Multi-cultural Worship

Recently, one of my students invited me to attend their Thanksgiving worship service. I don't speak Spanish, but was excited to attend and be a part of their time of worship. What a blessing it was to attend! I don't speak much Spanish (I would definitely be considered a novice or low beginner), but was so moved to have been invited into this body of believers as they praised and worshiped God in their heart language. The culture is different, yet the passion for Christ the same. Thankfully the words to the songs were up on the wall in the front, and by the time each song was over, I was able to get the jist of the meaning. It gave me further insight into what it's like to learn another language...to barely understand what's being said, but not to be able to communicate what's on your heart. It also reminded me how very effective music can be as a tool in teaching English. The rhythm, intonation, all of that, are taught so effortlessly through music.

This same body of believers may soon move their place of worship to our church...their service would follow the anglo service. I'm hopeful that we will be able to learn from one another's cultures.

Christmas Party!

Food, fellowship, fun, and the gospel of course...that's what it's all about! Our students and their families came last Thursday night to celebrate Christmas with us. After a great meal, Linus (from Peanuts, of course) shared the true meaning of Christmas with us. This year, a couple of our students shared some of their gifts and talents with the whole group as well. Claudia and others from Nueva Vida performed a skit to the song Redeemed...it addressed spiritual warfare, the battle we all go through and the victory won in Christ. Then she and a few other ladies sang El Pretorio...a beautiful song, while the harsh reality of what Jesus endured played on video (from The Passion). All of it was very moving. Though not your normal Christmas celebration kind of stuff, I realize now more than ever that we cannot fully celebrate the birth without remembering the death, the suffering...and then the resurrection.

We started a tradition last year that was a great time this year as well: a white elephant gift exchange! From silly hats to cute stuffed animals, the gifts are a blast and this is a fun time for everyone!

Before the evening ended, we gave each of our students a copy of the book Set Free! in Spanish. This is the story of Karla Faye Tucker, someone who could certainly have testified to the power of transformation through Christ. Please pray with us that this story will move our students to seek out a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ!

We finished out the evening with fellowship and a memorable rendition of Feliz Navidad! I was thrilled to have finally learned the words :-)

Feliz Navidad prospero ano y felicidad!

Background!

About 5 or 6 years ago, God put a burden on my heart to minister to internationals in the Madison area. Since I didn't speak a foreign language, I didn't know how I was going to do that. My first thought was to learn Spanish, and I started to teach myself taking an online course and using materials at the library. I didn't get very far. Then in the spring of 2006, our Director of Missions shared an opportunity to attend an ESL workshop, where I could learn to share the gospel as I taught English to adults. He assured me that I didn't need to speak a foreign language and I didn't need to be a professional teacher. So I went. By the first break of that workshop, I knew this was the ministry that God was calling me to!

In the fall of 2006, we started an English as a Second Language ministry at Prairie Springs Church. Over the course of that first year, we saw 30-plus new students, and ministered to about a dozen each week. The next year, classes doubled in size...until winter hit. That's when I realized it isn't really about the numbers. In those smaller classes, our students really opened up with us and shared with us their struggles and my compassion grew.

With a need for more teachers, God showed me more of His plan...to help share this ministry opportunity with others and equip them to reach out to internationals in their communities. So this past summer I was blessed to attend the Literacy Missions Leadership Workshop in Oklahoma put on by the North American Mission Board. What a joy it is to be able to help others discover their calling and encourage them to pursue it!

This fall of 2008, we started our 3rd year of classes at Prairie Springs. I have students that I consider good friends now, and being with them is the highlight of my week! Over these past few years, we've had students from many different countries...in Latin America, as well as China, Thailand, and Laos. The world really is at our doorstep...what will we do?

I hope to share some of my experiences here, and pray that anyone who desires to find out more about literacy missions will contact me: cjette_esl@yahoo.com!