Dave's First Day Back

It has been a really busy day. Thanks so much for all of the prayers regarding Dave's first day back at school. It was interesting to say the least! I am so glad that I am going with him. It was really good for me to see culturally how things go at school. I feel like things went really good with the teacher. I kind of think she didnt know what to do with me, but I just tried to help her out with things the best I could. She was really friendly, and didnt seem nervous or agitated about me being there.

The class was all in the local language. I had been told it was 50% English and 50% Local Language, but it is probably close to 95% in the local language. Dave did fine with this, but it is really easy to see how he and the teacher would have gotten really frustrated in the past. I really liked all the activities they were doing, and I thought it was very age appropriate.

It was interesting seeing how discipline was handled. True to the culture...discipline is pretty passive. This was what I thought was happening. I really think that things are handled quite passively, and if Dave is given an inch...he will take a mile!!!! So, when I think about him being tapped up, I honestly think there was a lot of things that led up to it, and by the time the teacher decided to discipline, she probably didnt know what to do or she was pushed to her limit.

I am not putting blame here. I do think Dave was being naughty when he was tapped up, but inappropriate behaviour should have never been allowed to "grow" to a point where the teacher was pushed beyond what she could handle. So, it is good that I am there now I think. I am just trying to guide Dave a bit, and help him obey the authority that is set over him. If the people here were more firm (like at home), I dont think I would need to be there, but I think it is good for them to see how I handle Dave. It is just a cultural difference I guess that I just need to work through. I learned a lot today thats for sure.

It was great for my language, and made me realize that I am not yet on the level of a 3 year old!!!! I understood most of what was going on though, but some things went right over my head!

Good news! Shane did not have to go and get our things at the airport! Our boxes will arrive Friday night, and Shane will probably go get them on Monday. That was such an answer to prayer. I drove again tonight in the streets. I only stalled it as I was parking!!!! And no one was killed. Thats a real blessing!

Please keep on praying for Dave. That he will settle in again. His stuttering is now really bad so hopefully we are settling for good with his school and our routine. Pray for me. I am really tired! I managed to get an hour of homework done before I went to Dave's school. Then, I was at Dave's school for 2 hours. After that, I had my language class until around 4. Once I get home, it's homework time with Noah, packing lunches for the next day, dinner, baths, and bedtime routines. I've been reading a lot about laziness in Proverbs lately...and I definitely dont want to be lazy!

Well...I'm off to do more homework, and try to spend some time with Shane before I drop dead! Night!