Sometimes it seems like there are so many people putting updates, thoughts, and opinions out there on the web that adding one more voice to it all seems all so insignificant. However, while on our US "tour" I was reminded that people *actually* read and follow our blog. Bless your hearts! So here it is, a blog update:
Our three year anniversary of living in Ecuador has come and gone. We have begun our 4th school year. How's it going, you ask? You REALLY want to know? I'll tell you.
Have you ever felt excited about a new job? Felt excited for the adventures, the changes you would bring about for the betterment of the workplace, the strengths you'd provide, etc? And then several months/years into said job, you find yourself disappointed and discouraged because reality didn't meet your expectation? I think it happens to all of us, to some degree or another. We are no exception.
This past year has been difficult for the both of us. Year three. Man, it was a doozy!
Our expectations of where the school (students, teachers, and parents) would be by this point in our time as directors are pretty far from reality. And what is even more burdensome is other people's expectations of where we should be by now.
We've done elaborate trainings, hours upon hours of meetings, given out teacher memos (this is a bad thing), given pep talks and stern talking-tos, handed out daily and weekly reminders, we have prayer sessions and devotionals, all in the hopes of seeing change in the school. By now, all (or at least most things) should be running smoothly with routines and procedures in place and our teachers trained and implementing the latest educational craze.
But what have we seen and learned, especially this last year? Change is hard and expectations go unmet... but thats ok.
I've heard it said, that in the States, after a training on a new concept/classroom management style/teaching philosophy/"lo que sea" (whatever) you expect to see results in about 6 months. Well, when you throw in the fact that many of these trainings are counter-cultural here in Ecuador, you could probably expect to see results in maybe a year. That is if you can retain the teachers every school year. And then add more training/changes on top of that, because running a school is so multifaceted, it isn't just about one procedure or teaching style... it has to be all encompassing. So when you look at it from this perspective, that is a whole host of changes in a short amount of time! That makes me feel a tad bit better about our situation.
And while we are at it, lets talk about expectations. Expectations can be such a nasty little thing.
I found this quote by author Steve Maraboli, that I find true. He says, "Expectations feeds frustrations. It's an unhealthy attachment to people, things, and outcomes we wish we could control; but don't."
We don't control. I have a bad habit in that most of the time I hate not being in control. But right now, in this circumstance, it is a wonderful truth. Know why? Because it means that God is in control.
During this season of frustration, Jake and I have been comforted by reading Isaiah 55:8-13, which says:
""My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "
"And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the gain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
Where once there were thorns, cypress will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the LORD's name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.""
NLT
For us, this passage has been a reminder that God is in control. This work, here in Ecuador is HIS work. It isn't ours. And as much as we love it, he loves it so much more. Of course God will bless it, make it fruitful, and he will receive the honor and glory. It may take some time, as does growing seed and producing bread for the hungry, but in the end we have his promise that when he sends his word (or when he sends his people) it always produces fruit and accomplishes all he intends it to.
And just this year, we have seen just a glimpse of his mighty works. We've heard the faint sound of mountains and hills singing their song. Or the tree clapping and dancing in joy. The myrtles and cypress beginning to bud.
This school year, HOHCA has grown in student population by 32%. We went from 178 students last year to 235 this year. That is by far the most this little school has ever seen. So while sometimes we have a hard time seeing changes, parents and community members view it with different eyes. What a blessing.
Praise God that his thoughts and ways are higher and far beyond anything we could imagine.
This year... this year is going to be great. Because we will put our trust (and expectations!) in God.
No comments:
Post a Comment