November 2016 Our Time Here as Teachers As retirees, we have been offering our volunteer services, mostly in teaching English, to various ministries in our fellowship. Therefore, when an opportunity arose to teach in Mahahual, we jumped at it.
When we arrived, the goal was two-fold: 1. Contact more people and make them aware of what is being taught at Cruz de Cristo. 2. Offer English classes as an aid to their jobs in the tourist trade. Our prayer was that more of our friendly, hard-working Mexican neighbors will learn of Jesus their Savior and become part of the living building.
We decided to have a number of smaller, 1-hour classes and let the students choose from several different time slots for two hours a week. Pastor Valleskey greeted each class and opened with a short Bible verse and prayer. We were reminded of God's love, forgiveness, help, and care. The Lord encouraged us when our very first student committed to (and showed up for) a Bible study with the pastor.
Some of our students came and went because of work schedules or because learning a language is not as easy as they had hoped. But a good core group kept coming regularly. It was fun getting to know them, their jobs, their family, and a little about their lives because, in reality, the best part of any country is the people. Three or four of our students were teenagers. The rest were adults - mothers, fathers, taxi drivers, restaurant workers, store clerks, tour guides. Most of them hoped learning English would help them with their jobs.
Only one of these classes was truly advanced, mainly devoted to English conversation and answering questions such as "What, exactly, do English speakers mean when they say …? How do you say, in English …?" The rest of the classes were various degrees of beginning English.
Every day there were Bible studies going on--individual, group, at the church, at homes, at "the beach"-- many with adults, a couple with children also. How great is our God and greatly to be praised. At least five of our students became involved in individual Bible studies with Pastor V. Many more asked questions, expressed interest in the church or asked questions about religion.
A number of our students were from other areas, having come here to work. Mahahual has been growing quickly, so there are lots of opportunities to meet new people. In just the last couple of weeks, people have come inquiring about English classes and are disappointed that this session is ending. We took their names for follow-up and possible futures classes. We look forward to a heaven filled with people of every language, tribe and nation… God's people. Pray that future classes will be possible.
Most of the Bible studies will continue after the end of ESL classes. God's Word works in lives, and as we return to our home on Thur. Nov. 3, we ask you to continue to pray for God's work in Mahahual. ~ Bill & Faith Krug | 
