HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR FRIENDS

In the middle of a week full of painting walls, sorting through our belongings of 31 years, boxing them, and throwing or giving them away, I threw a birthday party.  My guests were seven of the loveliest women currently in my life.  They are my ESL (English as a Second Language) students. Two are from Korea and five are Japanese. 

I consider myself one of the most blessed women EVER to have known these women.  They are mothers with children ranging from pre-school to middle school, most brand new residents of the United States.  Most are on temporary assignments because their husbands have been transferred here, and all struggle to speak English fluently, although they have all studied it in school. 

They are so uncertain about whether they are being understood and worried that they will not understand when others speak to them.  I’ve told them often how much I admire them for wanting to improve their English, because I’m not so sure I’d be able to do what they have done.  Maybe you’ve heard the joke: “What do you call a person who speaks only one language?  Answer: An American.”  Yep, that’s me!  I’d never survive in another country! These women are so BRAVE!

After having just one and then two Japanese students the last two years I was thrilled this year to have an actual CLASS with a mixed group of Koreans and Japanese.  Initially, I was a little apprehensive about a mixed group.  I wondered how they would work together.  Today’s birthday party, after a year of working together, proved it was a GREAT idea.  

All year long these students worked very hard to take an interest in one another and their respective kids.  They were careful to speak English and not their own more comfortable native language, so that each nationality group could be included in conversation.  When I had to be away for our usual ESL class, they had class anyway, meeting on one another’s homes.  And they became friends!  They offered to help with moving for one of our group who’s going back to Korea this month.  They remembered one another with little gifts.  As we ate our cake and they talked and laughed, I just sat back and watched them, and rejoiced at what the Lord has been doing to bring these women together.

Three years ago I’d never have dreamed I’d even be doing this.  A weekly encounter with a Peruvian woman at a local restaurant was what the Lord used to plant the idea into my mind.  I had no idea just how much of a blessing it would be.  I not only helped these women practice English, I made seven wonderful friends.

I’ve already extended the invitation – we’re moving to Florida!  Come visit!  I hope they will.