Likia in Pictures

We finished Lesson 5 today and we still have an average of 12 students per class!!

This village is out in the "campo" (the countryside - a.k.a. "the boonies"). There was a prophesy in the church a couple years ago that gringos would come visit them one day, and they said they thought that it would never happen because they live out in the middle of nowhere, but apparently...um...we're it (the day my brother came with us and shared a devotional). You mean us kids, Lord?Perhaps they take the class more seriously because of the prophesy, we don't know. We also get the impression that it must be one of the most exciting things going on out there right now (they're really isolated and it's a break from the mundane - some sort of activity for them to be a part of), but we're thrilled to know that the majority are eager to read the Bible!

Brother "Modesto" is 86 years old and sharp as a tack.

He's learning to read using the materials and God's help! Incredible!

working on the writing section

Our best student, "Josefa," reads aloud for the class.

We're so excited to finally share with you some of these precious photos of the class God has given us in Likia. We truly sense His presence with us and His providence with this class. We're learning so much from them and are incredibly blessed to be a part of this experience.

and for next week's post (perhaps sooner)...

Today, I helped the pastor's wife make this chicken dish...from scratch...

...starting with a live chicken.

And she wants me to do it again so I can get more practice! YIKES!

More about that "adventure" to come.

Much love in Christ our Lord,

T & E

Conversation with a 5-yr-old boy

boy: how old you?
tedd: guess.
boy: 30
tedd: no, less than that.
boy: 10.
tedd: no, much more than that!
boy: ummmm.....11!

Picture Update

English classes are still going strong. In fact, we're up to 35 students! We've got some more pictures to give you a glimpse:

Tedd works with the boys in Class A to act out: "Some friends don't help, but a true friend is closer than your own family." (a simplified version of Proverbs 18:24)

They're a little ornery & rambunctious, but they're precious and we hope they'll know how much we love them!

To add to the fun, each student gets to pick an English name.
The two boys above are "Skip" and "Ben"

Chain drill:
"Hi, Jessica! Do you have a phone?" "Yes, I do. Do you have a phone?" "No, I don't."

Teens from Class B (our very favorite class!) act out the proverb.

Tedd helps them break down the meaning of the verse.

On another note, Tedd is giving Pastor Marlon from Likia (where we do Spanish Literacy classes) piano lessons. This pastor is a very gentle-spirited, hard-working, and humble man - we really hope to serve him as much as we can while we're here. He's also attending the English classes three times a week (he comes into town by horse - a 3hour trip!)

and here's a random one for you...I would like to title this post "Laundry Day."

And in other news...

You may see the motorcycle there in the picture above - it was borrowed so we could go to literacy class the next day. We were praying about what to do about transportation, because we have to travel to literacy classes, quite a distance away, three times a week.

We felt like horseback and walking would only have us sunburned, sore, and wasting hundreds of hours by the time it's all over, so we decided to try borrowing a motorcycle.

People were generous to lend us their motorcycles for the day, but three times a week, it was a run-around to find one available for borrowing, and then two out of three motorcycles that we borrowed broke down on us along the way to class. SO...all that to say: we bought a motorcycle.

We were hesitant for a couple reasons, but after taking her out to Likia today (a 1 1/2 hour drive on the moto), we quickly felt that we had made the very right decision. No more wild-goose-chases all week, no more missing parts or break-downs, no more stalling out on hills...(Lord willing!) (And for all those concerned: we're driving slowly on dirt roads and wearing really good helmets).

Tedd went out last night after the big purchase to rub mud all over the bike so that it wouldn't draw attention, being so new. We're weird, I know. We just don't want to look like rich gringos. Afterwards, he went to the gas station to fill up and the attendant kindly wiped all the mud off the bike. "Don't worry about it," Tedd said (thinking "Hey man, I just spend a lot of time getting this thing dirty.") But the kind worker just said "No, no, it's fine!" How nice. We got a good laugh out of that one.

Sooo...tonight, now that it's late and the whole town is in bed, I (Emily) am going to get my first driving lesson. Wish me well!!

The Joy of Teaching!

the church in Likia where literacy classes are held

First Spanish literacy class scheduled for Thursday in "Likia."

Likia is fairly far away, so we borrowed a motorcycle.

Made it to Likia.

Motorcycle stopped working...a part fell off.

Looked for it; didn't find it.

"You should stay the night here. There's no way back into town tonight" - Pastor

"We would, but we have to let our dog out" - T & E

(What's up with these people and their dog? - they must be thinking)

Students arrived for the first class.

We do the pre-reading lesson. So far so good.

Elderly man (with a great personality) needs reading glasses.

We give him the last pair.

He can see!

Tedd makes phone calls so we can get back home.

I'm left alone to start the class - deep breath.

Start with prayer. Lord, please help us to learn to read Your Word.

Step 1, step 2, step 3...

Step 4, test their comprehension with word cards one-on-one...

They could read the words!!!

on to step 5 until we reach the end of the lesson...

The Lord gave me the desire to encourage...

I told them that the Bible is illegal in some countries

The Bible is a treasure!

They can learn to read God's Word - it has wisdom, and promises, and shows us how to live...

They said "Amen!"

We end in prayer.

The elderly man stands up to return the reading glasses.

I tell him they're his, "it's a gift."

He pauses, surprised, gives me a big smile, and says "May the Lord bless you, sister!"

Everyone starts to clap as the man takes his seat.

I left with great joy in my heart!!

How did we leave Likia, you wonder?

On horseback :-)

Our butts are really sore.

The end.