After settling in Odessa after the backpacking trip, I was able to start teaching English at a local school's day camp. On Tuesday (yesterday), I was able to teach two groups of kids. The older ones learned comparatives (big, bigger, biggest) and played a great racing game, while the younger ones learned verbs and pronouns through a game of charades. It was tough when the kids just didn't get it, but in the end everyone eventually understood. The goal of the lessons is just exposure to English, so as long as the kids are engaged and trying, the goal's been reached.
Some of the older kids
Today (wednesday) I went with the kids on a bus tour of the city. It was a great opportunity to see more of Odessa and the Black Sea, and to learn more about the history of the city. We went into an Orthodox cathedral, which was beautiful and ornate, and one of the girls (who is from China) asked me in English if I was Christian. I told her that I follow Jesus, and asked if she knew who He was. She didn't- so I saw a painting of Jesus in the church and I pointed to it, saying "I follow Him- only Jesus". She told me that she was not a Christian, and that in China they have a different religion, but was at the end of her English abilities.
I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with her about Christ, even if she couldn't understand everything. Please pray that as I teach and hang out with her, that the Lord would work in her heart.
Here's some more pictures from today:
I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with her about Christ, even if she couldn't understand everything. Please pray that as I teach and hang out with her, that the Lord would work in her heart.
Here's some more pictures from today:
It's also been fun to be able to be more independent. I am so thankful for the family I'm staying with- they have been so great and helpful to me as I've gotten settled in. Now I have use of a cell phone, which means I can ride the marshuka (bus) by myself, and getting the know the bus routes means building my sense of direction. Now I know my way around a bit more and am able to get where I need to go. I know enough Russian to get me in trouble, but it's been amazing to see how much I remember now that I'm hearing it and using it. Hopefully the lessons and language helper will help me even more in Russian.