Looking Back on the 3rd Quarter of School

Quarter 3
This past quarter has been a really good one for me.  The transition to teaching First Grade was challenging at the beginning of the year.  But I have really enjoyed the past quarter with my precious little kiddos.  The content I have been teaching has been so much more exciting and I'm absolutely amazed at the growth that I have seen in every one of them.

Welcome Eva
The first significant thing that happened this quarter was that Eva came and joined our class.  Eva is from the Netherlands.  Her family have been through so many transitions over the past couple of years.  Eva did some schooling in the Netherlands, then her parents had to go to do training in England and so she spent the next 6 months there and then went back to the Netherlands for some more schooling.  Not all of her schooling experience had been positive.  Needless to say, Eva was really anxious about yet another transition.  BUT she just settled into our class like a duck to water.  After the first couple of days it was like she had been with us the entire year.  I love that Faith Academy is a place where missionary kids can feel safe, loved and right at home.  

Meet Eva

100th Day of School
In first Grade we have been counting the days of school.  We have been adding  a carriage to our train every day and at the end of January we made it to 100. So together with the kindergarteners we spent the day celebrating.

Nicole (the kindergarten teacher) and myself all ready for the day!

Each child made something with 100 of something to share with the class.
Check out Ava's Autumn tree with 100 fingerprints.

Children got to eat 100 snacks.  (10X10 snacks)

Throughout the day the children did all different activities involving 100.
 They stuck 100 stickers on these crowns.  :)

International Week
I love this special week in our Elementary Calendar.  This year's theme was 'Celebrate the World, Celebrate Forever'.  Our focus was on the many celebrations that take place around the world, but we also wanted to look at the great 'celebration' that will take place one day in Heaven.  Unfortunately there are still many people in the world who have not received the invitation to that great celebration.  So throughout the week the children gave a 'Thumbs up' to praying for the many people who need to receive the invitation.  The Thumbs stood for.
T - Tribal
H - Hindu
U - Unreligious
M - Muslim
B - Buddhist
S - Searchers

Parading around the circle

My class in their International Costumes

Praying for those who need to hear the invitation to the 'Great Celebration'.

Because I am teaching 1st Grade, I had a new continent to teach.  I had to say goodbye to Africa and hello to North America.  It was a steep learning curve but I learned so many cool things about North America along with my class.  (I now can count to 10 in spanish and I know why Canadian Geese fly in a 'V' formation just to name a few.)  We focussed on the 3 biggest countries in North America:  Mexico, USA and Canada.  I think my children would all have to agree that their highlight was making s'mores (a delicious USA camping snack) down by the dorm.  The snack involves roasting marshmallows on a fire and placing the marshmallow between 2 graham crackers along with a piece of chocolate.  Does it get better than that???  They also loved dressing 'Mexican' for our special chapel that week.

The girls dressed for Mexico.
They all made tissue flowers to wear in their hair.

Boys dressed for Mexico.
We made 'sombreros'!

Making s'mores at the dorm fire pit.  

Saying Goodbye
Although Faith Academy is primarily a school for Missionary Kids, we welcome a small percentage of non missionary children to be part of our school.  I had one such girl in my class named Angel.  Angel had been living with her father for the past 3 years in the Philippines.  Her parents had been going through rather a messy divorce and a huge custody battle.   Mom finally won custody and after 3 years of not seeing her Mother, Angel had to leave and go and live with her in Korea.  I am getting a lump in my throat just writing this down and remembering how scared and anxious Angel was about leaving everything she new and loved and going to live with her Mom that she hardly new.  My class was so precious as they said goodbye.  I have a peace that Angel is doing okay.  The reason is that every day you should hear my class pray for her.  I know with all my heart that God is answering those prayers.  I would love for you also to pray for sweet Angel, that God will hold her close in the palm of his hand.

Angel is 2nd from the left

   
Track and Field Day!
On the last day of the quarter we had 'Track and Field' Day.  Philippine Summer came in full force that day, but it did not stop the kids running, throwing and jumping their hearts out.  It was a great way to end the quarter.

1st Graders rearing to go!!!!

March Break
After the 11 week quarter, March break was surely needed.  It was great to slow down for a week and to remember God's incredible gift of new life, as we celebrated Easter.  A trip to the Pennisula Hotel for 'Fancy Tea' twas one of the highlights of my break!

Fancy Tea

Looking Ahead
So now its the final stretch of the year.  It is HOT HOT SEASON as well as the time when so many kids, teachers and families are transitioning.  So this time of year can be hard.
Please pray for:

• Lucie, a new girl who has joined our class from Scotland.  It is not easy to join a new school just for the last term.  Pray that she will settle in quickly.  Please also pray for healing.  She only has 40% hearing in her one ear and has an ear infection in the other ear which is affecting her hearing in that ear as well.  
• We are still in need of teachers for the next school year.  Pray God will provide.  Pray also for the new teachers that they will be able to raise enough support to be here by the beginning of the next school year.
• Pray for energy and good rest at night, in the midst of this hot season.
• Pray that my final quarter with the 1st Graders will be a very special one and that we will finish well.  

I am looking forward to being home in South Africa this coming June and July.  I hope I will be able to see many of you personally to thank you for your incredible prayers and support.

Every blessing,

Wendy