Last week began another German class and commuting to Frankfurt. This time my class is only in the morning, so afternoons are free for studying, tutoring and getting to know my classmates better with the bonus of getting home before dark! (or at least as the sun is setting now that Daylight Savings Time is over)
In general my language learning has been a very encouraging process. My formal studies of German started last February when I arrived here. Before that I completed one level of a computer language learning program, and a CD I got for free from a Chick-fil-A kids meal. God has been so faithful as I am learning German. I had friends helping me along the way with tutoring sessions, and many other people having patience and persevering in German with me. God is also helping me focus and want to learn this not-so-easy language. All that is not to say there have not been some discouraging moments.
This week in class I gave a short presentation over a newspaper article. In format my presentation was good, but I did a pretty awful job speaking, which is a pretty big part of an oral presentation. :) However, this somewhat discouraging moment was followed by two very encouraging moments. The first was right after my presentation. My classmates were very nice and sympathizing with me about nerves and reassuring me that they can understand me all the other times I speak in class and so forth. It made me feel quite liked.
The second encouraging moment was on my way home at the pet store. After a while of picking out fish and water plants and receiving a lot of instructions, the salesman asked me where I was from (his first guess was England which for some reason made me feel good that my American accent was not so obvious). I told him that I was from the U.S. and that I have lived here since January. He was shocked and said he said that I speak more like a person that has lived here for at several years. Now, let me clarify he had already made the fish-sale and was married, so with no hidden intentions he said that! That certainly picked up my mood.
Sometimes I feel anxious to be done with language learning, but as I heard a lot before I arrived, language-learning time is also a ministry, and that is so true. I may not have all the correct words to share about God yet in German, but I am being an example of Jesus in how I react to things that happen in the classroom and sharing why I moved here.
This language learning time is not just a practical preparation with the language, but also an active time of connecting with others where I am. And for doing homework, which I must now go finish.
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