scenes from MTI

Hello again from Palmer Lake! We reach the mid-way point in our training today. The first half was spent mainly in Language Acquisition skills. We can't say that we have totally loved every moment of it, but we have come away with a greater appreciation of our Creator. I can't say that I have ever thought about the complexities and intricacies of the human tongue and mouth. Our instructors challenged us to get outside our "44 sound box" that we as Americans tend to lock ourselves into. We spent time practicing methodology learning new languages. I worked with a German language helper and Erik worked with a French language helper. I have some comprehension of French so it was always interesting to hear what he had to say to me when we met back up at lunch. One day he greeted me with,  "Ma femme prepare ma diner."...My woman makes the meal for me. Nice. ;) Another time I was met with,"Je nettoyant le derriere."....I clean the behind...very romantic. Those French really have the romance thing down. 

Here is my German group with our language helper Martha.

It was amazing to see how the human brain can comprehend so much in so short a time. We are excited to try these new methods as we learn Bemba in Zambia. The kids work on the same skills in class. They created a "Bemba Buster". It has words in Bemba on one side and words in English on the other. You touch one Bemba word and one English word with small alligator clips to complete an electrical circuit. So, if you get the words right, a light bulb will light up. I must confess I found it very rewarding to see that bulb shine.

The kids were pumped up when they first got it and showed it to us. But now they have asked Erik if they could please have a red light bulb for incorrect, and also a green bulb for correct. And, hey Dad, wouldn't it be great if when you got it wrong it buzzed and when you got it right it dinged? Do you think you could make our box do that? (Is there an electrician reading this?)

 

In the kids' classes they also go on field trips. The first one they went on was to an undisclosed location. Every trip has had a valuable lesson for the kids to learn. In this case, the correlation was made between this trip and their upcoming move to a place they really know nothing about. They were able to discuss that with their teacher and then with us. Here they are with their classes below.

They also had the opportunity to tour the Olympic Training Center. It was great for them to make the correlation between language learning and training as an athlete. As the kids shared their experiences I was also reminded of this scripture in Corinthians 9:24-26

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

 

In closing I would like to share a view God blessed us with one evening at dinner.

 

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

 

 

Oasis....with a pair of ducks?!?

We finally made it to a place where we could take a breath. MTI in Colorado has became a place of solitude for our family. We have totally enjoyed settling in to one place (we even unpacked our bags...and put the clothes in dressers!). Meeting families God has placed in similar situations has been very encouraging. We have been looking forward to this for some time, but did not anticipate how the cessation of activity would affect us. The reality of departure has hit with force. We totally look forward to this moment....and totally dread it. It's a paradox.

On our first day of class here, our instructor held up two ducks. One of those ducks was as cute as any rubber ducky could be. His pristine condition put a smile on our face and when you looked at him, all seemed right in the world. We called him our "yay duck". The second duck was not quite so attractive to behold. He was full of dirt and mud. Not quite so satisfactory to look at. But....he was a reality. We called him "yuck duck". There was no getting around the fact that the two came together...they were...a pair of ducks...or in other words a paradox.  Our "yay duck" feelings involve excitement in serving God and the Zambian people.  Our "yuck duck" feelings involve saying goodbye, separation from family and friends, etc.  So we experience both at once... the "pair of ducks" or paradox.

Learning the above analogy and phraseology has allowed us as a couple to deal with each others perception of "yay" and "yuck". All four of our kids were taught the same analogy in their classes. God has enabled us to process with our kids some things they had not easily been able to express.  Like "why do I feel so excited one moment and so depressed the next?"  "Is this roller coaster of emotion even normal?" And the answer is yes. If we don't allow ourselves to feel these lows, we can never fully experience the joys God sends our way. 

Thanks for praying for our family as we sort through our "pair of ducks"