Teaching refugee children

Life in Sydney has been nothing short of exciting, and little events pepper and add salt to my weeks:) Recently, I took up teaching English to refugee children with some friends, and it has been...pretty challenging. It's because we have been using intuitive grammar for so long, that if you have to explain it to the children, it becomes a little mind-boggling. Mind-boggling in a good way too though, they really crack me up with new invented words or an alternative meaning to a word? English, is a tough nut to crack, expecially if you didn't grow up with the language. Sitting in a classroom again, with the teacher up front with blackboard and chalk writings, and school bells seemed almost nostalgic.

I enjoy knowing the children too, their stories and background. Last week I took a girl from Sierra Leone, West Africa-really spunky and friendly kid who stuck her hand out and introduced herself to me and volunteered for me to teach her, haha. This week I had a girl who was from an Ethiopian/Egyptian background. So interesting. And her eyes grew big and she said "cool!" when I told her I'm from Singapore. Same here really! And so the world is big and yet so small, and it's wonderful to meet them even though we're from countries that are so far away.

Another thanksgiving would be taking part in leading worship in church! Never would I imagine singing with my friends (and them playing the drums, piano, guitar) and praising God together as a team like this in church. Or strumming the guitar and leading songs for bible study. Or doing a children's talk. Or wearing all our PJs and practicing the songs till the cows come home. Ahhh, thank God for the opportunities to serve Him even though we're in a foreign country. Blessed is His name:)

And as autumn/winter is here, the colder weather inspires hearty recipes. Tuna quiche was a crowd pleaser, yay! Shall post and share another day. Hey-anybody trying out the recipes?! :)