Hola Friends,
This pass week was awesome!!!! This week we had our English and basketball camps and around 100 kids of various ages. The theme for the English camp, where I helped out, was travelling in a hot air balloon across the U.S.A. We began in GA to TN to CO, to UT, and landed in OR. In each state we learned the 5 senses and repeat over and over again what they are. Also, we had 5 values: character, thermostat, listen, opportunity, and commitment that was taught each day. We had two sessions: the older group and the younger group. Each table had both groups and at the tables we did conversations, repetition, asking questions of what each person would like to see, taste, hear, touch, and smell, and did either crafts or survival skills. Also, each table had a sports team with a chant with it. The hawks, the blazers, the nuggets, the jazz, and the grizzles. We would have a competition as to who could shout their chant the loudest. The younger groups enjoyed participating a lot. Then we had our theme song, I Get Around (altered). This song definitely sticks in your head. Haha. Learning/ teaching English is so much fun when you have visuals, songs, chants, journals, and a lot of love.
I could say that the foundation of teaching English is to first build relationships and get to know people. To express love and care since the Spaniards´culture is shame based. So, to love and encourage is something that the kids rarely hear in their schools. As Christians we are called to love and reveal the love of God. It takes patience, hope, care, and passion to love on kids. The most expressed statement that can´t be emphasized enough is that Spaniards want to see us Christians live out our faith. Our actions speaks volumes and penetrates the hearts and minds of people. A faith base action that I implimented this week was humbleness and listening to the kids. It´s hard to connect especially with a language barrier but living out a humble heart produces fruit. One of my kids, a boy, at the end of Friday (we had a pizza party/wrap-up with kids and parents) I went to say hi to him and his parents. His mom told me that her son did not want to go to camp but every day when he came home, he would talk about what he learned. He would be so excited to go everyday. This made my heart sing with joy because this boy was shy and did not say much. But to know that we, as the English coaches, have made an impact on his life is a joy. I believe we had accomplish our task of loving and being there for the kids. It was truly a stretching and learning time of just loving on the kids.
Today is our last day in Caceres and it is quite sad to say good-bye. The people have been amazing and they have been like family to me. Words can´t describe the heart felt impression they have left on my life. My prayer is to stay in touch with each Spaniard both believers and nonbelievers. Please pray for our last 2 weeks in Spain. That we will continue to have an attitude of servanthood and being a learner. To be aware of God´s promptings and wisdom as we interact with Spaniards. Pray for our hearts to be broken for the lost and truly depend on God for truth to speak out. Thank you for praying.
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