A Bundle of Letters

A series of eager gasps followed by a moment of absolute silence filled the classroom. The students' attention was captivated by the bundle of letters that I held in my hands. These letters, written in English by students in the United States, traveled nearly two thousand miles to Barranquilla as part of a pen-pal project that I coordinated with family and organizations in my hometown of Circleville, Ohio. 

In June, the students at El Instituto Educativo Distrital para el Desarrollo del Talento Humano wrote their pen-pal letters at home as part of a special project. In July, they received a reply to their letter.

As I distributed the letters throughout the classroom, the Colombian students asked for special help opening the envelope without ripping it. These second-grader students took great care in meticulously opening their letter, written using simple vocabulary about family, weather, and greeting. 

Some letters even included photos, stickers, coins, pencils, and bracelets.

Other letters including colorful drawings and descriptions of life in Ohio.

Each child loved pouring over the contents of his or her letter. Seeing the joy in their spirit as we completed this project affirmed by purpose in Barranquilla. Not every day is easy, but this experience is beautiful in so many ways.

Living with Purpose

After spending three weeks in the United States with my family, I returned to Barranquilla to continue my journey with WorldTeach. Knowing that the next few months will pass quickly, I established a list of my personal and professional goals, as well as a "bucket list" of fun activities that I want to accomplish. 

My biggest goal is finding a full-time job in the United Statea before December, while other goals include reading a novel in Spanish and applying for a grant from the U.S. Embassy to obtain better technology in my classroom. 

Since improving my Spanish-speaking skills is an important goal, I have dedicated Tuesday afternoons to the library, reviewing my high-school Spanish textbooks and polishing my grammar skills. 

Included in my "bucket list" are fun and cultural experiences, such as running in a 5K, visiting the museum of modern art, and sampling several vegetarian restaurants in the north of the city. I also hope to attend an upcoming concert featuring famous Colombian Carlos Vives. 

Furthermore, each Monday is unofficially deemed a beach day to simply enjoy the Carribean sun and palm trees.

These goals motivate me as I begin to enter a new stage of life. I recognize that my opportunities to live and serve abroad can become more limited as I pursue a full-time career, so I want to capitalize on my time in Barranquilla. I desire that every moment is spent productively, passionately, creatively, and with adventure.