Week One

I finally got to talk to my family! I got to talk to Ali yesterday on skype! I seriously needed to see my sweet sister's face smiling back at me. Then today I got to talk to parents via choppy skype, so it was more like talking on the phone with major echoes. But just hearing their voices made me so happy!

I've been a badblogger. I just got internet on my computer friday, then we went camping this weekend on Carlos Island, so I didn't have any internet. This week will be better.

Things have been pretty hard lately. I've been really overwhelmed with classes, but I'm thinking that that will get better soon. I think I just need to get the hang of it and I'll be good. I really don't even know how to describe the kids. They are good for me sometimes, and other times not at all. The classrooms have open windows, but there is always something going on outside, and it's always loud. So even if I can get their attention for a second, it's hard to keep my voice over whatever is going on outside. There aren't enough textbooks for every kid, so they have to share, and then they cheat. My seventh grade english class alllllll cheated off of each other, and they were all wrong. So that's going to be kind of tricky. Some kids really want to learn, and others are doing the very least to get by. I guess that's a struggle for every teacher. Teaching is rough times. I have a whole new respect for all of my teachers.

The teachers at the school are very nice. They have all been really helpful to me and welcoming. There are probably 8 or 9 missionary teachers that work at the school. They're young and fun. The people on the island are soo kind. Wherever you walk, there are people, but they all treat you like they know you. Everyone says hi and random kids run up and smile, hold my hand, giggle, and run away. They are so precious. Two of the missionary teachers were telling me how there is very little crime on Ebeye. For so many people, and so little to do, I thought it'd be more. They said the only real "crime" is drunk people fighting. So as long as I don't join in on one of those fights, I should be pretty safe. :)

The other SMs have been really nice too. There are six others: Lonnie, Daniel, Phillip, Lance, Emily and Blake. Emily and Blake came from Andrews two weeks ago, and the other four have been here pretty much since the beginning. They're all nice and normal and have been really helpful and welcoming so I have much to be thankful for. :)

The island is pretty close to what I expected. Very poor, houses everywhere, trash everywhere, and lots of people. It is prettier than I expected though. Almost cute. There's bright colors and smiling faces all over. It's kind of a small town feel. I like it. Even though I've only been here a couple days, coming back from Carlos Island it felt like I was coming home. Emily and I were walking back from Triple J (the grocery store) today and we saw these two little boys in the street playing baseball with a ukulele and a bag of chips. Too cute!

Everyone has been so kind and welcoming to me. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to be with. Of course it will take time to get used to everything and love it here, but I can tell that I will and I know it will be good.

It's been hard getting used to things here, but I am comforted to know that I didn't come here alone. God has been with me the whole time and no matter what comes my way, He is in control and will take care of me.