It’s hard to believe that it has been three months since I moved to Bogotá. My time here has been full of blessings, joys, frustration, exhaustion, adventure, and challenges. Although Colombia is a beautiful country to live and work in, there are some things that have been hard. I feel like I have grown a ton already and have learned a lot about myself during this process of transition. God has been teaching me a lot. Patience, humility, and flexibility have been the main themes. I have been learning reliance on Him when I feel lost, incapable, confused, or feel like I have nothing more to give.
PE Update
Teaching PE has been both challenging and rewarding. This quarter I taught basketball to grades 5-12 and taught various activities to grades 2-4. This coming quarter I will be teaching ultimate frisbee to 5th-12th and soccer, baseball, basketball, and football to 2nd-4th. I have also been partly in charge of competitions during lunch. Middle school and high school have done a basketball shooting competition and 50m sprint while 3rd and 4th grade have competed in a tetherball tournament. This coming quarter middle school and high school will be having a dodgeball tournament (yes, we are allowed to play dodgeball here!) while 3rd and 4th grade will be competing against each other in a team sports challenge.
It has been great to see the students learn about and improve in a specific sport. Coaching high school basketball and middle school soccer has been rewarding, too. It has been a growing experience learning how to discipline and how to manage a PE class. It’s been a blessing building relationships with teachers, staff, and students. As a PE teacher, I have the unique opportunity to get to know most of the students at ECA. One of my favorite parts of my ECA experience has been being a part of the 11th grade homeroom team and helping with the 11th grade guys’ small group.
Transition
The past few weeks have been a struggle adjusting to the culture. I have started missing some things about the U.S., especially the autumn weather and things associated with that season. I know this is where the Lord wants me and that He has great plans for me here. Transition is certainly a process that involves being stretched a lot personally, mentally, and spiritually. It is hard to adapt to a new culture and learn a new language.
Despite all the frustrations of a new culture and things usually not working out the way I want them to, I am challenged to continue to set my mind on things above because the only things that matter are the things above. I want my motivation for everything I do to be to see God’s kingdom advanced. In the mundane details of my job, I need to have the attitude that everything I do is unto Christ. I am looking forward to what the Holy Spirit does in me and through me!
Highlights and Opportunities
During my time in Colombia, I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet some awesome people, make some great connections, and visit some beautiful, neat places. One cool experience was going as a volunteer on the high school retreat to “hot country.” It was great getting to know and spend time with the students outside of school. When I get sucked into the grind of daily life, I need to remind myself that I live in South America in the middle of the Andes Mountains in Colombia in one of the top 5 biggest cities in the Western Hemisphere. Wow! I have the awesome opportunity and privilege to do what most people will never get to experience in their lives.
Right now I am taking the Truth Project at school in order to possible get my ACSI certification. It’s been eye-opening and encouraging to learn and be reminded of what the Bible says about the character and nature of God and how to fight the lies of Satan and the secular mindset. God’s Word is indeed the Truth, will never fail, and stands forever. Pray that God would continue to pour out His Truth on the world and that people will be transformed by the Word of God in Bogotá and beyond!
En Cristo,
Jonathan Snyder
PE Update
Teaching PE has been both challenging and rewarding. This quarter I taught basketball to grades 5-12 and taught various activities to grades 2-4. This coming quarter I will be teaching ultimate frisbee to 5th-12th and soccer, baseball, basketball, and football to 2nd-4th. I have also been partly in charge of competitions during lunch. Middle school and high school have done a basketball shooting competition and 50m sprint while 3rd and 4th grade have competed in a tetherball tournament. This coming quarter middle school and high school will be having a dodgeball tournament (yes, we are allowed to play dodgeball here!) while 3rd and 4th grade will be competing against each other in a team sports challenge.
It has been great to see the students learn about and improve in a specific sport. Coaching high school basketball and middle school soccer has been rewarding, too. It has been a growing experience learning how to discipline and how to manage a PE class. It’s been a blessing building relationships with teachers, staff, and students. As a PE teacher, I have the unique opportunity to get to know most of the students at ECA. One of my favorite parts of my ECA experience has been being a part of the 11th grade homeroom team and helping with the 11th grade guys’ small group.
Transition
The past few weeks have been a struggle adjusting to the culture. I have started missing some things about the U.S., especially the autumn weather and things associated with that season. I know this is where the Lord wants me and that He has great plans for me here. Transition is certainly a process that involves being stretched a lot personally, mentally, and spiritually. It is hard to adapt to a new culture and learn a new language.
Despite all the frustrations of a new culture and things usually not working out the way I want them to, I am challenged to continue to set my mind on things above because the only things that matter are the things above. I want my motivation for everything I do to be to see God’s kingdom advanced. In the mundane details of my job, I need to have the attitude that everything I do is unto Christ. I am looking forward to what the Holy Spirit does in me and through me!
Highlights and Opportunities
During my time in Colombia, I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet some awesome people, make some great connections, and visit some beautiful, neat places. One cool experience was going as a volunteer on the high school retreat to “hot country.” It was great getting to know and spend time with the students outside of school. When I get sucked into the grind of daily life, I need to remind myself that I live in South America in the middle of the Andes Mountains in Colombia in one of the top 5 biggest cities in the Western Hemisphere. Wow! I have the awesome opportunity and privilege to do what most people will never get to experience in their lives.
Right now I am taking the Truth Project at school in order to possible get my ACSI certification. It’s been eye-opening and encouraging to learn and be reminded of what the Bible says about the character and nature of God and how to fight the lies of Satan and the secular mindset. God’s Word is indeed the Truth, will never fail, and stands forever. Pray that God would continue to pour out His Truth on the world and that people will be transformed by the Word of God in Bogotá and beyond!
En Cristo,
Jonathan Snyder