Unexpected First Day

Yesterday morning I went to the school where Michael and I will be teaching to figure out my schedule for the week. Michael had to be there by 10:00 to sit in on a class he will be taking over. When we got there I was expecting to just sit around and wait to discuss my schedule. However, one of the teachers asked me if I had gotten the memo that I had a class...at 10:00...that morning...right that moment. I was just prepared to sit around and work out a schedule, so I was a little shocked and starting to get nervous. The teacher assured me that this would not be difficult, and it would simply be an introduction to the conversation class. Honestly they say this kind of stuff happens a lot here, and so it is always good to be prepared not to be prepared. So, I walked into the classroom and met my student, 15-year old Philip (not his real name, but I will call him that here in the blog). Philip speaks good English, and so it was easy talking to him which helped ease me into my first class. I actually enjoyed my first hour having a conversation class. Twenty minutes into the class, my other student (Ralph...also not his real name) came in. He is 22 years old, but he does not speak English as well as Philip. We ended up talking about the United States because they both want to go there. When I said I was born in California, Ralph's eyes lit up like I had been born in a palace. Overall, everything went well for my first class, and I look forward to having many more conversations with them. They are easy to get along with, and fun to talk to. I have a few more conversation classes I will be doing each week. I could possibly also have a 9 year old girl whom I will be working with one-on-one to teach her English, which will be different than my conversation classes. I also will have a conversation class with 9 people from the national news station...I hope that is not too intimidating. It has been really exciting for all of us to see our classes getting scheduled and everything coming together. Michael, Cody, Sarah, and I are all excited to be here and seen what this summer holds.

I love hearing random American songs like on the bus this morning we got started to "I Believe I Can Fly". The other day Sarah and I were walking and behind us we heard music playing. It kept getting closer and closer until we heard "Like a G6" blasting through 2 teenagers' phone behind us. As soon as they passed us the music stopped. Sarah and I could not help but bust out laughing knowing that was meant for us to hear because we were American.

There is much oppression here, but pr*yer is key. I am constantly pr*ying wherever I go against the darkness and lies the enemy is trying to tell me. I have a hunger and thirst for the Father I did not have before I came though which is a HUGE blessing. He is my Strength and my Shield. Thank you for all your pr*yers as well. Love to you all back in that States!

One of the family's dining/living rooms we hang out at

The street by the school Michael and I are at

Our school's lounge room

The teachers Michael and I will be taking over for. Eating at Shaurma #1. We will miss these awesome people and have loved getting to know them over this past week. They are both going back to the States in a few days.

Michael and I eating our really good shaurmas