Meet some 5th graders!

I had a request this last summer to hear more directly from students on my blog, which I thought was a brilliant idea! So, instead of boring you with facts about how hot it is here, or making you cry by talking about seasonal homesickness (I guess that's something one doesn't  outgrow), or grossing you out with details of recent parasite discoveries or rat visits, I'll just let you hear from my awesome kids! :-) 

Hopefully this is the start of many more blog entries to come from them.  These students happen to all be "staff kids," as their parents also have a passion for MK (missionary kid) education and serve at GIS. I hope you enjoy getting to know them a bit!

Student 1:  Ellie

• What do you enjoy about living in Thailand? What is challenging about it for you or your family? It’s always really hot, so that’s a big difference from where we used to live. The heat is also a problem for some of my family members(my mom). We can get really hot really fast.
• What are some fun facts or differences about life in Thailand compared to America? 
  There are so many stray dogs on the streets, you can’t even count them. Well, maybe that’s overreacting but, there’s a lot of dogs. The heat is definitely a big difference, too.  
• What do you like about GIS? 
  It’s so small. In America we had really big schools and a lot of kids. Here at Grace, there’s as many kids in the whole school as there is in my old elementary school!

• 

  A talented artist, Ellie gave an excellent presentation 
  to her peers about art appreciation. 

  What do your parents do here and what do you think about it? My dad is the Spiritual Life Director here at GIS. It’s a pretty big job. He has to plan all the retreats and  all of the worship nights and stuff. I think it’s a job that is great for my dad.
• What do you want to be when you grow up? Well to be honest, I’m not really sure. I’m pretty good at art, so maybe and artist. I really like fashion though, I guess we just have to find out.

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  When have you felt closest to God? I think when I was packing up and getting ready to come to Thailand. I was really scared and i didn’t really know what to expect. I would pray with God a lot. It made me feel safe and cared for.
• How can we pray for you and your family? Well there’s a camp all the secondary students are apart of. It’s called Hume Lake. My dad is planning it and it’s a lot of work. He’s really stressed out so if you could pray for him that would be great. [This event already took place, but do pray for her dad's many and varied responsibilities at the school!]
  
  
  Student 2: Simeon
  • What do you enjoy about living in Thailand? What is challenging about it for you or your family?

  

  Simeon (on the left)
  with his best friend;
  they've been stuck
  like glue since Kindy!

  I enjoy the creative snacks (like shrimp and seaweed flavored chips) and the cultural differences (most of the time ). We do not enjoy the traffic and I have asthma, so pollution season is a struggle.
  • What are some fun facts or differences about life in Thailand compared to America?
  There are many statues and spirit houses here. Also, at KFC and MacDonalds they sell rice on the menu!!!
  • What do you like about GIS?
  I like the fact that people from all over the world are around me. I also love the teachers.
  • What do your parents do here in Thailand and what do you think about it?
  They teach math in middle and high school. I think they like their job, so I am proud of them.
  • What do you want to be when you grow up?
  I want to be a constructor and build my own house. I also want to tell kids in the states about my childhood.
  
  
  Student 3: Lydia

  

  Lydia (third "blue shirt girl" from the left") is an active
  and passionate member of Diakonia! She's an
  excellent teacher and works well with the kids.

  One thing I enjoy about Thailand is the weather.  It is almost always hot!  I have never really liked snow.  My mom and me both don’t miss the cold weather, but my dad and my sister miss it.  One thing I enjoy about GIS is it is a Christian school and every one is nice to everyone.  I have had bad experiences in America with school, so I really like this school.  The time I felt closest to God was when I couldn’t sleep at night and I was really scared.  One night I did my devotions before I went to bed and I slept better.  From then on I always do my devotions before I went to bed.  I want to be a librarian when I grow up because I LOVE to read to myself and other people.  One thing that you could pray for my family would be that my mom just started teaching again (both parents teach).  So my 3 year old brother now goes to preschool.  One thing about Thailand is that the lowest temperature is upper 50s.  Bye!!