Happy birthday to Charly, Yadira’s husband. He is 32-years-old today.
Week three of the ESL classes began with my preparation in the morning on Monday, Dec. 1. I was listening to the Pimsleur CD, writing commands and such, when I heard the teacher on the CD say, “Ahora, diga, ‘Me gustaría algo de cerveza. Primero, ‘cerveza.’” Which, in English, is “beer.” I was not expecting that at all. There are several children in the ESL class, and I knew immediately that we could not use the CD that day. Just imagine the reputation of the church that teaches children how to say, “I’d like some beer.” The class pretty much revolves around the Pimsleur CDs so I’m sure you can picture my panic attack. However, I prayed and thought about it for a bit and realized that I could transcribe the entire lesson and recite it in class just like the teacher on the CD does, only I could replace “beer” and “wine” with “coffee” and “Coke.” I chose these words because coffee and Coke are very popular here.
Monday, the class functioned just about the same as every other day. In fact, since I taught the new phrases, we were able to concentrate more on problematic words. For instance, it is difficult for Spanish-speakers to say these words together, “at the hotel.” Also, explaining why we weren’t going to listen to the CD was a good witnessing tool. I was able to explain to the early arrivers that because I am a Christian, and because the Luna family is Christian, we do not want to teach bad words and phrases in the class.
Since the lessons continually review previously-taught words and phrases, I’m going to have to transcribe a few more and recite them in class. It’s more work to prepare, but it is absolutely the best process.
Yesterday after class, I got to talking with one of the students who understands a bit more English than the others. His name is Leonel, and he and his wife come to the classes. He is a Christian. We discussed ideas for teaching the class the Word of God. The main idea was to write a verse from the Bible on the board every day, in Spanish and English. He told me he could help explain it, since my Spanish is quite awful at this point in time. I told him that I’d like his help, but I’d also like to talk to the family first. The Luna family hosts the class and the class represents the family and the church. I won’t make any decision for the class without consulting them and having their advice and approval. One thing I worried about was that if we suddenly introduce mini-sermons to the students who are familiar with the structure of the class now, we are guilty of a “bait-and-switch” type of evangelism. That is deceitful, in my opinion. Sophia and I discussed it the next morning, and she didn’t like the idea. She reminded me that we do have a prayer at the beginning and that we teach the Word through praise and worship songs. We did agree that it would be a good idea to have a scripture verse on the board in Spanish and English when the students arrive. They can choose to copy it in their notebooks or not. Since I can’t really explain the meaning of the verse in Spanish at this point, the words will do the talking themselves.
Today, Sophia and I began to plan a Christmas party for the last day of class before I return to Michigan. We are going to have a meal at the church with the students and listen to Christmas music. I’m going to bake cookies for them, too.
Sunday I moved to Arturo and Sophia’s home. It is a little distance away from the church, and it’s much quieter. Gracias a Dios. Arturito and I share a room with a bunk bed. I moved here for a few reasons. Arturo and Sophia had been staying at the church with Laura and her husband Javier because Laura was long overdue in her pregnancy. Because they stayed at the church meant Arturito had to stay there, too. Me, too. But once the baby came and life settled back to normal, Arturo and Sophia were ready to move back to their home. They offered for me to live with them instead of with Laura and Javier. Also, I provide a small amount of money to the family for housing and feeding me, and they can provide these in one home only.
3 Comments
December 4, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Hi Kelly! Glad to hear about the your new digs at Pastor Luna’s home. Funny about the beer part of the CDs — though not in the sense that it creates extra work for you! Your decisions on the ESL class and teaching God’s Word – it’s similar to Friendship House and the conversation classes for Internationals. Christian customs, beliefs, traditions, etc. are often discussed in conversation class because of student’s interest in national holidays like Easter, Christmas, Valentines Day, not to mention many other Christian elements interwoven into our society. However, if students want to learn about the Bible, we offer a separate Bible class. In fact, Dad may soon be teaching a one-on-one Bible class with a student, which will be his first time teaching Bible at FH. Hey – just thought of something – did you know that Dad’s nickname when he was a teenager was Padre? That’s because he was considering the priesthood and attending Sacred Heart Seminary. So that’s where this all started!!?
December 5, 2008 at 8:04 pm
hey kell,
glad to hear you got new living arrangements (we prayed about that). we also pray most nights for God to give you wisdom, encouragement, direction, and joy while you’re at work down there. Tell Charly we say feliz cumpleanos and we can’t believe he is so old. he sounds like such a kind old gentleman.
Grace is getting really tall and her hair is looking more and more like Madmartigan’s hair, from Willow, everyday. she can say “Bah, bah, bah, bah, ” when prompted for bottle. “Dah, dah, dah, dah” for dad when prompted. and “Mah, mah, mah, mah” for mom when prompted. we need to get her a Pimsleur CD. when she waves “hi” or “goodbye” she does this limp wristed finger flap that looks like she’s fanning her ear, or waving to herself.
see you soon.
Scott
January 28, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Kelly – I pray for you daily, and I’m so incredibly proud of the work you are doing there. You are such a role model/mentor to my kids, and to me!! Thank you for listing people we need to pray for-I will lift them up daily! Our teams are put together f0r our trip, and we are busy working on them!! I’ve put together a ‘program’ this year, that we will all be following, with drams, crafts,snacks etc…each day focusing on a new theme. I tried to incorporate the pastor’s at the sites on day 4 and day 5, with them leading more of an ‘object lesson’, rather than us doing a drama. I thought this would be a good way to include them, and help form relationships with the kids in the community that maybe don’t go to church. Hopefully, this works!! Any suggestions you may have, or any needs that Pastor Arturro has, please let us know!!
Our love and prayers are with you – we are sooo excited to see you again. Amazing, it is really only two months away! Tell your adopted family Hola for me – I’ll post again soon!!
Beth