First Day of School
Dear friends and family,
The first day of school is over, and I’m still alive! We had our
first day - a half day, and overall I think it went well. I have 20
students in my class as of today, which might increase by Monday. There
are even a few white kids that have moved here for family jobs or such,
and it’s interesting to see them here amongst all the Pohnpeiians. We
played a lot of games today - getting to know
you questions, hangman, Simon Says, heads up seven up, dodgeball, etc. But
YES, we did do productive things as well. I went over class rules,
policies, and procedures and such. But I guess they don’t ever start
the real schoolwork until Monday each year, so the first two days are
relaxed and more about getting to know the kids and finding out what
their level of skills are in each subject to be covered. So tonight I
guess I’ll be making some 'pre-tests' to find out their knowledge and
figuring out what other games to play tomorrow. We have chapel as well,
and apparently I’ve been designated to give a small worship
thought. It’s funny how you’re just expected to figure those
kinds of things out amongst yourselves and the other staff don’t even
worry about it! It’ll be fine though, they’re kids. I don’t have to do a
sermon or anything.
Well we took our first trip out to a river this afternoon and it
was so amazing. The place we went has two waterfalls, with one that you
can jump off of! I was pretty excited, and being the fun-lover that I
am was the first to take a flying leap right off the edge. Kristen
Stagg and I were eyeing the second falls, and asked Mr. Benjamin (the
principal) if it was deep enough at the bottom but he just shook his
head, waved his hand at us, and smiled at our craziness to let us know
!NO WAY.! We laughed and climbed back up the first one to jump again. I
guess three girls were killed on the second falls when the river was
really high from rainfall, and the current carried them right
over the edge. So it’s probably best that we don’t go off that! It was
still a lot of fun, and quite an adventure climbing in behind the falls
and trying to scale the rocks back to the top. The water was so
refreshing, and after spending the day in a hot classroom and
apartment, I’ve never been so happy to go swimming. Now I just want to
head on a weekend camping trip to the outer islands! Not sure when we
will, but I’m ready. I’m still not sure when all of the SM’s are going
to figure out how to send pictures to everyone, since our internet time
is very limited and hasn’t even been hooked up in our apartments
or anywhere convenient, but I’m hoping I can send some soon.
Well I hope all of you are doing well in whatever your lives are
filled with at the moment. Thanks for the encouraging emails, they mean
a lot. And thank you for your prayers, they are always needed and
welcome. God bless!
In His service,
Lindsey Ford
Student Missionary to Pohnpei
Website by McDonald Road SDA Church
The first day of school is over, and I’m still alive! We had our
first day - a half day, and overall I think it went well. I have 20
students in my class as of today, which might increase by Monday. There
are even a few white kids that have moved here for family jobs or such,
and it’s interesting to see them here amongst all the Pohnpeiians. We
played a lot of games today - getting to know
you questions, hangman, Simon Says, heads up seven up, dodgeball, etc. But
YES, we did do productive things as well. I went over class rules,
policies, and procedures and such. But I guess they don’t ever start
the real schoolwork until Monday each year, so the first two days are
relaxed and more about getting to know the kids and finding out what
their level of skills are in each subject to be covered. So tonight I
guess I’ll be making some 'pre-tests' to find out their knowledge and
figuring out what other games to play tomorrow. We have chapel as well,
and apparently I’ve been designated to give a small worship
thought. It’s funny how you’re just expected to figure those
kinds of things out amongst yourselves and the other staff don’t even
worry about it! It’ll be fine though, they’re kids. I don’t have to do a
sermon or anything.