Isabelle - November 2023 Update

November 2023 Update - My life has already been changed so much, and I truly am the happiest I have ever been. There is no other place in the world with such genuine joy and peace amongst its people. I have done so many things that it is hard to fit it all into one caption but I will sum up most of my adventures! My absolute favorite thing has been going to the pastoral center, a home owned by a couple from the parish as a safe haven for neglected kids who still live at home but just need a place to go for community or a meal. There are about 50 kids there and every single time I arrive they run up to the gate, arms wide open, yelling my name, and it is the happiest feeling. They have all become my best friends. Phil and I cooked a spaghetti dinner for all of them and it was so fun to watch them go back for seconds or even thirds! I have also been going to the orphanage three days a week to teach English to 2-5 year olds. We sing songs, read books, trace the alphabet, and do many crafts. It is a blast! They are all so smart. I’ve been doing language lessons as well, their language is so fun to learn but also so tricky! I feel like I’m picking it up pretty fast. I have gotten so many compliments on my speaking abilities though! I know this is where I am meant to be and I have never felt a larger sense of belonging, so lucky for me I have not really felt homesick at all. It has been so wonderful to keep giving God my “yes!” Every single day brings a new adventure. We had a housewarming party within the first month of arriving and I danced the night away with the kids from the pastoral center and ate way too much chocolate ice cream. I have also been going to a coffee shop every morning and working on my TEFL certification, I just submitted my final paper and now I am going to a village three days a week to teach English to 1st-6th graders! I am so excited to see what doors the Lord keeps opening up for me:) Praise God for this wonderful opportunity!