End of semester

Today was the last day of the semester at the local university where we help out with English. This is a picture of our class - pretty good kids, although only about 4 or 5 have a good handle on English

School pic 2013

Technology in the woods

Sorry honey, can't hear you - only have 1 bar.

Eye exams

 

What's a school without eye exams. Today we did our first school wide vision test - not real common here. And what do you know, there's an app for that - used the iPad.

Prayer and English

When we pray, we always try to include some English. This way the kids hear the vocabulary daily.

 

Spelling Bee

Barb with the finalists from all grades

Bob with the 2 winners - Luz and Jascerika

After preliminary eliminations on Wednesday, today (Friday) we had the finals of our second annual spelling bee. The preschool had their own champion (Eyner), the 1st and second graders competed against each other (won by second grader Jascerika), and the 3rd and 4th graders competed against each other (won by 3rd grader Luz). The winners received nice prizes.

Preschool winner Eyner with his teacher Ana

Winding down the school year

  As we wind down the 2013 school year, its time for testing. Here, the fourth graders are taking their second to last test in Bible. This year we covered very thoroughly the "Life of Christ". You might notice that they don't have uniforms on because it is "Crazy Wednesday" where they don't have to wear them.

"Bake for Books"

Our granddaughter Alhana sponsored a bake sale to raise money for the library here in Nicaragua. She did a great job, and was helped by her older sister Arwyn who did a lot of the baking.

Fun with second graders

Teaching the second graders a song in English -  "Knock, knock" -  you older types might remember it.

First "Library Outreach"

  One of our long term goals is to take books to outlying communities.
  Through a contact, we've been sending books, once a week, to the teachers in a small school in the community of San Juan. There the teachers have reading time with the kids - both reading to them and having them read in groups.  They are getting the classics - like Curious George.
  Today we were able to visit the school, meet all the kids, and be in their reading times. To do more of this, we need lots of Spanish books!

Preschool teacher reading one of the books

Our librarian Marlene with some 3rd graders

The school "El Buen Maestro" en San Juan

The principal Cruz with some kids

Day of the Bible

Today, we celebrated the "Day of the Bible" - 444 years of the Bible in Spanish (the Bible was actually translated to Spanish before the King James version was done). Some of our girls participated in the parade and did a dance at the park before quite a big crowd. I don't think when I was in 2nd grade I would have managed a public performance like that.

New library progesss

We are making progress on our new 2 story building. The bottom floor will be the library and computer lab, and the upper floor, 2 new classrooms. We have enough money to finish the basic structure and put on the roof, but need more to finish off the building. Thanks to all who support the work here in Nicaragua.

Independence Day

           September 15th - Independence day
On Friday the 13th, our kids did a noisy march through our barrio in celebration. They had their drums, both bought and homemade. Now for the best part - 2 days off school.

Check out a short video and you'll understand why I really want a music program some day    Marching band   

Activity Day

Every couple of weeks, we take our younger kids English class to the library to do "centers" - something not common here. Yesterday we had four centers having to do with foods, spelling, and some eye/hand coordination for the preschool kids. Barb and I each run a center and we enlisted the help of some fourth graders to help. In this pic, Perla and Nayiri are helping some second graders color, cut, and pronounce some fruits and then glue their "salad" on a plate.

CPR "Creating Positive Relationships"

Barb and I are in Managua to attend a training session for the course "Creating Positive Relationships" - a program that teaches about relationships and sexuality from a Bible perspective. It is excellent and timely as next year, we add 5th grade, which is about the time things can start hopping in these young people.

Getting Ready for Story Time

So these are 60 happy gingerbread men waiting until Tuesday and Thursday of next week to help the kids who come to our Story Time to enjoy the The Gingerbread Man book. I don't think this is a well known story here in Nicaragua and I have never seen any gingerbread type cookies. Can you imagine your childhood without gingerbread men and houses etc...? I hope they'll enjoy trying something different.

Reading Club

This week, we had our first "Reading Club" in our relentless endeavor to get our kids to love reading. Our librarian, Marlene Mejía, with our help, planned a nice program. We pray that the kids will continue to grow in this skill.

Library room update

Last week, a small group from Iowa helped us update our temporary library room as well as do some needed maintenance in the school. After painting the room, all of the kids and teachers came through, picked their color, and left their hand print on the wall. The kids also enjoyed practicing their English skills on the Iowans.

A true man of God

Last week, Neal Williams, a true man of God and a close friend passed away and is now with the Lord. Neal and his wife Linda went with us to language school in Costa Rica in 1987, and not only ministered as a preacher and a Dentist, but helped us and our 4 kids keep our sanity as we learned a new language and a new culture. The funeral is today (Tuesday the 5th) in Gladewater, TX where he grew up. He leaves a strong Christian legacy.

University students

Many of you know that Barb and I are helping with an English course at the local university. While we want to help them with English, we also want to make a relationship with them and input spiritual values into their lives. We invited all our students to visit our school and have an "English night", and these came. Got to eat American brownies and practice English.