It is now 1:46 a.m.
I should have been asleep almost 2 hours ago. Instead my brain is swirling. There is so much information being processed I will never be able to process it all. However, just like a good sermon there are three key points.
#1. Wrapping up with my Literacy Center learners
#2. Preparing for the start of my Master's program
#3. The Philippines is happening for real this time
I know, right !?! Three huge bombshells. Boom! BOOM! BOOOOMM!!!
It has been a whirlwind of a year. We are down to just one week of classes at Sibley's Parent English classes. I have had 31 different learners over the past 8 months. 18 of them are still current and actively attending classes :) Despite the fact that I will not miss the AmeriCorps side of things, I will desperately miss my students. There is still hope that I will have them in my summer computer classes... but it's just not the same.
I have learned a lot in the past 8 months with these students. As much as I have heard, "You don't need to know their language to teach them English," I am grateful to have known some Spanish before this began. I also know I gained much respect from them for having given it an effort. Just the practice of listening to them speak increased my knowledge and confidence in usage. :)
Shortly into my current teaching year I had some conversations that lead me to realize I'll never really be done with school and getting an education. As a teacher you will always be a student as well.
I have had a passion for language for a very long time. If you look at my "bucket list" I have included "learn Italian." Who does that? In the past 5 years that passion has turned into a desire to teach English as a second language. This can be such a huge thing even here in the US. I did have one stipulation though, I want to teach adults not children. Again, who does that?
Well, long story short if I want to teach adults English here in the US I pretty much already need a Master's degree, much less in 5 years when I plan to be coming back from teaching overseas. That means I'm starting my next round of higher education. Starting July 18 (yes that is only about 8 weeks away) I will be in the M.A. Tesol program at Cornerstone University.
The program at Cornerstone will take me about 18 months... but I'm gonna give myself some slack and say I'll be pleased if I finish it in less than half the time it took for my undergrad ;)
So, what about #3? You must be really curious by now... so my tentative human plan is just getting started (even after 5+ years of visioning). When I am finished with my AmeriCorps term I will spend a couple of months visiting with my family. Then for December and most of January I will be travelling to Bohol! I am sooooo excited :D Lord willing, I will be purchasing the plane ticket for this excursion sometime in the next two weeks. Details will follow...
I'm calling this visit my "research trip." Anyone who wants to is more than welcome to join me :) I will be going to see how the Cajigas family's ministry is going and asking lots of questions of the outreach pastor in their local church. I want to observe the community as much as possible and see where they need/want to use English. With help I will evaluate where the majority stands in their level of usage and comprehension.
In the year following I will do 4 main things: a. Finish my Master's degree; b. collect materials and create a curriculum; c. work toward raising funds to support the program; and d. make attempts to learn Cebuano.
It is now 2:16 a.m. I am not less sleepy... wait, was that a yawn. I hope so. Yes, perhaps I can get some rest now.
I will ask for your prayers in the coming months. I have felt like plans are coming together so many times in the past only to be disappointing. I really want what is God's best for me and the people I will reach in my lifetime, but Lord may it please be now!
My theme verse:
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
