ESL Moms

I help/converse/enjoy an ESL ministry at a local church. We go every week, well, we’ve missed twice due to illness, but we go when we’re able to make the 20 min walk down the street. I participate in Mom’s Conversation which is an amazing hour where I get to chat with three to five lovely women from other countries (plus Leah, the leader, but she’s American, but also lovely). I think this hour is my favorite part of my week. Can you hear the missionary in me singing? Love, love, love this time in my week.

One woman, V,  is from El Salvador. She is about 25 and already has three children. She was married at 15! Such a different culture than here! She’s so sweet and a bit timid but she is so brave speaking English because you can tell it’s still something she has to concentrate very hard on. I’m amazed at her braveness.

One of the Koreans, J, has two little boys. She speaks very well. Another woman, A, I believe is also Korean. She speaks slowly and precisely. Again, I admire her ability to put herself out there and make mistakes as I’m so frightened to speak another language and she’s doing it so well.

There are two women from Japan. One R, is very talkative and social. The other, whom I can’t remember her name!! Is also very talkative and social. I wonder if that may be a difference between the Korean and Japanese cultures. The Korean women are more shy and soft spoken.

I’m so enjoying my time getting to know these women and love their willingness to make mistakes as we talk about life and being moms. Makes me realize I need to just get out there whenever we get a chance to get back overseas. People admire you for trying and will deal with your mistakes if you’re making an honest effort to communicate with them in their country’s language.

Most weeks we really don’t talk about anything special, just like when my friends and I get together. One week we talked about the state fair and this week we talked about child birth and bad advice people give you about raising children. So much fun. Is it bad that I like this hour better than the English speaking  mom’s group I attend at the same church during the month? I like that group as well, but this one makes my heart happy.