MICRONESIA
2
Ethan’s
Evolution A
s I turn to face my students, I’m horrified to see Ethan crawling across the desks. I can’t believe this is happening in my class! Panic alarms are going off in my head, my heart is beating fast, and I know I have to act before total chaos erupts. I walk over to Ethan, wrap my arms around his waist, and heft him to the ground. It’s at this moment that I wonder why I ever volunteered to teach a kindergarten class. I ’m t h r e e m o n t h s into my ten-month stay on Pohnpei, a steamy island in Micronesia covered with stunning 5
1
8
green foliage. On my daily jogs, I see islanders in T-shirts and shorts sitting under palm trees or ambling down the road. Everyone seems so relaxed here. Everyone except me, the 19-year-old college student who has come to teach their children. I’m scared to death! What if something happens today that I can’t handle? I wonder. What if two kids get in a fight? What if all my students start running around the room? What if the staff thinks I’m an incompetent teacher? I feel completely inadequate for this task. And yet, I am determined to do my best. So each morning I muster up my strength as my students bounce through the door. I draw Bible characters on the chalkboard and act out the stories, and they absolutely love it. They are so cute with their soft little faces
