My Heart Melts

The first week I was back in Trujillo, I went out to Wichanzao to the church were I've been teaching English to kids. We went out there to do some promotion for our new English classes. It was a little strange to walk down those streets and up to the church again after being gone for about three weeks. But, as I walked up to the church doors one of my most dedicated students from last semester spotted me from the soccer field nearby. As soon as he say me, he yelled out, "Teacher Amanda!" from all the way across the soccer field. I went over to say hello to him and he gave me a huge hug and kiss on the cheek. And, my heart just melted. He's a great kid.

Christmastime!

Over the holidays I was able to spend three weeks at home with my family. It was wonderful and restful and cold!
I got to spend a lot of time with my family. We spent Christmas day at home in Dallas while the blizzard raged up north in Oklahoma. And, the next day we braved the roads to Tulsa to visit more family and have Christmas a second time.
I also got to see some very good friends and worship with my church family in Norman, Oklahoma. Had some great times with those friends watching all of the Lord of the Rings movies and catching up on everything that has happened in our lives since we've been apart.
I am so thankful for the network of support that God has provided for me. My family and friends love me so well!

Here are a few pictures from Christmas at home in the SNOW!

Christmas dinner at our house.

Christmas dinner at Grandma's house
(sister, cousin, and grandma featured here)

Dad pulling us on the sled.

Eating snow ice cream in Grandma's kitchen

"Graduation"

A few weeks before Christmas we celebrated the end of our first term of English classes at Wichanzao Church. Our kids worked really hard and we had tons of fun teaching them. In their honor we held a small little reception for them and handed out certificates and gifts. They loved it, and we could tell they all felt very special.

These kids are dear to my heart. I'm excited for the next five months I get to spend with them teaching them and sharing the love of Christ with them.

Giving a big thank you to our students for their hard work and to their parents.

Our students performing a Christmas song in English for their parents.

The adult students performing a Christmas song for all of us.

Meagan's students presenting a project from their class.