I Belong Here

Today was the first day with students. It was a gorgeous day from the beginning. Classes start at 7:30, and I didn't have an English class until 9:15, so I had some time just to spend with kids and get to know some of them and see their excited faces for the first day of school. One of the little girls who came was crying and didn't want to go into class. She's in 4to de Basica (3rd grade), in Edison's class, and was standing at the gate clinging to her mother and balling. Edison was trying to get her to come into the school, but she refused to let go of her mom. Edison kept looking back towards his classroom and I could tell he was thinking that he should go back with his student, so I asked if I could stay with the girl. Her name is Nayeli. After her mom finally pried Nayeli's death grip from her arm, Nayeli was sobbing uncontrollably. I stood next to her and rubbed her back, and just waited until she calmed down a bit. After she had stopped crying, she still didn't want to leave the gate, so I stood with her and asked her questions about her summer vacation, her family, what were some of her favorite school subjects. . . lots of different things to take her mind off of missing her mom. She didn't want to go into the classroom, so I told her that was ok, that we could just hang out and we would go to the class when she was ready. I gave her the option of going to look at the new computer lab and library, and she liked that idea so after 30 minutes of standing in front of the school gate, we made some progress by going into the school. Her class was going outside to do an activity, and I asked if she would like to see the classroom while the kids are out. She said yes, so she accompanied me to look at the room. We found her desk and set her backpack there, then she accompanied me to the 3to de Basica classroom because they were my first english class today. They are sooo adorable!! I introduced myself and taught the kids a simple good morning song, and asked them what they think they would like about english. They said they loved singing english songs. :) We played a name game, and then the class was over. After that, I led an activity with Edwin, the language professor for the secondary kids (grades 7 - 9), since he and I will be paired up leading a reading activity sort of like "big brother, big sister" with kids from 3rd/6th grade, and then 2nd/7th grade. we played a game I learned at camp, and they LOVED it. It made me laugh to see them play, and Nayeli helped me lead the game. After that, we had snack time in the cafeteria, and Nayeli told me that after recess she felt ready to go to class. I was so excited for her! I took her to the classroom and sat with her for a few minutes, and then went to go see Ivonne. I was telling her about Nayeli, and how excited I was that she made it into the classroom, and Ivonne told me that Nayeli has had a very rough last few months. Her father passed away from a brain tumor in May, and this is her first year at Emmanuel because of a scholarship that the family received. She has been taking a lot of her mother's pain from losing her father, and feels responsible for her mother's happiness a lot lately. My heart sank just thinking how much weight she was carrying on such tiny shoulders. But at the same time, when we were at recess playing a game, I saw her smile for the first time that day. And we talked a bit when we went into the library, and it was such a joy and a blessing to witness her open up a little bit more. 

I went back into the classroom ten minutes before the bell was going to ring to end the day to say goodbye to Nayeli and the rest of the kids. In Ecuador, when the kids leave, they all kiss the professor (girls kiss the male and female professors on the cheek, and boys kiss the female professors, but shake the hands of the male professors). So while they were getting their things in their backpacks, Edison said "besa la señorita" and I received 23 sets of arms around my beck to pull my head down to their level, accompanied with 23 sweet little kisses on my cheek. It made my day!! 

Today was such a beautiful day. Not because of the weather, but because of the joy of having the kids in school and having such a prominent feeling of purpose and belonging throughout the day. I am so thankful that God has called me here this year. I am in love with these kids already! When I went into the 3to de Basica class for the English lesson, I asked if any of the kids remembered my name from the Inauguration ceremony the day before. One of the girls raised her hand, and said "your name is Ali, and you have the most beautiful singing voice I've ever heard!" :) At the inauguration, I sang "Open the Eyes of My Heart" after Samuel sang it in spanish. 

I am so excited to be a part of these kids lives this year, and to get to know the girls who will be in the discipleship group. It is so excited to now have started the school year!! 

What a beautiful day. 

"Because your love is better than life, 

my lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live, 

and in your name I will lift up my hands. 

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;

with singing lips my mouth will praise you. . .

my soul clings to you, 

Your right hand upholds me."

-Psalm 63:3-5; 8