Last week of school!

I can't believe it, but it's true! In just a couple more weeks I will be coming home. I'm really excited, even though leaving El Salvador for a while does make me a little sad. During our weekly family Skype sessions, Katelyn always asks me "How many more sleeps, Samuel?". After which I grab my phone and look it up for her. The poor little kid about can't wait. :)

Only 15 more sleeps, Katelyn! :) I'm not sure whose more ready, my family or I, but either way we'll be glad to see each other.

However, despite my anticipation, there are some things I'm gonna miss for a while. Namely, the cheap, abundant food here (no offense, Mom!) with all the goodies such as rice, beans, tortillas, avocados, fresh tropical fruit, glass bottle drinks, hot chocolate (the El Salvador kind), etc., etc. 

I'm also gonna miss the people here. Even though, I've had difficulties, I've come to love each one of the deaf children here, almost like my family. It will feel weird going home and not having to sign or talk Spanish at all!

And of course, with the time to leave drawing near, it's getting close to "crunch time". I plenty of things I need to get done yet before I'm ready to leave:

• Finish up school, tests, etc.
• Practice words for the competition
• Practice for the end-of-year drama with the children
• Go shopping for things I want to take home
• And a bunch of other small things I want to get done yet...

School this year has gone well. We will practice their words a lot this week in preparation for the last spelling competition this year. I'm hopeful that I taught my students a good bunch of things this year. We'll see at the start of next year, whether any of their learning stayed in their heads!

Jairo, Eduardo, and Joel work on their math work. I keep
 telling them to avoid using their fingers for addition
and subtraction, but it's like talking to a post. :)

A big thing that happens at the end of each year, is the drama, or program, that the students perform for their parents and local community. We're doing the story of Elijah this year when he holds a competition on Mount Carmel. We've been practicing hard these last weeks, and the children are slowly learning their parts. Next week, we won't have school, but the children will still come to practice for a few hours each day.

Mauricio, Carlos, and Eduardo act out a scene as the rest of the
children watch how it's done.

Another big change that's coming is the Ramos family moving to the States. They have been my rest stop here in El Salvador for many a weekend! I will be sad to have them leave, but I bless them in going and doing God's work somewhere else.

And that's about it for this week's snapshot! A bit shorter than usual, but I have other work that's calling my name! :) Thanks so much for all your support and prayers. It means so much! God bless you all! Here are some things you can pray for:

• Staff as we wrap up these last days of school
• Students that they could pay attention and not slack off
• The administrators of CICS as they figure out the different staff positions
• Patience and humbleness for "yours truly" as I try to give it my best

Blow them bubbles, Silvia!

Eduardo smirks as Joel tries to avoid picking the "old maid" out of his hand.

Miguel and Joel try to convince everyone that they can
mow the lawn, too.

A beautiful view from a Suchitoto motel where Matthias, Elmer, and I stayed
for the weekend. We were celebrating Elmer's 22nd birthday.