ground hog day

One of my favorite holidays is ground hog day. It's a day without any obligations - no presents, no cards, no sentiments. I also remember a particularly good drunkalog where the speaker described using any excuse to drink, including ground hog day. Yesterday during ESL I had fun drawing one and learned that a ground hog is a large prairie dog.

Back to the "mission field"

I opened shop for ESL class today after having taking a year's sabbatical. I figured I'd enjoy it if I had a couple of dedicated students, maybe five or six adults. I had two terrific volunteers show up and no students at first. Then Mrs. Kim came. She has been a faithful student (and a prayer warrior!) for several years. Then things went into the realm of the inpredictable. Pastor Kim arrived with twelve adolescents age 11 to 20. I think the 20 year old was supposed to be the chaperone. I'm here to say that 13 year olds are the same all over the world! The picture's not my class. I just found a google picture so you can picture Korean adolescents. Add two and you have my class.

Turks and pizza

Here's a post by someone who understands why I love to teach ESL. Once again, it's relationships that are important. That's an idea that's difficult for Americans who think "Git er done" is the most important thing. It has been work that goes against my cultural and tempermental grain - I used to be concerned over how to get my students to arrive on time and how to maximize acquisition of language and vocational skills. I'm learning to remember that my mission is centered on relationships ... with my students and with my God.

I was a stranger

One of my favorite bloggers pointed out a historic connection I hadn't made. He points out that the underground railroad was a Christian act of kindness to Christ as a stranger.

Here's the response I added:
"Good morning. I just opened my first bag of fair trade coffee (and it’s delicious)
Your post makes me think of how immigrants are met with such scorn in recent days. If I do my bit in helping people make a living, they might never have to leave their tropical paradises to come here and make money for their loved ones back home.
More on the Christian response to immigrants.
Today I happen to be starting a Saturday prayer meeting in support of our church’s ESL classes. Your post gives me encouragement!"

So, yes, I'm going over to the church this afternoon and hopefully every Saturday afternoon until January when we'll start the ESL classes again. I say "we" optimistically because Saturday afternoon is not a great day for regular volunteers. Why such a dreadful timeslot? Well, it's MY best time to volunteer and I did it for years before I got fancy and tried to pick better times. When I tried to serve on Mondays and Thursdays I burnt myself out and didn't do anyone any service. But I'm not going to make any definite statements about what's going to happen in the future. That's what the praying is for.

First look, then start talking

For an introvert, I sure do enjoy talking to strangers. So my most recent read is right up my alley. Donna S. Thomas, First Look, Then Start Talking . It's about something I found out a few years ago - I can be Lottie Moon the famous missionary right in my own town. I'm looking forward to reading about Mrs. Thomas' insights and experience.
She describes herself as a "counter" and I relate to that as well. Ever since I heard Dick Gregory ask our college audience in the very early seventies "How many Chinese do YOU know?" I've been counting Chinese friends. Thanks to Skype, and Kantalk, I'm doing better there.