Olinda hails from the freezing northern regions of BC, Canada (Houston, I think) and is my right-hand lady as SOAAR assistant, here at NCA for the entire school year through Christian Reformed World Missions. She works one-on-one with a preschool student until 11:30 each day, and then spends her afternoons doing everything from grading papers, helping in PE class, working one-on-one with struggling readers, and tutoring middle schoolers. SOAAR would not work without Olinda. I'm thankful for her steadiness, her patience, her flexibility, and her quiet presence, as well as her longer-term commitment to serve at NCA the entire school year.
Katelyn escaped from Grand Rapids for a semester to help out at NCA as well through CRWM, having just finished high school at Grand Rapids Christian and ready to test the waters of the real world. Katelyn is a go-getter and a natural teacher and has been put to work with kindergarten students, teaching kids learning English, and helping in the library (not to mention MANY other things!). Her position has changed and morphed over these months; I'm thankful she has been able to "go with the flow" as NCA pushes and pulls her in all directions! She is SO needed, and I think she is feeling affirmed that a career in teaching might be in her future.
Gina is a church friend from Grand Rapids. She's taking a semester break from Calvin, and helps out at NCA for three days and then works alongside of Ruth at House of Hope and AMOS for two days. At NCA, Gina finds herself with kindergartners , preschoolers, 2nd graders, 5th graders, and more! Gina has an easy-going, adventurous spirit and we are thankful for her "okay with anything" attitude! She wants to get a wide variety of experiences while in Nicaragua, and I think she is doing just that!
We are thankful today for folks who sacrifice time, and energy, and money to serve in Nicaragua! It is a great place to be, but it isn't always easy, especially being away from family and familiarity. We trust that God will continue to place volunteers at NCA who can serve in the SOAAR program and in other capacities.
Today we were able to celebrate the weekend at Masaya Volcano together for the "night tour"--it was nice to hang out outside of the classroom, which we don't do enough!
No comments:
Post a Comment