two point five weeks

I've been here for two and a half weeks now. It is definately starting to feel comfortable. I'm enjoying myself more and I'm loving the people here. I met the teachers at NCA (the original school for missionary kids) first. I found them an enjoyable group to be around from the very beginning. Because I live with many of them in the same apartment complex, I have had a chance to get to know some of them a bit. The teachers at NCA Nejapa are great as well. Right now I'm spending the school day at Nejapa with the other teachers in some pre-season seminars (inservice days). That has been quite good for my Spanish because I've been listening all day and trying to speak a little. The lessons I am taking two days a week are also very helpful. The teachers are very patient with me in trying to explain themselves in a way that I understand. A couple of them know about as much English as I know Spanish, so it's easier to communicate with them. They're also helping me learn Spanish. I foresee a great year with these people. I love my coworkers already.

I'm also growing to love even more the idea behind NCA Nejapa. From what I can tell, it is entirely unique in that it is intentionally aimed at serving a middle income population. NCA's orininal school offers a high class education to missionaries and others who can afford it. There are other schools like NCA (I'm not sure if there are many schools with a Christian foundation) but I haven't heard of a school that is interested in serving a group that can't afford to spend a lot on education. I have recently begun to feel stronger the sense that we're different--that we care about all people, not just those who can pay, and also that we are sincerely interested in the growth of individual students. I've heard of another school in the area that provides a quality American education. This school has become more interested in catering to the wealthy and influential to such a degree that the students are not pushed to grow and learn as they should be. In this case, the student is always right so that the school will be sure to maintain the support of those powerful families. It seems that the school has come to idolize its prestige and money to the extent that it is sacrificing students. For this reason, I am excited to be a part of a school (and larger community) that values that actual growth and maturity of students over power and prestige. Perhaps one day we will be involved in making a similar education available to the poor. One step at a time as the Lord provides.

I think I will leave it there for now. A few prayer requests would include the following:

*That my preparations for week one will come together, and that I will feel confidence as I go about them.
*That my vision for what I am doing here grows and develops according to the Lord's direction.
*Prayers of thanks that I have the chance to work with wonderful people.