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While Maria Merlo, left, interprets, Diego and Elizabeth Pratt explain how God brought them to faith through San Pablo's ESL ministry.
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by Jenny Rohr
"The kids are open books. They just get so excited about everything. They always say things like 'really' and 'wow.'" Rachel Nielson is explaining that their enthusiasm is one reason she loves the children at Iglesia Evangelica Luterana San Pablo in Aurora, Illinois. Every week she plans and tells them a new Bible story. After the story, which for many may be the first time they've heard the word of God, they do a craft that relates to the story.
"One of the coolest things was that one of the little girls came up to me and told me that she had kept every craft she'd ever made. She told me she would look at them, and then think about the Bible stories they went with. That was really special; to know that what we were doing here was really making a difference in her life." said Rachel.
Rachel is a volunteer at San Pablo, providing childcare for people in the English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. The free childcare offered for these classes is an especially appealing feature for the ESL students. Many of them have just gotten off work and need to know their children are in a safe place with caring people.
The program offers other amenities, too. Coffee, hot chocolate and Mexican bread-pan are always provided free during the break time. During this time students socialize with each other and with members from San Pablo. Through socializing, they form relationships, and that often brings them to other San Pablo activities and to worship services.
More than 190 students are enrolled in the ESL classes at San Pablo this year, and the number keeps growing each class session. Current students keep bringing more people because of the great job the San Pablo volunteers like Rachel are doing at teaching and creating a friendly and warm environment.
Rachel is a senior in high school who is extensively studying the Spanish language. She decided to volunteer to extend her language skills, and also because she wants to become a Bible translator. She intended to work with the adults, but when she heard about the need for childcare workers, she went downstairs to meet the children. Once she did that, she knew where God intended for her to be.
Rachel has had some tough nights also. "The only thing that is discouraging about working is the nights when there aren't enough volunteers for the kids. Then it can be hard, because we always have a lot of attendees, but not enough volunteers." But she loves coming. "I feel it is such a blessing to be here. I have grown so much through my time here!"
While spiritual seeds are planted in the children downstairs, many great volunteers are leading the actual ESL classes upstairs. One of these volunteers, Barb Tuckman, is an ESL teacher by trade. She heard about San Pablo's program through her church, Cross Lutheran in Yorkville.
Barb is constantly encouraged by the students in the ESL program. "They are just so excited about learning. The students and staff all appreciate me so much. It makes the normal wear and tear of every day get better. In fact, coming to ESL is the highlight of my day!"
As you can tell, the ESL program at San Pablo is very special. Barb said it best when she said, "It is very Spirit filled. Everyone is just so excited."
If you feel led by the Spirit to come by and check out our program, you too would be a blessing to us. And it may turn out that you get a great blessing in return--the gratitude of someone trying to learn a language, and perhaps the gratitude of someone whose eternal destiny has been changed. San Pablo has ESL classes every Tuesday and Thursday night from 6:30-8:30. For more information, contact Jenny Rohr at (630) 820-3450 ext. 13, or jrohr@iglesiasanpablo.net.
Jenny Rohr is the Director of Christian Outreach Intern at Iglesia Evangelica Luterana San Pablo in Aurora, Illinois.
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Page Last Updated: 7/20/2007 10:04:05 AM
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