Our kids come back to school tomorrow. I'm excited to see them after not having them in class for 6 weeks! This semester I'm teaching lots of random stuff. I'm still teaching primarily 5th and 6th grade, but also have my 3rd and 4th grade math class, an ESL class, Chemistry, and Geometry. It will be a little more work refreshing my knowledge of Chemistry and Geometry, but I think I'm ready for the challenge!
I had a great time in the states! I'm glad that I got to see and reconnect with as many people as I did. I returned to Honduras on the 30th of December. The next night was a fun celebration for New Year's Eve. In Honduras, it's a tradition to make a scarecrow looking thing called "Old Man Year." You stuff him with fireworks, and at midnight, you burn him representing the passing of the old year and the coming of the new year. We continued with this tradition and also had games and puzzles going on in the big house to wait until it was time to burn him. I was excited to actually witness this tradition this year. My first year here, I was still in the states for new years and last year I slept through it b/c it was the same day I flew back into the country and I was exhausted. Needless to say, it was a fun night!
Happy New Year everyone!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
"I'll be Home for Christmas..."
Well, I'm already home...my home in the states that is. I've been here since December 2nd and will leave for Honduras again on December 30th. I'm about 1/2 way through my time here and have had a great time so far. I've gotten to see family, meet with some friends, meet some new friends, share about what God's doing in Honduras, and other fun stuff too.
I've been cleaning out things in my room at my parents' house, mainly because I'm a pack rat and haven't done so since high school. I've found some fun stuff, given away lots of stuff, thrown away lots of stuff and enjoyed some fun memories that came with the things I found.
My brother Robbie just got married in November. I've gotten to spend time with him and his wife, Mallorie, as well. They were in town for a Cowboys game, so we were going to go to the Fort Worth Zoo. It all sounded like fun, but it was cold and kinda rainy that we planned to go, so we ended up going to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum and a mirror maze they had there. They had some wierd and random stuff, but it was fun! I'm also looking forward to the beginning of this next week when I get to go spend a couple of days with them in Tyler, hanging out and getting ready for our family Christmas celebration we're having at their apartment.
I have a feeling the rest of my furlough time will go by quickly with Christmas and all that comes with it, so I thought I should post a little update now before I forgot.
Merry Christmas everyone! May God bless you and your family as you celebrate Jesus' birth!
I've been cleaning out things in my room at my parents' house, mainly because I'm a pack rat and haven't done so since high school. I've found some fun stuff, given away lots of stuff, thrown away lots of stuff and enjoyed some fun memories that came with the things I found.
My brother Robbie just got married in November. I've gotten to spend time with him and his wife, Mallorie, as well. They were in town for a Cowboys game, so we were going to go to the Fort Worth Zoo. It all sounded like fun, but it was cold and kinda rainy that we planned to go, so we ended up going to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum and a mirror maze they had there. They had some wierd and random stuff, but it was fun! I'm also looking forward to the beginning of this next week when I get to go spend a couple of days with them in Tyler, hanging out and getting ready for our family Christmas celebration we're having at their apartment.
I have a feeling the rest of my furlough time will go by quickly with Christmas and all that comes with it, so I thought I should post a little update now before I forgot.
Merry Christmas everyone! May God bless you and your family as you celebrate Jesus' birth!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Love According to Kids
A month or so ago, I received an email that had kids' definitions of love. I thought it was cute, so I decided to ask my kids. I gave them an index card and said, "Write down what you think love is." I did this several weeks ago, but I just found the cards :). This is what they wrote:
"When people get kissed."
"[Love] is an expression of the soul and heart."
"Love means that you love somebody like dad, mom, brothers, sister, and girlfriend."
"Love is more than an emotion; love is a dedication, a commitment, a goal, to always care for somebody/something, to the point you'd give your life for them/it; no matter how tough times get."
I thought these were interesting responses for 5th and 6th graders.
"When people get kissed."
"[Love] is an expression of the soul and heart."
"Love means that you love somebody like dad, mom, brothers, sister, and girlfriend."
"Love is more than an emotion; love is a dedication, a commitment, a goal, to always care for somebody/something, to the point you'd give your life for them/it; no matter how tough times get."
I thought these were interesting responses for 5th and 6th graders.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thanksmas Christgiving
Tonight we had a Thanksmas Christgiving party. This combination of Thanksgiving and Christmas stemmed from the fact that some of our "family" aka coworkers here are going to be gone for Thanksgiving, yet we wanted to share a Thanksgiving type meal together. We also wanted to have a Christmas party before everyone went home for furlough, so it seemed like the perfect combination. We had all the traditional food that you might have at a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal (except we had chicken instead of turkey b/c it's cheaper), had a "Secret Santa" gift exchange, and played a few Christmas games. Our table was set with regular plates, fall/thanksgiving napkins, and Christmas colored cups. Hanging outside on the door were two welcome signs: one that is decorated with a fall theme, and one that says "feliz navidad" with a snowman on it. It was a fun start to the holidays and a great time of fellowship with the family I have here in Honduras. I hope this becomes an annual tradition :).
Happy Merry Thanksmas Christgiving!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Oops!
So...I kind of forgot that I had a blog. Sorry to those of you who read it and have been looking for another update. Umm....let's see...the semester's almost already over! I can't believe it!
This has been a great semester. It's been challenging in many ways, but in those challenges, I'm reminded to seek God and I end up growing from the challeging situations. I've been blessed with great friends that are pretty much like family, so it makes times when I'm missing my stateside family a little easier.
My students have been doing very well! I'm impressed by their hard work and diligent effort that they show (most of the time :)). We've had several big events this semeseter including an Independence Day program, a Day of the Child celebration, and a Culture Day program. We're also looking forward to a Christmas party with the kids and graduation before the semester is over.
I'm currently in the states right now for my twin brother's wedding! Robbie and Mallorie are getting married on Sunday! One of the ladies at the ranch is subbing for me so I can be here to celebrate with them. (Thanks again Jaylene!) I'm excited to be here for this special occasion and look forward to seeing a lot of family and family friends that I haven't seen in a while!! After all the craziness of the wedding festivities, I'll have a few days to rest at home and get ready to head back to Honduras to finish out the semester. I'm also looking forward to spending the majority of the month of December in the states and being able to spend Christmas here with my family.
Please be praying with us for more teachers! We need several more North American and Honduran teachers for next semester (beginning in January)! If you're interested, please let me know!
As always, thanks for all of your prayers and support!
-Hannah :)
This has been a great semester. It's been challenging in many ways, but in those challenges, I'm reminded to seek God and I end up growing from the challeging situations. I've been blessed with great friends that are pretty much like family, so it makes times when I'm missing my stateside family a little easier.
My students have been doing very well! I'm impressed by their hard work and diligent effort that they show (most of the time :)). We've had several big events this semeseter including an Independence Day program, a Day of the Child celebration, and a Culture Day program. We're also looking forward to a Christmas party with the kids and graduation before the semester is over.
I'm currently in the states right now for my twin brother's wedding! Robbie and Mallorie are getting married on Sunday! One of the ladies at the ranch is subbing for me so I can be here to celebrate with them. (Thanks again Jaylene!) I'm excited to be here for this special occasion and look forward to seeing a lot of family and family friends that I haven't seen in a while!! After all the craziness of the wedding festivities, I'll have a few days to rest at home and get ready to head back to Honduras to finish out the semester. I'm also looking forward to spending the majority of the month of December in the states and being able to spend Christmas here with my family.
Please be praying with us for more teachers! We need several more North American and Honduran teachers for next semester (beginning in January)! If you're interested, please let me know!
As always, thanks for all of your prayers and support!
-Hannah :)
Friday, August 7, 2009
1st week of school...year 3 :)
We just completed our first week of school! I enjoy all my classes and kids that i'm teaching. This year, i'm teaching pretty much the same kids as last year, but now they're in 5th and 6th grade instead of 4th and 5th :). My kids keep making fun of me because i keep saying how much they've grown since I first got here 2 years ago. I'm teaching all the main subjects (Bible, Science, Math, Grammar, Reading, Spelling) to 5th and 6th grade as well as a 3rd and 4th grade math class. I have 2 5th graders, 2 6th graders, 2 3rd graders and 2 4th graders.
Here are some funny quotes from the week:
When we were on our way out to recess:
student-"mmm...it smells like recess!"
me- "what does recess smell like?"
student- "like freedom!"
While videoing another student with the black and white feature on my camera, one of my students said, "Look, it's like i'm videoing in the 90s!"
We were learning about different types of numbers (cardinal, ordinal, nominal) in math. For one of the answers, one of my students said, "you know...the one like the fair....like...carnival or whatever"
It's my goal to update the blog more often this school year! Thanks for all your prayers and support!
-Hannah :)
Here are some funny quotes from the week:
When we were on our way out to recess:
student-"mmm...it smells like recess!"
me- "what does recess smell like?"
student- "like freedom!"
While videoing another student with the black and white feature on my camera, one of my students said, "Look, it's like i'm videoing in the 90s!"
We were learning about different types of numbers (cardinal, ordinal, nominal) in math. For one of the answers, one of my students said, "you know...the one like the fair....like...carnival or whatever"
It's my goal to update the blog more often this school year! Thanks for all your prayers and support!
-Hannah :)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Summer Newsletter
Here's a copy of the summer newsletter i sent out a few weeks ago:
Hannah’s Honduras Update
Summer 2009
Dear friends and family,
I hope this update finds you and your family doing well. This has been a busy, yet productive summer complete with graduation, a medical brigade, staying in houses, Spanish class, furlough, and getting ready for school to start again.
In June we had a graduation ceremony for our Kindergartners, 6th grader, and 12th grader. It was a great time of celebration of these students as well as the accomplishments of our whole school. The week after graduation, I was able to go on a medical brigade with the other side of our ministry. I really enjoyed getting to spend the week with several other people from the ranch, as well as a few people from the church I was able to work with last year. God stretched me in some new ways, I was able to share the gospel with several people, a couple people accepted Christ, I was able to practice my Spanish, and hang out with a lot of kids. It was a great week. To read a more detailed account, please visit my blog: http://hannahhonduras.blogspot.com.
When our house parents are gone from the ranch for any reason (whether it be for furlough, their monthly days off, medical emergency, etc), one of us stays in their house until they are able to return to the ranch. This summer I stayed in several houses for a couple of nights. I enjoy doing this during the summer because I can see some of the kids that I don’t usually see as often and get to know them better.
We had a lady come in from the city this summer to teach Spanish classes to the missionaries on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I was able to participate in these classes for a couple of weeks before I went back to the states for my 2 weeks of furlough. I feel like I learned a lot and was glad to have this opportunity to learn more.
July 3rd-17th, I was able to go back to the states for a quick furlough. It was encouraging to see some of you and catch up with what’s going on in your lives. I was also able to go visit my brother Robbie and his fiancé, Mallorie and hear about more of their wedding plans.
Since my return on the 17th, I’ve been busy staying in more houses and getting my classroom ready for school to start! I begin my 3rd year of teaching here in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait! I’m excited to teach the same kids that I have taught for the previous two years. This year, they’ll be in 5th and 6th grade.
You may have heard about the political situation going on here in Honduras. If not, I encourage you to look it up on your favorite news website. Almost a month later, there are still demonstrations and protests in the city where we go at least once a week. Thankfully, most of these demonstrations and protests have remained peaceful. As a ministry, everyone is safe. We’re being cautious and aware of days that we go into the city, etc. Please pray for the country of Honduras and this situation, that God’s hand would be in it and that it would end quickly and peacefully.
Thanks again for all of your prayers and support!
Hannah Dakel
Hannah.dakel@gmail.com
www.wgoreach.org
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…” -Philippians 1:4-5
Hannah’s Honduras Update
Summer 2009
Dear friends and family,
I hope this update finds you and your family doing well. This has been a busy, yet productive summer complete with graduation, a medical brigade, staying in houses, Spanish class, furlough, and getting ready for school to start again.
In June we had a graduation ceremony for our Kindergartners, 6th grader, and 12th grader. It was a great time of celebration of these students as well as the accomplishments of our whole school. The week after graduation, I was able to go on a medical brigade with the other side of our ministry. I really enjoyed getting to spend the week with several other people from the ranch, as well as a few people from the church I was able to work with last year. God stretched me in some new ways, I was able to share the gospel with several people, a couple people accepted Christ, I was able to practice my Spanish, and hang out with a lot of kids. It was a great week. To read a more detailed account, please visit my blog: http://hannahhonduras.blogspot.com.
When our house parents are gone from the ranch for any reason (whether it be for furlough, their monthly days off, medical emergency, etc), one of us stays in their house until they are able to return to the ranch. This summer I stayed in several houses for a couple of nights. I enjoy doing this during the summer because I can see some of the kids that I don’t usually see as often and get to know them better.
We had a lady come in from the city this summer to teach Spanish classes to the missionaries on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I was able to participate in these classes for a couple of weeks before I went back to the states for my 2 weeks of furlough. I feel like I learned a lot and was glad to have this opportunity to learn more.
July 3rd-17th, I was able to go back to the states for a quick furlough. It was encouraging to see some of you and catch up with what’s going on in your lives. I was also able to go visit my brother Robbie and his fiancé, Mallorie and hear about more of their wedding plans.
Since my return on the 17th, I’ve been busy staying in more houses and getting my classroom ready for school to start! I begin my 3rd year of teaching here in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait! I’m excited to teach the same kids that I have taught for the previous two years. This year, they’ll be in 5th and 6th grade.
You may have heard about the political situation going on here in Honduras. If not, I encourage you to look it up on your favorite news website. Almost a month later, there are still demonstrations and protests in the city where we go at least once a week. Thankfully, most of these demonstrations and protests have remained peaceful. As a ministry, everyone is safe. We’re being cautious and aware of days that we go into the city, etc. Please pray for the country of Honduras and this situation, that God’s hand would be in it and that it would end quickly and peacefully.
Thanks again for all of your prayers and support!
Hannah Dakel
Hannah.dakel@gmail.com
www.wgoreach.org
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…” -Philippians 1:4-5
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