ELMS English Language School Students

Here is one more. This is 9a. My super loud and *super fun* group of 9th grade students. So now you have pictures of 3 classes out of the 12 total that I get to teach. I'm tellin ya... really cool kids!

ELMS English Language School students

Here are 2 of the classes who I meet with every week, 9th grade "g" class at the top, and below is 11th grade "d" class. I meet with 7 9th grade classes and 5 11th grade classes weekly for about 40 minutes each. It's not always easy. Sometimes it is hard. Sometimes it is very fun. I have learned a lot, and I really like these students.

3 Months Out From Going Home

I am starting to get really sad about leaving. It's only a little over 3 months out. I guess in all fairness, it's still closer to 4 months - 3 months and 20 days to be exact. But those 20 days will fly. I'll be going to Berlin and Poland. Then Rebe will come to Burgas in the beginning of April. Then Kat and her niece Kim will come in May. It is going to be incredible. But I know it will fly. And then it will be time to go home. Last night I was thinking of my students, and how much I am going to miss this silly bunch of teenagers who I have really grown to love spending time around. They've done so much more to enrich my life and challenge me than they know. And maybe I'm just super-emotional, but I'm also feeling like a part of the family of those I've begun to live with. While I'm writing this note, I'm thinking that I better hurry because for dinner tonight I promised I would help peel the onions, garlic, and potatoes. The little black kitty purring in my lap and my little plastic чашка of Nescafe 3 in 1 that I got on the way home in this rainy day make me not want to get up. I've found a place here that I really care about. I care about what happens in Burgas, Bulgaria. I care about the people. I care about making Bulgaria a better place, and I care about appreciating the things that are beautiful. I care about Macedonia. I care about them having their own freedom and proclaiming their own name. I care about them being recognized for the people who they are. I care about learning the language here, and I fear going back to America because I won't be able to use it. For many reasons it will be hard to leave the Balkans. I have found a lot that I care about here. Today my heart is beating not for this people and this place, but for my God who sets my feet where He knows is best. I pray that my heart will be for what His beats for, and I feel like in some small way as I find so much care and love for people in America, Macedonia and in Bulgaria that it is.