Page 17 - Winter 2016 Contact Issue 40

THEY SAY THAT AN ELEPHANT

NEVER FORGETS!

ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES

Every Wednesday evening at 6.45pm, people of all Last year in January we asked our students to come
ages and speaking many languages come to High Kirk to Café Church. Five came and many good discussions
to receive help and encouragement in learning to speak ensued. Some came also to church. We invited the
English. I am part of a team involved in teaching the men to come on a Friday evening to join the group from
basics of the English language to adults, whose first High Kirk, who play bowls. In May everyone, young and
language is not English. They come for many reasons – old, was invited to a barbecue in Carnfunnock Country
to improve their chances of getting a job, to Park. Some even helped with the cooking! Over the
communicate better with their colleagues at work summer some people met to play basketball and really
or simply to keep up with their children who learn enjoyed it.
English much more quickly! We want individuals and
families to find High Kirk a place where they are When I was a young student, I had to live and work in
accepted for who they are and where they can France for a year. I know how isolated and lonely you
experience God’s love for them. As we get to know feel, when you are far from home, family and friends.
each other, friendships develop. In addition, you struggle to understand what people say
to you and you cannot express properly what you want
My class aims to help people with a reasonable to say to them, because no one speaks your language.
command of English. Bill Shields, Billy Marks and Christian people cared for me and the church was a
Rachel McCartney work with me. So far this term we place, where I found friends. That is what I believe
have been working with people from Romania, Latvia, Jesus expects from His followers.
Spain, Poland and Slovakia. We have been so privileged
in getting to know them. They are hardworking and I In Mark 11 v 17 Jesus says “My house shall be called a
admire their determination. Several of our students house of prayer for all the nations.” I believe God has
work a twelve-hour shift, then 45 minutes later they brought each child or adult to us for a reason.
are in class for an hour of learning English! We discuss He wants us to show them His love in action.
a wide variety of topics, we learn about each other’s
culture and we laugh together. God deals with us as In Matthew 25 v 38 & 40 Jesus is asked:
individuals and that is how we try to deal with the
children and adults who look for our help and support. “Lord...when did we see you a stranger and welcome
you...?”
His answer is:
“...as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,
you did it to me.”

That is the challenge to all of us!

Norma Harpur