LANGUAGE-LEARNING LAUGHTER
June 27, 2006
by Ian Fallis
In ten days, NTM missionaries Dan Cullett, Sorin Joensen and Michael Lynch visited nine villagesand interviewed about 60 people, and most of it had to with language.
Their main concern was whether the language of the Phu Thai people of Thailand was dying.
"Phu Thai children learn the Phu Thai language first and the people believe that it will be this way for a long time," Michael wrote. "Prior to this trip, we weren't sure if the kids might be learning Thai as their first language, which would show that the language would be in the process of slowly dying out."
The men also spent time learning more about the language itself. Dan worked on getting a list of Phu Thai words.
"I learned that a quick laugh when I mispronounced a word brought down barriers very quickly and then they would laugh and joke around very easily," Dan wrote.
Michael and Sorin had a similar impression as they interviewed people about word usage.
"Overall, the people were quite friendly and helpful," Michael wrote. "They were not shy about laughing at some of our language mistakes."
New Tribes Mission's specialized training has long emphasized the importance of language learning, the skills needed to learn and language -- and the need to be able to laugh at yourself and be laughed at. Language, learning and laughter continue at the new Missionary Training Center, which welcomes its first class in August.
We appreciate your partnership in prayer:
* Thank the Lord for volunteers who have put the tile in three new housing units. Pray that these buildings will be complete by August, housing students and staff.
* It already appears that enrollment will grow to the point that the center will need more classroom space in August 2007. Pray for funds, supplies and laborers for the continued development of the campus.
* The curriculum team has made great progress, but they're not done yet. What used to be two one-year courses are integrated and scheduled in one two-year course. Most of the actual work needed for the first year -- teachers' notes, handouts, etc. -- is complete. Pray for diligence and wisdom as the team finishes the first year of courses and gets to work on the second year.
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