So. I got in a bike wreck.
I hit a truck because I couldn't see the road they were turning into. Came off, landed on my shoulder and rolled into a ditch at around 30 or 40 mph. Unforeseen to say the least. But God showed up through it all in a big way. I didn't hit the concrete electric pole I should have, didn't get hit by other traffic, and the ditch had a little but was not filled with water and I landed... feet down, though not exactly on my feet :-).
The principal of the school I had just started at the day before happened to go that way that, which he usually doesn't, and helped me at the scene. My new 'boss' came to the hospital, paid my bill, and took me to the police station all late in the evening, and the worst of it was two stitches. Police and everything got cleared up that day, bike fixed in 4 days, phone dead (means no camera so no photo u but a friend has an extra I can borrow. Yeah, God was looking out for me in a big way.
Teaching is challenging, but usually in a good way. I have found my problem age group. First and Second grade. Pre-K and Kindergarten, I'm alright. 3rd grade and up, no big problems. First and Second grade like to drive me to violence. Good thing God had been teaching me patience for the last 5+ years.
I'm now also teaching at the temple behind my house to two of the monks! And as I become more accustomed to the demands of elementary school and before, they will help me set up some free classes for the villagers around my house so that I can get to know some of them! Super exciting!
December I will continue teaching, will help at at least one Christmas day for some kids, maybe two, have a conference on teaching young children, and of course Christmas!
Praise God for all the great things that are happening as we are looking towards the new year!
As the new year is coming, it brings with it the end of my budget! Yay for another year in Thailand!
As I am looking at my budget for the next year, there are 4 things that will really affect my budget.
1. Next month begins my process to renew work permit and visa. So that I can continue to stay and work with YWAM and everyone else, I have to go through this process.
The fees total is approximately $800 US
2. TEFL/TESL/IELTS certification school. This is a school that will train and teach me how to be an effective English teacher, and give me an internationally recognized certification as a trained English teacher. Experience is great, but more and more I am needing this to move forward. The school is in March.
This also will be about $800 US, including room and board, 4 weeks of class/practicum
3. Plane tickets. I really want to come home. I want to see my family, see all of you who keep up with me, and severely need to go out and increase my support base. And hopefully I will be coming home end of May, because I have to wait for my Visa to be extended before I can head back.
Two round trip tickets and a tourist visa will be about $3,500 US
4. Wait... two round trip tickets and a tourist visa? Well, that's because I'm gonna be bringing my prettier half home with me to meet everyone. Yeah. I'm wanting to get married. And that is why I really need to be remaking my budget to accommodate there being two of us. As she is just about to graduate university she will be looking for a job as well, but not sure what that will look like yet. We want to have a ceremony here, for our friends and family, but also one in America for my friends and family So we are looking at how to pay for those as well (everyone ready for the dollar dance?!).
Also, in this culture, I should be paying a bride price. But her mom would be happy if I would just take care of her last semester fees, which comes to about $500 US
Now, with my monthly income, I had started saving up to pay for the school and Annie's visa, but the bike wreck took all of those funds. So I need your helps... all your helps. As this holiday season is warming up, please add me, well us, to your Christmas list!
Please be praying for us as we work on the timing of everything. I finally got all of this financial information from all parties this week. I will have a break down of those expenses above, as well as my projected budget for next year finished this week. If you would like either or both of those, just shoot me an email to zacwhertvine@gmail.com
