DTS is over and the journey to Thailand is soon to begin. I'm enjoying my little amount of time with my family and friends. However, I currently feel rather overwhelmed by the things needing to be done before I go.
I spent the last three months in Ohio preparing for Thailand. I was stretched in ways I never thought possible. I will admit, many things certainly transpired that made me second guess my decision to go to Thailand, but in the end, those things are the things that contribute to making one stronger.
My favorite part of DTS was volunteering at an after school program called The Zone. I was in the fourth and fifth grade classroom and I spent my time there helping with homework (they are learning algebra younger and younger...), teaching crafts, playing in the gym, and just talking to some about how the day went. I was never short my quota of daily hugs on the days we were there. Many of these children come from broken families or just bad situations in general. It was neat to be able to see the teachers pour into the lives of these children everyday. I learned so many valuable lessons from the teachers I shadowed. As I left, I cried. I was hugged hundreds of times by thirty-five children in under three hours. I am also now the owner of an over-sized, hot pink card, a few original works of art, and a chain mail bracelet of many colors. I miss my fourth and fifth graders.
In one week from now, I will be in Thailand. Please keep my team in your pr-y-rs. We will need them as we prepare to teach English, learn Thai, and build relationships. =]
