With Love…. the 100th Post

Posted on March 16, 2015 by adrienneorris

I used to want to live to be 100. It’s on my bucket list. I still want to live to be 100. I just want to be able to still encourage and serve other people when I’m 100 – which I know isn’t the majority. When I was in college, I added making dinner for my children and their children on my 100th birthday to my bucket list. I’m still working on it.

And so when WordPress told me that this was my 100th post, I knew there was significance to that. This was the 100th memory I would be sharing…. and since 100 is a significant number, I wanted to show you some pictures of who I spend my days with and what I do….

First and foremost, I do what I do because God has called me here for this purpose in this time. Over the last two months, God has confirmed over and over again that we need to take the opportunities in front of us to speak truth and to love. God is love. Jesus is love. And sometimes all it takes is a little love to change someone else’s day. I have tried this year saying, “Whatever you have for me today Lord” every morning and to go into each day afresh.

To me teaching is pouring out love onto my students every day. Sometimes this is in the form of knowledge. Sometimes this is in the form of a bandaid or some Tylenol or an encouraging note or firm discipline. But each day holds the opportunity to display love. Teaching is really just a tool to point them towards Christ. But if they are excited about learning. If they see the purpose. They can exceed their own expectations. Learning will draw them towards Christ as their eyes continue to be opened and see things afresh and anew. Learning will draw them towards Christ when they hear truth and embrace challenges.

Over the years I have had 1832 students walk through my doors and into my classroom. Each year I add more. And each year the number of students I pray for and love upon grows. Would you pray alongside me today…..

Hodaliz using a microscope

Sulmy testing the laws of physics

Victor, Bryan and Yonal watching their rocket fly

Shirley applying physics principles

Raul testing the soda cans

The challenges of physics for the Cuarto class

Jose, Bryan, Adrian, Victor, Tevan and Sergio

Maria, Lesly and Adriana

Adrian, Jose and Dopney trying to measure vectors

Kenley, Adrian and Ericka dissecting owl pellets

Christian, Sandra, Mayra, Gaby, Sulmy, Shirley, Raul, Everaldo and Cesar ready to launch their cars for the Egg Drop Lab.

My Intro to Mathematics class in the University

Teaching to Remember

Posted on March 15, 2015 by adrienneorris

This is a arm that can be used to practice giving IVs and drawing blood. Legally they can practice on each other, but it will be wiser and safer to practice first on the model!

In science, some of the concepts to teach are so difficult because they are difficult to envision. In part this is why lab experiences are so important, to put into practice what you are learning in the classroom. Part of what I have been doing during my time here is implementing these experiences in biology, chemistry and physics. The students and teachers have never experienced hands on learning like this which makes it difficult at times to explain procedures. But as light bulbs go off and I can see learning happening, it makes the time that goes into planning and preparation worth it. Many, many thanks to my friends who donated this equipment to the school. It stretches farther than you could ever imagine. I have been creative with resources and much of what I need I can find here when I improvise. I have rocks weighed out in sets, diagrams and posters hand drawn and plastic cups marked with quantities. Now all three schools are pulling from these supplies and it definitely makes the learning more concrete! We all thank you for the extension of the learning happening here!

Hands On Math!

Anatomy and Physiology

Microbiology

Physics and Chemistry

A few of my favorite things

Posted on March 15, 2015 by adrienneorris

Those of you who know me well know that I like rabbits and I like basketball. A little of both has been happening this month. I guess it is fit that March Madness is in full swing. I don’t even notice it really because my biological clock is reset to life in Latin America – and there is no March Madness.

I have had several girls come by the school and ask if I would help their basketball “team” this year. I finally agreed and have been doing some instructing and playing. It is much different here, I still don’t understand all of the rules, but I enjoy it just as much.

As for the rabbits, they’re a great source of protein. The hope is to produce babies and raise a few on the side just like my family used to do. So far we are 0 for 3 in keeping them alive long enough to do that. This time I started with adults with the hope that I would decrease the time it takes to reproduce.

We climbed this mountain to get to the house where they sell rabbits. Let’s hope it was worth it!

In Like a Lion

Posted on March 4, 2015 by adrienneorris

Someone had to remind me that it was March. To me it feels like June. I guess March is always best when it comes in like a Lion and our like a Lamb. For me that might hold true this month, we will see. I picked up some extra courses as our Physics/ Math teacher was away for his wife to have their baby and spent quality time with some quality students. I lost my voice in the process yet my brain completely flipped. I found it difficult to talk in English and my brain much preferring Spanish.

There used to be a time of normalcy here where every week was the same it and it would be difficult to find a new blog even once a month. We have entered into the world of constant change – with the exciting news being that I could send you something new that happens each day.

It is currently the dry season…. lots of dust, lots of fires in the nights in the mountains and great sunsets and sunshine on the mountains. It will be like this for awhile.

Work continues at the hospital with more and more foundational walls being built. Two-thirds of these walls have been poured and the men continue on their schedule to push forward.

School continues to be the routine around here – as we settle into a routine. I am noticing this year that I feel a little more confident teaching although I am still not expressing and completely explaining like I would like. How I even managed words last year I am not quite sure. These students are both from our Cuarto and Quinto Bachi classes.