Mission

This summer, a handful of young adults from EFCC will be leaving San Diego and heading to the Andhra Pradesh province of India for a three-week, short-term project in July. While there, we will be helping an Indian organization by way of teaching English to college students on campus. These students have joined church planting teams so they can go out all across India to plant churches and assist in certain needs of many different communities (social work). In the first year, the students (called Freshers) come to campus for two months to learn English (by the way, all of their classes are taught only in English), and take other Christian courses as well (i.e., Spiritual Development, Penteteuch, Discipleship, SMS- research & citation, etc). If, after four years, they pass all their classes they will graduate with a degree in either theology or in Christian Studies which will help them in their church planting ventures.

Mark 16:15-- He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

Friday, July 20, 2012

Classes and Tutoring


God has exceeded all expectations for this trip, as he always does.

It is such an honor to be a small part of God’s work in India.  For those who do not know, we are able to partner with an organization who runs schools for Dalit and lower caste children throughout India, provides Bachelors and Masters education to Dalit and lower caste adults, distributes Bibles and Christian books to the thousands of Indian languages, runs a vocational school for women who want to learn a trade and other social services to the community. We are at the “corporate” headquarters in Hyderabad. While we are able to see the other sides of this organization we are focused on the Bachelors students. The bachelors students  spend two months at the school attending classes, then 9 months in teams throughout India spreading the Gospel and establishing churches then one month at home. The five of us are split up into pairs teaching English grammar classes to the 1st year students. These students have had very limited experiences practicing correct English and for some have limited experience even being in a classroom. All of these students have a big exam on introductory classes and English grammar which they must pass in order to continue. Along with teaching these classes we are tutoring the students during their study time.

Teaching the grammar classes have been quite an experience for all of us. It can be very difficult to explain and break down basic grammar concepts that come very easily to us. Communication can also be a challenge. Some students speak limited English and have a heavy accent. We also can be difficult to understand as we tend to talk fast and have a heavy accent as well. Although communication at times has been difficult it just challenges us to be still and listen. Please keep our communication with the students in your prayers.

The classes have been productive however at least for me the tutoring sessions have been ground breaking. While tutoring is not required, we have had classrooms full of students eager to spend their time learning and growing. Each tutoring session we never know how many students and what subject we will be teaching. So it requires some quick thinking and flexibility. But God’s spirit has worked through each one of us during these times when deep theological questions are brought up. For me these sessions reveal the fruition of the time I have spent the past year studying God’s Word and serving him. It shows how each time you serve God by studying Him he sharpens you so he can use you. I pray that we will continue to be God’s vessel.

- Caroline
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