Birthday Celebrations, Warmth, and So Much More!

My first seven weeks in Paraguay have flown by! I honestly cannot tell you where the last two months went! I guess that means I am having fun, right?! Yes, yes it does!!! :)

School has been the most challenging part of my stay thus far in Paraguay. I expected the pre-school and kindergarten classes to cause me the most stress, being the youngest students at the school. However, first grade has been the battle! I am often the only teacher in the room during that 40-minute time slot because the regular classroom teacher leaves the room since it is her only free period of the day. It is extremely difficult to control a class of 27 or 29 students entirely by myself, especially when the students constantly yell, get out of their seats and walk around, roll on the floor, and so much more! I have discovered that I should plan only one main activity for each class session because I never get through everything I have in mind for the day. I waste entirely too much time telling the students how to behave, which should not be occurring. Some days are much worse than others, today being one of those days. My patience has definitely been tested in the two months that I have been here, and I hope that things improve or it will be a very long school year! The most frustrating part of this situation for me is that I came here desiring to teach these students English, and they show me next to no respect.  I left my country, my friends, and my family for a year to be a missionary because I love God and I love helping others. It is easy to become discouraged because I am here only by the support of so many loved ones, and I feel as if I am not able to fulfill my duty. However, God tells us in His Word: "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9. Something on which to meditate...

I'm 23! :)

Tali and me on my 23rd birthday

my birthday kiss :)

I celebrated my 23rd birthday in South America last week. How awesome is that?!?! This was the first birthday in 23 years spent away from home and in 90+ temperatures! In fact, it didn't even seem like it was time for my birthday since it has been so hot here and I am accustomed to much cooler weather in March! Despite these differences, it was NOT a disappointing birthday! Everyone went all out for the occasion...and then some. Friday morning, the faculty and staff at New Horizon sang "Happy Birthday" to me in Spanish, English, and Guarani at our daily devotions. My morning and afternoon 1st grade English classes also sang to me. the fifth and sixth grade teachers; my fellow English teachers Alex and Cassidy; and missionary couple Tim and Margarita all took me out to eat at a buffet in the largest mall in Lambaré. Tim and Margarita paid for my meal, though it was the fifth grade teacher's idea to go out. Alex, Cassidy, and I ate donuts from a different vendor in the mall after we ate lunch. Alex paid for the donuts as his birthday treat to me. I received a small gift from one of the middle school teachers because she felt bad that she couldn't join us for lunch. My host parents also bought me a Disney mug as a gift. That night, our family went a prayer vigil at church which lasted until about midnight. The event itself was extremely rejuvenating, but we were all exhausted when we got home a little before 1 a.m. and to bed around 2:30. Saturday, Cassidy, Alex, and I went out for ice cream, and Cassidy paid for mine as her birthday gift to me. That evening was the true surprise!!! I was told to stay upstairs in the room for a couple of hours and not come down until I received word. FINALLY, Cassidy told me that I was needed in the kitchen. It was pitch black, but I could tell that there were lots of people standing in the dark. Suddenly, the lights turned on, and 18 people stood before me holding signs that said "Happy Birthday" in 3 different languages. Each sign was signed by almost every person in attendance. There were also many balloons with different messages on them. I was sung to in Spanish, English, and Guarani once again, and then we all enjoyed plenty of pizza and ice cream. I received a pair of earrings from the one of the girls in attendance; she goes to our church. We chatted with one another for quite some time and even played some Uno late into the night. All in all, I have to say that it was the best birthday yet!!! I received SO much more than I deserve!

Silvana, Marlene, and me out to lunch for my birthday

my Disney mug birthday gift from Mama and Papa

Cassidy and I ready for the prayer vigil at church

The hot weather has refused to give up. Every time I think autumn/winter is here to stay, summer decides to strike again. We have seen a few cooler days in the upper 70's and lower 80's, but for the most part the temperatures have been in the upper 90's. In fact, today it was 95, and tomorrow it is expected to be 96. I hope those are the final two super hot days this summer. I am so ready for Paraguayan winter! Of course, winter here won't be anything like winter in Ohio. Temps should fall to only an average of 65 degrees during the day. It will just be great to not suffer in the temps we are currently experiencing. Last night we had a sudden power outage which lasted for several hours, and Cassidy and I wanted to go to bed before the electricity came back on. That meant trying to fall asleep with no air conditioning or a fan. Not good! It eventually came back on a little after midnight, and I woke up at 12:30 only a little sweaty from sleeping awhile in the heat. One thing is true: I am realizing more and more every day how thankful I am to have moved to South America this year. The heat and humidity may be uncomfortable, but I would still rather have that instead of around 70 inches of snow, wind, ice, and freezing temps (many of those being subzero). It still hasn't completely dawned on me that I am in the summer season while Ohio is still experiencing winter. I have already become so accustomed to this weather that I forget what it is like to chill. I just try not to sweat to death every day :)

Many Paraguayans have asked me recently if I miss my country, my friends, and my family. Yes, I do miss all of those things, but I am also not homesick (if that makes sense). It is a healthy emotion, meaning that I am not constantly obsessing over the fact that I can't be with the people and in the places that I love most. I am surprised that I feel so content here because I honestly feared that I would be very homesick being overseas for a third extended period of time. I remember how homesick I felt in Spain and Macedonia for much shorter time frames, so being away from home for 11 months made me really nervous. Granted, I still have many months to go, but I don't see my state of contentment changing any time soon. I love it here and know that this is what I am supposed to be doing. Besides, I keep so busy that I usually don't even have time to think about home! This is not to say that I don't have rough days. Of course I do. I know that it is only by God's grace that I feel so at peace in this country.

Until next time, may God bless each one of you who reads this post! He truly is a mighty God! Never underestimate His power and faithfulness! Always be listening for His voice (and only His voice), and be willing to go wherever He may send you! Blessings! :)

Ways you can be praying...
1) for my pre-school, kindergarten, and 1st grade students and their families
2) for my relationship with Cassidy, my host family, and the other Paraguayans with whom I come into contact regularly
3) confidence, strength, and peace with my teaching (especially 1st grade)
4) to hear God's voice and be willing to follow Him wherever He leads