Kentucki

I laughed when the girls asked me, as we were eating at KFC, ¨Do you have things like Kentucki and Pizza Hut back home?¨ Tee hee. I said yes and in fact they first started in the US and then expanded to Central America and that actually.. KentuckY is a state from where the name comes from! It´s funny to see into their heads and from there point of view.

How we got to Kentucki is a story in itself. A reward for having completed a certain number of chores without being told and in a timely manner was an outing to KFC, or Kentucki (El Salvadoran spelling). Four out of seven girls completed the task and went out to lunch with me. It was cute watching them in a new environment not knowing what to order, how to order or what to do with the tray so you can fill your own fountain pop. They couldn´t eat all of their food but played around awhile on the jumbo playground fortress and made room for ice cream cones. The girls had fun and were appreciative. I´m pretty sure all seven will make the next trip this time around. I wasn´t sure how this positive reinforcement system was going to work out with the girls. A few of them told me they didn´t want to participate or they hated the idea, but I´m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel because they keep talking about what they want to do for their next outing and they all have been diligent about doing their chores according to my requests. I´m so glad it´s working because I don´t have to hound them, they don´t have to hear me, noone gets frustrated, we enjoy each other more and then we celebrate at the end! It´s been a pleasant journey with them that will end too soon...3 weeks. I have had the chance to see into their little lives and know which one likes the Jonas brothers, which one wants to play guitar, which ones rock at soccer, which one is the brainiac and which one will dabble in creams and hair products for the rest of her life!

One of the psychologists said at a meeting last week, ¨You never know what is happening beneath the soil while you are planting seeds, it´s our job to plant good seeds and God´s job to water them¨ Sometimes it´s hard to know if you´re doing the right thing moment by moment or if your methods will make a positive impact or fail. Raising a child in a biblical way is the only assurance we have that we are doing the right thing. I have learned that you may not always see the results you want to see right away or at all, but you can be steadfast to God´s principles and be a light in that way. I have felt many times that I have no idea what I am doing, therefore I have needed to trust God more to give me grace in an area in which I don´t feel so confident. Although it´s a hard place to be in, I actually see how I need to be there more so that I can see Him work and pull through in ways I was originally doubtful.

We just got word that the kids are out of school another 2-3 weeks in addition to this past week due to the H1N1 virus. Actually, two kids at their school have it but noone is sick at the home. I think it´s interesting that the majority of my stay here has been teaching them while school is suspended. Good thing I´m a language teacher! It´s a little hectic trying to keep track of all the subjects and homework they have but it gives me more time one on one with them too. Chaito and blessings to all!