Well, I've noticed since I got here that people think of Christianity a lot different here than they do in the states...but it wasn't until this week that I decided to ask my 8th graders during devotional how many of them would call themselves "Christians." Two people yelled out, "No!" immediately...and then I asked several others. Turns out only two would call themselves Christians, the majority would not, and a few were not sure. How is it possible that they've been going to a Christian school for the past 7 years or so where they have devotionals every day and don't call themselves Christian? (And how is it that it's the end of the year and I've just now realized it?)
Anyway, the big difference here when people talk about Chrisitanity is that they talk about it in terms of what you can't do -- when I asked the students why they aren't Christians, they told me that they weren't good enough. They said that they wouldn't be able to listen to music other than Christian music, dance, drink, etc. if they called themselves Christians -- and they want to do all these things. I hate how people here seem to think that all dancing is wrong, having a sip of alcohol is like selling your soul to the devil, and listening to any other music besides Christian music is the worst. It makes people -- especially middle schoolers -- think that being a Christian would be no fun at all and ruin their lives (not to mention too hard to follow God's list of rules for them). I tried to convince them that listening to Justin Beiber did not make them non-Christians, and their eyes got big...not sure how well I faired.
On the other hand, though, I do like that the kids here realize that to call themselves Christians would mean that they would have to make some changes in their lives. They recognize that people who call themselves Christians should probably live a different kind of life than those who don't. In the states, it's not exactly like that -- everybody seems to calls themselves a Christian but a lot of people don't exactly seem to be trying to live a Christian life. So, as frustrating as it is here that all people talk about is what you can't do as a Christian, I do think they have one thing right.
Anyway, I had a really great weekend (my last one here!). Yesterday after swim lessons I went with the other swim instructor to a new pool they just built at a place called Iguanas (he is thinking about switching his swim lessons to there). It's a "water park" -- though I use that term very loosely. Well, they are still building it -- right now all they have is the big pool and parts to slides laying around -- but it looks like it'll be really nice! And the pool is reeeeaaally nice. It's actually a normal-size pool that you can swim laps in. So we swam a few laps before it was decided that swim lessons definitely need a venue change from the mini-pool we use at the hotel. So now I'm just sad that I won't be here anymore for the lessons! Teaching swim lessons is probably one of the things I will miss the most.
Then I went with him to his University English class that I've been to a few times. They had oral exams, so he asked me to help grade them. It was really fun, and the students were all super nervous and freaking out -- it reminded me of my Spanish oral exams in college.
So now all I've got left is three days of school...and then a few days of tidying things up in my classroom before I'm off to San Pedro Sula on Saturday for my early morning flight on Sunday. And here's how I know it's time (or past time) to go home:
1. My fan broke. After having it on high 24-7 for the past year, it's finally had enough. Let's see if I can last this last week without it.
2. I missed one of my classes. I finally thought I had my schedule memorized -- now that we have 3 days left -- but since my schedule changed when the seniors left, I guess I got confused. So Tuesday I thought I had break, break, 10th grade; but turns out I had 10th grade, break, break. Anyway, with about 5 minutes left in the class my 10th graders barged into my room (where I was working on calculating final grades), gleefully telling me I missed their class. Ooops. I think that's a sign that school needs to be out (either that or I'm losing my mind).
3. It's June 17. What school in its right mind is still in school?
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