This month we have been working in Malaysia teaching English to children, adults, and teens. Our team decided it would be best to break up the classes amongst ourselves so everyone had equal opportunity to teach. I was assigned the 4-6 year olds. Their names are Lai Tin Yeo, Yip Sing Fong, Daniel, and Joseph. We also went to a village to hang out with some kids, sing songs, draw pictures, and just love on them. The motto at the learning center where we teach is: Learning English is FUN! It has been interesting trying to come up with ideas for teaching. The focus is conversational English and for the little ones we wanted to work on broadening their vocabulary as well. We played basketball and showed them how to shoot the ball while describing the positions straight and bent, we made up ABC games, we played Simon Says, we had them bring their favorite toy and explain in English how to use it, went over ABC's, letter sounds, spelling, colors, shapes, and numbers.
These children are BRILLIANT! One 6 year old, Yip Sing Fong, drew and explained the Water Cycle. That's middle school science!! YSF is a very tender hearted, always willing to obey and share type of kid. He is so beautiful.
Joseph is a feisty, fun loving, GENIUS! He is very quick to answer (mostly because he honestly knows ALL of the answers to what we are asking) anything we ask, and also very easily redirected. He has so much energy and love for life. I know it's odd to say that of a 6 year old, but it's so true.
Daniel, Joseph's little brother, is very smart. He is a sweet heart that hides behind a tough shell. You know those types of little boys that act hard but when you get to the real them they are as soft as a teddy bear? That's Daniel!
Then there is little Lai Tian Yeo. This little guy captured my heart from day one. He has such a sweet, playful, spunky, but gentle spirit about him. And he remembered my name after the first class. That's always sweet! 🙂 I don't know if it's his adorable smile or if we just connected on a God level, but if this kid were an orphan he would be coming to Chattanooga, TN. I told his mother that I loved him so much and she replied with, "Oh he love you too. He walk around the house saying Cara, Cara, I want to show my dinosaur to Cara." MELT MY HEART! Today was our last day to teach and little Lai Tian Yeo brought me the scarf in this picture and a hand made card.
This month we have had a lot of down time. We only teach English 2 days a week and there has been a holiday. I do wish we could've taught more because I am honestly having a blast with it, but I can't imagine being anymore connected to Lai Tian Yeo and having to leave him. Also- God has been speaking to me in tremendous ways that I don't think would've been possible had I not had so much time to be still.
We have also traveled to an indingenous village to play with the children, sing songs, draw pictures, and just love on them. This was such a joy!
Thank you so much for ALL of the support you have offered me. This month I have experienced a little but of homesickness, but I have recovered. 🙂 I'm sure it won't be the last time either. Cheers to next month in Vietnam!
