Guam Bound!
Week 6 Moments
● Sunday – baptism service, communion
● Monday – day 1 of full-time teaching
● Tuesday –
● Wednesday – student birthday party, prayer meeting
● Thursday – Young Pros Bible Study, play Futsal
● Friday – piano recital
● Saturday – visit WW2 memorial, coffee + school study session
Week 6 Recap
This week was a lot! Full-time teaching all by myself and trying to figure out how the
classroom would run without my teacher there. I got asked lots of questions by my students I
didn’t know the answers to, but nothing bad or wrong happened this week because of it. The week
started out a little rough. I didn’t know our schedule very well and wasn’t sure of where my
expectations should be for my students in certain areas, but as the week went on, teaching got
better and things ran more smoothly. I am thankful that my cooperating teacher was only a phone
call or text away if I need anything. For school, the week went by pretty normal. I had lesson
planning and activities to put together, but the days went normal. It does tire you out at the end of
the day, so I made sure to get some sleep this week.
While being here, I’ve come to really appreciate the church and the church family. On
Wednesday nights, we’ve been going through the life of Abraham–which has been really good–and
getting to hear about the prayer requests of the church family has been nice too. Kyla and I have
also gotten to pray with many different members who have been very sweet and welcoming. Even
when you don’t know someone that well, praying together shows the bond being part of the family
of God shares with people all over the world.
Thursday was another night of attending the Young Pros Bible study. We are starting a
study through Colossians and Philemon. It has been lots of fun going and getting to meet more
people our age and studying the Bible with them. Lately, in our study, we have learned about the
Colossian faith being heard of by Paul (who is in prison writing to this church he has never visited
before). Their testimony is known and Paul is praying that it be strengthened and would shine
brightly to others in Asia Minor. I have been challenged by the fact that Paul is writing this
beautiful letter to a group of people he has no other tie to other than being part of the body of
Christ. If I didn’t know someone, writing a letter to encourage and teach them would be
challenging, but Paul has a heart for simply because God is at work in their church and Epaphras
has made the journey to Rome to talk to Paul about it. We have only gone through the 1st chapter
of Colossians, but it is encouraging to read about their faithful testimony. After we ate, sang, and
studied the Bible, Kyla and I got to play some futsal with a few of them (futsal is like indoor soccer,
but you play defense and offense at the same time).
Friday evening were piano recitals for students 3rd-12th grade at the church. Kyla went as
a music teacher, but I had four 3rd graders playing and loved watching them! They were a little
nervous at the end of the day and they all asked if I was coming to watch them, so I couldn’t say no
to that. They did such a good job and I got hugs from all of
them afterwards. It was encouraging to see many families
come out and support their child’s recital. There were
many in attendance and the piano teacher was able to
open in prayer and encourage all the families, and we all
got cookies afterwards, so it was a good night all around.
Saturday went by too quickly–the whole weekend
went by too quickly! Kyla and I visited a World War 2
museum and got to learn all about the part Guam played,
especially after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After that,
we got coffee and went to a coffee shop and worked on
homework (both lesson planning & college portfolio stuff).
In the evening, we still had some work to do, so we went
over to Noah and Nikki Kephart’s condo and did some
more work there while visiting and snacking on cupcakes!
Prayer Requests & Praises
1. Finishing Strong.- Last “week” of teaching! This
coming week only has 3 school days, but Kyla and I are
still teaching. And, a half-school week is always a little
crazy. We are also down to our last 2 weeks in Guam,
so making sure we enjoy our last moments before our adventure comes to a close.
2. Being a blessing to those around us.
3. **I am done with 90% of my school-college paperwork (assignments, lessons, projects, etc)!
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“And he [Moses]said, ‘Please show me Your glory.’ Then He [the LORD]said, ‘I will make all My goodness
pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be graciousto whom I am
gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
~Exodus 33:18-19 Sending love from Guam,
Whitney