Week 4

Wow, what a week! Last Sunday, I got back from Puerto Escondido with an injured toe. I went to the doctor twice this week, got my foot wrapped and later got a cast and then got an xray, which showed that my bone is not broken! Now, I am finally starting to walk a little with a special shoe. It's probably a sprain. This week has been really tough, especially since I have so many stairs outside of my apartment, but so many people have come around me to help!

A family from the community visited me and brought food and also drove me to the doctor and to a café with a beautiful view where I got to drink Oaxacan chocolate and eat a Tlayuda. Kids came to visit me, and Bety and Tito's family stayed in my apartment this weekend as well! In classes, my students took their first quiz, and I plan to start pen pals with my younger students this week!!!

Though I have been dealing with the toe situation and fatigue and stomach issues this week, God has provided the opportunity to rest. I've also had time to read the Bible, write, and listen to some books - "The Hiding Place" and "Why I am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit." I've also gotten to play the piano, sing, and learn some guitar chords!! This upcoming week, I will start teaching my adult English class!!

Praises:

-kindness and generosity of people here

-school is growing- we now have over 60 students!!!

-toe is healing and is not broken

-opportunity to rest

-time to read, write, and play music!!

Prayer Requests:

-healing, comfort, and peace for sick here and back home

-Holy Spirit to lead us in how to share Gospel effectively while in classroom and with families

-for adult English class outreach- that God would lead me and draw students to Himself

-for God to provide a space for our primary school (we are growing) and for students who board during the week

Week 3

Week 3

This week I got to teach classes, celebrate birthdays, try lots of foods, play sports with kids after school, have my final visa appointment, and visit the missionaries and the beach in Puerto!! Thank you everyone for your prayers and support!

By God's grace, I made it safely to Puerto and back to Juquila on the urban with almost no rain!! And, on the way back to Juquila, it was just me for most of the way! In Puerto, I got to speak English and connect with other American missionaries which was such a blessing and I got to go to the beach! I also completed the visa process. Now, I just need to wait for my card to arrive.

Over this past week, students have been completing an assigment where they do something kind and reflect on how they and the other person felt. Next week is their first quiz! And...I'm starting a class for adults on Tuesday! We will be using an ESL curriculum that is based on the book of Mark! These classes are open to the community with the goal of sharing the Gospel while helping students learn English. Also, a girl who is interested in studying to become a language teacher has volunteered to assist me with my classes so that she can get experience and learn English and how to teach language!

Praises:

-safe travels- God held off the rain!!!

-visa process complete!

-community around me here and in Puerto

-opportunity to have in-person classes

-opportunity to start adult class

Prayer requests:

-Holy Spirit's inspiration and guidance as we prepare and teach classes and talk with students, families, and others in the community

-God would bring the right people into adult class and speak to their hearts (Tu 5pm Cent.)

-Those struggling finacially and with physical and mental health

-God would provide location for school to expand

-My physical, mental, and spiritual health and specifically for my toe to heal up!!

Thanks everyone!!!

Your sister in Christ,

Heather

Week 2

Wednesday was our first day of classes!! It's been a blessing to get to meet my 1st-8th grade students and work on introductions while learning Luke 10:27 and how we can love God and love our neighbor by being kind. On Monday, I will introduce an assignment where students need to do something kind and write a short reflection about what they did and how they and the other person felt! I am also working with Jenny Holmes Shockey about the students having pen pals from All Nations UMC! The kids at All Nations are already praying and supporting this ministry financiall,y and it would be amazing for my students to connect with them and use their English for real communication On Friday, I got to work with my 1st-4th graders on classroom objects and the alphabet. It's been fun using songs and games with the younger ones as it helps them to stay engaged and have fun in class I've also gotten to play games and sports, go walking and hiking, meet a new family watch silly videos in Spanish, and eat a tlayuda with another teacher!!

Praises:

-able to have some classes in person!!

-God's provision of school supplies and some arriving much earlier than anticipated!

-kindness and hospitality of people I've met!

-oppprtunities to spend time with local families

Prayer Requests:

-for the Holy Spirit to lead us and speak through us in the classroom and outside of it

-for God to open the eyes of those who are looking to things of this world rather than Jesus

-for wisdom as to what to share and when with non-believers

-for God to continue to provide for the physical needs in this community

-for God to provide a new space for a school building as we are growing!

-for a those who need God to bring light and hope into their lives

-for God's continual provision for my physical and mental health