An Attempted Robbery Happened At My House ~ Please Pray...

One of the reasons that I decided to move into this apartment, is because I was told that this is one of the safest neighborhoods.
The front gate & wall are quite high & seemingly un-scalable.
The top of the wall is covered with large pieces of broken glass, to protect from intruders.

The top of the driveway gate has huge spikes on it, again, to protect from intruders.

Well, I want to testify LOUD & CLEAR, that I was protected tonight from an attempted burglary! I had just come home after being gone for 2 hours & my downstairs neighbors & my landlord were standing in front of our house. I was told the downstairs neighbors arrived home just at the moment that one man hoisted the other over the wall in front of our house! He was actually on the other side of the wall, INSIDE the wall, when they said they would call the police. The 2 men said some things, but then they left right away. My neighbor says the burglars were high. They are going to file a police report tomorrow.

The downstairs neighbors are not believers, but my landlord is. After talking with the neighbors, I came upstairs & was saying, "JESUS, JESUS, JESUS!" as I checked every room, every closet, & under every bed...My landlord came in & we talked about the fact that it was definitely an answer to prayer that the neighbors arrived at the exact moment the burglary was taking place! She said she prays every day for protection over her house & this house. I told her I have a prayer team at home praying for my protection too. We both praised Jesus together for His protection!

To hear about this does rattle me a bit. But, honestly, I am not fearful tonight. The only explanation I can think of is that I am experiencing that “peace that passes all understanding!” So, I’m holding onto Philippians 4:6-8 & hoping that you’ll remember to pray for my protection, for wisdom as I walk through the neighborhood, & for peace of mind despite the circumstances of tonight!!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil. 4:6-8)

"Greek Tea?"

Are You Curious What "Greek Tea" Has to do With Mexico?  Read on...
When I was in Oaxaca for 7 weeks, this past Spring, I was renting a room in a missionary couple’s home. I didn’t have “free roam” of the fridge & stove. So, I bought barely any fruits or veggies & only cooked twice. But, now that I have my own apartment, I’m cooking nearly every day. When I cook, my favorite flavor combination is sautéed onions, bell peppers, & mushrooms. I make so many different dishes from that base trio of veggies!

Living back in the States, I would buy produce weekly & just stick it in the fridge. Well, now that I’m living in Mexico, there is a protocol I need to follow before eating fruits or vegetables. This is because soil, microbes, & bacteria are found on the skins of fruits & vegetables. In countries where sanitary practices are not always followed, from the time produce is grown and harvested, until it is delivered to the store, there are many opportunities for contamination: unclean hands, waste water runoff, animal wastes, fertilizing with fresh manure, irrigating with unclean water… The sanitizing process really is tedious & time consuming, but is SO worth killing all those nasty, little micro-organisms! I had E-coli for about a month, when I was here last Spring, & I do NOT want any other parasites or infections from food!

Come along with me, through the process!!!!  :)
Step One = buy a large plastic container & a bottle of the cleaner (the active ingredient is ionized silver & it’s designed to kill the bacteria on the food)

Step Two = figure out the correct percentage of water to the blue bottle of cleaner & how long to leave the fruits & veggies submerged in the soak

Step Three = buy your favorite fruits & veggies from local corner store (I haven’t gotten to an actual grocery store yet to do grocery shopping, only these little ones…)

Step Four = create a bunch of the water & disinfecting solution in your new plastic bowl

Step Five = place your fruits & veggies in the bowl of solution & figure out how to keep them from floating up OUT of the solution (I’ve done this by applying heavy stuff ~ like ceramic dishes & even my oversized bottle of dishwashing liquid!)

Step Six = remember to set the timer for between 10 – 20 minutes

Step Seven = remember to pay attention, so when the timer goes off, you remember WHY you had set it in the first place! (true story!) Remove fruits & veggies from the solution & place in your dish drainer to air dry.

Step Eight = remember to go back into the kitchen later that night, to put your fruits & veggies away so they are not still there in the morning, when you stumble in for breakfast & they’re just there staring at you, saying, “Why’d you leave us here all night, Jenn? There were ants crawling on the counters!” (again, true story!) EEEWWWW!

Step Nine = put in a bowl on the counter, OR put in a clean bag in the fridge, OR peel, dice, slice, & enjoy!

So, you’re probably wondering why I titled this blog post “Greek Tea?” Well, here it is.
It was on Step Two that I got awfully confused & then had a good laugh at myself!
I was sitting with my friend in a government office, waiting for my name to be called. Random thoughts were running through my head, as I mentally made a list of all the things I needed to find out. I asked my friend, who has been living here for 10 years, “How do I know how much of the stuff in the blue bottle to use in the water to soak my fruits & veggies?” My ears heard her response, “It’s supposed to cover them & look like Greek Tea.” In just a few split seconds, my brain said, “Uh-oh. I’ve never had Greek Tea! How am I supposed to know what it looks like if I’ve never had it?” So, I hesitantly asked, “Ummm…what’s Greek Tea look like?” She said, “What? Greek Tea?” I said, “Isn’t that what you said? That the solution needs to look like Greek Tea?” We both got a good laugh as she said, “No, Jenn ~ WEAK TEA!” OOOOOHHHHHH!!!!

So, dear friends & family ~ please, pray with me, that God would spare me for any nasty sickness I could possibly get from the food here! That month of my digestive system screaming at me was NOT fun! Meanwhile, I’m trying to do my part, soaking the fruits & veggies in “Greek Tea” & dipping my washed dishes in the same solution too.

Visitors…Not As I Had Imagined…

When I was moving into this apartment, I thought it would be a nice place to have visitors. My thinking was, “As soon as I’m settled, I’ll start inviting people over! I’ve got a kitchen table & chairs to eat around. I’ve got living room furniture to sit & visit. I’ve even got a spare bed, in case someone wanted to stay the night.” I was glad to have my own space. But I was also excited to catch up with the people I had met during my time here last spring. On my moving day, I told a few of the ladies that they were welcome to stop by anytime. I was also looking forward to getting to know the other new missionaries at OCS & having them over.

Well, I have been in this apartment for 9 days now ~ & let me just say ~ My “Visitors” have not been what I had imagined… Here is the story of my landlord & her brother, a student in need, & some unwelcome visitors:

1. My landlord and/or her brother have stopped by several times.

Once, he was here to help me with the cable salesman. Later that day, he went to the cable office for me, & signed me up so that I could get internet. He returned to explain the paperwork to me. (They say they’ll come install it in 10-12 days.)

Once, he brought me the gift of 2 trash cans. I didn’t have a place to put my trash bags, so there were 2 tied up, outside my door. Apparently, there is a free trash truck that comes through the neighborhood twice a week. But, it is during the time that I’m in school. Then, there is a “private” trash truck that comes both when I’m in school & once on Saturdays. Yesterday, I heard their bell & took them the trashcan that my visitor had given me, with the 2 bags stuffed inside. It was 5 pesos (less than 50 cents) for them to dump it in the back of their pick-up truck & stomp it down.

Once, they brought me a 30-year old tv & a stand & hooked it up for me.

After they had left, I discovered that even though I paid for 38 channels, the tv only gets like 5. A few days later, when he brought the trash cans over, he asked what I was doing & I told him I was reading another book. He said, “You always reading, Jennifer. You teach & read & is all?” I laughed & said that when the internet comes, I will not read so much because I will be on the internet. He then asked me about watching tv. I had been dreading that question! Since it had been a gift, I was embarrassed to tell him that I thought it wasn’t able to get the cable channels. He flipped the channels to find shows (in Spanish) from the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, & the Food Network. So, he sat on the arm of the chair & I sat on the loveseat & we watched 10 minutes of Bobby Flay on the Iron Chef as I explained to him what the show was about & he told me about the many uses for corn, here in Oaxaca. Then, he left.

2. Last night, I was reading my evening away, when I got a call from the father of one of my students. She had been absent for 2 days & had missed several math lessons. Since we have a test scheduled for Tuesday & she was so far behind, I had given the parents my cell phone number, in case they wanted me to help over the weekend. So, he asked if I was available & after giving him my address, he said he’d bring her right over. While I waited, I did the day’s dishes. Then, my visitor arrived & for the next hour & a half, I taught her everything she had missed. I still don’t have the internet, so I couldn’t use all the cool video clips & games that I used to teach it to the other 3rd grade boy in our class ~ but, God gave me the words to say & the illustrations to draw for her to get it. While we were working, I gave her a yummy, chewy granola bar that I’d brought from the states & a cup of lemonade. By the time her daddy picked her up, she was all smiles, saying that she understood everything now! Her dad asked if I was available Monday after school too, just to make sure she was ready for the test. So, I just might have the privilege of that visitor once again!

3. THEN, there are my VERY UNWELCOME visitors = THE ANTS!!! I have been squashing about a dozen of these big guys a day. YES, I said “squashing” ~ I have no qualms whatsoever killing them ~ they skeeve me out!! They are in my kitchen, while I’m doing dishes. They are in my bathroom, while I’m… They are in my bedroom, while I’m trying to fall asleep. One morning this week, I woke up with 3 really big red areas on my leg. I don’t know what bit me, but my leg had a bad reaction to it. I haven’t been sleeping well in this apartment yet & I think part of it is because I fall asleep each night after killing a few ants ~ I think they invade my dreams!

In the states, I am a big fan of air conditioning! So, all summer long, both in my bedroom & in the car, my windows don’t open one bit. But, here, with no air conditioning available, I am a person who prefers to have the windows wide open ~ to let out the stuffiness, to see the curtains rippling, to feel the refreshing breeze coming through! As soon as I walk into the apartment from school, I open several windows. It was pure delight, until the other day when I realized that my unwelcome visitors, the ANTS, are coming in through my open windows!


Here’s what happened: I heard some loud, disturbing noises, so I looked out my open bedroom window, down into the washroom area of the apartment below me, & saw that the noise was from their washing machine. As I was pulling my head back IN the window, movement caught my eye…there were like 10 of these big ants crawling towards me! I QUICKLY closed the window & grabbed my camera. Here are some pictures.

So, now, for the past couple days, I’m not opening the windows in the bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom! Even though it got up to 78 degrees in my bedroom last night, I didn’t want to invite those critters in! I don’t think I need to elaborate any more, other than to say, Please, Brothers & Sisters in Christ, pray that I can figure out the right spray to buy & where to spray it, so that I can once again feel free to open my windows.

“What Subject Do You Teach?”

This seems to be the question most asked of me lately. I’ve attempted to answer it a dozen times already. The most recent was just yesterday. It was my landlord’s brother who asked me this time. After my jumbled up answer, I think he went away still not knowing what in the world I’m teaching here?!?


In the States, when someone asked me what I teach, a quick answer of, “Second Grade”, would be explanation enough. But, like was said in the awesomely awesome movie, The Wizard of Oz, “We’re not in Kansas anymore!” Besides the fact that I’m trying to communicate in a land where Spanish is spoken, I’ve found out that the levels of schooling are different here also.

For example, I found out the other day there are 3 years of Kindergarten here.  Essentially, it’s like preschool, pre-kindergarten, & kindergarten in the States…but still…it’s just different and requires an explanation to be understood by me, an American, now living in Oaxaca, Mexico!

So, when someone asks me the question, “What subject do you teach?” I need to carefully ponder my answer. I stand there, thinking of how to explain that

I am co-teaching in a 3rd & 4th grade classroom

where the students are children of missionaries,

where I am teaching 5 different subjects,

and the students in my class are between 7 to 10 years old…

Of course, it takes me much longer to think of how to explain it if I’m trying to say it in Spanish! So, meanwhile, I must look completely ridiculous to the person asking ~ they MUST be thinking ~ “Seriously, you don’t know what subject you teach?”

When the landlord’s brother asked me yesterday, I first thought, “Ok, this should work…he understands most of my English & I understand most of his English & what we don’t understand, then we try in simplified Spanish & hand motions & usually get each other to understand…” So, I tried explaining it to him in a few short, choppy sentences…but, he didn’t understand. I ended up saying that the kids are about 9 years old & I teach many subjects. He asked a few more specific questions & I answered them more quickly. I think he understood?

For anyone out there who is reading this & is interested ~ My name is Jennifer Noll. I am teaching the children of missionaries at Oaxaca Christian School. I am in a 3rd & 4th grade classroom with a seasoned teacher of missionary children. I am teaching the 3rd grade math class, the 4th grade reading class, the 3rd grade spelling class, Science for 3rd & 4th grade together, & writing for 3rd & 4th grade together. There are 7 students in our class. One is the age of a 2nd grader. Another is the age of a 5th grader & has multiple learning disabilities. Another has dyslexia. ALL of them are blessings!

Here are a couple pictures of the children that have captured my heart:

I am thrilled that God is using me here & I’m not ashamed to say that these kids have already captured my heart. But, we do need your prayers for wisdom on how to meet the needs of each individual student in our class.

Moving In Day: Saturday, Sept. 25th

(The following post was written as an email to my Prayer & Financial Support Team, close to midnight, Saturday, September 25th ~ IF you’d like more details, I’d be HAPPY to share = just ask!)


ALL of my suitcases & ALL of the things I purchased today at Sam's Club & Soriana are IN the apartment that I'll now call home. Of course, NOW, it all needs to be unpacked! Maybe I'll work on it for an hour or so ~ but, the sheets are already on the bed, so...I might as well try it out! :) I am SO VERY Grateful for... all the Christian friends who came to my assistance today! Some went shopping with me, some carried things up to the second floor for me, one is loaning me a ton of kitchen stuff, one is loaning me a set of dishes/plates, one is loaning me several other things, & one turned on the gas & lit the pilot light & showed me how & lifted that super heavy water bottle up on the garafun ~ I am SO overwhelmingly blessed!

At one point today, I had tears in my eyes because I was overwhelmed by the stress of it all...but, at 2 different times today, I had tears in my eyes because I was overwhelmed by how God's people were His hands & feet! What an emotional day!!

Here are a couple pictures of my new home in Oaxaca, Mexico.  (This is the way it looked Saturday night, when I went to bed after 1am...Sunday morning, I unpacked & organized everything.)

The Process of Making a BIG Decision is Now OVER!

Throughout the summer, I had been hearing of housing options from my friend M.E. (she’s a teacher at Oaxaca Christian School & has lived here for 10 years). There were a wide variety of options, in a wide variety of places, all in about the same price range. She assured me she was keeping her eyes open & that she’d help me look at places, once I arrived.


I was praying & many others were praying for me to find the right place. It didn’t need to be fancy, it didn’t need to be big ~ my preference was that it be an apartment in walking distance from school AND be fully furnished. But, since school had already begun a few weeks earlier, I hoped to find a place right away & jump into teaching

M.E.’s family picked me up from the airport & told me I was welcome to stay with them until I found a place. They had a nice guest room & a bathroom with a nice shower…it was a very warm welcome & I felt so blessed!

The very next day, Thursday, September 16, was Mexico’s Independence Day. Since it was a holiday & there was no school, M.E. was available to take me house hunting. That morning we looked at 2 places in the city of Oaxaca. Then, after lunch, we drove nearly an hour out to Mitla & looked at 3 places there.

While we drove out to Mitla, I made a comparison chart, so I could remember the rent, the utilities included, the number of bedrooms & bathrooms, & whether appliances like a stove & refrigerator were included or not… Despite my organized chart, by the end of the day, I was already SO confused ~ but, I knew there were lots of people praying!

Then… The waiting began… We waited for several people to get back to us about housing options ~ there was a very nice lady who’d helped others find a place, so we waited for her call. Also, there were 2 homes “available” on the street where 2 other teachers lived. BUT, we didn’t have numbers for the owners, & the lady who was able to contact them was rarely home herself. On Saturday afternoon, M.E. drove me to the restaurant that this lady owned, to talk to her in person. She assured us that she would talk to the 2 owners, but that they were away for the weekend holiday. Later in the afternoon, we heard from the OTHER lady & she showed us 2 places. She also told us of another place available, in walking distance of the school, but said she wouldn’t know if it was available or not for rent until Monday.

Saturday night, I was blessed with a lovely time of fellowship with 2 OCS teachers & a homemade supper. Afterwards, we went for a walk. When we returned, we saw their neighbor, who is the landlord of another property for rent. He & his wife drove us to see that place.

I had now seen 8 places & only ruled out one. We waited through Sunday & Monday & Tuesday. Finally, on Tuesday, we heard back from one lady, saying the other place near school was not available. Then, we waited to hear about the 2 places on the same street as my 2 teacher friends.

How Long Do You Wait?

I had already been staying in someone else’s home, eating their food, using their internet, riding in their car, for more than a week now. I was struggling with living out of suitcases. BUT ~ I still had no idea where I would move. I figured I needed to make a decision.

So, I asked M.E. if she’d be available to go look at one place again with me. It was the one just a couple streets over from where they live, a 20-minute drive to school. While we were looking at it the first time, I kept thinking, “This 3 bedroom place is too big for me!” But, it was the cheapest furnished place. I decided IF I could arrange for rides to & from school, I would take the place.

I made several phone calls from school that day. For the first week, I’d need to take a taxi 4 days to school & 1 day back. Then, hopefully, after that, I’d have rides both mornings & afternoons.

So, after school, on Thursday, M.E. & I went to look at it for the 2nd time. I felt at peace about it & even started getting excited about living there. I nodded a “YES!” So we walked down the street, to the landlord’s house, to discuss the details of moving in! They told me that there was an issue with the toilet & they would have it fixed Friday, so I could move in Saturday. (Ironically enough, the only concern I had about this place was the toilet! Every other place we looked at had more than one bathroom. This place only had one. Before we came to look at it the 2nd time, I had said, “I hope everything works in the bathroom!” So, I just had to giggle inside when they said it didn’t work…the good news is that NOW, it works perfectly!)  Oh, yeah, I should also mention, there are Bible verses hanging all over my landlord's walls!  :) 

Thank you all, for your prayers about this big decision! I am so glad it is finally made!

Dear Child, Don’t Depend On Yourself! With Sincere Love, God

The events of today (Thursday, Sept. 23rd) could be summarized as being a love note, to me, from God. Today, He reminded me that He has a plan, no matter what the circumstances, & that He will use both children & others to reveal that plan to me!

I got back from school last night at about 7pm, after 3 & 1/2 hours of lesson planning in preparation for today & this coming week. I was feeling so accomplished & was happy that I was so ready for all 6 of the subjects I'd be teaching today! Then, 5 minutes later, I got a phone call from Nancy (my co-teacher of this class) saying that she had a fever & was staying home. So, last night, I asked for prayer for a quick & complete healing for HER, as well as praying for strength & grace for me today as I attempted to teach 3 different grade levels all by myself in one classroom...
LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT GOD HAD A BETTER PLAN!!!! :)

My day didn't start too well, as I had a tough time waking up (because I stayed up too late reading a novel!) I had to skip breakfast & didn't have time to pack a lunch. THEN, the taxi driver wanted to charge me 70 pesos to get me to school, instead of the 60 the last driver charged me. (That's about $5.75 to ride one way.) THEN, when he got me to the school & I handed him a 100 peso bill, he acted like he didn't have any change except for a 50 bill, so he wanted to keep the entire 100! UGH!

THEN, ALONG CAME 2 LITTLE ANGELS >>> One of my students & his older sister were walking into school at the same time I was attempting to get out of the taxi. They were able to loan me enough pesos that he could give me the 50 in change! I sure don't know WHAT I would've done if they hadn't been there, I would have just lost 30 pesos, I guess! As I got out of the taxi & hoisted my ridiculously heavy backpack onto my shoulder, my student said to me, "Are you having a rough morning, Miss Noll?" I put my arm around his shoulder as we walked and I said, "Yes, Jack, there have been some rough parts to this morning, but I am glad I made it here!" He stopped to hug me & said, "I'm glad you are here, Miss Noll." Even just typing this is bringing a tear to my eye ~ it's so neat how God works, isn't it? :)

I got into the class & just as I was gathering things to begin class, the father of one of my students walked up to me & shook my hand. He said that he was here to help me with math class. What an UNEXPECTED surprise! So, he covered the 4th grade math lesson in a different room ALSO, one of the high school students was here to help my student who is in remedial math for about half of the math period. So, I was able to teach my 3rd grade math class, as I had planned after all!!!

NEXT was reading class & I was surprised when a parent of a high schooler showed up to help me with the remedial student! Also, the art teacher gave up 45 minutes of her prep time to help as well! She taught the 3rd Grade reading class, so, I was able to teach the 4th Grade reading class, as I had originally planned!


I have been amazed by God’s provision today ~ really & truly amazed! So, I just thought I’d share this testimony as a word of encouragement to you! I hope that whatever you are going through, that God would reveal Himself to you in a NEW & unexpected way!

Meet Jack!  He was my "angel" today!