I have to say my definition of what a missionary does has been completely changed because of this trip. I have done things from catalog a library for homeschooling families, tutor ASL, set up art shows, teach math and try to figure out how the French divide, clean wounds, feed boys, and simply be present. Ministry here is so similar to ministry anywhere else. It is all about relationship. It takes time here just as much as it takes time back home.
Wednesday I started working with some of the older kids in math. Let me just paint this picture. I'm in a very small classroom with five wonderful kids who desperately need help in math. They would be considered high school age but work level I'd probably put them in 6th grade. I'm sent in to help them improve their skills to pass a "graduation" test. Problem number 1, they are all deaf. Problem number 2, they read in French. Problem number 3, I haven't done this math in a long time. Problem number 4, the French have come up with some whacked out way to do division.
The first day was quiet amusing. I do sign and most of the signs are the same except they have been altered to fit the French language. Also, there isn't much reading in French but I do have to brush up on my numbers. Trying to remember the French numbers as well as the sign for that number and making sure the number they are giving me is the correct number causes for a pretty exhausting day. We do somehow press through and I'm praying that they learn something and that God protects them if I mess up and they don't learn my mistakes as correct.
The second day teaching was much better. I made them all make a multiplication table and once the figured out what it was it went smoothly. Some of them really don't understand the concept of multiplication and you can't do division until you get multiplication. Education here is something very hard not to get frustrated with and so is language barriers.
Please keep these deaf children in your prayers. I'm not really sure what will happen to them after they finish school. One guy is 27 and still in school. They very much have their own community within the walls of the school but, outside of that I'm not really sure what happens.
1 comment:
hey, fweets. Great to read your recap. Heather and I got to sit down this evening and catch up on you a bit. We're both really proud of you and excited to watch you make a giant mark on the world.
Josh and Anna are out of school for the summer and enjoying sleeping in, swimming with friends, and staying up late. David is weeks...no, probably more like days from crawling forwards. He's pretty decent with backing up.
Love you and looking forward to hearing more.
ab
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