English Conversation Group
"You're not from around here..." is a common phrase to our ears.
We open our mouths and people know that we aren't French. They know that we are English speakers, though most cannot determine from which English-speaking country we come. In our city, there is a large British influence, so most assume we come from England; they are [pleasantly] surprised to learn we are American.
Encounter after encounter has led me to believe that the English language would be a great tool for blessing the people of Aix-les-Bains. I can't tell you how many times people hear our "charming" accent and comment about their love, desire, or need to practice and speak our mother tongue.
And so we have the English Conversation Group.
Well, we don't have it yet. It's in the works. For Saturday.
In November I plan to offer two opportunities for people to gather together and speak English (only one is actually scheduled). I want to emphasize that I am not a teacher; Jordan's not a teacher. We can't teach English, but we can speak English!
As I shared this idea with a man at a coffee shop, a woman overheard the conversation and interrupted. "Excuse me," she said. "Can you give me more information about this group? It's a super idea and I want to participate." As we ate crepes and translated the menu for visiting friends, the owner commented, "Oh, my son needs to practice English!" My teammate explained our idea for having a conversation group several times a month; the woman (and her son) were thrilled.
Person after person encourages me that it's a good idea. Honestly, I'm nervous. I want it to work, but I've never done anything like this! Would you pray with us about this English Conversation Group? This Saturday, November 8, at 14h30 local time (8h30 EST) is our first group at a local café, KféT. Pray that [the right] people will come. Pray that we'd create a community where meaningful and spiritual conversations can flow freely. Pray we'd find another day and location for a second group (we'd like to offer more than just one time/month for people), and pray that this group would help the participants improve their English.
We open our mouths and people know that we aren't French. They know that we are English speakers, though most cannot determine from which English-speaking country we come. In our city, there is a large British influence, so most assume we come from England; they are [pleasantly] surprised to learn we are American.
Encounter after encounter has led me to believe that the English language would be a great tool for blessing the people of Aix-les-Bains. I can't tell you how many times people hear our "charming" accent and comment about their love, desire, or need to practice and speak our mother tongue.
And so we have the English Conversation Group.
In November I plan to offer two opportunities for people to gather together and speak English (only one is actually scheduled). I want to emphasize that I am not a teacher; Jordan's not a teacher. We can't teach English, but we can speak English!
As I shared this idea with a man at a coffee shop, a woman overheard the conversation and interrupted. "Excuse me," she said. "Can you give me more information about this group? It's a super idea and I want to participate." As we ate crepes and translated the menu for visiting friends, the owner commented, "Oh, my son needs to practice English!" My teammate explained our idea for having a conversation group several times a month; the woman (and her son) were thrilled.
Person after person encourages me that it's a good idea. Honestly, I'm nervous. I want it to work, but I've never done anything like this! Would you pray with us about this English Conversation Group? This Saturday, November 8, at 14h30 local time (8h30 EST) is our first group at a local café, KféT. Pray that [the right] people will come. Pray that we'd create a community where meaningful and spiritual conversations can flow freely. Pray we'd find another day and location for a second group (we'd like to offer more than just one time/month for people), and pray that this group would help the participants improve their English.
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