Shining Stars

At today's service [postponed Lessons and Carols], I awarded a Stewardship 'Shining Star' certificate to each person that helped out this session in the 'Play, Pray, Hello USA!' ESOL classes for the Karen community.

The certificates went to the three pastors: John Endler, Ich Duc Nguyen and Gie Dor.

Those who had helped out with the program [in many different ways] were: Victor Agosto, Linda Carrasquillo, Bruce Davidson, Joan Davidson, Amy Endler, George Grisevich, Kari Miller, Norma Sproul and Cheryl Zeiner.

Without the help of the above, the program which provided 243 hours of English instruction would not have been possible. Thanks to everyone!

Certificate Party

Today we held our Certificate Party. Many were in attendance; Pastor Ich and Cheryl Zeiner attended also.

We opened with a prayer by Pastor Ich in Vietnamese, myself in English and Pastor Gie Dor in Karen. Then we all introduced ourselves with the help of a passed box of candy canes.

A crossword activity with Christmas was a lot of fun. Then the Karen community sang a song and presented me with a beautiful jacket which I will wear to church soon.

Certificates of Attendance went to:
Hser Nay Paw
Say Lway
Lay Naw
Day Mu Si
Ner Ri [received a Special Award for Perfect Attendance]
Hser Nay Chris [also received a Special Award for Perfect Attendance]
Gie Dor
Peh Htoo [& received a Special Award for Excellence in Story Writing]
Sha Thaw
Taw Nay Moo
Sha Kier Moo
Say Lay Paw
Htoo K Paw
Po Day
We closed with The Lord's Prayer

Cheryl Zeiner then took over and conducted a meeting concerning:
Workshops for Jobs
Prescription Cards
Opportunity to sell handicraft items in the CBC Crosswinds Store
Listing specific needs of the Karen Community

This was definitely the highlight of my Christmas season! Thank the Lord for the opportunity to work with such wonderful people. Hallelujah!

Music Class today!

Today's class in the 'Pray, Play, Hello USA!' series was taught by Norma Sproul and Joan Davidson. They taught the words in English to three Christmas Carols: 'Silent Night', 'Deck the Halls' and 'Away in a Manger'. They left 'Oh Come All Ye Faithful' for me to teach next week which is our last class of the Fall session.

I visited the class at the end of the session and they were all fully involved. The singing was beautiful. It is a blessing to work with a community so willing and eager to learn the new language.

Thanks to Joan and Norma for their help as Guest Presenters. I hope many more people will get involved in the Winter session that will start in January.