bed and the sheets that somehow are nonexistent when my eyes open, I sleep pretty well! When I was a little guy, getting me out of bed was a nightmare process for my parents. Not just because I despised school, but because in New Hampshire its cold for almost 8 months of the year! My loving yet frugal parents always turned off the heat at night, which I enjoyed at night, yet cursed in the morning. There were many mornings where I could see my breathe and the last thing I wanted to do was leave my heaven that was 3 blankets and a huge comforter! I write that to tell you…I don’t have that problem here. Have I not mentioned this climate resembles the underworld?

So once my eyelids open and the ears turn on- I am graciously greeted by about 1000 roosters. Though they are often not in unison, I have come to appreciate their desire to sing to me every morning! Here I pray for a lot of you (the ones I like) and finish the prayer with “and please Lord may I not get stung by a scorpion this morning.” Pretty much on the second day here I found one of these tiny, rare, and deadly divine mistakes (ducking as I write this) chilling out on my bathroom floor. So needless to say- I now move around about as fast as my little Italian grandmother (shout out to Rita!). I check my shoes and throw on some running gear. Got to start the day right pounding the dirt roads before it turns into a blazing inferno!

I open my door and feel like Noah. “Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you…” Amidst the poverty and obscene amount of trash that is my morning view of Santa Ana, are usually pigs, dogs, cattle, goats, variety of birds, lizards, roosters, and my favorite animal the donkey! I see much more of this as I run but the fact that it hasn’t rained here for months deters me from getting out my blueprints of the ark.

A cold shower never felt so good than when I come back from these runs! I am cautious to make sure I don’t drink an ounce of water there, but honestly, I’m on a island with no running water (we’re the only ones who have it) and an garbage problem…I’m screwed. I fully expect to hug the porcelain many times before I leave here, but I am cautious nonetheless. My amazing breakfasts in Bogota are now an afterthought! It’s a bowl of good ol’ Kellogg’s and a banana. I do get some good coffee (special shout out to Edna)!

So the rest of the day is school stuff. I am at the public school here in Santa Ana which is going to be very rewarding but challenging. The last few days have been just lesson planning with our Colombian teachers (in the South we say "God bless them but..."). Should be interesting because during our first meeting, we came to learn that though they have spent the last 5 years teaching English, they have written nothing down in the form of lessons and or annual plans. So as you might imagine, my prayer life is being tested but I believe we are going to be alright. Tell you more about that soon. Class starts next Monday!

I want to share my favorite part of the day with everyone! We live right next to one of the “pueblos” of Santa Ana. If you just thought Cherokee Indians or somewhere along those lines...punch yourself in the gut. In South America this just means rows of small little homes which result in a quaint but poor neighborhood. I have made it a point to get out and just lift the people to him in prayer. In these moments God has opened up doors for me to meet a lot of great people of all ages. If you happen to forget, I live in South America and they speak Spanish here. Which means at this moment, there is a lot of smiling, proper salutations, and moments where I just listen and wish I understood. But in everything I do, I love them. I love them as He loves you and me! It would be hard to describe how much I wish I could really converse with them, but for the meantime I am content on loving them by giving them my time and appreciation. The best part is the 15-20 kids from the neighborhood whom I have introduced to ultimate Frisbee! These kids are athletes but it’s more laughs that competitive remarks. I walked out of my room yesterday evening to all of them yelling at me to come play (which took me a moment to translate)! Remember who Jesus said was the greatest- if you just though Ali- read Matthew 18. These kids rock and I ask that you pray over my South American Sandlot. May He open up doors to share His truths with them and their families despite my limited Spanish! These people are beautiful and I’m excited for those who might come to meet them!

After a light dinner because my eternal temperature is now 1000 degrees, I grab this here blessing of technology and touch down in America for a while. After my fix of “home” I walk back to my place for bed. On the way I politely ask a few donkeys if they wouldn’t mind keeping their debauchery down this evening. I threaten them by saying I wont let them enter the ark if they abide by my demands! I wonder how much I would jack up the ecosystem if I omitted a few animals? Lucky for them I am a fan of Eeyore and I would never do anything malicious despite how much there mating keeps me up. Too bad that Disney did not create a character who was a scorpion! Sucks to be them! Hope you enjoy the rain- suckahs!

(P.S...I know its not going to be rain but fire next time...save the email, it was a joke. Ha!)

Change of Plans

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-8

Been loving that verse as I have started experiencing the highs and lows of living here. Please keep me in your prayers as I desperately try to rest in His arms and stop trying to walk my own path.

The WorldTeach Colombia orientation in Bogota was awesome! I am so proud to be a part of this organization and to be among such an impressive group of people.

I have gotten a few requests to describe what a normal day has been like in Bogota. So I will do my best to capture what it’s been like for me and my new friends as we just wrapped up orientation and headed out to our placements throughout Colombia!

For me, each morning usually starts with an early morning run on the streets and in a nearby park. The first time I ventured out I must admit it was possibly the hardest run I have ever gone on! Minus the fact that in the weeks before I left, I possibly enjoyed every bit of America’s finest cuisine (love me some cheeseburgers), the altitude was a killer! Bogota is the third highest capital city in the world! I bet playing checkers at 9000 feet would have been rough! Then you have the pollution which is not uncommon for a city of almost 8 million people and together you feel like a COPD patient on crack (couldn’t think of anything creative here).

Once I got back, I enjoyed a nice breakfast of fresh squeezed juices (mango, kiwi, strawberry, and blackberry), scrambled eggs with ham and tomato, and a plate of amazing pineapples and various melons! Let me not forget the amazing cup of real Colombia coffee to which I would down 2-3 cups every morning (speaking of crack). Being so early, I usually did my daily devotional here each morning and must admit that each morning started almost perfectly! Everyone jealous yet?

If you let out a “ah I’m jealous?” statement- take it back. After I wrapped up my wonderful morning routine, it was time to work! Harvard University and their program WorldTeach (http://www.worldteach.com/) sent us to Colombia to teach English! While there are many ESL teachers in the states- there are like 2 good ones here in South America. The fact is that while English is taught in most schools as early as 1st grade- 93% of the Colombian “English teachers” do not know English! So kids in all areas of the country are graduating with the knowledge of “Hi, mi name es Jose,” and nothing more. One might say “so what’s the big deal that they don’t know English, I mean come on, its South America!” Well, Bob Smith might be right for a few people, but the reality is that English equals money. Strategically, this year’s Colombian placements are all in areas of both tourism and trade! It can be stated that if you take two Colombians (in these areas) who have the exact background and education but one knows Uncle Sam and the other doesn’t- the one who knows English will earn up to 30% more money per year! If you just watched Romancing the Stone or possibly Clear and Present Danger and think these people are living large off emeralds and cocaine- not so much my friend. This country is poor and I am learning from Colombian officials and just about every poor sap on the street, education is to blame. A few global educational statistics rank Colombia comparable to some African countries! Yikes!

So with all of that said- they beat us up to make sure we don’t drop the ball here. At one point the Minister of Education in Colombia herself gave us a pep talk! We usually started the day off with 1-2 hours of Spanish class. I was put in the lower class…no surprise there. I must also admit that I felt like I ran a marathon after that class- geez! Then it was 2-3 hours of ESL teacher training, Lunch, and 3-4 hours more! We practiced all educational components and were given the opportunity to student teach at a local school (where the children may have been smarter than me…now). They also threw in classes around culture, history, safety (thanks US Embassy for scaring the crap out of us), and social issues. We got the opportunity to see famous Bogota sites as well as breath taking fieldtrips outside the city. Nothing like 23 Americans getting out of a sweet air conditioned charter bus with digital cameras flashing. I am shocked none of us was kidnapped (I’m kidding Mom…kind of).

Though it was intense, WorldTeach put together one of the best orientations anyone could ask for. I think this whole group feels well prepared and incredibly motivated to carry out this mission! I am excited to begin teaching and the doors He will open up to witness within this community.

As for the title to this blog today…there was a change in plans for me! Originally, I was supposed to be in the beautiful city of Cartagena where I would be teaching university students. However, a cool girl in the Isla Baru placement was not comfortable with the situation there and asked to switch. When no one was willing to do so, I prayed over it, and when the big wigs at WorldTeach said it was a go, I accepted the switch. What does this mean? Well, Isla Baru is only 45-90 minutes (depends on mode of transportation) South of Cartagena which means I will still participate in the IMB ministry with Kendall on the weekends! These people need Jesus more than they need English. Isla Baru is also close to the beautiful Playa Blanca (Google that!) which is awesome! But I have to admit it’s the extreme opposite of Cartagena in that it’s the ghetto. These people are amazing, but the small communities of 4000 people live in absolute poverty. This is one of the reasons “the switch” appealed to me because I know this community has its hands out asking for help in so many ways (possibly more so than Cartagena)! I will write more about the fascinating dynamics here and hopefully post pictures soon!

Hope everyone is well but I need to go outside and see why these donkeys insist on mating right outside my window! Gotta love Baru! Stay tuned…

E

First Day of School- Again

Is there anyone out there who enjoys packing? If I ever strike it rich, you better believe that right alongside me having someone whose sole job is to scratch my head (weird…I know), I will also have a personal packer! Without getting hosed by all my female friends, I will say that my packing habits may be slightly similar (that’s all I’m saying). I tend to bring a lot more than I should which was may have been the case for this next year to Colombia. I simply comment to this because as I write this entry, I am staring at a huge heap of clothes, shoes, hats, and a bunch of random objects that somehow managed to find its way into my bags! Did I mention that I already have another bag waiting for me in Cartagena- thanks JD and Laura! Ha! I am like my Mom after all!

A special shout out to my parents who drove from Maine for Xmas, take my truck, and my beloved dog Ellie! Even though I was certainly not myself the last few weeks before I left, it was such a blessing to have them with me. On top of just being around them- they kept me focused on everything I needed to do before I boarded the plane! This was huge for me, because as I experienced every emotion one would feel before leaving the country, I often found myself not wanting to think about leaving. So hence, I was not that productive. If you are Ed Financial- I plan to defer my loans- thanks! Yet, as I hugged my parent’s goodbye and gave my very special 4-legged loved one a nice smooch, I entered the airport super excited to start this next journey.

Over the last few months I have know that there were going to be almost 20 people going with me to Colombia. All of us have been placed into teams that would teach in Isla Baru, Cartagena (Me), Barranquilla, and 2 placements in the beautiful Quindio region of Colombia. I also knew that the whole group would spend 2 plus weeks together in Bogota for our WorldTeach orientation. Having moved out of my “old school” shyness bit, I was pretty excited to meet everyone, but possibly a bit nervous.

Growing up, I absolutely dreaded the first day of school. One, because it was school and I thought it was created by Satan himself (now I’m teaching…wow) and two, because I had to endure the awkwardness that it meeting new people when all you would rather do is play basketball, be fishing, and watching Michael Jordan highlight films. But I guess I have grown up a bit because as I hopped in bed, and in the last time for a while, told Ellie it was “time for nigh nigh,” had her jump up, give me a kiss, and very gently pulled back the covers and curled up to the back of my legs (again weird- but cannot tell you how I miss that), went to bed without much problem. The night before Ironman was like being on crack but leaving everything I have known in Nashville resulted in a ridiculously good night’s sleep- hmm?

I met the group in Houston and the rest was history. I cannot tell you how cool these people are! You ever been at a weird gathering with long lost family, telling your story, answering redundant questions, all the while secretly wishing a comet would come down and remove you from this world? Well, needless to say I have had not in one moment felt anything along these lines here! I have heard this was the most competitive year WorldTeach has ever had and after meeting these people and getting to know their experience, I certainly feel privileged to be here. I can tell you that the regions in Colombia that WorldTeach and Volunteers Colombia have partnered with- are going to be blessed.

I remember in 2nd grade crying behind the Eastman School cubbies the first day of school, after my Father literally dragged me into the school, wishing bad things upon the man who invented learning! But here I am once again, coming full circle, studying hard here at our Bogota orientation with a group of people I have only know for 1 week- excited to go to my teaching placement in Cartagena! I know this country has a drug problem, but has anyone tested the water because I’ve been feeling pretty good.

Please keep all of us in your prayers as we all part ways for our placements in the next week.

Adios!

The List

This time last year I was staring down at my hands (in the classic hunt and peck typing style I have perfected) writing down everything that I have always wanted to do but never made it a priority or had the opportunity to do. As this insanely enjoyable euphoric experience came to an end, I had successfully identified 68 things to which I hoped to accomplish in 2009.

My friends thought I was crazy and unrealistic and while this was true in my ways, it was amazingly refreshing for me to do this. While such things as reading a Henry Thoreau novel while canoeing Walden Pond, getting a tattoo (you’re welcome Mom), or back packing Europe were never accomplished- I was able to knock down the list considerably. My cousin Mike and I went vegetarian for a whole month, I completed Ironman Florida along with a few other athletic goals, I learned an authentic Hispanic dish from an authentic Hispanic family, and just a few days ago I competed in a Krystal eating contest to which I gluttonously ate 20 of those nasty little things in 15 minutes (don’t recommend that one)! While I only accomplished half of this crazy list, my perspective on life was somewhat shattered.

Through this experience I came to believe there are few barriers that can effectively get in the way of our dreams and desire. More powerfully I came to believe there are no barriers that can get in the way of Gods desires for our life if we rest in Him. The Lord says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” If we are able to crawl into His enormous hands each day, is there truly anything that might thwart the plans of the Creator God who wants to give us everything He perfectly designed for us?

While I still want to learn how to scuba dive, start a wine collection, and create my own holiday and celebrate it, I know that deep down the happiness I receive from such accomplishments pales in the comparison to the complete joy of walking along the path He had created for me.

I’m now sitting here in Bogota, Colombia where my life has come full circle. I am with a great organization and 20 awesome people who truly want to be a positive light to a country where the needs are obvious. In a few weeks I’ll head to Cartagena and begin work at the University and with the IMB mission team there. While I know there is so much from language acquisition to teaching proficiency that will need some serious work, I am really happy! I am blown away by the doors He has opened for me and I am very excited to follow His lead here in South America.

Was uprooting all that I have known in Nashville for the last 10 years to pursue this next chapter in Colombia part of my list? The surprising fact is that it wasn’t but that as I have drawn closer to God over these last years- in amazing cool fashion He revealed His list for me! So while I encourage everyone to make your 2010 dream list (it was fun!) above all things delight in the Lord and be prepared to have your world turned around for the better!

Hope to post a video update from the “Athens of South America” in the next few days! I miss you all so much…and my awesome dog Ellie!