Falando Inglês na English Camp em Loures Portugal?

Four days of English Camp completed in Loures!  

It began 4 years ago as a group from the North Fresno MB Church, (from Fresno California) organized and came to Loures to lead an English camp for any who were interested in learning more of the English language.  This past week a group of 10 once again traveled from Fresno to Portugal teach English  as well as to share God's love, to whomever would come.  Although English is taught in the schools here from first grade on, it is very desirable to have opportunities to speak English with Americans by the youth.

Meal preparation for team supper before English camp begins

Team supper together 

Prayer together for English camp beginning the next morning

 We are grateful to have been here at the same time and to observe and share the week with them.  R was designated a driver of one of the vans that would bring the team to and from the IBP (the Bible Institute where the team was staying) to the church in Loures where the camp was being held each day.  I had the privilege of working along side M in the kitchen and providing lunch each day for the entire group of students and workers.  

English Camp at the Loures church

As it was "English Camp", the menu each day was to be a "typical" American meal.  We served hamburgers and baked beans, spaghetti and meat sauce with garlic bread, tacos with all the fixings, and hot dogs and mac n cheese.  (The team had to bring items such as tortillas, mac n cheese, brownie mix, and seasoning packets, as those cannot be purchased here.)     Each day M and I would go to the store and purchase the needed supplies for the next day as we were working out of her kitchen at home and the tiny kitchen at the church.  She had each day planned in detail, so her lists were followed carefully.  We calculated and counted heads of lettuce, bags of carrots, bags of potato chips, kilos of meat and all the various ingredients that went into each meal.  

After a brief explanation of each meal by M, the kids would eat their "American" lunch, some were abit hesitant about items they had not experienced, but in the end, seconds were always served and the kids loved the food each day!  It was so fun to watch the kids try new food!  Two little boys in particular would take their plates, try it and were quick to return for seconds.  Tacos were the favorite!!!  (Tortillas are just beginning to be found in the larger grocery stores here, but cost quite abit.  They are always a requested item we bring in our suitcases to friends here.)  

"American" spaghetti (served from the church kitchen)

Lunch as a group

... and lots of sprinkles added!

"American" tacos!

Hot dogs in a jar anyone???

"American" hot dogs and mac n cheese lunch

Since I was in the kitchen preparing food and washing dishes, I was only able to observe parts of the morning as the students and workers interacted.  The students were divided into groups according to their language skills, were taught and interacted in those groups, then did various activities that encouraged them to speak in English.  Each group presented a skit each day to the entire group given a theme for the day.  I was able to watch these each day.  They were very creative and often brought the entire group to laughter.  (One day the skit was about Paul being blind and healed by Ananias.  One little girl playing the part of Ananias began her part by saying, "my name is 'ananás'",  all the Portuguese kids burst out in laughter as she said "my name is 'pineapple'" instead of Ananias.  -- ananás vs Ananias, pronounced very similar, but obviously very different --  It was a sweet moment as she was so adorable.)

In various English speaking groups

Blind Paul being healed by Ananias

Healed!

Abraham and Sarah being told by God they would have a child.  (loud laughs!)

Jacob wrestling with God (and Jacob walks away limping)

Paul speaking with God (on his cell) to get directions to go see Ananias


After lunch each day the entire group would would walk up the hill from the church to a park and were introduced to and played American kickball and softball (for most kids here, the game of choice is of course "futbol" (= "football" = soccer!!!)  I was able to go up to the park and observe one day as we delivered water and cool snacks for the kids.)  It looked as though all, young and old, had a great time playing together.  As the days progressed, other neighborhood kids would see that games were being played in the park and would come to join in.  This was very welcome as it brought more kids to share God's love with through the interactions of the team and kids.  

Games at the park

As I look back at the week, some reflections and observations:  
* The Team was wonderful with these kids and seemed to develop a relationship of openness and trust as they interacted.   The willingness of the North Fresno church to come four years in a row is commended and has allowed the Portuguese to really bond with this group.  This was a really great group of people whom I enjoyed getting to know and interact with.  
*  The kids seemed to really enjoy presenting the skits each day, which to me said they were accepting of the leaders and what was being taught.
*  The workers (many of whom had participated in the English camp years ago, and are now active in the church as youth leaders) were still learning and teaching and helping all at the same time.  It has been a pleasure to get to know these young people better, and to be able to speak English with.
*  The days passed quickly as they were filled with activity from morning til night.  
*  Feeding 40-50 each day meant washing and preparing around 10 LARGE heads of lettuce, peeling, washing and cutting 6-7 kilos of carrots (=12-13 lbs), frying 60+ hamburger patties, cooking 7-8 boxes of mac n cheese in one large pot, 100+ tortillas, and washing 250-300 dishes and glasses and sets of silverware during the four days of camp all in a kitchen around 6' by 10'.  I was so grateful to be a set of hands that could help.  God provided and multiplied as all had plenty to eat and enjoy.  
*  Countless miles were added to the vans. 
*  A fantastic week of learning, energy, fun, food, fellowship and God's incredible grace, provision and love!  

"Meu nome é ananás"  (= "My name is pineapple")
Adorable!!!!

The Team, workers and students