Here I Am - Wrapping Up

I began this series of blogs with a link to the lyrics, "Here I Am" by downhere.(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN1MvK7YiY)This song expresses well the journey I've been on for quite some time (I hope you'll take the time to listen to it). I had accepted to just 'be' and grow where God had planted me. And now – Here I Am! – Once believing I'd never be one 'to go'. I am blessed.

So, a friend has asked, "Now that you've gone, what have you come away with?"

I didn't find it odd to hear Spanish spoken around me – I hear it often where I live in the States, along with other languages – on a daily basis. And, even though there's garbage and stray dogs all over the place, that didn't even bother me too much because there are similar scenes in my own town. I admit I had trouble seeing children swimming in the canal after a rainstorm, knowing that before the storm the canal was lined with garbage. I even "had it" with the bug bites and swelling of my feet at the end of the first week! But even all this is diminished by the relationships I had the privilege to enjoy over those three weeks.

THE HOUSE OF TUTORS  

Besides myself, our house included daughter Heather (called Michele there), Molly from Washington State, Laura an American living in Bolivia, Marco from Germany, Josiah and Nate both from Washington. Another Tutor, Rachel from Colorado, stayed at the House of Lewis. 

What was interesting about all of us is we brought our unique gifts to the English Village. Molly, an accomplished musician brought an Ovation guitar and her singing voice that provided wonderful songs and worship each day. Laura brought her laughter and fluent Spanish. Marco brought his German accent and skills in making short videos of our class and "tutor – times." Nate was always singing and humming tunes wherever he was, and Josiah always willing to pitch in with chores and computer glitches. My Michele added to the giggles each night as well as stability for me, the mom. Rachel arrived later than the rest, and she jumped in and was a great help and encouragement to all of us.

It was interesting living with seven (7) 'strangers', but we have some good memories. In short, we were a crazy bunch.  Working together for the same purpose has a way of drawing people together.

And, not to forget Heather and Dawn (Marian) Lewis who organized and taught the class!!


TUTOR TIME

Spending time with my students will also be a memorable experience. Learning about English from their perspectives proved to be an eye-opener as they asked questions about our complicated language. When in a discussion about sequencing, Douglas asked how we describe putting the bed together when we get up. I told him we "make the bed." He and Eliana looked at me and repeated, 'No, what do you do with the sheets and pillow and blanket?" I said, "We make the bed." They were dumb founded and thought it the funniest thing. So funny, that it became part of a skit the students put together at the end of the two weeks!

Tutor time also gave us opportunity to talk about culture and the similarities and differences between us. Eliana wanted to know what weddings are like in America. Douglas wondered about cars and sports. We both used the internet to show our cities and share family pictures – talking about traditions and special events.

I came away blessed to have more friends from more parts of the world. I came away blessed that it is through the Word of God we communicate so deeply and completely. I came away blessed that I understand more about the world in relationship to my own.