a guampa (gourd), bombilla (straw), and yerba (herbs) for mate
Apologies for the hiatus, folks. Winter here means unpredictable weather which means unreliable Internet connections which mean no updates. But a) Internet access is a luxury I don't deserve anyway, and b) I get to have lots of mate and cocido, two kinds of herbal infusions that Paraguayans drink when the thermometer dances around 0°C. The summer team dubbed the latter "charcoal juice," because it's prepared by dumping lumps of hot coal into a mixture of sugar and yerba before adding hot water. Never knew how good caramelized and carbonized plant matter could be! (For those in the States, you can get your mate fix at any local Tully's - their Yerba Mate Latte is pretty good. And it's carcinogen-free.)
burning sugar & yerba with hot coals for cocido
The one-month mark has passed, and I'm about to start my third week as a pre-kinder to first grade English teacher at Colegio Cerritos. Teaching students in Spanish is challenging, but mastering a few key phrases ("How do you say __ in English?" "It's not nice to bother others," "Don't put that pencil/crayon/gluestick in your mouth") have helped me get by for now.
These are the students of Primer Grado A. At the beginning of each class, all 26 first graders screech "goot MAHR-neeng tee-charr CREES-teen" and burst into song. It's quite endearing.
Another nice thing about teaching at a Christian school is that my co-workers are, well, Christian. At 6:30 AM we have a teacher's devotional, led faithfully every morning by the children's pastor at Marangatu. Through our study of Romans, it's been good being reminded of my purpose here (re: Romans 12:1-2), especially on those days when my patience is tested and my heart is lacking in love. I may be here to teach, but I still have much learning and growing in the Gospel to do.
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Prayer Requests: greater humility, patience, and love for my students.
Ñandejára tanderovasa
God bless you (in Guaraní)
hello teacher, hello teacher!
ReplyDeleteHow are YOUUUu? HOW ARE YOUUUU?
I am verrry fine, I am verrrry fine
Thanks, and you? Thanks and you?
jajajaja you're right, they are pretty dang cute.
oh mah gash how cute!!!!
ReplyDeleteHAHA that's cute =]]
ReplyDeletei think i'll go find a tully's...and i'll order the carcinogen-free yerba mate latte--as long as it doesn't taste like the other stuff i tried that one time at your apartment...-_-;;
you mean the awesome stuff that you tried that one time at my apartment? :) that was terere, which is the cold version of mate...at tully's they add a lot of hot milk and sugar, so the yerba taste isn't as strong. and it has a lot of antioxidants + caffeine without the crash, so it's a good alternative for coffee :) tully's should hire me for promoting them
ReplyDeleteoh christine, i miss you so!!! i miss drinking mate with you on late paper nights! haha. only i don't miss the late papers. :P
ReplyDeleteoh friend, it's so exciting and encouraging to hear you share about your life in paraguay. your kids are too cute. =] i look forward to more updates! praying for you always <3
mmmmm... i want some charcoal juice!
ReplyDeletedude i talk my korean kids that hahaha just stick in english words into any type of melody :)
ReplyDelete