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Two weeks left

I have two weeks left at the school where I work. Today I was sharing with my good friend Sarah about how I had mixed feelings about leaving. I love the kids and the teachers so much and I am going to miss them. At the same time, I have NO desire to work there next year. The job itself has been a learning experience working in this country with non-foreign bosses because of this there have been many tough days.

Anyway, in chatting it over with Sarah she shared this insight with me "it's so cool how you invest your heart and love into everything you do--whether you love it or not...i mean, if I were you...with every experience you've had at that school, I'd be dancing out the door, but you're grieving it because you loved the people there". I love Sarah and how she speaks into my life with truth and love (which sometimes isn't easy to hear). God is so good.

It's great how He provides people in our lives who help us discover more and more of who we are in Him. I often have mixed feelings about things and this insight helps me to see that it's not wrong to have these mixed feelings about ending certian things. It's just how God made me...to deeply invest in all I do.

Here are some photos some of the kids:



This is Zahra' she is in the same third grade class as Massa pictured 2 blogs ago. She always makes me smile.



I'm going to miss starting my mornings seeing all these faces lined up for school.



On the left is Abdullah. A few weeks ago I entered the class and he said in a loud voice, "Miss Nowerat" which means roughly you light up this room. It's a semi common greeting, but I I hope I really do light up the school. He now says it every time I enter the class. On his right is Mo. he is great, always smiling one of my MANY favorites.

Today is my birthday

It was a great one! I turned on the computer in the am and got a call from my Dad, mom and sister singing 'Happy Birthday!'. At school I was give flowers and another small gift from some of the teachers. I got 2 e-cards and 2 calls wishing me a happy birthday. So sweet. Tonight I had dinner with some American friends (and my French roommate) all and all a fun day. I love birthdays!

English Day

Today was English day at our school, the English teachers have been preparing for over a month. In general the day was a success. The kids had spelling, reading, hand writing competitions. There were plays, songs, and other fun activities.

Below you can see Massa. From almost the first day Massa has taken to me. Every time she sees me in the hall or when I enter into her third grade class she always reaches out for a long hug. She reminds me a lot of me or my sister when we were young, a little awkward and chubby but lovable! I make sure I always notice her and give her extra attention even though I am in contact with almost 400 students. I thought English day would be a perfect opportunity to snatch a photo with my little friend!



The following photos of or the adorable first graders! Aren't they cute. Each class had a song to sing. This class sang, "If you're happy and you know it"

Graduation

This week was our graduation at the English program. It was a time for students to see their final grades and get their certificates. I had only a handful of students pass the exam and not have too many absenses (see photo above).

Some students didn't remember that they were told the first day, and other times as well, that they would not get a certificate if they missed 6 classes or more. That meant that I had to listen to a few of them beg for mercy (missing around 10 classes out of 22) for a certificate. Begging works in this cultural usually, but it didn't work on me. I feel that we have to keep some limits to make the certificates worth it. Only one student from the program left and said "if you don't give me one I will be angry with you". I told him I was sorry, but he wasn't getting a certificate with 11 absenses. Now I will have to wait and see if he really won't talk to me again or come to our program.