Tuesday, January 22, 2008

15 Minute Transformation

Marjolein stands nearly 6 feet tall in the eighth grade. She's Dutch and she smiles a lot.

Yesterday during JV Girls' basketball practice I noticed that even though she's literally head and shoulders above the other girls, Marjolein crouches with the ball after a rebound. She cradles it under her arms and looks for a pass to the safer outside rather than taking the shot right back up.

After practice I pointed out her tendancy to do this. Then we had her practice getting a rebound off the backboard and taking it straight back up without bringing the ball down. We also had her practice V-cutting and transitioning a pass directly into a short jump shot. Lastly we practiced jumping as high as possible on layups and rebounds.

Only working on these skills for 15 minutes, Marjolein showed marked improvement. It seemed as though all she needed was someone to show her what to do in place of what she's habitually learned. 15 minutes and she's that much more of a dominant player.

A great parallel for my discipleship with students. A short amount of focused time relearning how to respond, how to listen, how to trust, and lives can be transformed.

Thank God for the men and women who took 15 minutes with me throughout the years. You have transformed me, and now I can work to transform others.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Flat Tire

Last week, Mona and I were still in major jetlag--up at 2:30 a.m., crashing at 4 p.m. The benefit of jetlag to this extreme is that you have plenty of quiet time to think.

Indonesia loves commotion and noise. From the time the cock crows to the last evening call to prayer, the tropical days are filled with horns and vendors from the street, small engines revving in each yard, and speakers blaring from the mosque. But at 3 a.m., nothing stirs. Blessed silence.

One such morning, Mona and I scurried to town on our moped for breakfast (a rare treat for us since Mona's a night owl). After sipping soto (chicken soup), we found our rear tire flat to the tarmac. A street merchant told me a small tire patch stall sat just down the road, so Mona squatted on a bench on the corner while I scooted down the half kilometer.

Staying put, Mona was hailed by every passing vehicle, including bikes, mopeds, over-stuffed vans, and rikshaws: "Buy this," "Give me something to eat," "Give me money," "Ride in my vehicle," "Hey, Baby," "Look, Mom. A white girl!"

More than once she had to wave people on to avoid grid lock. "White Woman Causes Traffic Jam" the headline would read.

Friday, January 11, 2008

P.E. Debut

James here...

This is my 8th semester teaching at Mountainview. Up to now, my day has been full of English, visual arts, performing arts, writing and music classes. But yesterday turned a new leaf in my experience: 7th & 8th grade girls PE. Tuesdays and Thursdays through May will have me out on the court/climbing wall or on the soccer field stretching, running, playing, and climbing. It's a nice way to finish the school day.

Yesterday, we played footsol: in-door soccer. Several of the girls have played most of their life, and seeing that checkered ball fly at me with bruising force is quite something. But it's so endearing to see someone get mildly brushed by a ball or passing leg and then the whole class, both teams, rush over to make sure she's okay. I made a great steal, but the girl fell in the process; and what could I do but give her the ball back?

My New Year's resolution: have fun, and perhaps get a bit leaner in the process.

Monday, January 07, 2008

New Year's Optimism

I love entering a New Year. Who knows what will happen this year? People are happier at New Year's--more optimistic. Thus, the New Year's resolution. The past few years, I've shunned the resolution, but this year, in the spirit of the holidays, have decided to make a few.

Resolution #1: This year, I'm giving up french fries.

I know what you're thinking. "Say it's not so!" French fries are more American than ... say ... French people. But I know something which might surprise you. They are very unhealthy. Did you know that one little french fry contains more carcinogens than are legally allowed in our drinking water? It's true; I read it on the internet. I used to eat french fries "in moderation" but have found over the past semester that my addiction has forced me to consume them daily. So it must be stopped.

So far, I've had two opportunies to say "no" to french fries. This has been a liberating experience. I feel healthier already.

Drop me a comment if you have any resolutions you'd like to share. :) mona