October Update

October has been a super busy month for us. We have started several new English classes. We are currently teaching six different classes with a total of 60 students. We are super excited about the opportunities, but it leaves us so busy that we rarely have time to do anything else. David (my partner) is teaching a class to airport employees and I am teaching two classes to the resort staff at one of the resorts.

We are taking a language class every Wednesday. This is so we can learn the local language.

We hosted many tourists in October and just finished with a group from Tulsa. The Tulsa group was very busy and were very kind to volunteer in our English classes before they went on their adventure tour to an outer island. The adventure tour was a great tour as we stayed, worked and played with islanders. We went fishing (caught 8 ft sailfish) we visited to other inhabited islands, played volleyball with the locals, and ate and slept in their homes. It is a lot of fun to enter their culture. They are super nice to allow us into their homes. Our last groups was very lucky to have snorkeled with manta rays that span more than 8 ft across and with a 20+ foot whale shark. The whale shark story is a great story, I'd love to tell you more if you are interested.

The same day we finished the tour, some island friends came to stay with us in our home. They have meetings on the main island and needed a place to stay. We were honored when they asked us. They really make us feel like part of the family. We currently have 10 extra people staying with us. We think there may be a few more by the end of the week. It sounds stressful, but really we have enjoyed the visiting with our friends. Only 2 of the guests can speak English so we really are limited on our visiting. The family that is staying with us is the captain of the fishing boat for our adventure tours. Apparently all those hours on the boat with him made him feel comfortable enough to stay with us. This morning, I showed them how to play the Wii. They played tennis. It was so much fun. I have included a picture below.

This picture is of Kaafa. Kaafa means grandfather. He was snoozing on the couch the other night and I just had to take a pic.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to live in this tiny island nation and feel that our friendships are growing rapidly. We seem so busy, but it is mostly busy with stuff that matters, so I guess that is good. Thanks for reading.