I am now less than 24 hours until departure! Nervousness has definitely set in. I will not be blogging on my site until I get back; however, you keep up with the teams trip through the Team's Zambia website here: www.renewzambia.blogspot.com
I will actually be the one updating the site, and I'm very excited about it!
Here's a few facts about Zambia:
There are about 11.5 million people that call Zambia home.
It is one of the world's poorest nations, but is rich in culture, traditions, crafts, and stories.
Victoria Falls (one of the 7 natural Wonders of the World) is located in Southern Zambia.
Life expectancy is 38 years - due to no access to clean water, hunger, Malaria, and AIDS.
Doctors in Zambia is 14,000 patients to 1 doctor, compared to 600 patients to 1 doctor in Europe and North America.
85% of Zambians are Christians - main branches being Catholic and Protestant.
Zambians are football (soccer) crazy! :)
Zambians, just like me and you, like movies, TV, radio, (these are more common in urban areas) and socializing in restaurants and family homes.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
West Bank = Zambia?!?
During my preparations for Zambia, I have already learned something that I can take with me and apply it to my life now. Crazy to think that God would call me to go to Zambia, and before I even go there, He has already taught me something that I can use right here in New Orleans. Amazing.
This story begins 3 years ago. I was a recent graduate searching for THE career job. Unfortunately budget cuts were beginning - not as extreme as the current situation - so not many colleges were hiring. I was going to be married in a few months, and we had agreed upon moving to the New Orleans area. This decision was mainly based because of job opportunities. But deep down at this time, I really didn't want to move to New Orleans. Where I grew up (about 1 hour south west of New Orleans), all I knew of New Orleans was that it was a dirty place full of crime. This is all I heard on the news - nothing but negative. Yes, I did visit New Orleans every now and then with friends or family to either shop or to do touristy type stuff, but even through some of the fun stuff I would see the negative - homeless people, smells, dirty streets, etc. So I developed this negative judgment on the entire city. I'm very happy to say that after moving here, this judgment has begun to fade away. I now am beginning to see the beauty of this city, and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
I applied for a teaching position at Delgado Community College. I had no idea that Delgado had 3 different campuses (actually more now). I thought I was applying for a City Park Campus position, when low and behold it was actually a West Bank position. Now this bayou girl, had only been to the West Bank once in her life - to go camping at Bayou Signet as a teenager. I had no idea what the West Bank was. Again, assumptions and judgments were told to me (before I even knew I got the job!), but this time, I decided to ignore them all and experience it for myself. I received a full time teaching position and was VERY excited about starting my dream career job. As Fall '08 quickly approached, I had set exceptions as a college teacher. I thought all my students would be so motivated to learn. After all, they are paying to learn and wanting to be here since they chose to come to college. Boy, did I have a wake up call. Was that the case? No. Or at least not for ALL of my students. I remember feeling a "culture shock." I knew this was different from what I experienced as a college and grad student. Whatever I was feeling I didn't let it get in my way of beginning my journey of being that teacher who cares about my students (or at least trying to be). Remember that teacher that had an impact on your life? That's my inspiration. Not much of this was accomplished my first semester, or first year for that matter. But I knew God was beginning to work in my heart and softened it for these students.
During these past three years, I've been slowly starting to let these expectations and assumptions of students (that I don't even know!) fade. Just like the judgments I had on the city. I've started to slowly let myself learn the culture of the area that I am teaching in, and the culture of my students. You see, in these past 3 years, I've had the opportunity to listen to a few of my students current story. And it's amazing. It's amazing that they are in school trying to receive an education, in order to provide more for their family despite all these obstacles in their life. To think about how much I tortured this one student about being late every now and then, only to find out that this student WALKED to school everyday (you know like the stories that your grandparents would tell?) - and THIS particular day it was raining. Sitting in my class, wet, and I complained that he was 10 min late? Now, I'm not saying that I let my students off the hook because of their current situations - I do hold them responsible for their work like every one else - but my heart was not in the right place. Am I being that teacher who inspires and cares?!
All this to say, as I am currently learning to not make assumptions of Zambia (a place I've never visited), and to be open and learn their culture so that we can meet their needs. - I realized, I should have done this all along with New Orleans. Yes, I did somewhat start this process slowly without realizing it.
But now I get it.
Now I can be more conscious of it.
Now I can make more of a point of understanding where my students are coming from in order to meet their needs.
How can one do all of this through teaching math? - By showing them love. By giving them encouragement. By showing them to have confidence in themselves.
So now I challenge you. Do you have assumptions made of a particular area or a person? I challenge you to learn their story or culture and see life through their eyes. - Not for you to change your own culture or feel sorry for someone, but to understand one another and maybe have the opportunity to share a little love.
Zambia is 10 days away for me. No telling what God has left to teach this little hard headed bayou girl, but I can tell you that I'm trying to be open to it.
-Miche
This story begins 3 years ago. I was a recent graduate searching for THE career job. Unfortunately budget cuts were beginning - not as extreme as the current situation - so not many colleges were hiring. I was going to be married in a few months, and we had agreed upon moving to the New Orleans area. This decision was mainly based because of job opportunities. But deep down at this time, I really didn't want to move to New Orleans. Where I grew up (about 1 hour south west of New Orleans), all I knew of New Orleans was that it was a dirty place full of crime. This is all I heard on the news - nothing but negative. Yes, I did visit New Orleans every now and then with friends or family to either shop or to do touristy type stuff, but even through some of the fun stuff I would see the negative - homeless people, smells, dirty streets, etc. So I developed this negative judgment on the entire city. I'm very happy to say that after moving here, this judgment has begun to fade away. I now am beginning to see the beauty of this city, and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
I applied for a teaching position at Delgado Community College. I had no idea that Delgado had 3 different campuses (actually more now). I thought I was applying for a City Park Campus position, when low and behold it was actually a West Bank position. Now this bayou girl, had only been to the West Bank once in her life - to go camping at Bayou Signet as a teenager. I had no idea what the West Bank was. Again, assumptions and judgments were told to me (before I even knew I got the job!), but this time, I decided to ignore them all and experience it for myself. I received a full time teaching position and was VERY excited about starting my dream career job. As Fall '08 quickly approached, I had set exceptions as a college teacher. I thought all my students would be so motivated to learn. After all, they are paying to learn and wanting to be here since they chose to come to college. Boy, did I have a wake up call. Was that the case? No. Or at least not for ALL of my students. I remember feeling a "culture shock." I knew this was different from what I experienced as a college and grad student. Whatever I was feeling I didn't let it get in my way of beginning my journey of being that teacher who cares about my students (or at least trying to be). Remember that teacher that had an impact on your life? That's my inspiration. Not much of this was accomplished my first semester, or first year for that matter. But I knew God was beginning to work in my heart and softened it for these students.
During these past three years, I've been slowly starting to let these expectations and assumptions of students (that I don't even know!) fade. Just like the judgments I had on the city. I've started to slowly let myself learn the culture of the area that I am teaching in, and the culture of my students. You see, in these past 3 years, I've had the opportunity to listen to a few of my students current story. And it's amazing. It's amazing that they are in school trying to receive an education, in order to provide more for their family despite all these obstacles in their life. To think about how much I tortured this one student about being late every now and then, only to find out that this student WALKED to school everyday (you know like the stories that your grandparents would tell?) - and THIS particular day it was raining. Sitting in my class, wet, and I complained that he was 10 min late? Now, I'm not saying that I let my students off the hook because of their current situations - I do hold them responsible for their work like every one else - but my heart was not in the right place. Am I being that teacher who inspires and cares?!
All this to say, as I am currently learning to not make assumptions of Zambia (a place I've never visited), and to be open and learn their culture so that we can meet their needs. - I realized, I should have done this all along with New Orleans. Yes, I did somewhat start this process slowly without realizing it.
But now I get it.
Now I can be more conscious of it.
Now I can make more of a point of understanding where my students are coming from in order to meet their needs.
How can one do all of this through teaching math? - By showing them love. By giving them encouragement. By showing them to have confidence in themselves.
So now I challenge you. Do you have assumptions made of a particular area or a person? I challenge you to learn their story or culture and see life through their eyes. - Not for you to change your own culture or feel sorry for someone, but to understand one another and maybe have the opportunity to share a little love.
Zambia is 10 days away for me. No telling what God has left to teach this little hard headed bayou girl, but I can tell you that I'm trying to be open to it.
-Miche
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Thank you God for some encouragement
As the semester is slowly winding down and coming to a close in a couple of weeks, I've been spending the past week or two contemplating all the changes that I've made this semester and struggled through. Change is hard. Period. It's so hard to break away from any type of tradition, and I have concluded that I have somewhat accomplished this in 4 classes. Were they all successful? No. Do I still need to make changes? Definitely. It's a process. In my eyes, a good teacher is always trying to better (change) their class so that the students can not only be successful, but learn in the process. During this reflecting process, I began to think, is THIS worth it? Is it worth all of the change and hard work from a traditional lecture to an electronic type classroom? With an electronic class, a whole new slew of problems occur when using a computer, which I wouldn't have to deal with in a traditional class. I didn't have the answers to these questions until I surveyed my classes. Here are some of the responses I received:
“At the time I did not know I was enrolled in an electronic class, but I much prefer the electronic class over the traditional class.”
“I have learned more in this electronic class than the traditional class. There needs to be more electronic math classes.”
“You can work at your own pace, without feeling rushed or that you are just a slow learner.”
“The best part of this course for me is that I learned.”
“For once I feel I can succeed in a subject that I despise. It provides multiple ways to keep your grades up, even if you don’t do well on the test. Overall, this provides me with a glimpse of hope and positive moral to learn and succeed.”
“I really enjoyed the course, and I have nothing bad to say about it. I have struggled in math forever and this class has seemed to help me get through it better.”
WOW. I was speechless reading some the responses from my students. This was only a few from the bunch (and 1 response out of 7 questions). The positivity that I received back had me overwhelmed. I had the answer to my questions. I'm happy to report that I will continue teaching electronic classes this summer and coming fall. In fact, after this semester, I will be in charge of an electronic math course. I will be creating everything for other instructors across the college to use for this course. I'm very excited about this new method of teaching class and am looking forward in tweaking the course each semester.
Thank you God for a little bit of encouragement, because these little bits can go a long way and make a huge impact on me and the future of my students.
-Miche
“At the time I did not know I was enrolled in an electronic class, but I much prefer the electronic class over the traditional class.”
“I have learned more in this electronic class than the traditional class. There needs to be more electronic math classes.”
“You can work at your own pace, without feeling rushed or that you are just a slow learner.”
“The best part of this course for me is that I learned.”
“For once I feel I can succeed in a subject that I despise. It provides multiple ways to keep your grades up, even if you don’t do well on the test. Overall, this provides me with a glimpse of hope and positive moral to learn and succeed.”
“I really enjoyed the course, and I have nothing bad to say about it. I have struggled in math forever and this class has seemed to help me get through it better.”
WOW. I was speechless reading some the responses from my students. This was only a few from the bunch (and 1 response out of 7 questions). The positivity that I received back had me overwhelmed. I had the answer to my questions. I'm happy to report that I will continue teaching electronic classes this summer and coming fall. In fact, after this semester, I will be in charge of an electronic math course. I will be creating everything for other instructors across the college to use for this course. I'm very excited about this new method of teaching class and am looking forward in tweaking the course each semester.
Thank you God for a little bit of encouragement, because these little bits can go a long way and make a huge impact on me and the future of my students.
-Miche
Thursday, April 7, 2011
MIA?
Hello again fellow bloggers/readers! Wow...it's been over a month since I've blogged. March was a very busy month for me. In the spring semester, March = Midterms = lots of grading! (especially when you have 8 classes) My best friend got married, and I was so honored to be her Maid of Honor. The wedding was a great celebration of their love and union. I couldn't be happier for the newly weds! I had a blast participating in all the wedding festivities. During the Mardi Gras holidays, I spent my time visiting family and working on school stuff. I also spent a little bit of time on my favorite hobby - scrap booking! Every weekend was booked with something, but it was all good, fun things - my mother's bday party, West Side Story, and a wedding shower to name a few.
HOUSE update: Well, to be honest with you, there is nothing to update. We are currently waiting for houses to come on the market. Although there have been some moments where we have felt impatient, I think I'm finally ok with the waiting. An advantage of waiting is that my trip to Africa is now 5 weeks away, and I couldn't imagine being in the middle of trying to purchase/move into a new home when I'll be gone for 2 weeks. So updates on the house I'm sure will come after my mission trip.
AFRICA update: 5 weeks and 1 day and counting. Last week was our first training. I must say, when I left the meeting I had a mix of emotions. I was refreshed with the sense of excitement, nervous about all the traveling, sad about re-realizing I'll be leaving my hubby for 2 weeks (we haven't been apart much since we are married), but SO happy to be a part of this amazing mission opportunity. As I sat at the table, I thought, wow...God called someone like me to travel to Africa to serve, pray, and encourage the people of Africa. What a privilege!
During worship time at church this past weekend, God brought to my mind Be Still. This semester has been the busiest and most trying semester since I've been teaching. I THOUGHT I was a flexible teacher, but I learned a whole new meaning to that word. I'm very grateful for this semester though, because now I know what I can handle and how to handle certain situations. It has definitely been a growing time in my professional world. I'm looking forward to this mission trip, just for the fact that I will be able to Be Still. I am not particularly looking forward to 16 hour plane rides and 8-12 hour bus rides, but what an opportunity for life to slow down. The semester will be over and work will not be on the brain. My prayer right now is that I use these opportune times to focus on God, take it all in, and grow as a person and spiritually.
Prayer request: The team continues to stay healthy and that our immune systems stay strong, the team continue to bond over our trainings, the families of the team members - give them peace while we are gone, that we would be sensitive about what God wants us to do.
Thank you for the prayers!
Miche
HOUSE update: Well, to be honest with you, there is nothing to update. We are currently waiting for houses to come on the market. Although there have been some moments where we have felt impatient, I think I'm finally ok with the waiting. An advantage of waiting is that my trip to Africa is now 5 weeks away, and I couldn't imagine being in the middle of trying to purchase/move into a new home when I'll be gone for 2 weeks. So updates on the house I'm sure will come after my mission trip.
AFRICA update: 5 weeks and 1 day and counting. Last week was our first training. I must say, when I left the meeting I had a mix of emotions. I was refreshed with the sense of excitement, nervous about all the traveling, sad about re-realizing I'll be leaving my hubby for 2 weeks (we haven't been apart much since we are married), but SO happy to be a part of this amazing mission opportunity. As I sat at the table, I thought, wow...God called someone like me to travel to Africa to serve, pray, and encourage the people of Africa. What a privilege!
During worship time at church this past weekend, God brought to my mind Be Still. This semester has been the busiest and most trying semester since I've been teaching. I THOUGHT I was a flexible teacher, but I learned a whole new meaning to that word. I'm very grateful for this semester though, because now I know what I can handle and how to handle certain situations. It has definitely been a growing time in my professional world. I'm looking forward to this mission trip, just for the fact that I will be able to Be Still. I am not particularly looking forward to 16 hour plane rides and 8-12 hour bus rides, but what an opportunity for life to slow down. The semester will be over and work will not be on the brain. My prayer right now is that I use these opportune times to focus on God, take it all in, and grow as a person and spiritually.
Prayer request: The team continues to stay healthy and that our immune systems stay strong, the team continue to bond over our trainings, the families of the team members - give them peace while we are gone, that we would be sensitive about what God wants us to do.
Thank you for the prayers!
Miche
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Like Totally RADICAL
AFRICA: I received my passport in the mail! I can not believe how fast it took - 2 weeks. I have no idea how I got my passport so fast because I didn't pay for a quicker service. Praise God that I had no troubles with my passport. Tonight is our first team training, and I'm so excited to learn more about the mission trip and the people I will be going with. This weekend I plan on beginning my journal for this mission trip. I have always kept a journal during a mission trip, but never my thoughts before the trip. You can see a picture of the cover below. My amazing Mother-In-Law gave it to me as part of my Christmas gift.
In preparation for the mission trip, I have decided to read "Radical" by David Platt. I'm hoping that after reading this book that I am radically changed (Radical defined as favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions). My goal is to read at least a chapter a week. There are nine chapters in the book and this week I read chapter 1. Wow...I feel challenged already. This is my favorite quote from the chapter, "My biggest fear, even now, is that I will hear Jesus' words and walk away, content to settle for less than radical obedience to him." I do not want to settle for less! Obeying him can be so difficult, but we make it difficult. Why are we so afraid to take that step out of our comfort zone and obey him? Reasons: Fear. I'm not good enough. What will people think? Etc. Should any of this matter if that's what Jesus called you to do? By not obeying we are settling for less. Ouch. This is something that I struggle with on a daily basis. Also this chapter reminded me of the cost to chose to follow Jesus. I won't go into detail about this topic. I'll let you read the book for the details. :)
In preparation for the mission trip, I have decided to read "Radical" by David Platt. I'm hoping that after reading this book that I am radically changed (Radical defined as favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions). My goal is to read at least a chapter a week. There are nine chapters in the book and this week I read chapter 1. Wow...I feel challenged already. This is my favorite quote from the chapter, "My biggest fear, even now, is that I will hear Jesus' words and walk away, content to settle for less than radical obedience to him." I do not want to settle for less! Obeying him can be so difficult, but we make it difficult. Why are we so afraid to take that step out of our comfort zone and obey him? Reasons: Fear. I'm not good enough. What will people think? Etc. Should any of this matter if that's what Jesus called you to do? By not obeying we are settling for less. Ouch. This is something that I struggle with on a daily basis. Also this chapter reminded me of the cost to chose to follow Jesus. I won't go into detail about this topic. I'll let you read the book for the details. :)
It's Like Finding a Wedding Dress...
HOUSE update: Travis and I have looked at about eight houses, if not more - in person. We were interested in one particular house and visited the house for a second time. After viewing the house more closely, we decided it wasn't meant for us. I was feeling pretty discouraged after viewing the house that night. I think I was just overwhelmed with school stuff and trying to find a home at the same time. Before we left the house, we had a good talk with our Realtor, and I felt so refreshed about the situation. Finding a house is like finding a wedding dress. You just know when it's the right one. :) So we had agreed to take at least a week off from looking at houses so that I could play catch up on my school work.
During the week, a beautiful house was emailed to Travis and I and we were VERY interested. The week was over and I am less stressed, so Travis and I decided to give it another shot at looking at houses (which will be Saturday!). We contacted the realtor to schedule an appointment to see this particular house only to realize that the house is ALREADY under contract. My heart was broken. I started to blame myself and play the what if game. What if I hadn't taken this week off to catch up on school stuff? Could we have been the ones to have the house under contract? Driving home during my 40 min commute, I had a good cry and talk with God. I really needed that break from house hunting in order to do school stuff, for this is a very trying semester for me, but why did the house go under contract SO quick - less than a week!? So I quit playing games and FINALLY gave it to God, in my car waiting in Huey P. Long bridge traffic, in the sense that if we are meant for that particular house, the contract will fall through and we will get a shot at it. (of course we would look at it in person first) If the contract does go through, then I know that God has a different house for us. Amazing how the burden lifts as soon as you give it to God. The pressure is off of me for finding THE perfect house. It's like finding a wedding dress, you know when you find it. I know we have a house out there, and in time, we will find the home God intended for us to purchase.
Below is a pic of me the moment I found my wedding dress. I was so happy to have found it. It wasn't the first, second, or third dress I tried on. I went to a few places, tried on quite a few dresses, but when I found it, I didn't want to try on another dress. When you find it, you just know it!
During the week, a beautiful house was emailed to Travis and I and we were VERY interested. The week was over and I am less stressed, so Travis and I decided to give it another shot at looking at houses (which will be Saturday!). We contacted the realtor to schedule an appointment to see this particular house only to realize that the house is ALREADY under contract. My heart was broken. I started to blame myself and play the what if game. What if I hadn't taken this week off to catch up on school stuff? Could we have been the ones to have the house under contract? Driving home during my 40 min commute, I had a good cry and talk with God. I really needed that break from house hunting in order to do school stuff, for this is a very trying semester for me, but why did the house go under contract SO quick - less than a week!? So I quit playing games and FINALLY gave it to God, in my car waiting in Huey P. Long bridge traffic, in the sense that if we are meant for that particular house, the contract will fall through and we will get a shot at it. (of course we would look at it in person first) If the contract does go through, then I know that God has a different house for us. Amazing how the burden lifts as soon as you give it to God. The pressure is off of me for finding THE perfect house. It's like finding a wedding dress, you know when you find it. I know we have a house out there, and in time, we will find the home God intended for us to purchase.
Below is a pic of me the moment I found my wedding dress. I was so happy to have found it. It wasn't the first, second, or third dress I tried on. I went to a few places, tried on quite a few dresses, but when I found it, I didn't want to try on another dress. When you find it, you just know it!
Monday, February 14, 2011
But the greatest of these is LOVE
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! I hope each one of you feel loved today, and that you each share some love. :) I felt love today from a stranger - they let me into traffic. So I decided to share the love and do the same for another vehicle later down the line. Which is a big deal to me, especially when there is a lot of traffic. :) (One day, I'll get patience down when it comes to traffic.) I'm a firm believer that we don't NEED a particular day in order to express our feelings. We shouldn't take our love for someone for granted. We definitely should be expressing how much our friends, family, and/or significant others mean to us from time to time. But I'm also not against a day that is specially set aside to tell people that you love them. I am looking forward in spending quality time tonight with my husband. - No distractions, no school work (all books left in my office!). We will be doing one of our favorite things together - cooking and eating! :D Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is on our menu tonight with a Chocolate Fondue for dessert! Jealous? You should be. ;) How are you spending Valentine's Day today? Or sharing the love?
AFRICA update: I almost have all my funding for the mission trip! It's been amazing watching God work. I am SO thankful for the support of my family and friends for my mission trip. I have also become very emotional each time I open up a letter. God is definitely working on my heart. I have submitted my application for my passport, and I am currently waiting the 4-6 week period for my passport to arrive in the mail. Submitting my application went very quickly. In fact, I think it took me longer to ride the elevator than to review and submit the paper work. Also, next week will be my first team training meeting. I'm really excited about starting the trainings!
HOUSE update: My husband and I have looked at houses twice now - a total of 7 houses. There is a forerunner out of the 7, and I REALLY like the house. In fact, we are going see the house once more on Tuesday. Our current position is praying for direction on wither we should put a bid on the house, or wait for more houses to come onto the market. We've got our reasons for both choices.
I'm hoping to post more blogs in the future, that are not just about updates. (More like some of my older posts) But school has really gotten me bogged down this semester.
Keep living in love!
-Miche
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! I hope each one of you feel loved today, and that you each share some love. :) I felt love today from a stranger - they let me into traffic. So I decided to share the love and do the same for another vehicle later down the line. Which is a big deal to me, especially when there is a lot of traffic. :) (One day, I'll get patience down when it comes to traffic.) I'm a firm believer that we don't NEED a particular day in order to express our feelings. We shouldn't take our love for someone for granted. We definitely should be expressing how much our friends, family, and/or significant others mean to us from time to time. But I'm also not against a day that is specially set aside to tell people that you love them. I am looking forward in spending quality time tonight with my husband. - No distractions, no school work (all books left in my office!). We will be doing one of our favorite things together - cooking and eating! :D Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is on our menu tonight with a Chocolate Fondue for dessert! Jealous? You should be. ;) How are you spending Valentine's Day today? Or sharing the love?
AFRICA update: I almost have all my funding for the mission trip! It's been amazing watching God work. I am SO thankful for the support of my family and friends for my mission trip. I have also become very emotional each time I open up a letter. God is definitely working on my heart. I have submitted my application for my passport, and I am currently waiting the 4-6 week period for my passport to arrive in the mail. Submitting my application went very quickly. In fact, I think it took me longer to ride the elevator than to review and submit the paper work. Also, next week will be my first team training meeting. I'm really excited about starting the trainings!
HOUSE update: My husband and I have looked at houses twice now - a total of 7 houses. There is a forerunner out of the 7, and I REALLY like the house. In fact, we are going see the house once more on Tuesday. Our current position is praying for direction on wither we should put a bid on the house, or wait for more houses to come onto the market. We've got our reasons for both choices.
I'm hoping to post more blogs in the future, that are not just about updates. (More like some of my older posts) But school has really gotten me bogged down this semester.
Keep living in love!
-Miche
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