Falta 18 Dias

Well, hold on to your hats because I'm almost finished with the most recent chapter of my life -- teaching in Honduras for the past six months. Life here in Siguatepeque is great, but it's quickly coming to an end (18 days left in case you missed it from the subject line) and I'm quite aware of that fact.
My life is filled with a mix of bitter-sweet emotions right now:

• Leaving the town I've come to call home for the past year (bitter)
• Going back to my sister's wedding and being reunited with family (sweet)
• No longer seeing the mountains anytime I look up (bitter)
• Actually living -- for at least a few months -- in the same country as my girlfriend (sweet)
• Leaving a life that I rather enjoy here (bitter)
• Exciting new opportunities to come (sweet) -- more on that shortly
• Leaving many friends (bitter)
• Seeing old friends (sweet)
• Leaving a place of exciting challenges and learning experiences (bitter)
• Never again teaching junior high in my life (SA-WEET!!!)

This year has proved to be one of the most challenging years of my adult life but also one of the most rewarding. I feel that God has used this time to stretch me in many ways, challenge me and teach me more about Himself and myself accordingly. I've loved Honduras, the culture, the people, the challenge of learning Spanish, the conversations that have come up with kids outside of class, and life in a warm, beautiful climate. Now I'm suddenly struck with the reality that I leave Honduras (perhaps for the rest of my life) in 18 days.

But alas, the adventures continue from here. If you haven't heard, in August I'm starting a master's degree at Penn State in College Student Affairs and (supposedly) Comparative and International Education. I'm also going to be working half-time with a peer-counseling program for students dealing with drug and alcohol abuses and wanting HIV testing. I'm quite excited about being back in a classroom, working with university students again, the combination of degrees, and new challenges to come (and I'm sure there will be many!).

Things to be praying about...

• Having God as the first priority in my life
• Enjoying the rest of my time here in Honduras and being able to leave in good fashion
• That God will continue to use me to impact the lives of my students and people around me
• Praising God for the great work that He has done here over this past year and continues to do

Thanks so much for your prayers and support.

Hopefully I'll be seeing you soon!

Much love!
Noel