Azorean Baptist Church & First Day of Classes

Today was our first day of real teaching, but before I get to that, I'll let you know about my great weekend!  Yesterday we woke up early and went to the "Azorean Baptist Church".  The church is led by Art Nilsen who used to be in the US Military and stationed in Terceira.  The last group that came earlier in the summer met him through a community service project that they did while here.  Church was actually really fun and a great way to start the day and my week!! I wold love to go every weekend, but its a bit of a hike, and I'm not sure if we will be on other islands during the weekend.

Anyways, the church is a lot like other Christian churches I've been to at home, with the same informal service with singing and talking and coffee and what not! A good number of the people were on active military duty and were really nice and friendly. After the service we stayed to have lunch at the pastors house, his wife made us barbequed pulled pork, home made cole slaw and scalloped potatoes.  The pastor put her on the spot during the service and asked her if we could stay for lunch!! So it was really nice of her to just make us such a delicious lunch on such short notice!

After lunch we went by the campgroud that the church owns.  We plan on helping them a time or two with whatever needs to be done there as our community service on the island.  The church plans on running a christian camp there because at the moment there are no sleep away camps in all of the Azores.  I almost wish I had more spare time and a car so that I could help them with that.  I loved going to camp when I was younger, and I can imagine it would be a really nice get away for kids on the island.  I would love to help them out in more ways than just going for a day and helping clean up, but who knows if that would be possible!

Today was our first day of really teaching, last Friday we just had a day where we had them read, write and speak to figure out what level they are at.  Last night we stayed in and stayed up late expanding our lesson plans and figuring out exactly what to do and teach.... looks like this is going to be WAY more work than I expected!!! Being a teacher is like being a student, but harder, scarier, and with way more pressure.. I'm so nervous!  We have a really big range of ages in our group- in my group in specific we have as young as about 15, and up to a 44 year old university professor! It's crazy to think that I'm teaching someone who is so much older and smarter than me... I feel like she should be the one teaching me!

Class went very well today though.  The people in my group were very interested in learning and were very friendly.  After our class we have an "optional interaction time" where people can stay longer and get extra help, or just spend time talking and practicing their english.  Only two girls stayed today, so we went with them to what they said is the most famous bakery in Terceira and I got a galão and their most famous pastry (forgot the name!).

My first week here has been great, but now that classes have started I'll definitely have less free time.  Hopefully I'll write another post soon! Oh yah- Happy Fourth!! :)