Hi, I'm Miss Mashburn...a High School Science Teacher in Guatemala

Two weeks from now, I'll be in Guatemala.

This is not a one week mission trip, and it even exceeds the 2 month trips I have taken. I will be living in Guatemala.

Where:  I will be residing in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. It's about a three to four hour ride from the airport in Guatemala City.  It is also called Xela (pronounced Shay-la... I encourage you to call it this because it is easier). The weather there is pretty nice!  Highs are in the 70s, and lows can be in the 40s-50s--all year long.  Seasons don't exist there like here--there is a rainy season and a dry season.  (Though, I feel like North Carolina had a rainy season this year!!!!)

Job:  I will be teaching at Inter-American School in Xela. It is a Christian school that goes from pre-K to 12th grade.  Next year there will be 170 students enrolled in the school.  The school was originally founded to serve missionary families, providing their children with an American-style education.  Over the years, more and more Guatemalans began attending the school. Today the vast majority of the students are Guatemalan.  Because it is an American-style school, all reading, writing, and speaking are done in English! Even the teaching!  The calendar is similar to the States, meaning school starts in August and finishes at the very beginning of June. 

I will be the official high school science teacher. The McInnis of Guatemala for all you NRCA people! (Shout out to Mrs. McInnis for putting up with my shenanigans for 3 years in high school and helping me prepare for this position!)  I will be teaching Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science. One class of each.  I'm really excited to get the chance to teach high schoolers, and to continue studying a subject that I have always had a knack for ;)

I would love to have this poster for my classroom.  It was always hanging in my high school lab.

                                                      
I will also be teaching an elective class on Women of the Bible.   I will be using Francine River's Book A Lineage of Grace.   This book is actually 5 mini books.  Each about a different woman of the Bible, and all are in the lineage of Christ.  Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheeba, and Mary. I'm assuming it will be an all-girls class :)  Even though I do love science, I am probably most excited about this class!!!  I feel as though it will be like a small group for high school girls disguised as a class. I'm excited for the opportunity to get to know some of these high school girls more and to encourage them in their walk with Christ through our study. (Special shout out to those who donated money for buying these books and Bibles for this class!  I have 10 books, & 10 Bibles!  Thank you so much!)


It's a really good book!



***Important Disclaimer***

It is false to assume that all students attending a Christian school are true followers of Christ.

It is false to assume that all parents sending their students to a Christian school are followers of Christ.

 

This is very much true at IAS, as well as Christian schools in America..  yes even those in North Carolina. This is even true of Liberty University, and I'm sure they would not be offended for me to say that.   And I don't mean for the previous statements to offend anyone else, but to make us aware of the desperate need of Christ in the lives surrounding us.
There are students at IAS who need to accept Christ as their Savior. There are others who have already done so and need to  be challenged, encouraged, and discipled---they need to grow in their relationship with Christ, as we all do.  All of these things can happen through  the sharing of the Gospel and the Word of God. I am thankful, that once again, I can do that openly in my classroom.    Any class. Any period. Any lesson.  I can begin every single class with prayer. When discussing science things, I can reference the Creator of the Universe...The Designer of all these things we will be studying.

What a true blessing that is... one that no Christian school teacher, including myself, should take for granted.

Romans 1:16a For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 

Church:  Remember Toto? Totonicapán. It's a small city about 40 minutes away from where I will be living and teaching.  This is the area where I was just at on a missions trip with Devin's church.  I also was here last summer for about 3 weeks.  I plan on going there on Sundays to attend church and visit with familiar faces. I'm really excited to continue friendships that have already been formed there! It will be so cool to see these people on a more regular basis. I'm also really excited to visit Lucia (the lady who just got saved) and see how her and her family are doing.

Living Arrangements:  Upon arrival on July 31st I will be staying with a family arranged by the school. The day after I should be moving into an apartment!  I will be living with Jessica, the official 3rd grade teacher.  This will be her second year at IAS.  We will have a stove, microwave, and refrigerator.  2 bedrooms, 1 living room/kitchen/dining room, and a bathroom.  There's no heat or AC.  (Remember the temps in Xela? Not really needed anyway)  The apartments are fully furnished too.



Here's the view from where I will be living!

Food:  There is a grocery store within about a 10 minute walk of where we will be living. Cooking will happen often.  (Small group girls... I'll let ya know if I come across recipes to add to the infamous "cookbook")  Eggs, beans, and tortillas will be common menu items as they are popular & inexpensive in Guatemala.. not to mention good!  I will have to pack my lunch for school everyday...so everyday I will miss Jennifer Downey & Anna Sexton :( Xela also has a McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and Wendys.  (McDonalds delivers there!)  There are also many restaurants in the city that would be fun to try too :)

This is a breakfast I had in Xela last summer, overlooking the central park :) 

 Also... as of now.. .I plan on going Crystal Light Peach Mango free.  I don't want have to have to pack enough to last until December...I'll keep you updated on how that's going.


Closing Comments:

Well... That's all I got for now! I will have orientation August 1-12th, and school starts on the 13th!

Prayer Requests: 

• traveling on July 31st
• getting prepared for the school year (especially the change I will experience going from teaching elementary students to high school)
•  the hearts of my students (especially the young ladies that will sign up for my elective class)

Next update will be from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala!
Thanks for reading! Dios le bendiga!