Ha,
Love you Dad... Don't worry, I'm forwarding this entire message to my blog as we speak. I'd hate for the world to be uninformed; you know? ;-)
Dave Turner (40s?) is the missionary that's here with his family in charge of things were Bill Strickland (70s?) sort of left off. Pastor Strickland is still actually in charge, but he runs things from Springfield. Marie (the wife) is a 6th grade teacher here at the school and Jason (son) is in 5th grade, while Rachel (daughter) is in 7th. Rachel reminds me a lot of Stacey; Anna's said the same thing. My roomates are Daniel and Brian and I've never felt so short in my life! They are both around 6'3"; I feel like an ant. If I had a camera, I would send more pictures! I promise. It would be so cool.
As things are right now, I have so much work to do. Although Dave is in charge of Teen Challenge down here (or at least he sort of is), he took my 11th grade bible classes from me the other week. I really liked them a lot (they were the best behaved and most eager students), but I'm actually glad now that I don't have them just because of all the things that I have to do! I'm sort of looking forward to the day that I have all my elementary classes done because it will lighten my load even more and allow me to focus on this afterschool club.
Dad, just so you know, I leave the orrigonal headings on the letters because it helps my blog readers understand a little more of the context of the message when they know who it was orriginally written to. Although, I think you might be right about including last names and exact monitary values. That wasn't my smartest move ever. Hmm. We'll have to think about that one.
The school just got the new keyboard yesterday! And it's great and I'm really happy about it. It's about the absolute nicest home-keyboard that money can buy. The only thing is that I don't know whether the school actually bought that with their own money or with the money that I gave them... that money was supposed to be separate, but we'll see I guess. I need to have a meeting this morning. It really is a nice keyboard though. It has midi and all kinds of newfangled things. The only thing it doesn't have that I've seen recently is a USB port... but it has midi instead, so that works out just fine. Besides... I don't have a computer. :-(
Oh well.
I love you very much Dad!
Yours,
Jason Scott Vawter
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Great things happening!
Hey Ms. Peggy!
First of all, I need to let you know that since I figured most of this email is stuff others might like to know about, I'm posting it on my blog as well. Although, I'd never publicly display you're writings back to me unless you asked. ;-)
Anyway, so this weekend was amazing. Actually, it was Sunday that was the best. I went to church on Saturday night becuase that's when we have a translator so we can understand. But because we (my roomates and I) had invited our gaurd to church with us, we decided to go on Sunday morning as well. Well, we showed up and never did find him (we figured he had forgotton or something), and the other guys left after the service had been going for a little while. All the services are the same, one on Sat. and three on Sun. I stayed simply because I was on the first row and because I was enjoying it. But the strange thing was that I was getting a lot more out of it this second time around. Although I didn't have the earbud translator, I did have someone sitting next to me helping me get the general jist of the sermon... and I had heard the same one the night before anyway.
Well, our gaurd did show up, and what's more is that he went forward at the altar call to give his heart to Jesus. Once I made sure what the call was about (I didn't just want to assume that it was a call to salvation), and that it would be ok for me to go up and pray for him (some churches in the states have specific people for that and don't like their teritory encroached upon), I did. It was so great to know that he had come and that something had happened in his life.
We'll God had been sort of moving me during the sermon to pray for the music club that will be starting tomorrow here. I'm really feeling that this (the music club thing) is what I was called here for. I felt like it would be good for me to go to the room where it would be and pray for a little while. Now, praying outloud, by myself is something that I'm not real good at. I especially don't feel the proper grasp of any language (especially english) enough to think of things to pray about. But God gave me plenty of things to pray about! I really felt both that my prayers were being heard and that it was specifically God (the Holy Spirit) praying through me.
But before I went to prayer, I tongue-in-cheek asked Carolyn (the Missionary Assistant here) if she wanted to join me. I fully expected an answer that was both encouraging and politely excused herself, such as, "Good idea! you go ahead, but I've got a meeting though," or, "I've got something I need to to here". I mean really, who ever says, "Sure, I would love to!" to an invitation to a prayer meeting? Ha... such an oxymoron as a Christian...
Well, although she ended up getting tied up in something else, just the fact that she was willing and wanted to was extremely encourageing; encouraging in such a way that I didn't even know I needed. I ended up praying by myself, which was very good, productive and fruitful (if only for me :-), and then afterwords, I joined her (and my roomates) in praying for a friend of hers that needed some help on a difficult issue. It was so wonderful.
At around 4, Carolyn Veith, Dave Turner and I went to a small church up in a little town on a hill right at the edge of Tegus. It was a very encouraging, albeit athletic service. ;-) They had every type of music you could imagine, although it was all canned. I was surprized that they played the canned stuff seeing as how their praise team was all dressed up in ther uniform(!) and ready to go. This church was in the middle of one of the poorest neighborhoods in Tegus, but yet had such an amazing sound system with many mics and even a cordless. Hugh JBL speakers... all kinds of stuff. I couldn't help but notice the difference of the inside of this church from it's neighboring homade shacks and homes and the dirt roads around it.
Well, God really worked through the church and ministered to me. Of course I felt like everyone was looking at the North Americans in the front, but it didn't really matter. At one point they played the song "You are good, All the time". If you don't know it, it's a very high energy song out of texas somewhere. Well, it was in Spanish of course, but then the second verse was in English! It was amazing, because it's really been one of my favorite songs and I was singing it in English anyway because they didn't have an overhead for me to look at or anything. My favorite part is when it says, "People from every nation and Tongue, from generation to generation..." It's just so awesome because it reminds us that we are in the same group of people and spiritual "linage" as the apostles and Paul and such, but it was doubly powerful to me because it was both in Spanish and English... it was just amazing.
Well... I just wanted to let you know what's been happening. I hope you haven't been turned off by my incesant use of the word, "Well".
Well... ;-)
(just kidding)
If you and the youth group would pray for this club, I would so greatly appreciate it! It has so much potential and stuff, and it's so hard to guess how it might end up going, but I'm ever so excited nonetheless.
My English is getting worse and worse. I need more coffee.
;-)
Yours in Christ,
Jason Scott Vawter
First of all, I need to let you know that since I figured most of this email is stuff others might like to know about, I'm posting it on my blog as well. Although, I'd never publicly display you're writings back to me unless you asked. ;-)
Anyway, so this weekend was amazing. Actually, it was Sunday that was the best. I went to church on Saturday night becuase that's when we have a translator so we can understand. But because we (my roomates and I) had invited our gaurd to church with us, we decided to go on Sunday morning as well. Well, we showed up and never did find him (we figured he had forgotton or something), and the other guys left after the service had been going for a little while. All the services are the same, one on Sat. and three on Sun. I stayed simply because I was on the first row and because I was enjoying it. But the strange thing was that I was getting a lot more out of it this second time around. Although I didn't have the earbud translator, I did have someone sitting next to me helping me get the general jist of the sermon... and I had heard the same one the night before anyway.
Well, our gaurd did show up, and what's more is that he went forward at the altar call to give his heart to Jesus. Once I made sure what the call was about (I didn't just want to assume that it was a call to salvation), and that it would be ok for me to go up and pray for him (some churches in the states have specific people for that and don't like their teritory encroached upon), I did. It was so great to know that he had come and that something had happened in his life.
We'll God had been sort of moving me during the sermon to pray for the music club that will be starting tomorrow here. I'm really feeling that this (the music club thing) is what I was called here for. I felt like it would be good for me to go to the room where it would be and pray for a little while. Now, praying outloud, by myself is something that I'm not real good at. I especially don't feel the proper grasp of any language (especially english) enough to think of things to pray about. But God gave me plenty of things to pray about! I really felt both that my prayers were being heard and that it was specifically God (the Holy Spirit) praying through me.
But before I went to prayer, I tongue-in-cheek asked Carolyn (the Missionary Assistant here) if she wanted to join me. I fully expected an answer that was both encouraging and politely excused herself, such as, "Good idea! you go ahead, but I've got a meeting though," or, "I've got something I need to to here". I mean really, who ever says, "Sure, I would love to!" to an invitation to a prayer meeting? Ha... such an oxymoron as a Christian...
Well, although she ended up getting tied up in something else, just the fact that she was willing and wanted to was extremely encourageing; encouraging in such a way that I didn't even know I needed. I ended up praying by myself, which was very good, productive and fruitful (if only for me :-), and then afterwords, I joined her (and my roomates) in praying for a friend of hers that needed some help on a difficult issue. It was so wonderful.
At around 4, Carolyn Veith, Dave Turner and I went to a small church up in a little town on a hill right at the edge of Tegus. It was a very encouraging, albeit athletic service. ;-) They had every type of music you could imagine, although it was all canned. I was surprized that they played the canned stuff seeing as how their praise team was all dressed up in ther uniform(!) and ready to go. This church was in the middle of one of the poorest neighborhoods in Tegus, but yet had such an amazing sound system with many mics and even a cordless. Hugh JBL speakers... all kinds of stuff. I couldn't help but notice the difference of the inside of this church from it's neighboring homade shacks and homes and the dirt roads around it.
Well, God really worked through the church and ministered to me. Of course I felt like everyone was looking at the North Americans in the front, but it didn't really matter. At one point they played the song "You are good, All the time". If you don't know it, it's a very high energy song out of texas somewhere. Well, it was in Spanish of course, but then the second verse was in English! It was amazing, because it's really been one of my favorite songs and I was singing it in English anyway because they didn't have an overhead for me to look at or anything. My favorite part is when it says, "People from every nation and Tongue, from generation to generation..." It's just so awesome because it reminds us that we are in the same group of people and spiritual "linage" as the apostles and Paul and such, but it was doubly powerful to me because it was both in Spanish and English... it was just amazing.
Well... I just wanted to let you know what's been happening. I hope you haven't been turned off by my incesant use of the word, "Well".
Well... ;-)
(just kidding)
If you and the youth group would pray for this club, I would so greatly appreciate it! It has so much potential and stuff, and it's so hard to guess how it might end up going, but I'm ever so excited nonetheless.
My English is getting worse and worse. I need more coffee.
;-)
Yours in Christ,
Jason Scott Vawter
Friday, September 22, 2006
A short picture album!
What you see here is a clear example of three guys just suffering for Jesus. Oh the pain, the torture, the agony we all go through on a daily basis. I'm telling you: we all need serious prayer. Please remember the three of us as we continue to place the gospel first and leave our worldly desire for comfort and peace behind us.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The first month or so...
Hello friends and family,
TA DA!! Here it is: the long awaited correspondence! I'm very surprised that I haven't heard back from more of you, asking to cancel the "subscription" to this wonderful newsletter. Just remember, it's never too late... ;-)
Money Stuff:
The first two months here in Honduras have been great. Much thanks is still due to my friends and family that have already participated in the funds drive for the music program here at CEAD. Through you're generosity, at least $3,500 dollars have been raised so far! Special thanks there go to Central A/G in Huntsville as well as First United Methodist Church in Cleveland for there support and use of the building.
However there is also some surprising new news that has me as excited as I can possibly be. First of all, one of my college professors, Dr. Linda Thompson, has arranged for Lee University to donate some used Orff instruments! This is possibly one of the best things that could happen because once they come in, it will allow the students to be involved with real musical instruments in an easy, efficient and fun way of producing music. For those of you who don't know, these instruments are very expensive and my guess is that all together they are worth between $1,000 and $2,000!
And running a close second in the realm of great news is that CEAD Christian School might be buying themselves a keyboard for the music program. This would be an immense blessing because it would allow that first amount of money ($3,500) to used elsewhere. And that amount will stretch so much further than if it had been used on a single keyboard!
Learning Spanish:
I hadn't really thought that I've learned much new Spanish since I've gotten here simply because I'm really only relearning words that I should have remembered from one of my four classes in the subject. However, thinking back to my experience on the plane ride from San Salvador to Tegucigalpa, I couldn't speak more than one or two coherent words to my seat partner. And last night, I was actually able to hold a decent conversation with the guard at the gate of my neighborhood. I'm actually very pleased... so long as the listener is extremely patient, there is quite a lot that I can get across and/or understand.
I'm currently taking some Spanish lessons with 2-3 wonderful young ladies, and although they are definitely "taken", they have many ideas for potential "novias" for me. They're worse than my uncles! ;-)
School:
Here at the school, things continue to plug along. I'm learning more and more about the balance of planning and flexibility, and it's an ever increasing learning process for me. Fortunately, my teaching load isn't too heavy, and I do have quite a few planning periods. If all goes well, this next Tuesday I will be starting an after school "music club". It's main purpose will be to provide a choir for special occasions. But I just couldn't bring myself to call it a choir knowing that would scare away some great musicians that I've already met. Besides... hopefully this will be much more than just a choir!
I'm also hoping that through this music club, I can be better able to teach student leadership and well-rounded-ness of music. But much remains to be seen since we haven't even begun yet! ;-)
Tegus (Tegucigalpa):
Although this is one of the most beautiful places I could ever possibly have come to, the city itself is not unlike many large cities in the US: dirty. But oh, you should see it at night! It's so beautiful. Tegus has about one million inhabitants and yet it doesn't seem much bigger than Huntsville, AL. This is probably because a large majority of it's inhabitants live on the outskirts of the town, closely packed together in small shacks and huts that they themselves have pieced together. Although I seriously doubt there are more cars here than in Huntsville, traffic is MUCH worse. It's sort of funny as well though. Huntsville takes in almost the entire county in it's vast suburban sprawl, but Tegus is very small indeed. I believe I can get almost anywhere in Tegus simply by driving 5-7miles any direction. Now, the time that it would take me to get there is much longer due to the traffic, but the size and area of the city is small.
The Spiritual:
The "Spirit Realm" (Oooo, spooky subject, I know) is much more readily recognized here. People in general (both Christians and non-Christians alike), are consistently convinced of the power and influence of spiritual things and beings. In a way, just this one thing is so much better than the "American Way". Americans are so ready to discount it all together. Even though Christians in the US are willing to say that the spiritual realm is real, very few actually live and act as if it is. Even in their daily speech, no one mentions the hidden spiritual intent and degradation behind certain advertisements or activities. It's as if they really don't believe it truly exists.
But here, things are vastly different. No one doubts a demon's power or ability to ruin someone's life or control their body should they so allow it. We Americans are often afraid to even talk about the Devil for fear that we will be giving him more credit than he deserves. How foolish! Look around! He doesn't need credit; he has results. It's high time we denounced him, and started actually talking about and fighting this battle we are in. Or is it not really an important battle?
Conclusion:
But alas, I digress. I hope this letter find all of you well and strong in the Lord. Be assured that things are going very well for me here and that this is exactly where I need to be. You and I can question my mental cunning and prowess ;-) ... but I will not question my calling.
Ever your servant in Christ!
--
Jason Scott Vawter
-Iota, Chi, Theta, Upsilon, Sigma
PS-please don't forget to feel free to opt out of this newsletter... it won't hurt my feelings a bit. *sniff sniff* ;-D
H>
H>>
H >>
H>>
<<H
<< H
<<< H>>>
<<< <H >>>
<<< <H> >>>
<<< H >>>
<<<<H>>>
H
\//
I have a blog about my Honduran adventures that's open to comments from the public. It can be found at http://afishymusicmachine.blogspot.com, and I'd be honored if you stopped by.
TA DA!! Here it is: the long awaited correspondence! I'm very surprised that I haven't heard back from more of you, asking to cancel the "subscription" to this wonderful newsletter. Just remember, it's never too late... ;-)
Money Stuff:
The first two months here in Honduras have been great. Much thanks is still due to my friends and family that have already participated in the funds drive for the music program here at CEAD. Through you're generosity, at least $3,500 dollars have been raised so far! Special thanks there go to Central A/G in Huntsville as well as First United Methodist Church in Cleveland for there support and use of the building.
However there is also some surprising new news that has me as excited as I can possibly be. First of all, one of my college professors, Dr. Linda Thompson, has arranged for Lee University to donate some used Orff instruments! This is possibly one of the best things that could happen because once they come in, it will allow the students to be involved with real musical instruments in an easy, efficient and fun way of producing music. For those of you who don't know, these instruments are very expensive and my guess is that all together they are worth between $1,000 and $2,000!
And running a close second in the realm of great news is that CEAD Christian School might be buying themselves a keyboard for the music program. This would be an immense blessing because it would allow that first amount of money ($3,500) to used elsewhere. And that amount will stretch so much further than if it had been used on a single keyboard!
Learning Spanish:
I hadn't really thought that I've learned much new Spanish since I've gotten here simply because I'm really only relearning words that I should have remembered from one of my four classes in the subject. However, thinking back to my experience on the plane ride from San Salvador to Tegucigalpa, I couldn't speak more than one or two coherent words to my seat partner. And last night, I was actually able to hold a decent conversation with the guard at the gate of my neighborhood. I'm actually very pleased... so long as the listener is extremely patient, there is quite a lot that I can get across and/or understand.
I'm currently taking some Spanish lessons with 2-3 wonderful young ladies, and although they are definitely "taken", they have many ideas for potential "novias" for me. They're worse than my uncles! ;-)
School:
Here at the school, things continue to plug along. I'm learning more and more about the balance of planning and flexibility, and it's an ever increasing learning process for me. Fortunately, my teaching load isn't too heavy, and I do have quite a few planning periods. If all goes well, this next Tuesday I will be starting an after school "music club". It's main purpose will be to provide a choir for special occasions. But I just couldn't bring myself to call it a choir knowing that would scare away some great musicians that I've already met. Besides... hopefully this will be much more than just a choir!
I'm also hoping that through this music club, I can be better able to teach student leadership and well-rounded-ness of music. But much remains to be seen since we haven't even begun yet! ;-)
Tegus (Tegucigalpa):
Although this is one of the most beautiful places I could ever possibly have come to, the city itself is not unlike many large cities in the US: dirty. But oh, you should see it at night! It's so beautiful. Tegus has about one million inhabitants and yet it doesn't seem much bigger than Huntsville, AL. This is probably because a large majority of it's inhabitants live on the outskirts of the town, closely packed together in small shacks and huts that they themselves have pieced together. Although I seriously doubt there are more cars here than in Huntsville, traffic is MUCH worse. It's sort of funny as well though. Huntsville takes in almost the entire county in it's vast suburban sprawl, but Tegus is very small indeed. I believe I can get almost anywhere in Tegus simply by driving 5-7miles any direction. Now, the time that it would take me to get there is much longer due to the traffic, but the size and area of the city is small.
The Spiritual:
The "Spirit Realm" (Oooo, spooky subject, I know) is much more readily recognized here. People in general (both Christians and non-Christians alike), are consistently convinced of the power and influence of spiritual things and beings. In a way, just this one thing is so much better than the "American Way". Americans are so ready to discount it all together. Even though Christians in the US are willing to say that the spiritual realm is real, very few actually live and act as if it is. Even in their daily speech, no one mentions the hidden spiritual intent and degradation behind certain advertisements or activities. It's as if they really don't believe it truly exists.
But here, things are vastly different. No one doubts a demon's power or ability to ruin someone's life or control their body should they so allow it. We Americans are often afraid to even talk about the Devil for fear that we will be giving him more credit than he deserves. How foolish! Look around! He doesn't need credit; he has results. It's high time we denounced him, and started actually talking about and fighting this battle we are in. Or is it not really an important battle?
Conclusion:
But alas, I digress. I hope this letter find all of you well and strong in the Lord. Be assured that things are going very well for me here and that this is exactly where I need to be. You and I can question my mental cunning and prowess ;-) ... but I will not question my calling.
Ever your servant in Christ!
--
Jason Scott Vawter
-Iota, Chi, Theta, Upsilon, Sigma
PS-please don't forget to feel free to opt out of this newsletter... it won't hurt my feelings a bit. *sniff sniff* ;-D
H>
H>>
H >>
H>>
<<H
<< H
<<< H>>>
<<< <H >>>
<<< <H> >>>
<<< H >>>
<<<<H>>>
H
\//
I have a blog about my Honduran adventures that's open to comments from the public. It can be found at http://afishymusicmachine.blogspot.com, and I'd be honored if you stopped by.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Re: birthday
YEA!!!
Thank you so much Mom! Actually, I was just thinking about saving money yesterday and trying to figure out how much I had and how much it would take to save up for some specific things. I really want to go to language school next summer (if it's ok with God ;-), and it will be expensive. But if He works it out, I might just be able to make it there with savings from my salary as well as the couple of personal gifts that I've gotten from some people already. But just so you know, I'm going to save it at least for a little while. If language school ends up getting paid for through some other means, or if I start getting paid a higher salary (which is a VERY big possibility [pray, pray pray!!!]), then I'll see what other wonderful thing this could go towards. Thanks so much Mom!
I just got the check from FUMC this past weekend and I've just sat down and talked with Ms. Godoy about it. God is so good! He couldn't have put me in a better place to start my teaching career. It's so comforting for me to know that I don't have to "waste" time student teaching and building a program over which I will have no control three months for now or in a place that I couldn't do any real long-term good. This is right where I need to be. Ms. Godoy is so supportive of the music program as well (she's the main and only principal now that Mr. Harrison is back in the states at another job). And she's so ready to get this thing on it's feet. When I went in to talk with Ms. Godoy about the check, I also let her know what other money I had to go towards the program. I'll have to be honest: I was a little worried that she might be resentful or that someone might think, "That money would be better used elsewhere; I wish they had just given it to the school and let the school decide where it should be used." But she wasn't like that at all! In fact, it was just the opposite; she was glad it was in my account because she wanted to make sure that it was used specifically on the Music program! It really is a blessing to be here!
I'm still not exactly sure where all this money is going, but I know that if God has provided it, He will show me the place to use it most effectively. And let me tell you, even if $3,400 isn't a lot of money when you think about a $4,000 piano or a $5,000/yr music library budget... $3,400 without a current place to spend it is a whole lot better than having an idea of where to use $500, but no actual money!
Also, I talked with her about getting a band teacher here, because that's really where her heart is. She wants to start a band program at CEAD much like the other ones around town. First of all, let me tell you: it wouldn't be hard at all to be the "best" in town. It would take work, no doubt, but the best in town... nay, the best in the country is really about as good as the best middle school band in Alabama. I guess that's sort of an assumption based on the fact that I've never seen the best middle school band in Alabama, but I dare say it's a safe one nonetheless.
Anyway, I talked with her about getting a band student teacher her even as soon as this next semester, and she's all for it. I was worried that it would be too soon and that the interests would be conflicting (too many music teachers and not near enough money to allow one to teach solely music), but she was all for it. I'm going to start writing some letters to colleges asking for a band student who is ready to student teach. We'll see what comes of it, but I've been given the authority to offer the position since we have a place for them to stay and they would be paying their own plane ticket anyway. I don't know how much they would be prepared to pay as a stipend, but she said it would great to have someone here. Actually... she was eager to have someone here.
Mom, I'm so blessed. Thank you so much for all that you and Dad have done to pay for my time at Lee and stuff. If I had debt right now, I wouldn't be able to be here as a teacher. I honestly couldn't be here doing the work that I know without a doubt God wants me to be doing, if you and Dad hadn't paid for my school in it's entirety. Thank you so much.
Well, I have to go teach!
With all my Love,
Jason Scott Vawter
Thank you so much Mom! Actually, I was just thinking about saving money yesterday and trying to figure out how much I had and how much it would take to save up for some specific things. I really want to go to language school next summer (if it's ok with God ;-), and it will be expensive. But if He works it out, I might just be able to make it there with savings from my salary as well as the couple of personal gifts that I've gotten from some people already. But just so you know, I'm going to save it at least for a little while. If language school ends up getting paid for through some other means, or if I start getting paid a higher salary (which is a VERY big possibility [pray, pray pray!!!]), then I'll see what other wonderful thing this could go towards. Thanks so much Mom!
I just got the check from FUMC this past weekend and I've just sat down and talked with Ms. Godoy about it. God is so good! He couldn't have put me in a better place to start my teaching career. It's so comforting for me to know that I don't have to "waste" time student teaching and building a program over which I will have no control three months for now or in a place that I couldn't do any real long-term good. This is right where I need to be. Ms. Godoy is so supportive of the music program as well (she's the main and only principal now that Mr. Harrison is back in the states at another job). And she's so ready to get this thing on it's feet. When I went in to talk with Ms. Godoy about the check, I also let her know what other money I had to go towards the program. I'll have to be honest: I was a little worried that she might be resentful or that someone might think, "That money would be better used elsewhere; I wish they had just given it to the school and let the school decide where it should be used." But she wasn't like that at all! In fact, it was just the opposite; she was glad it was in my account because she wanted to make sure that it was used specifically on the Music program! It really is a blessing to be here!
I'm still not exactly sure where all this money is going, but I know that if God has provided it, He will show me the place to use it most effectively. And let me tell you, even if $3,400 isn't a lot of money when you think about a $4,000 piano or a $5,000/yr music library budget... $3,400 without a current place to spend it is a whole lot better than having an idea of where to use $500, but no actual money!
Also, I talked with her about getting a band teacher here, because that's really where her heart is. She wants to start a band program at CEAD much like the other ones around town. First of all, let me tell you: it wouldn't be hard at all to be the "best" in town. It would take work, no doubt, but the best in town... nay, the best in the country is really about as good as the best middle school band in Alabama. I guess that's sort of an assumption based on the fact that I've never seen the best middle school band in Alabama, but I dare say it's a safe one nonetheless.
Anyway, I talked with her about getting a band student teacher her even as soon as this next semester, and she's all for it. I was worried that it would be too soon and that the interests would be conflicting (too many music teachers and not near enough money to allow one to teach solely music), but she was all for it. I'm going to start writing some letters to colleges asking for a band student who is ready to student teach. We'll see what comes of it, but I've been given the authority to offer the position since we have a place for them to stay and they would be paying their own plane ticket anyway. I don't know how much they would be prepared to pay as a stipend, but she said it would great to have someone here. Actually... she was eager to have someone here.
Mom, I'm so blessed. Thank you so much for all that you and Dad have done to pay for my time at Lee and stuff. If I had debt right now, I wouldn't be able to be here as a teacher. I honestly couldn't be here doing the work that I know without a doubt God wants me to be doing, if you and Dad hadn't paid for my school in it's entirety. Thank you so much.
Well, I have to go teach!
With all my Love,
Jason Scott Vawter
Monday, September 18, 2006
Food
Mom,
Thank you so much for the letter and the accrostic! I hope things are going well with you.
Erudite? You really think so? ;-) Ha!
Mom, I'm going to have to be honest with you... I haven't said much about the food because I feel guilt about it. Please don't be insulted right now as I come clean, but I just have to confess: I've actually told a few people that I like it even better than my own mother's cooking.
I know. I'm so sorry. ;-D
I hope you're not too devistated.
The normal food here is called "tipico", and although they always use it as a noun, it actually translates to "tipical", as in the tipical Honduran food. And let me tell you: it's amazing. I could eat it all day long. Although I've been praying that I wouldn't be continually hungry down here, and I think God's helping me out. As far as I know, I haven't gained a whole lot of weight or anything, but that's a miracle as far as I'm concerned. ;-)
There is plenty of fresh fruit and vegitables and you can get all of it that three guys could possibly eat in one week for less than 5 dollars (Lps. 100). By the way, Lps. doesn't have anything to do with a turntable... it's the abreviation for Lempiras.
The best is the avacados!!! Amazing, and they just eat them raw with a meal here. The only problem is that any fruit or vegitable you eat has to be pealed or washed with bleach water in order to remove the parisites. I've been slowly trying to imunizize myself to some degree... and so far I'm not dead, but you might want to pray. ;-)
My roomates and I have decided that although avacados are fattening, any fat you can get from a plant must be the "good" kind. So we continue to feast away. Daniel White (roomy) is a great cook as well, and he has made some awesome food for us since we've been here. Also, our cleaning lady who's the BOMB (Cleo _____) is also an amazing cook and makes some of the best Honduran dishes. The other day she made us some Tilapia that was amazing. I'm not a huge fan of fish, and it didn't help that I got the privalege of watching her clean them (inside and out), but other than that, it was a great meal! ;-)
Well, I want to write more, but I really have to go to class. I love you Mom!
-Jason Scott Vawter
Thank you so much for the letter and the accrostic! I hope things are going well with you.
Erudite? You really think so? ;-) Ha!
Mom, I'm going to have to be honest with you... I haven't said much about the food because I feel guilt about it. Please don't be insulted right now as I come clean, but I just have to confess: I've actually told a few people that I like it even better than my own mother's cooking.
I know. I'm so sorry. ;-D
I hope you're not too devistated.
The normal food here is called "tipico", and although they always use it as a noun, it actually translates to "tipical", as in the tipical Honduran food. And let me tell you: it's amazing. I could eat it all day long. Although I've been praying that I wouldn't be continually hungry down here, and I think God's helping me out. As far as I know, I haven't gained a whole lot of weight or anything, but that's a miracle as far as I'm concerned. ;-)
There is plenty of fresh fruit and vegitables and you can get all of it that three guys could possibly eat in one week for less than 5 dollars (Lps. 100). By the way, Lps. doesn't have anything to do with a turntable... it's the abreviation for Lempiras.
The best is the avacados!!! Amazing, and they just eat them raw with a meal here. The only problem is that any fruit or vegitable you eat has to be pealed or washed with bleach water in order to remove the parisites. I've been slowly trying to imunizize myself to some degree... and so far I'm not dead, but you might want to pray. ;-)
My roomates and I have decided that although avacados are fattening, any fat you can get from a plant must be the "good" kind. So we continue to feast away. Daniel White (roomy) is a great cook as well, and he has made some awesome food for us since we've been here. Also, our cleaning lady who's the BOMB (Cleo _____) is also an amazing cook and makes some of the best Honduran dishes. The other day she made us some Tilapia that was amazing. I'm not a huge fan of fish, and it didn't help that I got the privalege of watching her clean them (inside and out), but other than that, it was a great meal! ;-)
Well, I want to write more, but I really have to go to class. I love you Mom!
-Jason Scott Vawter
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Talking in Class
So... I think I've figured out a strategy that works so much better! (as far as talking goes at least)
At the end of last week I was not feeling well physically and I was having trouble stopping the talking as well. You know what I think the main problem was? I think I was too much of a softy. Yeah... I never thought of myself as a softy before, but I think I was, or am, but at least I'm changing.
My new philosophy is, "I only ask twice". It's quite simple, but sometimes it's hard for me to follow through. I may ask the class once to be quiet and then after that, I give "personal invitations" to those who still talk. Anyone who talks after they've had a personal invitation gets a short paper.
This is actually a lot easier for me to follow through with as well. With the detentions, the kids just don't care, but while they don't think a detention is anything big, I do, which leaves me to feel purposely guilty for giving such a (in my mind) severe punishment when I've only asked twice before. But in this new program that I've made for myself, it's so much easier. The first step is a simple paragraph (4-5 sentences) of an apology and an explanation for what they did. It also gets recorded in the grade book, so if they don't turn it in, they get docked points. The detention system here is constructed to purposely affect the student's "behavior" grade at the end of the quarter. And although I won't be giving detentions, this new personal system of mine will also affect the grade. Depending on how satisfied I am with the apology and it's "sincerity" (which is a very big word for an ESL student), I will forgive them completely and they will get a "good" or "satisfactory" grade for that paper. However, if the apology isn't satisfactory enough for me, I will give them a lower grade on it, and it will be averaged in with the rest of their classwork.
Come to think of it, this could work for "participation" as well... hmm. I think I'm liking this more and more. ;-D **evil and maniacal teacher laugh**
;-)
Oh come on now... you know you would too...
Actually, today was my first day to implement this new little system of mine. And even though it was the day right before a patriotic holiday, it was my best day yet. What's even stranger about this was that my last period class got so into playing the game I had for them, that they didn't bug me even once that it was time to go. I was VERY pleasantly surprised. Actually... I think 8th B is my new favorite class. They were so wonderful. HA... It was great.
Let me tell you one more thing that they did. Many times you have students and teachers coming around to make random announcements during your class, but at this school, it's up to the discretion of the teacher whether or not they want to let someone make an announcement. My general policy is that teachers can, and students can't. Unless I'm not busy at all, I don't let students say anything. Hey... they should be in class anyway. Well, I had some seniors come around this last period and they knocked on the door. I was in the middle of something, so I ignored them, but they kept knocking and actually came on in because they thought I couldn't here them. Well, when I stopped, I asked them to leave and denied them permission to make the announcement. But since they were so insistent and generally whiny I let my class decide. I told them I had a game for them, and this would be taking time away from that, but if they wanted to hear the announcement, they could. "NO!" they roared. It was awesome! I was quite flattered, and after I shut the door, I told them they were my new favorite class. The best part about it was that as soon as I asked them to be quiet (right after their "roar", THEY DID! I was so amazed. It was awesome. Amazing. Absolutely my best day ever. (so far at least ;-)
So fan-base, anything new happening in your corner of the world?
Monday, September 11, 2006
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Uniforms and "Music Literacy"
My weekend was fairly non-eventful. We went to a different market that was not very spacious, but deffinitely had much to chose from! It had just about everything the first, larger market had, but it was just in a much tighter space.
My Mom was writing about choir uniforms at Grissom and stuff and it made me think about my soon-to-exist choir here; they wouldn't even need uniforms because the school already wears them, so they deffinitely wouldn't have to do anything extra.
Uniforms are thought of very differently down here. In the States, no one likes them. Everyone is an individualist and would generally not wear a uniform of any kind. Even if it's something as simple as jeans and a matching shirt, you'll have trouble getting everyone on board unless they really like the group that they are involved with. Here it's just the oposite. Uniforms of any kind show that the person belongs to some sort of group. You generally don't ask your student base to wear a uniform... they ask you to provide them with some uniform to buy. They (generally) want to wear one... even if it's something as simple as a Pizza hat and polo, or a maid's vest... everyone is generally "uniform friendly". People may forget to wear their uniform, or they may not have a clean one today, and every once in a while you have someone who would like to be different (or generally stubborn about anything), but mostly there's no problem. I would like to have a choir that wears something special, but I don't have to worry that they won't already look the same. And it's also nice to know that I don't have to worry if I do find something else for them to wear... most of them would be pretty warm to the idea. Pretty cool, I think. (at least from this top side of things). Maybe I'd be against uniforms if I were on the student's side, but from this side, it sure is nice to know that most of them like them!
Talking about Grissom Choir gets me wishing... I sure hope I can teach these kids how to read music fairly quick! I want to teach them so much about music and making good choral sounds, but it seems like it all hinges at the moment on their ability to read! If I can just get them to read basic music and to follow a melody line, then I think I'll really have accomplished something. I would really feel bad if I taught them a song (some choral song) without at least most of them being able to read music. Of course their will always be mistakes, but even making tons of mistakes is vastly different from not knowing how to begin at all.
My Mom was writing about choir uniforms at Grissom and stuff and it made me think about my soon-to-exist choir here; they wouldn't even need uniforms because the school already wears them, so they deffinitely wouldn't have to do anything extra.
Uniforms are thought of very differently down here. In the States, no one likes them. Everyone is an individualist and would generally not wear a uniform of any kind. Even if it's something as simple as jeans and a matching shirt, you'll have trouble getting everyone on board unless they really like the group that they are involved with. Here it's just the oposite. Uniforms of any kind show that the person belongs to some sort of group. You generally don't ask your student base to wear a uniform... they ask you to provide them with some uniform to buy. They (generally) want to wear one... even if it's something as simple as a Pizza hat and polo, or a maid's vest... everyone is generally "uniform friendly". People may forget to wear their uniform, or they may not have a clean one today, and every once in a while you have someone who would like to be different (or generally stubborn about anything), but mostly there's no problem. I would like to have a choir that wears something special, but I don't have to worry that they won't already look the same. And it's also nice to know that I don't have to worry if I do find something else for them to wear... most of them would be pretty warm to the idea. Pretty cool, I think. (at least from this top side of things). Maybe I'd be against uniforms if I were on the student's side, but from this side, it sure is nice to know that most of them like them!
Talking about Grissom Choir gets me wishing... I sure hope I can teach these kids how to read music fairly quick! I want to teach them so much about music and making good choral sounds, but it seems like it all hinges at the moment on their ability to read! If I can just get them to read basic music and to follow a melody line, then I think I'll really have accomplished something. I would really feel bad if I taught them a song (some choral song) without at least most of them being able to read music. Of course their will always be mistakes, but even making tons of mistakes is vastly different from not knowing how to begin at all.
Well, thats how things are in Honduras... ;-)
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