“We need an English to English translator please”

Our translator in Greece used to say this whenever we would ask him what he just said. His accent was thick and it was hard to understand even if he was speaking english.

This month we just happen to be teaching english…which honestly is quite humbling.

I have come to a point on my race where words do not look correct when I write them. When I speak I often stutter and question if my sentences make sense. I am used to hearing different languages all around me, looking at signs that look like art work rather than words and playing charades is a lot easier than talking.

As we sat ready to teach our first class on Wednesday, I was so excited yet nervous because I have never taught english before. While we reviewed numbers I literally could not remember how to spell fifteen so I asked my teammates. Our students speak and most of the time I have a hard time understanding what they are saying because of their accents.
A lot of blank stares, laughing, writing things down, asking the actual teacher to translate for me. You get the gist.

I have to take a step back and look at this beautiful depiction though.
Eight American girls sitting around a table with three to eight Burmese students eager to learn.
A mix of Christians and Buddhists.
Teachers with their first language as english.
Students told that if they know english they will go farther in life.
A classroom created in a living room.
God placed me here.

On Sundays our students are invited to a free english class. Which consists of worship, a sermon and conversation…so church. I sat and watched as the students sang, got their notepads out and listened to the gospel. They might not believe in Christ but there they sit fully engaged. As we give them verbs to look up we get creative with praise, pray, obey, and serve. One more seed is being planted here at New Life Yangon.
Because how could I teach and dismiss the most important part of my life?