Since we moved to Africa we have had constant requests for us to teach people English. Sometimes it is a request for one-on-one tutoring. Sometimes it is a give and take offer (“I’ll cook for you or teach you the local language, if...”). Sometimes it is a plea to have us go to some remote village and start an entire English program. Sometimes it comes from our neighbors.Coming to the islands our official job (after learning the local language) was to be English teachers. But this doesn’t mean we can say yes to every request. So far, just between the two of us, we have taught English at more than 12 different places and that’s turning down many requests. We have to have guidelines. So generally we try to help the existing programs (rather than creating our own programs) and generally we avoid holding classes in our home. Generally we wait for indications that the students will be serious and that there may be the possibility of something continuing after us. But, that said, sometimes you have to ignore the guidelines.
Megan has started a new class. She doesn’t know how serious the students will be. She doesn’t even know if the class will survive these next few months and she doesn’t expect it to continue after we leave. Plus, she’s having the class in our home. Still we’re excited. Megan has started a class for the neighborhood women. They are mothers and grandmothers. Some of them aren’t literate and most of them have had no opportunity to study English and have been asking us to teach them since we arrived. But what about the guidelines? Is this the best way to use our energy and time?
Saturday was the first class, the women trickled in as the sun set. Women whom I have only ever greeted superficially are now sitting in our house and accepting our hospitality. I started with the very beginning. “Hello. How are you?” The two grandmothers struggle to reproduce the sounds I am making. There are lots of smiles and lots of nervous giggles. They are self-conscious but they are also having fun. Rarely do women get to be like this without having to cook or watch children, it’s fun to see.
This isn’t the traditional class. Really this class is about relationship. This neighborhood has been our home for the past two years and we want to give back. We don’t have false illusions that in three months these women will be fluent or even conversational in English but we do know that this will help us to deepen friendships and to leave our neighborhood on a good note.
PRAYERS ANSWERED
Eight women came to the first class and several more said they are planning on coming this week. our son’s tummy is better, only 4 more days of medicine to go. Tom was able to go with two brothers from the capital to visit and encourage brothers meeting in a northern village.
PRAYERS REQUESTED
We are going to Tanzania in a week for a leadership conference and we will be leading singing for the conference. Pray for our planning and travels. There is a political situation that has many islanders upset. Pray that things remain calm.
