New Career in a New Language

    Anyone who knows me knows that learning a language is not easy for me.  I think it has to do with how I think so analytically.  I have to think out every detail and if it doesn't make sence to me, I resist.  For the last few months, I have been learning how to be a teacher.  I have no real training.  My degree is in Psychology, which goes very well with how I think.  I have found it a real challenge because there is not straight way to do it.  I have to change up how I do it for every child.  Then you add in the language difference and there is a whole new level of stress.
     I am a perfectionist in what I do.  I like to do things well, so when I don't, I tend to beat myself up.  I have been in Bolivia almost 11 months now.  I thought at this point I would have the language down.  I thought I would have my new job down because I generally learn hands on things very quickly.  I have had to learn to accept the small wins.  When I am able to hold a short conversation with out stumbling that is a win.  If I am able to make a child understand what the homework is, that is a win.  I have many more defeats than wins, but I am learning to focus on the wins. 
    

This requires a significant amount of prayer daily.  I am having to change a lot of who I am to be able to do what I came for.  This is a good thing.  I am letting go of pride.  I am learning that God is using my lack of being able to do anything that is normal for me into strength.  I believe He is using my lack of self reliance and confidence for His glory.  I just hope along the way that the kids are learning something too.

^19 "Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." Romans 4:19-21