Language Learning

We are nearing the end of our first two weeks of missionary training. These weeks have focused on language acquisition or how to learn a language. Maybe you're like I was--thinking "how can you spend 2 weeks on how to learn a language?" It seemed like overkill to me before I got here. I just wanted to start learning Chichewa--teach me the words, the verbs, how to conjugate them, appropriate greetings and I will memorize them and begin to use them.
Well, these 2 weeks laid out a very different process that gives the learner the responsibility for learning. We also received many tools, projects,etc. that will assist us in the learning process. We were able to practice using these tools in small groups along with a language helper as seen in the picture. My language for practice was Mandarin Chinese. It is a very interactive process and in just 3 short sessions I understood quite a bit of Chinese and the process was actually fun!
The other focus of the 2 weeks was phonics. Boring, you may think. But it was quite funny to not only practice some of our "normal" English sounds, but we learned many new sounds as well. And we got to hold a pocket mirror and see how silly we were as we tried to contort our face, mouth and tongue to make these new sounds.
So, we have been learning and working (even homework). But we have enjoyed it amidst the beauty of the mountains and alongside many wonderful people. This time I have included a picture from our weekend outing to the Garden of the Gods. Next week brings our cross-cultural training, so I'm sure we'll have much more to share. And thank you for your prayers, especially in regards to parenting. We are all doing better in this area.

Settled in Colorado--Praise the Lord

I am writing from Palmer Lake, Colorado. Just north of Colorado Springs where our family is attending 5 weeks of cross-cultural and language acquisition training. So far we are 2 days into language learning (actually learning HOW to learn a language), we won't actually start learning Chichewa until we arrive in Malawi, and I never realized how much there was to know about a language. It's a bit overwhelming and the 4-6 months we have planned to learn some basic Chichewa I'm sure will just scratch the surface.
We are feeling a bit more settled here at Mission Training International--we actually unpacked our suitcases! Prior to that we had spent 2-3 weeks packing up our house, selling our stuff, and living at our parent's houses out of very unorganized suitcases. It was crazy, but God has been so good to us in this process. He brought so many people into our lives to help us in our sale, bringing us meals, helping us pack and move, watching our kids. We have been overwhelmed with the support we have received in so many ways and will be eternally gratefully to every one who helped us out in this process.
Our last big worry was regarding our house and the fact that we hadn't sold it in the 4 months it's been on the market. And as only God could do--we received an offer on the house the day we left for Colorado! The details need to be finalized, but again God is good and God is working in just the right time.
Here in Colorado we are surrounded by individuals, couples and families that are heading all over the world to minister--some in church planting and evangelism, some in teaching, some in music and administration, and some like us, in medicine. It is so cool to hear the stories of how God has brought each person and family to this place and it awesome to think how God will work through these people in there future areas of ministry.
Sydney and Sam are enjoying Colorado. Of course with all of the changes they have been acting a little out of sorts--so it's been a challenge disciplining consisitently and lovingly. Yet after being so scattered as we packed our house, it is good to have some time together again as a family unit.