LANGUAGE MINISTRIES REPORT
                                                                                        Becky Witt

The various programs of the Language Ministries meet the needs of a wide variety of the residents of our community and always spreads beyond to the uttermost parts of the earth.

1)      English as a Second Language

·         Provides services through a network of 87 volunteer providers across the association.. 

·         Approximately 300 International adult students  have received hours of training to make it possible for them to work and live within their new country.

·         Also, approximately     of text books have been purchased at a cost of $  different locations in the six churches.  

·         Additionally, our program is mentioned in several providers’ client bases. I attend LaPaz meetings monthly to network with those giving assistance to the Latino communities.

·         The Family and Children’s Partnership has called for service of interpreting to a Sudanese family in regard to abuse. We are trusted by the students and they learn to trust government or community authorities from our volunteer teachers.

·         We currently have six churches offering classes nine times weekly and a Ringgold home site teaching with our support and supplies.

2)      Jaime Betancourt

·         Has provided approximately the continued service that he has always shown and also added new ministries. We have continued to provide $300 monthly from the general operating budget of the HCBA budget for his pastor support.

·         The program provides routine fellowship on Friday evenings.

3)      Two new Language Centers 

·         Eighteen volunteers have provided training, fellowship or childcare at Central Hixson Abba’s House location of Wednesday evenings.

·         Two volunteers have begun teaching English on Wednesday at Brainerd.

4)      Summer Classes

·         Brainerd Wednesday evening provides services to make it possible for students  to have classes during the summer.  

·         First Church Saturday workers will move to the Thursday morning spot to work with refugees and others who need to continue classes without a break in study during this summer.

5)      Training is coming in August.

·        Staff and volunteers will have a change to study the new text for working in the area of teaching reading, speaking and writing on August 15-16- and 23.

·         Th3 87 workers actively serving now were invited to join us for a celebration dinner at China Moon on May 2. Certificates were given to each volunteer for the number of years served. Many have around 20 years of service..