My ESL Corner

Change...

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 11:12:00 +0000

This past year has brought many changes...some good, some eh...let's just say that life happens :)

In any case, I suppose change is inevitable, in our personal lives, our professional lives, in ministry, etc. A couple weeks ago, I resigned from the North American Mission Board as a Mission Service Corps missionary. I will continue to serve as the Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association's Literacy Missions Coordinator, but on a limited basis. While I will still be available to lead and arrange training workshops, I must put direct involvement with an ESL ministry on the back burner for the time being. It is still a ministry I love, and trust that God will bring me back to it again in the future. I am very thankful I can still be involved by equipping others to teach at a time when I am unable to do so myself.

I appreciate the prayers and encouragement I've received over the past years and ask that you would continue to pray for Literacy Missions in Wisconsin. There are many needs here. And as is the case with most every ministry...the harvest is great but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest for workers! To Him be all the honor and glory!

March 2011 Prayer Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:05:00 +0000

I'm excited to share with you some of the many ways God is at work here...both on a personal level, and through Literacy Missions. Please take a moment to read this month's letter!

March 2011 Prayer Letter

I hope to hear from you soon!

Website down

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:56:00 +0000

The eslwi.com website is temporarily down. I'm working on switching hosts, and will have it up and running as soon as possible.

February 2011 Prayer Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:24:00 +0000

Looking back at 2010...looking ahead to 2011!

Those that are closest to me know that 2010 was a very difficult year for me and my family. It brought challenges I never thought I’d encounter and changes I never envisioned having to make. And yet, here I stand. Through God’s power and mercy, I survived. And I can say with all confidence that I walk closer to my Lord than ever before, although with a bit of a limp now :-)

In the midst of all my family struggles, God was still at work through literacy missions. God worked through the September EFL workshop to help equip a team that went to Guatemala in November. You can visit the blog they kept of that trip and see for yourself the success they encountered. English classes helped a great deal with relationship building, as we had prayed they would. The team headed down there not knowing what to expect for a turnout, and I think were surprised at the number of students that came out...and the relationships that were developed as a result. I rejoice with them at the work God is doing in Guatemala and pray for a full-time language ministry to take root.

Throughout 2010, I have continued to minister to adult internationals in my own community of Lodi through English classes held at the primary school. Last year, a similar program was started in Waunakee. It’s great to see new things get started. In 2011, I am working towards starting a new ESL ministry myself in either Portage or Madison. I know there is a need in both areas. I have an informational meeting scheduled for Feb. 13th at my church, River of Life, in Portage. I am hopeful for a good turnout of potential volunteers. If so, then we will move ahead towards starting a full-fledged ESL ministry. If not, my plan is to get involved in Madison with some of our ethnic church plants and see how God may use me to edify those works.

In 2010, I took a part-time position at our church as the pastor’s assistant. I absolutely LOVE my job! I am so thankful for God’s provision, not just financially, but spiritually...as I am encouraged daily to be in the Word more and more. The hours allow me to continue with missions work, and be there for my kids on a consistent basis. God never ceases to amaze me as He provides in so many ways for His glory! I give Him all the praise...He is amazing!

Prayer Requests

Workers for the Harvest—Please pray that God would raise up more workers to get involved with ESL ministries and international church plants in the Madison and Portage areas!

ESL Ministry...Portage?—Please pray for the February 13th meeting...that many would turn out for it...above all, for God’s leading in this venture. I don’t want to be out of step with my God.

Family—please continue to pray for me and my family as we adjust to the changes in our lives.

Provision—Please pray for me as I seek to resume raising support for the ministry again. I had needed to set that aside for a time, but it is time to get back to it.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

NAMB has updated their online donation system. To make a one-time donation, please visit: http://www.namb.net/msc-onetime/

Or to set up a monthly automatic donation, go to: http://www.namb.net/msc-recurring/

THANK YOU

Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support! Please let me know how I can pray for you!

October Prayer Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 22:49:00 +0000

Check out the latest in Literacy Missions in Wisconsin...and how that's extending into other lands! October Prayer Letter

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support!!

July Prayer Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:36:00 +0000

I've just posted July's prayer letter! Check it out!

Please continue to pray for workers for the harvest! Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support!

http://www.eslwi.com/prayer%20letters/newsletter%20jul10.pdf

ESL Resources

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:59:00 +0000

Check out the Resources page on my website. I updated it this week! If you've found other materials (especially online resources) please share them with me, along with your review of those materials...what did you like, what didn't you like, what levels have you used it with?

Enjoy!

May Prayer Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Tue, 18 May 2010 15:07:00 +0000

I just finished my May prayer letter. Thank you to those who so faithfully pray for me and for this ministry! God is doing some amazing things through jars of clay...to Him be all the honor and the glory for ever and ever...amen!

Prayer Letter
http://www.eslwi.com/prayer%20letters/newsletter%20may%2010.pdf

Prayer Request - ESL Workshop this weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:11:00 +0000

Please be in prayer for the English as a Second Language workshop hosted by Door Creek Church in Madison, WI this weekend. The workshop will run Friday evening (6pm-8:30pm), Saturday (9am-5pm) and Sunday (12:30pm-5:30pm).

Please pray for:
The 20 participants - that God would enable them to attend without distractions; for alertness; and for God's leading and equipping as they prepare to do His work.
The workshop leader (me) - that God would teach through me giving me the words to share the heart of this ministry and to equip His people; and for energy.
Door Creek Church and Blackhawk Church - that God would guide and direct in the starting of new ESL ministries in the Madison area.
My family - that God would watch over them while I am involved in this workshop...that they would not only 'get through' the weekend but that they would enjoy the time they have with one another and it would be glorifying to Him!

ESL Workshop - Registration Deadline!

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:16:00 +0000

The registration deadline for the May 14-16 English as a Second Language Workshop is rapidly approaching! Materials will be ordered on Monday, May 3rd...so if you're planning to attend, please register this week to be assured a seat!

For more information on the workshop, visit my website.

To register, visit Door Creek's registration page...follow the link to either register online or obtain contact info to register over the phone.

Please be in prayer for the workshop and those that will attend!

English as a Second Language Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:28:00 +0000

Door Creek Church in Madison, WI will be hosting an English as a Second Language Workshop the weekend of May 14-16th. The purpose of the workshop is to equip believers to minister to internationals in their communities as they teach English and share their faith as they do so.

Where: Door Creek Church, Madison, WI
When: May 14-16, 2010

Friday (6pm - 8:30pm)
Saturday (9am - 5pm)
Sunday (12:30pm - 5:30pm)

Cost: $30 (covers all materials and lunch on Saturday; only $15 for members of Door Creek)

Please Register by April 30th!

Please pray for this event, and those that will hear the Gospel message through ESL ministries as a result!

March Prayer Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:19:00 +0000

I just posted my prayer letter for March. Check it out: Prayer Letter Please let me know how I can be praying for you!

(http://www.eslwi.com/prayer%20letters/newsletter%20mar10.pdf)

Surveys and Schedules

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:30:00 +0000

Surveys
In the next couple days, a Literacy Missions Survey will go out to missions advocates for all Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention churches. Please pray for a strong response from these churches. We need their feedback to find out where to best direct our energies, and I also pray this will raise awareness for Literacy Missions opportunities.

Schedules
Several individuals have asked about an upcoming English as a Second Language workshop. I'm hoping to schedule one for May or June 2010 in the next few weeks. Please join me in praying for a church that would step up to host that event! If you know of anyone in the Wisconsin area (not necessarily Madison) that would be interested in attending such a workshop, please pass this on to them as well.

New ESL Ministry in Sauk City!

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:10:00 +0000

It's always exciting to hear of new works off to a strong start. This one in particular encourages me because it models something I've been attempting to express for some time...an ESL ministry working together with a language church plant to edify that plant. Jose V. is part of a Hispanic church plant in Sauk City, WI. When he attended an ESL workshop several months ago, he already had a number of people waiting for him to get trained so he could teach them to speak English. He currently has two dozen students that are involved with the new ESL ministry. The beauty of this kind of partnership is that it enables the church to minister to individual's needs that might not have come to the church otherwise. It provides a regular meeting place for believers and non-believers to come together and learn, build relationships, and experience the love of Christ.

Please join me in praying for Jose and all those he is ministering to in Sauk City!

Haiti...so much to pray for!

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:46:00 +0000

It's overwhelming! Since Jan. 12th, I've followed every news report, blog, or update I could find with great interest, and with much prayer. While there are glimpses of hope, things seem to be getting worse with each passing day. So many needs, so much suffering. I'm reminded to not let myself become numb to the problems in Haiti. So I continue to pray. A couple weeks ago, God put on my heart a desire to return there someday...but this time, to take the Gospel with me. I trust it will happen, in His time.

There are other things that can be done in the mean time. Buckets of Hope is one way to provide for tangible needs right now. Donations given through SBC churches designated for Disaster Relief - Haiti will also go towards meeting needs in Haiti - 100% of your gift.

And of course prayer! One news story that has been frustrating to read is about the 10 U.S. Baptists that were arrested last week. There have been conflicting reports and so I'm sharing this update and prayer request that will give you some specifics to pray for:

Pastor David and Colette Hardesty of Boise, Idaho, SBC through Treasure Valley SBC Association in Boise, ID writes:

You may have heard (because it's been in the news) about the group of ten Idahoans who went to Haiti to help orphans and have been imprisoned since Friday for trafficking children. Five of the Idahoans are from Central Valley Baptist Church. Others are from Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, including the pastor and his adult son. Please join us in praying for these Idahoans.

There's a lot of conflicting information going around, so we want to fill you in on the mission so you can pray more effectively. Central Valley Baptist was in the process of building an orphanage in the Dominican Republic in order to help Haitian orphans, and have been working with a Haitian pastor who runs an orphanage. When the earthquake occurred and the local pastor was asked how Central Valley could help, he suggested they could take the orphans to the Dominican Republic because his orphanage was demolished. They were led to believe he could approve their transport because he has custody of them. They got permission from the Dominican government to bring kids over, then took 33 of this pastor's kids (NOT just scooping children off the streets, as some have reported). When they got to the border Haitian officials stopped them for not having the documentation to take the kids out. They were going back to Port-au-Prince to get the needed paperwork, but were arrested before they could.

The Haitian Prime Minister wants to set an example of the Idahoans to prevent child trafficking and says they are "clearly" guilty and must be punished. They were supposed to appear before a judge Monday morning, but it has been postponed till today in hopes that they can find a better translator.

Please join us in praying that the Haitian government will realize this has been a misunderstanding and will let the Idahoans go. Pray for officials - such as the Prime Minister - who may find political benefits in keeping them. Pray for the Lord's encouragement on those who are imprisoned, and their families back home.

Thanks for reading all this and for praying with us.

January Prayer Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:11:00 +0000

Happy 2010!

My prayer for each of us is that we would walk the path that He lays out before us for His glory! Please take a moment and check out the current prayer needs...I am so thankful for your faithfulness!

Follow the link to January Prayer Letter
or go to: http://www.eslwi.com/prayer%20letters/newsletter%20jan10.pdf

Praying for International Missions

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Please join me in praying for International Missions during the last few days of this special week of prayer! Here's a prayer guide with more specifics:

Vietnamese of Cambodia

Peoples of Iran

Lost Cities of China

Peoples of the Canary Islands

"If People Would Just Learn English..."

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:08:00 +0000

I've had quite a few years to master this language we call English, both in oral and written form. My dad recently shared with me some funny pics of signage that people had used to demonstrate their desire for everyone in the United States to speak English. The comical part was that every single one of those signs had a major spelling or grammatical error!

I happen to agree that we need to have a common language, and that language in the US ought to be English. However, I temper that opinion with a lot of compassion for those that are working hard to learn a language that is very difficult. Don't believe me? Check out this poem (and many more at The Spelling Society):

I take it you already know
Of tough and bough and cough and dough?
Others may stumble, but not you,
On hiccough, thorough, slough and through?

Well done! And now you wish, perhaps,
To learn of less familiar traps?
Beware of heard, a dreadful word
That looks like beard and sounds like bird,

And dead: it's said like bed, not bead -
For goodness sake don't call it deed!
Watch out for meat and great and threat
(They rhyme with suite and straight and debt).

A moth is not a moth in mother,
Nor both in bother, broth in brother,
And here is not a match for there
Nor dear and fear for bear and pear,
And then there's dose and rose and lose -
Just look them up - and goose and choose,
And cork and work and card and ward,
And font and front and word and sword,
And do and go and thwart and cart -
Come, come, I've hardly made a start!

A dreadful language? Man alive!
I'd mastered it when I was five!
And yet to write it the more I sigh,
I'll not learn how til the day I die!

Quoted by Vivian Cook and Melvin Bragg 2004,
by Richard Krogh, in D Bolinger & D A Sears, Aspects of Language, 1981,
and in Spelling Progress Bulletin March 1961, Brush up on your English.

November Prayer Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:50:00 +0000

This month's focus: Thankfulness!

Please check out this month's prayer letter...and thank you for your faithful prayers and support! I am very thankful to God for all He has provided! Please let me know how I can be praying for you also!

Pray for New ESL Ministries!!

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:36:00 +0000

With hopes of learning how to better minister to internationals in our midst, five people attended an ESL workshop over the past two Saturdays. Thanks to Friendship Baptist Church in Fort Atkinson, WI for hosting this event!

The workshop covered a number of skills including how to organize an ESL ministry, how to teach English, and most importantly, how to consistently share your faith with your students through both your words and actions. Participants quickly discovered that they do not need to speak a foreign language or be a professional teacher to teach ESL!

Jose V. shared that he has 20+ people waiting for him to get equipped so he can teach them English in the Sauk City area. He wanted to learn how to teach English, but more than that, how to share the Word of God.

Larissa G. wants to meet the needs of refugee families. "I hope to be able to help in a tangible, lasting and practical way with the Nepali-Bhutanese refugee families being relocated to Madison, WI."

Please pray for these participants, from various locations (Waunakee, Portage, Sauk City and Ft. Atkinson), as they prepare to do the work God is calling them to do. And pray for those that they will teach and share Christ with!

For more information on English as a Second Language ministries, visit www.eslwi.com.

Learn more about our new neighbors!

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:36:00 +0000

On November 24th, Lutheran Social Services will be hosting a grand opening celebration of their resettlement offices in Madison. Information will be shared on the current situation in Nepal, Bhutan's history and political climate, and newly arrived refugees' needs and current volunteer opportunities.

NOVEMBER 24TH, 2009
4:30-6:30PM
THE UNIVERSITY CLUB
803 STATE STREET

MADISON

I am praying over how to get involved ministering to this new people group...how to best meet their ESL needs. I hope others will join me at this event. You'll need to RSVP to REBEKAH JOHNSON/414.325.3098/rebekah.Johnson@lsswis.org.

Please let me know if you're planning on attending!

ESL Workshop - Register by November 2nd!

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:59:00 +0000

The next English as a Second Language Workshop is scheduled for Saturdays November 14th and 21st in Fort Atkinson, WI! If you're planning on attending, please register by Monday, November 2nd to allow sufficient time to order materials! For more information on the workshop, visit my website!

Is there really a need for ESL? Absolutely! I spent some time at the mall in East Madison last Saturday. I was amazed. It seems that the culture has morphed right before my eyes over these past eight years and I hadn't really noticed, until now. Funny how when God calls you and gives you a passion for something, he also gives you a new perspective. My challenge to you as you read this, wherever you are, is to ask God to open your eyes to the mission field around you. Let Him show you the needs of the people He's placed you in the midst of...and ask Him to give you compassion. But be warned, compassion always leads to action...so be ready to go and do what He calls you to do!

International Missions - Right HERE!

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:39:00 +0000

I've spent this past week at a Global Missions Conference in Spartanburg, SC, and have loved meeting missionaries from all over the world. I am so thankful for the work they are doing, and also thankful for the work God has called me to right here in the United States.

I love ministering to a variety of people groups as God brings them to our towns and neighborhoods. I'm really excited about a new ministry opportunity and want to share this with you...please be praying about it with me!

This next year, 100 Bhutanese refugee families will be placed in the Madison, WI area. I found that out several weeks ago and it has been heavy on my heart that we, God's people, need to respond to this need. So I was all the more excited to meet someone here in Spartanburg who has been working with the Bhutanese in Atlanta, GA. He was able to tell me more about their customs and culture, and share with me a CD with Bible Stories in their native language, Nepali Bhutan. What are the odds of that??

I had at the top of my to-do list to call the organization that is placing these families, and as I opened my email this morning I found several emails from a pastor in the Chicago area who is ministering to Bhutanese in that area and was interested in finding out how he can be involved in Madison.

So too many coincidences to be coincidental:-)

Pray with me that God's people will respond and that we will minister to these families: physically, emotionally, and spiritually!

Great Tutoring Workshop!

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:08:00 +0000

On September 25-26, 2009, Midvale Baptist Church hosted the first-ever Tutoring Children & Youth workshop in the Central Baptist Association! Six people attended the workshop from a variety of locations and denominations. I can’t wait to see the ministries that will develop as a result. So often, we look at the problems in our communities and wonder how we can make a difference. How can we help with the obvious needs, but also with the underlying spiritual need that so many are not even aware of? I look at graduation rates and on the surface, Wisconsin is doing pretty well. But as we dig a little deeper we see that graduation rates vary drastically from location to location and across different ethnic groups. This workshop equipped me to help a child who is struggling with schoolwork and consistently demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ, not only to the child but to his whole family!

A special thank-you to Renea Adkins, our NAMB-certified workshop leader from Indiana, and to First Lutheran Lodi and Pastor Mike Lee, who funded the workshop. Please pray that those who were equipped will use what they’ve learned to further the Kingdom, for His glory!

Why Can't Life Be Like an ESL Class?

noreply@blogger.com (Caryn) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:53:00 +0000

I read this Facebook status update recently, and had to laugh because I can recall saying the same thing a couple years ago: Why can't life be like my ESL class?

Here's what I love about ESL classes:

I cannot teach without the power of God working through me, and I KNOW I can't! So I pray...I pray for wisdom, guidance, ability, and opportunities. I pray for my students and their ability to learn, their openness to the Gospel, their enjoyment of the classes, and God's working in their lives. I pray for the other volunteers and God's direction for them...as well as God's blessing in their lives. Most of all,I pray that God would be glorified!

I know I'm not in it alone...so I pray with others before class and as class starts.

I want my students to see that God hears and answers prayers, so I ask them how I can pray for them, and then we pray together.

I look for opportunities to share how God's Word applies to our everyday lives. It always does!

I seek out opportunities to share the love of Christ with my students.

I see each student as God-sent, there for a reason. Each is important. I want to remember their names and call each by name.

If conflicts arise because of cultural differences, grace is extended!

I find absolute joy in meeting the needs of others...physical needs, emotional needs, and spiritual needs!

What if I lived my life like this all the time...not just for a couple hours a week doing ministry, but every day, all day?

What if I knew I couldn't get through ANY day without spending time with the Father, so I started the day with Him, and checked back frequently?

What if I prayed not only for myself, but for those that don't yet know Him, and for those that do?

What if I prayed with other believers, becoming unified in heart and mind?

What if I asked those around me, each one God-sent and important, how I could pray for them...and then prayed with them?

What if I remembered peoples' names, and called them frequently?

What if I looked for ways that God's Word applied to everyday life and shared that with others?

What if I looked for opportunities to serve others and share the love of Christ?

What if, when cultural or personality differences arose, I extended grace?

What if I found joy in serving others, however menial the task, as I could see that in doing so, God was meeting physical, emotional and spiritual needs?

What if?