What a month!

Time has just escaped me this past month. So sorry I have not updated more often! October was filled with much fun which included pumkin carving, Chemistry Day, "Green Eggs and Ham," and a visit from family!

The children were able to carve pumkins for the first time in their lives. They quite enjoyed the experience, and we also baked the pumpkin seeds and ate them! The pumpkins went home to Mizael's family and Kioney and Saul's family. Mizael decided to sleep with his pumpkin the first night. Jennifer found a poem that related a pumpkin to a Christian who God had cleaned out and put a light into for all the world to see! She translated it into spanish and sent it home with each family. How amazing that every aspect of God's creation really does declare His Gospel!

Chemistry day was also so much fun! We went to San Juan for a special day of seeing different experiments using the elements of the Periodic Table. Also, different colleges from the area were being represented by their school mascot, so we gathered for a group picture with some of the animals!

The children have recently gotten into Dr. Suess' "Green Eggs and Ham." And last Wednesday, we actually had green eggs for lunch! Amazing what food coloring can do! HA!

One of the best surprises thus far, was my mom and brother coming to visit me for a week! Mom and Shawn were required to learn and then lead one of the songs that we sing for chapel on Friday, and they did a fabulous job! We were able to go to the rain forest, Old San Juan (and the fort there built in the 1800's), plus just be able to enjoy some very much missed family time!

Thanks to all those who are keeping me and the staff here in your prayers! Here are some things that you can keep in prayer:

~The general health of the teachers and students

~Wisdom in working one on one with different students

~The families of the students

~Opportunities coming up for the school bell chior to minister in the community

Thanks again! And God bless

Changing Times

Last week, we had a fabulous opportunity to talk with Mizael and Criss about salvation. Jen drew on the white board four hearts (representing jen, mizael, criss, and myself). Then she colored them in with black marker, signifying that our hearts were filled with sin. She explained that Jesus was the only one Who could erase the black in our hearts. She and I proceeded to erase the black and place a cross instead. When asked, Mizael said that he also had Jesus in his heart. So (pictured below), he did the same to his heart. Criss definetly understood what Christ did for him on the cross, but he would not admit that he was a sinner. The better part of that morning was spent trying to help him understand his need for a Savior, and by the end of the conversation, he began to understand, and claimed that he now had Jesus in his heart.

Praise the Lord for this precious opportunity God allowed us to have with him before he left for Buffalo, New York. We continue to pray that God will put people in his path that will further these thoughts in his head, so that he can grow more in Christ. Saul and I have had a very intersting week. Monday, we spent a good amount of time putting together lego models. (seems like a not very education thing, but we counted, matched, and learned colors!) Tuesday and Wednesday were also somewhat normal days of counting, identifying colors, and the like...Thursday threw me for a spin. Bitting has become a new method of "communication" for the little boy. And on Thursday, he decided to bite and actually leave a definable mark. It's been quite interesting to try to discipline this boy, especially with the limited discipline we can give. Please just pray that God will reveal the best way to help him stop this bad habit.

Friday afternoon was a much better time. He and his sister stayed after school for an extra hr and a half. So to begin a reward method for Saul, I took him to McDonalds to have an icecream and play in the playland. He quite enjoyed this endevor and we will now have a reward system for him for after two weeks or so (if He's been good) to get another trip to McDonalds.

4 Week Update

It's been such an exciting 4 week adventure thus far. I must give praise, first and foremost, to God for all that has taken place here. He is in total control and if it weren't for Him, I would not be here.

Recently, I've been feeling the 'effects' of not being in the Encounter environment anymore. So, God helped me to understand the vital importance of my own personal Bible study (apart from the quiet time.) On Monday, I started to work through a book called "The Walk of Repentance", and it's such a great book to get your mind thinking. This week's focus has been on submission to authority, and trusting God in who He's appointed above myself. I Peter 5:5 really stuck out to me. It talks about how we should be subject one to another. It's so easy to fall into the rut of not looking at others better than yourself, and I've been reminded over and over agian to do so...Every neighbor of mine is better than me. Who am I to say otherwise?

In regards to the children here, Saul is improving every day. We actually played for 45 minutes with just one thing, and he can now count to three on his own! He's like a sponge that constantly is soaking up water. He has come to love a video of Little Red Ridding Hood. The story is acted out with signing, and Saul loves to imitate the different characters. Please just continue to pray for his mental development here. Praise God for the progress so far!

We just found out a week ago, that Criss will be moving to Buffalo, Ny on 9/26/09. So we are enjoying the last few days with him here. It's sad to see him leave, but God's great soverignty is in this as always. Betsy knows some sign language teachers there in Buffalo, and he will be able to get all the one on one attention that he needs to best be taught. Please keep him and his mom in your prayers as they are packing and preparing to head to Ny.

Criss loves to trace stars!

Everyday is so different, and we like to keep things exciting and fresh. So on Friday, (9/18) we had mowhawk day. Quiet fun...many many colors and lots of gel. The students took turns in spiking each other's hair, and they even had the opportunity to play with Betsy, Jen, and my hair too!

Sitting: (Left to Right)

Laura, Criss, Mizael, Kioney, & Saul

Sitting: Adriana, James, Kevin, Johanelly, & Kristian

Bottom: Jen & Me Top: Adriana & Betsy

This next week, I am hoping to be able to teach the older student's vocabulary class. Six new words every day. It will be a good time for practicing and also learning new signs. Plus being able to just interact with the students more. Please pray for confidence and clarity of mind for myself in this new class.

So really only Saul was asleep in this picture...but it's still cute! :)

Thanks so much to all of those uplifting me and the school in prayer! May God bless you richly!

Rain, Rain, and more Rain!

Well, we didn't get the storm exactly how we anticipated it! Never lost power, but it sure did rain and rain! School was cancelled in anticipation of the storm on Thurday, and half our students did not come on Friday, because of there being so much rain! None the less, it was a very fun day!

The students baked banana bread (which was very yummy!) It was also a good math lesson, and it's so much more fun when you get to enjoy your hard work!

It was a good and restful weekend. And by the time Tuesday came around, I was ready to "battle" with the children again! Today was different. My main responsibility was to teach/entertain Saul. He oftentimes becomes a distraction to the other 4 pupils and with Saul in a different room, the other four could concentrate and learn more efficiently.

Saul loves to use the automatic pencil sharpener, and he also loves to match things that are the same...(letters, colors, numbers...etc.) So, I got a box of color pencils, little laminated colored pieces of paper, and the APS (automatic pencil sharpener). He proceeded to pick out every yellow colored pencil, and after he matched them to the correct color paper, his reward was to sharpen the pencils. We almost made it through the second color, but he decided that one was enough! :) (pink was in close second!)

The boy is finally beginning to recongnize his name (sign name!) He loves the letters "s" and "l". And is overjoyed whenever he sees either of them! He loves to grab a marker and scribble his "s" all over the white board! and then present it with pride!He truly is a joy to teach, and he learns quickly and remembers much! Today we walked up and down some steps and counted as we climbed. He seemed to enjoy that too. I so cannot wait to see what God will do with this little guy in the years to come! Praise the Lord that He is here and is getting the proper schooling from such a young age! The earlier the better!

I love these children so dearly, and even though it is a struggle to communicate and connect with them sometimes, I enjoy every single minute! Sarting at the top: Larimar (we call Laura), then (boy with eyes closed) Mizael, next to him is Chris, then Kionishka, and lastly Saul! Please continue to keep each child in your prayers! We are praying that God will open their eyes to see that they need a Savior.

Tropical Storm 'Erica'

A storm is comin! Yay! But Betsy has informed me that the last time there was a tropical storm here, the power was out for a week! We'll see what happens! God is in control, but we desperately covet your prayers for safety! Here's a link to a website that shows pictures of what the storm is doing over Puerto Rico! Pretty cool pictures!

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200906_ensmodel.html#a_topad

I'll keep you posted whenever I can! Love you all!

Turtle

Well, it's a new week here at Evangelical School for the Deaf, and it's been a trying yet fun Monday. Today, I specifically prayed that God would open a new door of connection with Saul; and after the morning, I didn't quite get the connection that I was hoping for! He didn't want to sit still or do what the other children were doing, and when lunch time hit, I was exhausted from "wrestling" with him. But a bit after lunch, Saul saw some unbrellas and he placed one in my hand and he opened one in his, and we went for a walk in the sunshine! :) Earlier that morning, he had seen a picture of a fish and signed "fish." This is like the tenth word in his vocabulary (and I'm not exaggerating!) Jenn (the elementary teacher) reminded me of the small fish fountain that is out front of the school...and I took Saul out to see it. There are two fountain spouts (one is a fish, and the other is a turtle). Saul sees the fish and signs the word again (this makes me happy!) and he turns to the turtle, pets the rock figure, and then turns toward me. He put his little hands together and signed 'turtle.' Now I didn't know this sign (I assumed it was turtle) and after talking with Jenn, she said that she had taught him the sign almost two weeks ago, and has not seen him use it since. So for him to remember was a huge deal. And I'm just over-joyed that this little 4 year old has now taught me a sign!

This is Larimar. We call her Laura. She is a 9 year old, who is very bright. She loves to read and write in cursive. Every day after lunch, we go and sit in the library and we read together. Oh, and I forgot to mention that she is partially hearing with the use of hearing aids. So I help her with her phonics and she teaches me new signs of the words in her books. I do work one on one with her quite a bit. She needs lots of motivation and encouragement, but once you get her going, she's fierce in the academic realm! Her biggest struggle is in math. Borrowing from the tens to the ones; I see the wheeles in her head turing whenever we face the problems together! I'm just praising God for the opportunity to be able to work with her this year. Please pray that God will show me new ways to connect and help her to learn.

Right now, the biggest concern for me is just building a trust relationship with each child. I have been excited by thier quick acceptance, and every day new connections are made! I just must keep praising my Savior! I love these children, and am so glad that He's given me a year to spend with them! May He alone be praised!

ESD Website

The address to the Evangelical School for the Deaf is www.esdluquillo.com
Feel free to explore that website...there are several pictures of me and the students on there and other updates from the school administrator!

First Week

Well, the first week is almost over, and it's flow by so quickly. I must give God all the glory for what is going on here. He is just blessing so much (as He always does), and I just see the evidence of His working all the time.

There are 9 students all together (fewer than I originally was told, but 9 have proven to be quite a handful :) ) I'm overtaken with such joy as each day I am able to develop a deeper relationship with each child...building trust with them. Just like any other children, they all have hopes and dreams-- tears and hurts---the need for love. All of that is clearly evident through talking with them .

I am learning so much sign language...It's so exciting to let my hands be used of God every day. And I love seeing the kids faces light up when they get to teach me a new word (and they get this pleasure pretty often! lol)

The biggest growth I've seen so far is with one little boy who's name is Saul (4 yrs. old). At the begining of the school year, his attention span was little to none, and he was not used to manners or rules, and now he sits for longer periods of time and signs please and thank you (many times without prompting). He quickly recognizes some colors and letters. I just love to watch his little fingers forming letters. Saul is the little boy pictured here.

The children love to play act...and they have been practicing "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" to perform it for the older kids Friday morning! They do very well interpreting the story!

A typical day will begin with flag pole at 8:00 then chapel to follow. In chapel we sing/sign songs and pray. Wednesday we even had a Bible drill! What fun! The mornings after chapel have been different for me each day. I will either go and spend my morning with the older or the little

kids. Either one I enjoy just the same! Every student is at their own grade level, so it makes it interesting for teaching too, but interesting keeps it lively! Lunch is at 12...and then classes start again at 1. Then the kids go home around 3:30.

Every day is just so wonderful, and I look foward to the many more lessons I have coming my way! God is just so faithful...and He is so good! May He ever be praised for this wonderful opportunity!

God bless!

I'm Here!

I'M HERE!!!!

Praise the Lord for His travel mercies! Both flights went well, and all my luggage came in just fine. The school is wonderful! Reminds me much of India and Africa (which makes me feel right at home!) Slowly but surely getting all settled in...I'm about half way unpacked.

Betsy, Jenn, Lori, James, and I had dinner around 7 and we talked for quite some time! Just for clarification...Betsy is the school administrator and highschool teacher, Jenn is the elementary teacher...Lori has been also working here with the students for 8 years now...and James is a student here at Esd who Betsy has taken under her wing. He is 16 soon to be 17 and full of life and energy! He was all smiles when I met him, but when he saw me signing a little his face lit up because he then realized that I knew some ASL. It's been so fun to fingerspell to him and have him teach me what the real sign is for certain words! I already feel like part of this family!

I just have to praise the Lord for the great opportunity here! It's all because of Him!

Well, tomorrow brings new adventures...
God Bless!

Last Night in Pa

Well, this is my last night stay in Pa for a long time! But God used Jane Hall to give me a great reminder that I wanted to share with you all!

"God will never lead you where His grace cannot keep you!"

How true is that statement! Just have to love it...and His grace is so sufficient. Thank you, Father, for giving grace that supplies all that we need...more than we need!

Please pray as the plane takes off at 9am tomorrow...and then again at 11:30am in Nc. I'll give a quick update tomorrow night when I'm all settled in! God Bless!

Address

You can check out the school's website at www.esdluquillo.com

And also my new address for the next year will be

Evangelical School for the Deaf
c/o. Stefanie Beals
HC-01 Buzon 7111
Luquillo, PR 00773

* NOT INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Preparing to Go

It's insane to think that in just 5 short days I will be settled into my new home for the year. God has just been so good; I pray I never take for granted His faithfulness. Praise the Lord for His Word and the comfort that comes from it. It would be all to easy for me to let my fleshly fear come into play and turn myback now on what God would have me to do. But I won't; I refuse to turn back. The Song "I have Decided to Follow Jesus" is constantly ringing in my head.

"I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
NO TURNING BACK! NO TURNING BACK!
"The world behind me, the cross before me
The world behind me, the cross before me
NO TURNING BACK! NO TURNING BACK!
"Though none go with me, still I will follow
Though none go with me, still I will follow
NO TURNING BACK! NO TURNING BACK!"

I've decided to follow, and I cannot and will not break that commitment! What better way is there to spend my life than to serve my Savior? He gave His life for me; the least I can do is give Him mine.

The next few days consist of packing, visiting family, packing, writing thank you cards, packing, visiting with friends, and more packing! It's going to be busy and hectic, but all the craziness makes the quiet moments with my Lord all the more special and cherished.

August 22nd, Saturday morning at 9, I'll be boarding the plan that will fly me to Charlotte, North Carolina, then Lord willing landing in Puerto Rico around 3:30 pm the same day.

Here's how you can pray:
~~My own personal preparations (packing, spiritual readiness)
~~Travel safety (I see the Tropical Storm "Bill" is making headway to PR)
~~Wisdom and boldness in interactions with students
~~Peace to remember that God's with me....even if I feel alone...He's there

I will continue to make updates periodically! Thanks so much for all of those who have given to make this all possible! I desperately covet all prayers!

God bless you all!
~Stefanie Beals
Ps. 25:20-21