\u201cNow I can get off at the right bus stop!\u201d<\/p>\n
Yes, those were the words someone shouted with much joy in my\u2026phonetics class!\u00a0 I HAD to stop and say, \u2018What?!\u2019<\/p>\n
It just so happens that he had been overseas for a year or so already, attempting to learn a new language.\u00a0 But he\u2019d never been taught how to say a g-fricative, so he couldn\u2019t say the name of that street, both words of which started with\u2026a g-fricative<\/a>!\u00a0 So he simply went on to the next bus stop.\u00a0 And walked back!\u00a0 But NOW!\u00a0 Yes, NOW! \u00a0\u2026after having a few hours of phonetics class\u2026HE COULD GET OFF AT THE RIGHT BUS STOP! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n And just think how many more things our students can do now!\u00a0 Yes, things like learn a new language (or two or three!) well, with hardly an accent.\u00a0 Be able to communicate effectively in another language AND culture.\u00a0 Teach the Word so it reaches them at a heart level.\u00a0 Understand hard-to-make-sense-of new ways and thinking.\u00a0 And do it well!!<\/p>\n Yes, teaching is SO rewarding!\u00a0 Even when one student\u2026.falls asleep in phonetics class!\u00a0 (he\u2019s now working on his SECOND language in another country\u2026and doing quite well\u2026and staying awake for it too!)\u00a0 And fun when another student can\u2019t say a rising or falling tone without his whole head moving up and down too.<\/p>\n It\u2019s such a blessing getting to teach and shepherd excited, dedicated young.\u00a0 Whether it\u2019s watching them work SO HARD to make that strange new sound, or getting down deep when considering worldviews, or talking about life on the mission field or just hanging out talking about life right here\u2026they\u2019re a pleasure to be with.\u00a0 And to know that we can be directly involved in reaching hundreds or thousands of lives through their work\u2026now that\u2019s exciting!<\/p>\n