December

 I cannot believe how fast time flew. I feel like it wasn't that long ago when I was looking out the airplane window of my first view of Hilo. It is amazing how multiple experiences in my junior year of college influenced me into making the decision to go on a mission trip for a full school year. From my anxiety attacks during my junior year in college, to meeting new people, lots and lots of prayer, to the decision to get re-baptized, and above all God's word- it was all of the above that has brought me to where I am now. 

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So far, my stay at Hilo has been such a GREAT blessing. I know that God has been teaching me things that I did not care for before. I feel my heart eager to know more about what God can do through me, and what He can do through others. I always recall my encounter with Churro (from the month of October). God sets up these divine appointments, and I think it's beautiful. Additionally, God has been revealing to me that there's still room for improvement personally. Being consistent in my relationship with God is something that I've always struggled with. I am working on listening to the first tug God pulls on my heart to read his word instead of shrugging it off. 

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The children at the school have my heart. Even though I was excited to come home for Christmas break, it was hard for me to leave. I can only imagine how much more I would miss them when this mission trip is officially over. One of of the kids was sitting on my lap, and I was telling her how I was going home for Christmas break. She then said, "You're leaving?! How dare you betray us. Pinky promise that you will come back!" I gave her a tight hug when she said that.

 

Being with the little ones is such a joy for me. I have gotten to see how much they have grown throughout the school year and how they have overcome their own challenges. It has been a pleasure working with Mr. Freitas (Principal and teacher for 5-8), Mrs. Ferro (K-1), Mrs. Teehee (2-4), and the Preschool teachers, Mrs. Leilani and Mrs. Chelsea. By the way, I always look forward working with preschool because of all the hugs I get from the little preschoolers. By the way, they may be tiny people BUT their hugs are so strong and can knock me down. I love them so much! I cannot wait to get back to them. 

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I would say that my greatest challenge as being a teacher is knowing that there is only so much you can do for your students. Knowing that they each have different backgrounds and family situations, it is hard only being able to "save" them at school from their miseries. That is why I do my best to not only be their teacher, but to be their friend. My second greatest challenge is teaching math to the K-1 class. The math is not hard, it is just getting the kids to pay attention that is a challenge. Because they are younger, that means that their attention spans are shorter.  One time I was teaching and math time just started, suddenly all of the kids had to drink water and use the bathrooms. Sometimes I even catch them falling asleep! Hahaha!

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I also love the community that I am surrounded by. The Hilo Seventh-day Adventist Church is so warm and welcoming. They have been a great help to us, missionaries. They encourage us in our mission work, and I am so happy that I have gotten close to multiple church members. One example is the 3 siblings, I met in the beginning of my mission year. Kiki, Pono, and Sara. They are the best trio siblings I have ever met. Every weekend, we make a plan to hangout and it is always a comedy show when we are with them. I truly look forward to see them every weekend. I love them and their family. The citizens of Hawaii are very kind and passionate about their island. They like to preserve the beauty as much as possible, which is very understandable. They think of their home as more than a vacation spot. They love people who are genuinely experiencing the presence of Hawaii. They call this the “spirit of aloha”, which is meant to teach peace, kindness, compassion, and responsibility. It is a good word with great meaning. I would think that that is the reason why people of Hawaii are so generous, kind, down to earth, sincere, welcoming, and loving.

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This experience so far has changed my life... the challenges I face, the people I meet, and the relationship I have with God. As I have expressed, there are times when it is hard to pray to God just because there is so much distraction, and I would feel spiritually exhausted. I feel that there are times when my faith is tested as well as God is pushing me. I feel that God pushes me because he knows what I can handle, and when I pray for spiritual growth, he does exactly that. I truly believe that this mission trip is teaching me the greatest thing of all- love. I believe that each one of us is called to not just love, but to love like God.