Language School Graduation

I am now an official graduate of language school!

When we made plans to move to Brazil, we planned to move to São Paulo first, in order to attend language school. We knew of a language school here that many missionaries had attended. It is a school founded fifty years ago, specifically to teach Portuguese to missionaries. In recent years, they have opened their doors to others, but still keep the same material, memorizing Bible verses, teaching Bible stories, and having a "mini-service" three times a week with students giving devotionals.

I was nervous about going to a language school by myself, and learning Portuguese, but the teachers were so kind and helpful, and they have become more than teachers, but also friends. While I don't miss going to school every day, I do miss seeing these teachers and other students.

Lenir has been teaching at this school almost since its beginning

She also taught Portuguese to my in-laws, who studied in this school more than 30 years ago!
Two generations of students

Graduating students

My teachers, who have been a great blessing to me!

The Lord has really helped me, and while I am still not what I would call "fluent," I definitely know much, much more than I did when we first arrived. Now I just have to keep practicing and learning on my own. You don't realize how crippling it can be to not be able to speak a language until you live in a foreign country that doesn't speak your language. It can be very frustrating to not be able to properly express yourself, and discouraging to not be able to carry on a normal conversation with people. This is why we have tried to spend this first period of time here focusing on the language. It is essential to being able to make it on the mission field.

I am thankful for my husband, who has helped me along the way, and for friends, who have been patient in listening to me try to talk! I have met many great Brazilians who have also been patient to listen to me try to put sentences together.

Thank you to those of you who have been praying for me. Please keep praying that I will continue to learn and improve!