That's him and me and his trusty pal Sancho Panza. I'm going to try to read the book...en espanol? =) The town I'm living in Alcala de Henares is the birthplace of Miquel Cervantes who authored the adventures of Don Quixote. This bench is outside the house where he was born and lived.I am in the process of signing up for spanish classes at the local continuing education college. I have to go on Monday for a test and an interview so they can assess what level I'm at. Can you say, "Beginner" en espanol? Mi problema es que yo puedo entender mas que yo puedo hablar. In other news, I recieved some instruction on my responsibilities while I'm here. I will have two goals: 1. Learn Spanish (hence the classes) 2. Help with the church. Every other week I have to talk a bit in the church service, 3-5 minutes about me, my favorite verses, things I'm learning, my past, etc. I have to give these en espanol. Every week I'll also be starting a short sunday school bible study with some of the ladies in the church. They are mostly African immigrant women who need instruction on being women, mothers, wives and what the gospel says to those things. I'm both humbled and terrified to do this. The good thing is that these bible studies can be in English because that's what they speak! Also, they have various administrative tasks for me to help with (my specialty. haha.)
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. As I prepare my 3-5 minutes talks for Sundays. I need to be diligent to work on the spanish and also I'm not terribly great at public speaking.
2. That relationships could be built with the ladies in the church. That I could have wisdom in my teaching.
3. I'm adjusting to the community living situation. I'm one of 10 people who live in this house and share two bathrooms and one small kitchen. A few photos:
Number 40, the red one. That's our flat. Then that's my bedroom. Cute huh? Then that's a housemate Niurka in the kitchen. 
2 comments:
It seems like you finally have a "home base". I bet that feels good! Time to get down to business :)
My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Carolyn
You won't be lonely! I don't have to be concerned about that!
Now, when you do your five minute Sunday talks, pretend your sharing with one person. When you share from your heart, it will seem like that more than "public speaking." I think you'll find it won't be long before you're looking forward to those times.
As far as teaching the African ladies, that will become fun to you, too. As you research answers to questions they have, again, you'll find you can hardly wait to share what you learn. If at first, they don't have specific questions, view it as finding answers about which you have questions.
Now, about the Spanish - I copied and pasted your sentence in an online translator, but I still don't quite understand. The translation is: "My problem is that I can understand but that I can speak." Wait - I just used a different translation site and it makes more sense: "My problem is that I can understand more that I can speak." Too bad you can't carry around an online translator!
So, at least I know what to pray for. It's a good thing God understands our needs better than we do!
You're doing great! You'll look back on your early posts in a couple of months and think "Why was I so worried?"
Love you!
Debbie
Post a Comment