My official "teaching schedule" starts next week. When I went to connect with the principal yesterday, she informed me that am not actually teaching, but only assisting the English teacher with her English pronunciation and conversing with the students so that they can practice with a native English speaker. However, I don't think things are clearly communicated here, so I won't be surprised if I show up on Monday expected to teach. I am praying for flexibility and preparedness for whatever happens. Also, I only have teaching assignments for the morning. And the schedule is different everyday.
If I don't end up teaching, I am worried that my attitude will get in the way. It is hard for me to just sit back and watch somebody else teach, especially when it seems one of the teachers here is not super organized and doesn't really know what she is doing as a teacher. Maybe she will want my suggestions, maybe she won't. I don't want to step on any toes, but I also want to serve in the best way.
Even though teaching has not officially started, I have had a few opportunities to get into the community. Karen mentors a teenage girl that has spent several afternoons with us. She is on fire for God and strives to live outside of the fleshly world and in the world of Christ. She comes from a very hard family life, but has been mentored by missionaries now for many years. We also got to go into a community out a muddy road and help some sweet girls with their English. Their parents served us mate, the official tea of Paraguay. It is a hot tea that is passed around for everyone to drink from the same straw. It is quite bitter....
Yesterday we went to the marketplace and got to experience all the people trying to sell us their goods. One lady thought we were German. (There is a large German population here and many Paraguayans actually look just like me....blonde hair, blue eyes, and light skin!)
Things I have noticed or learned:
Paraguayans are very superstitious. They won't eat salty and sweet together. They won't eat watermelon before or after a meal, and they won't serve their tea with a meal. They think it will make you sick. They are also very afraid of black dogs.
Almost everybody has a dog to guard their house.
Yesterday I saw 3 dogs chasing 1 cow outside of the house on the street.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Pray for my attitude as I work with the English teachers.
Pray for wisdom that I would know when to listen and learn, and when to train and teach.
Pray that I would know how to use my time in the afternoon to serve while I am here.
Pray for my new Paraguayan friend that comes from a hard family life, but strives to live for Jesus.
Continue to pray for safety and health.
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