Schools in Baja

(FIRST THINGS FIRST, thank you to all that are reading my blog and to those of you who are sending us support. Your timing in giving is perfect and much appreciated especially in this difficult economy. It brings me to tears to know that you are mindful of our needs and are praying for us and supporting us financially. We really could not stay here without your support. God Bless you.)

The school system is very different here in Baja. It closes down for rainy days and cancels class time for full days dedicated to the celebration of children, Mothers and other various celebrations.

Yesterday, the circus came to town, so school was only for 2 hours so the children could enjoy the circus. Here at the orphanage, the children stayed back because funding about 80 children for circus rides is a expensive.

Today, Mexico is playing Italy in a soccer game. People are staying home to watch the game. Older students, do not have school so they can watch the game. It all seems so strange and yet it's interesting to see how people here enjoy life as it comes instead of putting off celebration and coming together when they've finally finished their goals and plans. I rarely see any "putting off" here.

I also visited Jesus' class at school the other day. What an eye opener. His classroom was very humble in appearance. Simply put it was a concrete room with one door and a couple of windows. No tile on the floor, just concrete. 30 or more unmatched, old desks for the children and a desk in front for the teacher. The teacher has no aide to help her, and I saw no visual aides on the walls. It didn't strike me as a very happy place to learn.

I went to Jesus' class to see if I could observe what a day in school in Mexico was like. I took a friend to help me translate. I was introduced to the teacher as Jesus' mother and the teacher was asked if I could observe Jesus in the classroom setting. I was quickly told "No." I was told that he would behave well if I was in the classroom. I think the teacher was trying to say it would make things worse for her when I wasn't there and that Jesus needed to behave without me being in the classroom. She proceeded to vent her frustrations with him in front of the entire class and made it clear to everyone that if Jesus would behave then they would have a good class. I could tell my presence was making things worse so I quickly opted to come back a little later when the teacher said I could meet with her.

When I met with the teacher later, the situation had completely turned a "180". I apologized to her and told her that I felt I had offended her. I told her that I had great appreciation for her position and only wanted to see how I could help her or Jesus in the classroom setting. She told me that she had not been offended and seemed quite surprised that I felt I needed to apologize. Nevertheless, we had a good conversation and a tiny bridge was built between Jesus' teacher and myself.

No Regrets

I am learning more and more how much we are prone to do things in our own strength. Yes, even very good things, noble things, things that maybe no one else is willing to do. I am also learning that we can to things in the strength that God provides. Yes, good things, noble things, things that maybe no one else is willing to do.

I am learning more and more what it looks like to live by my own convictions and living by another persons' convictions. The second doesn't work very well either. Neither does trying to get someone else to live by my convictions.

Coming to Mexico has taught me a lot about my self. Good and bad. Strengths and weaknesses. I've learned to let go of quite a bit of frustration when things don't go as planned. Every situation is becoming a divine appointment, opportunity, or learning experience. I used to say "God's delays are not always His denials." Now, I would be more prone to say, "God's delays might be to slow me down so that I don't miss different opportunities He has for me on the way to the next thing." For instance, many times, due to things beyond my control, I might be running late to "the next thing" and on the way to "the next thing" someone from the orphanage is walking home because they don't own a car. In the states I would have thought to myself, "I'm already late. I'll have to help them next time." Here in Mexico, I think, "I'm already late, might as well give them a ride."

God is definitely leading me and guiding me on this faith journey in Mexico. I already knew that I was shaped to serve, but now I'm learning how I'm shaped to serve. I've always loved to be an encourager. It seems that here in Mexico, there is such a need for an encouragement. It is amazing how far a smile, a hug or an encouraging word goes here. I'm learning not to underestimate the power of encouragement.

I already wonder how it will be if and when I return to live in the states. I picture it being a very difficult transition. Here in Mexico, it seems that people drop everything to help someone or just to talk to someone. In the states it feels like you have to make an appointment to talk with a friend.

Yes, I'm learning a lot about myself. I'm learning what motivates me and what doesn't. I'm learning how much of what I think is because of my American mind set and how much is because of my Spiritual mind set. What does God think vs. what will people think. What matters more to me, what God thinks or what people think?

All in all, I still have to say that I have not regretted any part of my decision to come here to Door of Faith. I can't think of one time that I thought I had made a mistake. It feels so right being here and yet strange to think that I am actually here, serving in an orphanage. It's the life I want to live. By God's grace, I want to live a life with no regrets.

Jesus Update

Our recent addition to the family, Jesus, is doing great. By taking him off sugar and sending him to school with a healthy snack, he has been able to tolerate staying in class. I also tried something that was recommend by some trusted friends with experience. I give Jesus a small amount of coffee with no sugar. The caffeine has the reverse affect on the little guy. He's much calmer and less impulsive. It seems to be the ticket for successful behavior in school. I know this because the one day that Jesus dumped his coffee in the sink without me knowing, it was reported that he was in and out of his seat, taking things out of the desks of other students and singing worship songs from church at the top of his lungs!

Once we got him to stay in the classroom, our next step was to get him to do his work in class. Although we had managed to help him with his behavioral issues, there was still the issue of doing his work in class. I quickly learned that Jesus did not know his alphabet, or numbers. They were hit and miss and had very little significance. So, I started printing out papers off the internet to help him learn to write his letters and I also found some great games on the internet to practice the alphabet and numbers. I noticed how quickly he responded to praise and made him a chart of chores and responsibilities. Whenever he completed something I put a corresponding sticker on his chart. At the end of the week, if he had enough stickers he got a prize.

Another big change for Jesus has been regarding his ears. I'm not sure of the reason, but Jesus has had tubes put in his ears and he has at least one if not two perforated eardrums. Because of this condition, he has never been allowed to go in swimming pools.

On Easter Sunday, there was a water baptism at community pools down the road. Before and after the baptism many children were swimming in the pool. I was told that Jesus was not even allowed to sit on the steps of the pool because they didn't want to risk water going into his ears. Apparently when water gets in his ears it causes and infection and it's quite an ordeal.

After walking, talking, eating, playing with a soccer ball and hanging out with as many adults possible, while at the pool, I decided we should go back to the orphanage. I felt so bad for Jesus having watch so many children playing all afternoon in the water and he was the only one not allowed to go in. It broke my heart that he could enjoy the water, so I began to investigate.

One of my friends that runs a clinic down here told me about some special ear plugs and head band that Jesus could wear that would keep the water out of his ears. For hardly any money, I was able to order the ear plugs and head band for Jesus. When they arrived he quickly asked for a bath so that he could try them out. The timing of their arrival is what's special to me. Tomorrow, we are having a special celebration at a pool. Tomorrow will be Jesus' first time in the water...well at least first time with permission in the water.

In just a few weeks, Jesus has gone from "Gitano" (Gypsy); from trouble maker to helper; from taking off, coming and going as he pleased, to asking for permission to go places. He will still tell you that he doesn't like school, but I have a feeling as soon as he's able to participate in reading and understanding the lessons that will change.

Jesus is in the House!

Recently, our lives at the orphanage have had a lot of changes. Let me back up a little. About a week before Easter a new volunteer came to stay here at DOFO. With the expectation of her arrival and wanting her to have a roommate, the housing accommodations changed.

I had always preferred a different house on the property for many reasons, but one of them being that it was a better fit for what I wanted to do with the kids in the orphanage. It has a porch in front for having the kids over, plus it is in the immediate area of the other dorms and it makes it easier for the kids to come and go with supervision. So, we moved into the "Yellow house" in back and two of of volunteers moved to our previous home. This was change number one.

Change number two was a something I had dreamed of doing, but it was not something that was normally allowed down here. After only being her about six months, we were asked if we would take in a little six year old boy, Jesus. Jesus was in great need of extra attention that is hard to provide with eight or nine other boys living in the same house. He has become my little shadow and does great with one on one attention, but struggles making good choices when his little ears and eyes are overloaded with attraction. School is difficult for Jesus for the same reasons.

About two weeks ago, Jesus moved in to our house. He sleeps in the bunk above me. He is settling in just find. Besides the joy of loving on another kid through hugs, encouragement and guidance, I have also lost a few pounds trying to keep up with all his energy! We have been working on changing his diet and seen significant changes in his behavior. It's amazing what giving value and worth to someone can do. I'm learning to tell him in Spanish that he is precious to me and to God. I'm reading him Bible stories in the Spanish Children's Bible I have. But what is most precious to me about this little boy is that he loves to sing praises to God in Spanish at the top of his lungs! If you know me very well, I love to do the very same thing but in English; singing praises to God at the top of my lungs!