Another day at school
This week, since we don't have any other interfering plans (such as visa runs), Claire has been able to spend the last two full days at school. She has enjoyed spending the extra time there - and while she doesn't like getting up early, she perks up quickly and handles the commute (motorcycle to bus to songtaew) really well. She seems to be doing well at school - especially with the social aspect (and that's our main motivation for sending her). She's also gaining confidence in understanding and speaking Thai.
I'm still finding my place there as a volunteer English teacher. This week the head English teacher (and my only connection to the school) is gone, so I wasn't sure what I'd end up doing. This morning I told the principal I'd be available to help out and a few minutes later the substitute English teacher found me and asked if I'd teach with her for the next four hours. Of course I had nothing prepared, but she told me she would teach for "half a minute" and then I would teach for "half a minute." (I quickly figured out that she meant "half an hour"). So, I did my best to help out. Considering the (low) level of English speaking ability and the general rowdiness of the classes, it probably didn't matter too much what I did. I'll have to take a video sometime - I think that you have to see it to fully appreciate the Thai school atmosphere. It turns out that I only had to teach for two class periods because in the afternoon the whole student body did some kind of outdoor cooking exercise.
Tomorrow we'll go back for another half-day and then come home early for a team prayer meeting. I hope to spend some time looking at housing options for the soon-to-arrive REACH team. We'd appreciate your prayers for that!
-Tom