Rigorous Academics aren't just for Students

"But he said to me, 'my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power will rest on me." -II Corinthians 12:9

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us." II Corinthians 4:7

In the last few days, I have begun to see these passages in a new light entirely.

I thought, when I came here, that if I taught anything, it would probably be English. Never did I think that I would be trying to teach middle school Math in SPANISH! But, the Math teacher was let go last week, and the staff needed someone to help out until they can hire a new one. So, I have spent my last week trying to translate words like "scientific notation" and "maximum common divisor" into Spanish. Those of you who are familiar with my academic history know that Math has never been my strong point. So, trying to teach it without a teacher's manual, and in another language, has definitely brought into light many of my weaknesses! Tonight, instead of hanging out with the girls at my house or drinking coffee with the other interns, I will be in my room with a borrowed math book and a Spanish-English dictionary, trying to at least figure out what I am doing tomorrow... it's kind of embarrassing when the teacher gets it wrong!

I have also been tutoring Spanish grammar- another area that I am not very strong in, as I'm sure my professors are well aware! I am teaching 16 and 17 year old students who are on a 6th and 7th grade level still. It is hard to motivate them and to get them to think for themselves. And, I must say it has been quite the adventure trying to teach them grammar, and then realize halfway through explaining, they are laughing at me because I have been explaining good grammar with bad grammar. Why they keep coming back for tutoring, I have no idea. I keep wondering why God is putting me in these situations. Then I realize- I have been praying over and over that God would put me in a place where he can be glorified. What better place than when I clearly cannot do something on my own?

This weekend, I went with the three other interns, Betsy, Rebecca, and Sarah, to Antigua. Antigua is a beautiful city- it is like stepping back into the fourteenth century! There are loads of Spanish ruins, all the houses are brightly colored, and all the streets are cobbled. We had a great time negotiating the huge market and trying out different coffee shops. The world cup was on at every market stand and in every restaurant. The Guatemalans go crazy over soccer!

If any of you have Math ideas, or ideas for teaching Spanish grammar, I would LOVE to hear from you!