Monday, September 11, 2006

Feeling Overwhelmed

I've been so overwhelmed the last couple of days. I actually had a breakdown last night. It seems as if all of the Panamanians have high and contradicting expectations of me. I was told by my English class in Balboa that they want me to use a grammar book and give them a placement test today (both of which has never been done in the past). I just received the grammar book yesterday and after looking at it, I started to panic. The class choose an intermediate to advanced book while the classes that I will be teaching are beginning to intermediate. Basically in 24 hours the class wanted me to write my own placement test, which can only be done after planning the next 10 weeks. AHHH! I'm still trying to get used to the culture...getting to know the streets and the people and the churches (I've only been to 2 so far). Luckily, Pastor Henry said he'd take over the class this week to observe and start planning. I'm feeling unqualified to teach these classes...I have no degree in teaching English...or in teaching in general. Chris, the missionary that had the position before me went to school to teach English as a second language. I feel as if I'm going to be a disappointment to the people here. I start to panic and worry whenever I start thinking about teaching...I'm totally out of my comfort zone on this one. There's a reason why I never wanted to become a teacher. It's funny how God has different plans. On top of all of this, I'm in intense Spanish classes 3 days a week. Today I just wanted to cry when I got to class. Since the class is fully in Spanish, I got totally lost. I feel like the stupid one in class that just doesn't understand anything while everyone else understands. I have to keep on reminding myself that the other missionaries in my class have been here almost a month longer than I have...and I've been here less than a week. Even though most of the Panamanians are patient with my lack of Spanish, I just want so badly to communicate with them. My brain just seems to be on overload right now. I guess I'm experiencing a little bit of how many immigrants feel when they come to the United States. The difference though is that I have a huge support system both in the States and in Panama, while many immigrants do not...but still have to find work, a place to live, friends, go shopping for food (sometimes you think you're getting one thing just to find out when you open it, it's another...like when I thought I was buying generic coke but was really buying beer.) etc. many times without much money I know that once I get the hang of all of this and can communicate with the people, I will sit back and laugh at how frustrated I'm feeling now. I just pray that this frustration will go away soon.

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