Hi everyone!
I am finally heading back to Guatemala this summer and I could not be more excited! I have been given the opportunity to go for two weeks in July.
Please be in prayer for me as I prepare to return to the place I love, and also as I work toward raising the funds for this trip. I need to raise approximately $2000 in less than two months. It sounds like a lot, but I know that God will provide.
If you feel led to donate, you can do so directly to me in person or via the PayPal donate link to the right, or you can donate to Orphan's Heart via mail or their website. When donating through Orphan's Heart, please be sure to include my name (Rachel Froelich) and my trip code (GU-Jul-01-2017).
Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Love Always,
Rachel
Canaries!!
Loving on my Canaries (Fall 2013)
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Summer School: Week One
Hey guys!!
It's official...summer school has begun! We wrapped up the first week today and things went pretty well. The kids are getting to do a lot of things they don't normally do during the school year. We have classes in photography, science, art, dance, sports, and, of course, English. They are going well and the kids are having a ton of fun!
We have been a little short-staffed at the school I'm working at, so not only am I helping with the English classes, I have also been giving classes in dance and art. The first day was quite interesting...I'm somewhat lacking in dance and artistic skills. So, in my first dance class we did head, shoulders, knees, and toes in Spanish and in English...then we played Simon Says. And in my first art class we spent an hour coloring pictures. In my art class yesterday, however, I had a plan. I brought in plastic fruits and vegetables for each of the children to draw, color, and then label the colors in Spanish and English. To my surprise, they loved it! They all spent an entire hour choosing different fruits and vegetables to draw; one boy even drew his in a fruit bowl all together. I thought for sure they'd be bored after one or two fruits, but they really enjoyed themselves.
Today I was back in dance class. Being that I can't really dance, I wasn't very excited about it, but it turned out to be a great class! First I had the kids split into groups and choreograph their own dance. Then each group performed their dance for the class. Some of them were very much into it and others were very much not. That was my entire plan for the class, but it only took up about half the class, so I decided to teach them a few dances that I know. (Many years of summer camps and VBS really came in handy with this!) We started with The Chicken Dance...that was a hit! Afterwards we moved onto the Cha Cha Slide and then the Cupid Shuffle, which were even bigger hits! All of the kids really had a great time and, although it was a bit tiring, it ended being a really fun class. Those kids love line dances! Next time I have to teach a dance class, they're going to learn the Electric Slide and Cotton Eyed Joe! :)
It's been a great first week of summer school and I'm looking forward to the next few weeks (even if I have to teach dance and art again).
Thank you all for your continued love and support! See you back in the States in a few weeks :)
Love Always,
Rachel
It's official...summer school has begun! We wrapped up the first week today and things went pretty well. The kids are getting to do a lot of things they don't normally do during the school year. We have classes in photography, science, art, dance, sports, and, of course, English. They are going well and the kids are having a ton of fun!
We have been a little short-staffed at the school I'm working at, so not only am I helping with the English classes, I have also been giving classes in dance and art. The first day was quite interesting...I'm somewhat lacking in dance and artistic skills. So, in my first dance class we did head, shoulders, knees, and toes in Spanish and in English...then we played Simon Says. And in my first art class we spent an hour coloring pictures. In my art class yesterday, however, I had a plan. I brought in plastic fruits and vegetables for each of the children to draw, color, and then label the colors in Spanish and English. To my surprise, they loved it! They all spent an entire hour choosing different fruits and vegetables to draw; one boy even drew his in a fruit bowl all together. I thought for sure they'd be bored after one or two fruits, but they really enjoyed themselves.
Today I was back in dance class. Being that I can't really dance, I wasn't very excited about it, but it turned out to be a great class! First I had the kids split into groups and choreograph their own dance. Then each group performed their dance for the class. Some of them were very much into it and others were very much not. That was my entire plan for the class, but it only took up about half the class, so I decided to teach them a few dances that I know. (Many years of summer camps and VBS really came in handy with this!) We started with The Chicken Dance...that was a hit! Afterwards we moved onto the Cha Cha Slide and then the Cupid Shuffle, which were even bigger hits! All of the kids really had a great time and, although it was a bit tiring, it ended being a really fun class. Those kids love line dances! Next time I have to teach a dance class, they're going to learn the Electric Slide and Cotton Eyed Joe! :)
It's been a great first week of summer school and I'm looking forward to the next few weeks (even if I have to teach dance and art again).
Thank you all for your continued love and support! See you back in the States in a few weeks :)
Love Always,
Rachel
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
School's Out!
Hey guys! So, I know it's been a little while since I've updated my blog...sorry about that! So, here's an update:
Last week was our final week of school before a 3 week break. Amidst our week of exams there were a few end of the year parties and a news crew came in to donate stuffed animals to all of the kids. That was a crazy day, but it was fun! On the last day of school, the students had to clean their desks. Remember in elementary school when they would cover our desks with shaving cream and we would draw in it and make a big mess, but really we were cleaning the desks? Well, this is sorta like that, but they use sandpaper! Since the desks are all wood, they just sand them down to remove the writing and dirt from the desktops. The official school year is now over, so I am on break for 3 weeks before "summer school" begins in November.
During my break from school there are a couple teams from Orphan's Heart coming to work at the malnutrition center, and I am fortunate enough to be able to go out there with them! It has been three long months since I've been there and seen all the nannies and the kids. It was so great to walk through that door again...like coming home! It felt so good to go into the ducks' and squirrels' bedrooms and have them all run up to me yelling "Raquela! Raquela!" Even some of the bunnies and chicks seem to remember me (or at least I'd like to think they do...please don't burst my happy little bubble haha). There are many new dolphins and canaries to love on...and I am so excited to see their brand new room finally!!! It's so amazing and so much better for the babies...I love it! My babies are all growing up so fast! Some have gone home and others have moved up to new groups. They are all so much bigger than they were when I last saw them! Kids who couldn't stand up are walking on their own and some who couldn't sit up without support or crawl are able to sit themselves up and are moving everywhere! I'm so glad that I am able to see them again so soon and see the progress they've made. God is so good!
I am so thankful that I get to spend time with all of these precious kids! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. I love you guys!!
Love Always,
Rachel
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
It's been a whole month already?!
Wow! I can’t believe I’ve been in
Guatemala for an entire month! On one hand, it kind of feels like I’ve been
here forever, but on the other it feels like I only just got here. Crazy how
time works that way, huh?
Anyways, we are wrapping up the
school year here. At one school we are giving final exams this week and our
last day of school is Friday. At the other school this is review week and final
exams are next week. There’s a lot going around here on with the end of the school
year arriving: grading notebooks and homework, ensuring everyone has all of their
assignments in, reviewing all the material for the final exam, etc. I’ve also
got my online course and I’m getting ready to move (I’m moving from the hostel
I’ve been in to an apartment this week!), so I’ve been keeping myself pretty
busy.
I’ve been attending a church here where
I have met some really great people! There is a program there that trains young
adults from the United States in ministry and missions that is coming to an end
for many of the students I have met. They will be finishing their training this
week and then heading to various countries to serve for the next 6 months. There
are 18 students who will be spread out across Uganda, Kenya, Cambodia, Costa
Rica, and Guatemala. I will be praying for them as they go out to serve the
Lord in these countries, and I would like to ask you to lift them up in your
prayers as well.
Here are a few other things you can
be praying for:
-Pray for the students during this
last week or two of school, that they are all prepared for their final exams
and are able to focus and do their best in each of their classes
-Pray for all of the teachers as
they give the final exams and wrap up the school year
-Pray for the teachers and
volunteers that have this month off, that we would all use our time well and
that those who are travelling will stay safe and healthy
-Pray for all of the teachers and
volunteers as we prepare lessons and workshops for “summer school” that will
begin in November
-And pray for me for discernment and
direction
Thank you all so much for your
continued prayers, love, and support! I am beyond grateful to have such a
wonderful support system! You all mean so much to me and I cannot thank you
enough J
Love Always,
Rachel
Monday, September 15, 2014
Independence Day!!! (And Week 2 Update)
Today is Independence Day in Guatemala, so, naturally, we had a parade at school! All the kids came dressed up and ready for the parade. Each class had a different ethnic group they were representing and their outfits reflected that group. They were absolutely adorable! Here are a few pictures:
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Getting lined up and ready to go!
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It was a fun, but exhausting day! Now I'm ready to shower and take a nap!
So I've been here in Guatemala for 2 weeks now and it's going so well! I'm now splitting my time between both schools run by Niños de Guatemala. I love getting to be a part of the English program in both schools and seeing the differences and similarities between the two schools. But, with over 300 children attending the schools, I have got a LOT of names to learn! I'm thinking about breaking out the masking tape and a sharpie and labeling them all until I can remember their names, haha!
My online TEFL course is going well. It's a lot of work, but I'm enjoying it so far. I'm hoping to finish up be the end of October, so please keep me in your prayers for that!
If any of you would like more information about what I'm doing or how you can support me, please contact me via Facebook or email me at RachelinGuatemala@gmail.com.
Thank you all so much for the love and prayers!!
Love Always,
Rachel
P.S. I am still fundraising so if you feel led to donate, here are some ways you can do so:
As always, you can keep up with my fundraising progress and trip updates here on my blog. And, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! Love you guys!!
So I've been here in Guatemala for 2 weeks now and it's going so well! I'm now splitting my time between both schools run by Niños de Guatemala. I love getting to be a part of the English program in both schools and seeing the differences and similarities between the two schools. But, with over 300 children attending the schools, I have got a LOT of names to learn! I'm thinking about breaking out the masking tape and a sharpie and labeling them all until I can remember their names, haha!
My online TEFL course is going well. It's a lot of work, but I'm enjoying it so far. I'm hoping to finish up be the end of October, so please keep me in your prayers for that!
If any of you would like more information about what I'm doing or how you can support me, please contact me via Facebook or email me at RachelinGuatemala@gmail.com.
Thank you all so much for the love and prayers!!
Love Always,
Rachel
P.S. I am still fundraising so if you feel led to donate, here are some ways you can do so:
1- Donate via PayPal using the Guatemala Fund Donation link here on my blog.
2- Donate at VolunteerForever.com/volunteer_profile/rachel-froelich.
4- Purchase any Mary Kay product from my mom (Lisa Freeman) before September 30th! 25% of proceeds will go directly to support my trip to Guatemala. Visit the Facebook page for the fundraiser here or visit my mom's Mary Kay page (www.marykay.com/lisalfreeman11) where you can place an order or contact her directly for more information or with any questions you may have.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Week One
Hey guys!
So I've been here for a little over a week now and I'm having a great time! I've moved into a different room in the hotel where I'm staying. I'm now downstairs where I have a much larger room and a reliable internet connection!
I've been working at the school with the English class since Friday and it's going really well. Currently, as the assistant, I am helping the primary teacher give the lessons and keep the students engaged. It's not without its challenges, but that comes with the territory of working with children. The kids are really sweet...and I might already have a few "non-favorites" (shh...don't tell anyone). This week I will also begin working with the other school run by the same organization where my friend is the English teacher. I will be splitting my time between the two schools so that I am able to assist the teachers at both schools. I'm really excited to be able to work in both places and get to know all of the kids. I can't wait to see how God is going to use me here!
Recently I began my online course to become certified in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). It's going really well so far and I hope to have it finished within the next 2 months, so I'm going to be pretty busy! Once I am finished I will not only be certified in TEFL, but I will also have a special certification in Teaching Business English as well as Teaching English to Young Learners which I am very excited about!
Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and support! Here are a few things you can be praying for me about:
Thank you again! I am so blessed to have you all in my life. :)
Love Always,
Rachel
P.S. If any of you would like to donate to help me raise the remaining funds, here's how you can:
So I've been here for a little over a week now and I'm having a great time! I've moved into a different room in the hotel where I'm staying. I'm now downstairs where I have a much larger room and a reliable internet connection!
I've been working at the school with the English class since Friday and it's going really well. Currently, as the assistant, I am helping the primary teacher give the lessons and keep the students engaged. It's not without its challenges, but that comes with the territory of working with children. The kids are really sweet...and I might already have a few "non-favorites" (shh...don't tell anyone). This week I will also begin working with the other school run by the same organization where my friend is the English teacher. I will be splitting my time between the two schools so that I am able to assist the teachers at both schools. I'm really excited to be able to work in both places and get to know all of the kids. I can't wait to see how God is going to use me here!
Recently I began my online course to become certified in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). It's going really well so far and I hope to have it finished within the next 2 months, so I'm going to be pretty busy! Once I am finished I will not only be certified in TEFL, but I will also have a special certification in Teaching Business English as well as Teaching English to Young Learners which I am very excited about!
Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and support! Here are a few things you can be praying for me about:
- That God places me exactly where He wants me to be every day and that I will grow closer to Him throughout my experience here
- That everything continues to go well in the schools
- That I will stay motivated to finish my online course quickly
- And that I raise the remaining funds that I need to get me through December
Thank you again! I am so blessed to have you all in my life. :)
Love Always,
Rachel
P.S. If any of you would like to donate to help me raise the remaining funds, here's how you can:
1- Donate via PayPal using the Guatemala Fund Donation link here on my blog.
2- Donate at VolunteerForever.com/volunteer_profile/rachel-froelich.
3- Donate directly to me via mail (message me on Facebook for my address).
4- Purchase any Mary Kay product from my mom (Lisa Freeman) before September 30th! 25% of proceeds will go directly to support my trip to Guatemala. Visit the Facebook page for the fundraiser here or visit my mom's Mary Kay page (www.marykay.com/lisalfreeman11) where you can place an order or contact her directly for more information or with any questions you may have.
Please keep me in your prayers over the next four months! I'm sure I'll need them :) Thank you all so much for your love and support! If you have any questions at all about my trip to Guatemala or what I'll be doing, please don't hesitate to ask! You can leave a comment or contact me via Facebook.
You can keep up with my fundraising progress as well as my trip updates right here on my blog.
Love you guys!!
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Is this real life?!
As I write this blog, I am looking out over the beautiful mountains surrounding Antigua from the patio outside my room. Did I just type that? My room. I have a room! Is this seriously my life right now?! I can hardly believe this is really happening!
Well, I just wanted to let you all know that I made it here safely. I got to meet some missionaries from Florida that were on both of my flights with me. They are going to be working in Antigua at a ministry center where they have some childrens' programs and interns from the states who are learning to be missionaries. And they invited me to come visit sometime this week while they are there!
My room has a great view! My doors open right onto the patio that looks over a little courtyard. And I have a view of the mountains and Agua (a dormant volcano) from my bed (when the clouds aren't covering them). I've got a little tv, a dresser, a comfy bed, and a desk made out of an old sewing machine...how cool is that?! But, this is only my temporary room. It is very nice and I love the view, but a room that is twice the size downstairs is opening up in a few days so I will be moving to that one. I'll miss looking out from my bed and seeing the beautiful plants and mountains, but I'm looking forward to a larger room where the wifi actually works (right now I have to go onto the patio to use it and as it is currently my only means of communication that's kind of a pain). And I can always come upstairs to the patio when I want to see the view.
Well, my computer battery is running low so I have to go back into my room to plug it it. But here are a few pictures of where I'm staying:
Well, I just wanted to let you all know that I made it here safely. I got to meet some missionaries from Florida that were on both of my flights with me. They are going to be working in Antigua at a ministry center where they have some childrens' programs and interns from the states who are learning to be missionaries. And they invited me to come visit sometime this week while they are there!
My room has a great view! My doors open right onto the patio that looks over a little courtyard. And I have a view of the mountains and Agua (a dormant volcano) from my bed (when the clouds aren't covering them). I've got a little tv, a dresser, a comfy bed, and a desk made out of an old sewing machine...how cool is that?! But, this is only my temporary room. It is very nice and I love the view, but a room that is twice the size downstairs is opening up in a few days so I will be moving to that one. I'll miss looking out from my bed and seeing the beautiful plants and mountains, but I'm looking forward to a larger room where the wifi actually works (right now I have to go onto the patio to use it and as it is currently my only means of communication that's kind of a pain). And I can always come upstairs to the patio when I want to see the view.
Well, my computer battery is running low so I have to go back into my room to plug it it. But here are a few pictures of where I'm staying:
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| My keys! |
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| My bed |
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| Desk! |
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| It's a sewing machine!! (well, it was) |
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| View from my room |
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| Panorama of my room |
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| Sitting on my bed, this is what I see (it was much prettier before the clouds rolled in) |
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| Panorama of the patio area |
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| Cool table outside my room... |
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| ...made from an old sewing machine and an old door! |
I'll update you all again soon!
Love Always,
Rachel
P.S. I'm still fundraising so please keep me in your prayers!! If you would like to help support me, see my previous blog post for details. Thank you!!
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