Teaching English

Hello, I apologize that Michelle and I do not post more often; the internet connection is not very reliable. Things are going well here. We have been teaching English to the children all week. My class consists of all the boys (please keep me in your thoughts), and Michelle has all of the girls. The kids are great fun and I look forward to seeing them everyday. We just keep trying to look to Him for guidance and wisdom; we would also like to see the hearts of the children changed. Michelle and I would like to leave them with something much more than the ability to speak English. But He has been so good to us and we want Him to shine through our lives.

Zdrastvuitye! That’s a word we’ve been hearing –and attempting to say—as the formal greeting. It’s been another week, and this one has passed quickly. Every morning we fix breakfast, travel about 45 minutes to the orphanage to teach English, teach, and spend the rest of the day either helping, shopping at the bazaar (not the leisurely kind you might be imagining), conversing with our friends, spending time with the children, or preparing for our class. As Brooke said, I have the girls as my English students. I love to see them everyday, to hear them speak, to spend time with them (although we have trouble communicating), and to be a part of their lives. All but one of the girls does not have a testimony, but my hope is that this summer more will become children in THE family. J Also, we are spending time with high school and college- aged young people. They practice their English with us, and we share with them our faith by our words and testimony. Please think of one Muslim girl in particular, who plans to spend this summer with us, and another younger girl who does not see her need. The workers at the orphanage likewise do not know Him, and cause trouble. Remember them. Pondering these happenings, I am encouraged to view what He is doing, and what He will do! As we travel through the small villages or visit the bazaars, I see the poverty of the people, the emptiness of their lives, the ignorance of the truth. Oh, for more laborers! and this area is the most “reached” in this country! Hundreds of villages beyond simply exist, with no light for sight and no messenger to share… His will be done. These next two weeks we will continue teaching, spending time with friends, and preparing for camp in July. Eight more weeks to see Him work!