Dear Friends:

I was so encouraged by something one of the ESL teachers at Surfside PCA told me today about some of her students. Melody is a member of our church and admitted to me today that when she first considered being an ESL teacher she was hesitant, thinking she wouldn’t be qualified to do that kind of ministry. Feeling the nudge from the Holy Spirit, she took the classes offered to be a teacher even knowing that her abilities in Spanish were very limited.

I have to say that Melody is so much fun to watch as a teacher. One week she had an entire place setting for a meal and taught her students the basics about each item on the table. Recently she showed up with mops, brooms, cleaning products, etc. as she prepared to teach about items found in the home. She is incredible. She wouldn’t tell you that, but her students would.

Melody holds a special place in three of her more regular student’s hearts. Two of the students are a Christian married couple, Rafael and Martha. The other student is a shy, soft spoken man named Hugo who does not know the Lord. Melody and her husband invited them to their home to celebrate Thanksgiving. While the ladies were cleaning up, Rafael presented the Gospel to Hugo and they began to pray for him. A few weeks ago Rafael ran into Hugo in a Chinese restaurant and excitedly reported to Melody that he had really “preached” to Hugo and invited him to the church he attends. Hugo visited the church last Sunday!

Last week Melody found out that it was going to be Hugo’s birthday and, knowing that he had no family here, invited him to her house this week along with Rafael and his wife. As their relationship continues to develop we would ask that you pray for Hugo as he seeks the Lord.

I am encouraged by this story because it reminds me of the real reason we are teaching English as a second language. God is drawing some to Him and it is exciting to be a part of it.

Last Saturday Bill led an ESL seminar in North Carolina with participants representing 3 churches. We had about 40 in attendance. This was an all day seminar that started out showing them the statistics about what is going on around their particular area as far as Hispanic population growth is concerned, then leading them to Scripture that shows how we are to treat the “alien living among us”. We spent several hours going over the basics of how to conduct an ESL class and had opportunities to share with the attendees all the materials we have gathered to teach, including Biblical ESL books.

We are encouraged by several churches that have started their own programs and are willing to conduct similar seminars in your area for your churches if you so desire. What a great way to teach others how to reach out to the non-English speaking communities around us.

Continue to pray for us as we see God develop this ministry and bring more into His mighty Kingdom.

In Christ,

Sherry Day

- January 29, 2007