Update on ESL in Bloomington, IL

Dr. Nancy Sue and Bob at an ESL workshop at 2nd Presbyteran Church in Bloomington, IL.

Last year Nancy Sue Laminack and I traveled to Bloomington to conduct an ESL workshop. Members of the Missions and Evangelism Committees were present to learn how to use Passport to the World of English. They wished to begin an ESL program at the church to assist a Spanish-speaking congregation which meets there. They also wished their missionaries in Chiapas, Mexico to have training and materials to begin an ESL program.

Trainees display their certificates for successfully completing the 10 hour workshop in April 2011.

The pastor and several members of the Restoration Church provided "practice students" for our training last year. Now members of his church come weekly for an ESL class.

Recently I spoke with Laurie Sprague from the church. She told me that their program is going strong with a core of 10-12 students coming every Wednesday evening. 8 faithful tutors are working with these folks to help them with conversational English. They are: Laurie, Ann, Gretchen, Ramona,, DeeAnn, Jeanie and Dan & Lorna.Those 8 are part of the larger group we trained last year.

Jeanie teaches a class of English learners at 2nd Presbyterian Church. She is one of 8 faithful tutors who regularly teach ESL.

Ramona looks on as English learners practice their conversation skills on each other.

The class is going well and have only 3 more chapters before they will finish their first book. The Passport to the World of English series gradually introduce biblical content with Psalms and Proverbs in Book 1. There are many opportunities to speak about spiritual subjects in the section called “”Things to Think About.” Laurie shared some comments from one of the tutors, “This is the coolest thing I’ve ever been involved in. We love our students and they love us too.”  Then she added her own comments, “We pray before every class and at the end of the class. It is an English-speaking opportunity and its mind-blowing to hear how beautiful are the prayers of these students.”

Teaching conversational English is a wonderful way to build relationships and share the Good News at the same time.

Laurie indicated they may need to train more tutors in the near future. We do have another ESL tutor training workshop scheduled for May here in Tulsa. However if there are enough trainees, we would be glad to return to Bloomington to hold another workshop at the church. Keep up the great work at 2nd Presbyterian Church!

There will be an ESL workshop at Literacy & Evangelism on May 22nd (6:30 – 9:30 PM), May 24th (6:30 – 9:30 PM) and May 26 (8:30 – 12:30). If you’re interested in attending, contact me at Literacy & Evangelism  918-585-3826. Also, click on the link below for more details:

ESL Flyer

International Literacy Training Institute in 2012

Every year Literacy & Evangelism conducts an “International Literacy Training Institute”  (ILTI) here in Tulsa. This year the training will be held June 10th to July 14th. It is an intensive, five-week course to equip people to begin literacy evangelism programs.

Module 1 is an introduction to literacy ministry which includes tutor training workshops in literacy and English as a Second Language. Module 2 is designed for those planning to use literacy overseas. Participants learn how to teach LEI primers in various languages, how to conduct workshops to train teachers, how to develop Bible-content literacy books and how to manage a program.

Graduates and some instructors/staff from ILTI 2011.

Each year we have many applicants from overseas. Often they come at great personal sacrifice and expense. For that reason we try to give a partial scholarship to help with the cost of tuition and room/board. This year the cost for this training is $1250 which includes lodging, meals, all materials and training. Quite a bargain in today’s world.

Check out this brief video about ILTI 2012. It will give you an overview of the training. Tedd Lodes is also directing the Institute this year.

ILTI 2012 Promo from Literacy & Evangelism Internatio on Vimeo.

Here is Dr. Ken Mayton,  teaching on Adult Education, at ILTI 2011. Dr. Mayton is a guest instructor from Oral Roberts University. He is the Associate Professor for Practical Theology. He also is the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at ORU. He is a very popular teacher who annually instructs our students during ILTI.

Adult Education Part 1 from Literacy & Evangelism Internatio on Vimeo.

Listen to some words from a few participants in ILTI 2011:

Plan to join us this summer. For more information, check the Literacy & Evangelism website: https://www.literacyevangelism.org/ . Click on the tab “ILTI 2012″  for further information, brochure and application forms. Join the fun, fellowship and learning!

A Dream Come True

Thello displays the Bible he's read from cover to cover.

Thello was born in Boynton, Oklahoma but raised in Tulsa. After he graduated from Booker T. Washington he went into the Job Corps. Afterward he spent several years in telemarketing.

Thello came to the Tulsa Literacy Center in the summer of 1995. He was referred to us by the library when he indicated  he wished to read the Bible. If fact, he did not simply want to be able to read the Bible. Thello’s dream was to read every verse from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. However his limited reading skills stood in the way.

I remember assessing Thello and telling him he was beyond the 4-5th grade reading level of our curriculum. I did, however, want to help him fulfill his dream of reading Scripture.

Ralph and Jean Hord came to Literacy & Evangelism in the summer of  1995. They participated in short term missions ever since Ralph took early retirement from McDonnell Douglas. Their experiences included Sheldon Jackson College in Alaska, Plaza Resolana in New Mexico and the Wycliffe Center in High Wycombe, England. Ralph even managed to do electrical work on a new building in Cuiaba, Brazil while Jean was trying to sell their house. In each location God used the gifts of the Hords to bless those they assisted and extend God’s kingdom.

The Hords learned about Literacy & Evangelism through an organization called S.E.R.V.E. They made a commitment to serve with us for one year. (That was 16 years ago and they are still going strong!) One of the first things they did was attend a “tutor training workshop.”  I spoke to Ralph about Thello.  In October 1995 Ralph and Thello began weekly Bible reading/study sessions.

Thello received a certificate for reading through the entire Bible. His tutor, Ralph. Sid Rice, I and others helped celebrate this tremendous achievement.

On January 24th 2012 we held a special party to celebrate the conclusion of reading/studying from Genesis to Revelation. It took 16 years of study to finish this verse-by-verse study. At the party we honored Thello for his dedication to improving his reading and studying the Bible with his tutor. We also recognized Ralph recognized for his commitment to meet with Thello and teach him.  Ralph said, “when I see someone who really wants to learn, it is a joy to teach and I was happy to do it. Thello really wants to know the Bible. He’s learned a lot.” Thello is not finished. He and Ralph plan to continue to meet and study the minor prophets of the Old Testament.

I asked Thello about the changes in his life since starting reading classes.

“If it weren’t for LEI and Ralph helping me, and the library, I wouldn’t have been able to get my CDL    driver’s license, I wouldn’t be able to read the driver’s manual, I wouldn’t be able to get the job I now have. Most of all, I wouldn’t know how to read God’s Word.”

“When I first came I was reading on about a 5th grade level. Now I’m up to about a 12th grade reading level. I can now drive for Greyhound, the city, chauffeur limos and cement trucks.”

Thello also talked about the changes in his personal faith.

“When I read the Bible, a lot of what I read I don’t understand. But with Ralph’s help, I understand better which has helped my spiritual life. Reading the Scriptures helped me stay out of situations which are not good and instead go God’s way. The Bible corrects you and guides you.”

Jean Hord prepared a homemade cake for the party.

Not only has the reading/Bible study helped Thello get a better job, grow spiritually and guide his daily life, it’s also shown him something else. After seeing Ralph freely give his time and talent, Thello’s decided to volunteer to assist others.

“I taught karate and basic exercise as a volunteer with the city. I’ve figure I’ve received so much I want to give back. I’m getting help in reading and I want to give help to others as well.”

Thello with his mentor and friend Ralph.

Thank you Ralph for modeling the vision of Literacy & Evangelism – teach people to read so they can be daily students of the Word of God. Thank you Thello for demonstrating a perseverance in learning to read which impacted your entire life.

Ralph concluded,” Watching Thello develop his reading and comprehension skills over the past 16 years has been very rewarding. Even more rewarding, however, has been watching his confidence grow as he applied those skills in the job market, in his personal life and especially in his faith.” 

Thello concluded, “I want to thank Ralph from the bottom of my heart and LEI. This is one of the best programs. You’ve enabled my dream to come true!”

"This is one of the best programs. You've enabled my dream to come true!"

A new Bible reader – Zach Taylor

Zach is using a computerized literacy program called "Project Light."

Zach is an amazing young man. He came into the world four months premature.  When he was born, Zach went into a coma and was not expected to survive. He did live but stayed in the hospital six months. His parents were told he would not be able to walk or hear.

The little boy surprised everyone when he began to walk at the age of four. He was deaf until the 10th grade when God performed a miracle to restore his hearing. Due to difficulty at birth, his speech organs did not develop and he is unable to converse. However he learned sign language and uses that to communicate. Zach attended public school and graduated from Central High School in 2007. His father, Richard , says, “God’s performed a lot of miracles in his life.” 

Zach holds a certificate as one of the "students of the year" presented at the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition's Conference in September 2011.

Richard, brought Zach to the Tulsa Literacy Center in the summer of 2007. At the same time we were conducting our International Literacy Training Institute (ILTI). One of the participants, Dr. Nancy Sue Laminack, agreed to assess Zach and make recommendations for tutoring. Along with another ILTI student, Anita Persuad, the two educators began to teach Zach each week. They were kind and loving tutors who encouraged and helped him along. When the Institute ended, Nancy returned to Atlanta and Anita to Guyana. We needed to find another tutor for Zach – Elaine Bonnough answered the call.

The late Jean Baseley worked with Zach to help him read his Bible.

Under Elaine’s instruction Zach made significant progress. His reading and writing skills improved as did some pronunciation. Elaine also introduced Zach to the computer and began to teach him to type. His next tutor, Jean Baseley, continued to build on the foundation Elaine laid. Jean worked patiently and systematically to assure that Zach would retain the progress he’d made. He continued to learn and benefit from several other tutors including interns from Oral Roberts University (Ray Stone, Aisha Doris, Joseph Santhappan). Each one helped Zach a little further along on the continuum of literacy. Despite the death of his mother in 2008, Zach persevered with his literacy lessons. Mostly recently his father Richard, helped his son to finish our Firm Foundations curriculum which he began four years ago. A tutor from the library continues to work with Zach to help him read better.  They are reading Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. His father said recently, “it’s remarkable that he has made such process in such a short period of time.” 

Another tutor, Dawn Cope, worked with Zach to help his reading ability.

 

A tutor from the library also helps Zach with his reading.

As a result of tutoring, another friend of Zach’s from school, Michael, also began reading classes. Richard Taylor is working with Michael to help him read simplified Bible stories. They are working through The Story of Jesus written by Frank Laubach. Michael is motivated by the progress he’s seen in Zach. He too would like to improve his reading ability to be able to read God’s Word.

Zach's example also encouraged Michael Cope to seek help with reading at the Tulsa Literacy Center.

A party in November celebrated Zach's completion of the Firm Foundations curriculum.

Zach was glad to receive a certificate for completing the literacy course. But he enjoyed the cupcakes and ice cream even more!

In November 2011, Zach finished the 87 lessons in the Firm Foundations curriculum. A special celebration was held at Literacy & Evangelism headquarters. Barbara Merrill, Director of the Tulsa Literacy Center, presented Zach with a certificate and a Bible. The Tulsa staff of Literacy & Evangelism as well as others cheered Zach’s accomplishment. His example of overcoming great difficulties is an inspiration to all of us.

Until recently, Zach used a children’s Bible for reading. Now he carries the New King James Bible which he requested for his graduation. He takes it to church each Sunday and tries to follow Pastor Carl reads from the pulpit. He also enjoys listening to several preachers on TV and writing down the Scripture references to read later. The progress in reading his Bible is helping Zach to grow in his faith and love for the Lord. We are very proud of Zach and the accomplishments he’s achieved. Learning to read is just another miracle in a life of a remarkable young man. The last book of the Bible has these words of commendation to those who read, “great blessings belong to the person who reads the words of this message from God and to those who hear this message and do what is written in it. There is not much time left” (Rev. 1:3).

Zach with the staff of the Hardman Literacy Service at the central library.

Global Compassion Ministries launched in India

Joseph poses at the Literacy & Evangelism display on the campus of Oral Roberts University.

Joseph is from India. He spent seven years studying to be a priest. However while attending a “healing crusade” led by D.G.S. Dhinakaran, he was challenged to read the Bible. As a result  of his study, he came into a relationship with the Living Word through the Written Word!  As it is says in John 20:31, “these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing you might have life through his name,”

Next Joseph went to the Middle East in pursuit of a career in business living in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Upon return to India, he completed a master’s degree and worked in the hotel industry. Later he was invited to teach in a technical college. During this time Joseph was also active in a Spirit-filled church working with young people. His desire for further training in ministry led him to Oral Roberts University (ORU) in 2008. His vision – to establish a ministry in India which will help people with food and clothing through “Compassion Centers.”

Joseph helped Zach with reading the Bible. Zach's father also helped tutor his son after Joseph returned to India.

I first met Joseph in the beginning of 2010. He and his roommate Nana were students at ORU. Both of them wanted to attend a “tutor training workshop” to teach adults how to read using Bible-content materials.  Joseph attended a workshop in April and began to volunteer with the Tulsa Literacy Center. Despite his busy schedule as a graduate student he tutored adult non-readers. This contact with Literacy & Evangelism had a great impact on his life. He wrote:

“coming to Literacy & Evangelism is a divine encounter. It ties in directly with my future ministry of  opening Compassion Centers in India, Asia and Africa. The best way to spread the Gospel is having people read the Scriptures. I think LEI developed the best channel to do this…. I want to incorporate literacy as part of the Compassion Centers. I also want to help bring the knowledge of LEI to other ministries in India which can benefit from Bible-based literacy materials and training.” 

The Ministry Center gave Joseph the opportunity to minister to people in need through food, clothing and the Gospel.

In his senior year at ORU Joseph began a “ministry practicum” through our Tulsa Literacy Center (TLC). Joseph spent 13 hours a week working with the TLC. During this time he tutored students, did research on literacy, attended an ESL workshop, assisted with a literacy workshop, developed power points and served as an intake coordinator/counselor at “The Ministry Center.” The “Center”, sponsored by local churches in Tulsa, provides food, clothing and counseling to needy people in the city. Through his experience here, Joseph was further motivated to begin a similar compassion ministry in Asia.

Upon completion of his studies in the spring of 2011, Joseph returned to India. On December 28th 2011 he launched “Global Compassion Ministries- GCM.” We are so excited to see the fulfillment of this vision which God gave Joseph several years ago.

The invitation to the launch of Global Compassion Ministries on Dec. 28 2011.

We are also excited to see how his experience at Literacy & Evangelism gave him a broader vision to include literacy as one of the elements in GCM.

The banner welcoming guests to the opening program in South India.

An overview of the ministry presented by Joseph during the launch.

Some of the many guests who were present for the opening of Global Compassion Ministries.

Pastor Kumar of the Apostolic Christian Assembly poses with Joseph and his family.

Although I was unable to be present on Dec. 28th, I sent a brief video with greetings from Literacy & Evangelism and personal remarks to those gathered. We congratulate Joseph on this important milestone in fulfilling the vision of Compassion Centers. We will follow this work with our interest and prayers. May the Lord richly bless this program to help people in practical ways, while not ignoring the greatest need – spiritual. Keep up the good work!

“When we get to heaven the Lord won’t ask us how much did we have, but how much did we give?”

St. Francis of Assisi

A Picture of the Future – digital trainings

Kenyon Gerbrandt, Director of Media for LEI, captures a lecture on film.

Each summer  over sixty applicants are accepted to the  International Literacy Training Institute (ILTI) in Tulsa. This five-week training is Literacy & Evangelism’s (LEI) premier training event. Students are taught how to use LEI’s materials and methods to develop strong literacy and ESL ministries both in the U.S. and abroad.

Unfortunately, due to immigration and other issues, only a small number of people are able to attend this important  training.  As we’ve thought about the huge problem of illiteracy worldwide coupled with the small number of people trained annually, we’ve developed “regional trainings” in various parts of the world. This has been helpful in taking our training to key locations in Third World countries. However we recognize that this is still not enough.

A new approach encouraged by our Executive Director is to capture LEI trainings on video for use overseas. In 2010 the Lord brought Kenyon Gerbrandt to LEI as Media Director. We now have a highly skilled person to implement this goal of filming our trainings. Already Kenyon’s filmed two courses at our  2011 International Literacy Training Institute in Tulsa. The first features Dr. Ken Mayton, a regular instructor at our summer program. This 3-hour course provided the raw footage to test plans to film our five-week Institute.

Dr. Mayton teaching "Adult Education" at our 2011 Literacy Institute in Tulsa.

Dr. Mayton is the Associate professor of Practical Theology and Dean of the Doctor of Ministry program at Oral Roberts University.

The second course filmed in 2011 is “Leading Teacher Training Workshops” taught by Tedd & Emily Lodes. This week-long course is vital to using all the Bible-content primers produced by Literacy & Evangelism. Once the method is mastered, a student can teach primers in any languages he or she speaks. The training is based on the book Teacher Training Workshops: A Literacy Teacher’s Guide by Dr. Bert Dyson and Tedd Lodes.

Tedd Lodes teaching "Leading Teacher Training Workshops" at ILTI 2011.

Check out the videos below to see an example of the future – web-based trainings. Literacy and Evangelism is actively pursuing the goal of putting all our training in digital form. This will enable people around the globe to access training through the internet, dvd’s and other media.

In this example, Dr. Ken Mayton teaches a course on adult learning. Part 1 and 2 of the video captures the lecture and interaction with students.  Part 3 is an application of his teaching to a biblical topic – “The cities of refuge.”

Watch and listen to Dr. Mayton as he teaches. You’ll also see his power points and handouts. Imagine the potential for training thousands of people who want to do literacy ministry but due to visas, finances, or other obstacles are unable to come to Tulsa. We believe this new tool for training, will help LEI be even more effective in “each one teach one and win one to Christ.”  Please check this out:

http://vimeo.com/channels/adulteducation

In Memoriam – Jean Baseley – a dedicated tutor

Jean at the 2009 International Literacy Training Institute in Tulsa.

On December 16th one of our dedicated tutors, Jean Baseley, went home to be with the Lord. Jean served as a volunteer tutor with Literacy & Evangelism (LEI) since 2008.

My wife Ana first met Jean at Mardel’s Christian bookstore. She was engraving a Bible for her granddaughter. Jean was relatively new to the area and expressed interest in doing mission work with a Christian ministry. Ana told her about Literacy & Evangelism and she responded positively to the idea of helping people learn to read with Bible-content material. A few days later Ana brought her for a visit to the LEI headquarters. Shortly thereafter Jean applied as a volunteer with the Tulsa Literacy Center (TLC).

Jean initially helped with clerical and administrative work at the Center. When a “tutor training workshop” was held in April she was the first to sign up.  She was anxious to learn how to use LEI materials and methods for helping new readers. After successfully completing the 10-hour training, Jean began to work with a student who temporarily needed a tutor.

Jean, David Ipok and Richard Taylor all helped Marvin improve his reading.

Next she was assigned Florence, another student waiting for a tutor. Her interest in tutoring and dedication is seen in the weekly commute she made from Terlton to Tulsa. Jean would drive 80 miles round trip to work with Florence. In addition to helping Florence learn to read, Jean would counsel her on diabetes and nutrition. It was not unusual for Jean to pick up a loaf of bread or milk for Florence when she came. Another family member, Loretta, also asked Jean to help her with reading. For a while Jean was tutoring both women on her weekly commute to Tulsa.

In June 2009 Jean took on still another student - Marlene. Jean  first helped Marlene finish our Firm Foundations series and then a computerized literacy program called “Project Light.” Later she worked with Marlene to teach her to type. She continued to teach Marlene until her health took a turn for the worse in the fall of 2011.

Jean and other LEI staff enjoy cake and ice cream to celebrate Marlene's completion of our Bible-content literacy series.

Helping Marlene navigate "Project Light," a computerized literacy program.

With experience as a tutor, Jean began assisting with training workshops held several times a year. At first she played a behind-the-scenes role in preparing refreshments, registering participants and aiding the trainers.  Later she took part in teaching small segments of the 10-hour workshops.

Registering a participant at a 10-hour "tutor training workshop" held in our training facility (Tutor Place).

Jean teaching at a tutor training at Higher Praise Outreach Church in Stroud, OK.

Discussing the components of an hour and a half literacy lesson to trainees at a workshop.

Her interest in literacy ministry led her to apply for the 5-week, International Literacy Training Institute (ILTI) in 2009. Though older than most of our students, Jean wholeheartedly gave herself to the demands of this intensive training program. On July 17th she graduated with 11 other students at a program held at Asbury United Methodist Church.

Enjoying a meal with Nick & Lolly Nickerson on the 4th of July during ILTI.

Working with Helsa (from Brazil) to master the 5 steps needed to teach literacy primers in other languages.

Jean learned with participants from 7 different countries at the 5-week training.

At the graduation luncheon, Jean shared how the 2009 Institute was the culmination of a life-long interest in missions. She felt it was a life-changing experience.

When the Institute finished, Jean volunteered to go on a short-term mission trip to Mongolia. In preparation for the trip, she attended another LEI training in English as a Second Language. Though the trip never materialized, Jean put her new skills to use teaching a Chinese woman at a local restaurant.

In August 2009 she attended an ESL training using "Passport to the World of English." This Bible-content curriculum helps people with conversational English skills.

Jean Baseley helped people learn how to read/write and also learn to speak English. She was a faithful tutor over these last three years. We are saddened by the loss of our sister, yet we rejoice that she is no longer suffering. Best of all we are confident that she is now in the presence of the Lord. The words of Revelation 14:13 are apropos, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth …. that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them.”

Tulsa Literacy Center Graduation

Alice Bones, Director of the Ministry Center, poses with Joshua and Matthew at their graduation program.

Joshua and Matthew are brothers who came to the Tulsa Literacy Center for help with reading. Joshua came in the beginning of 2010 and Matthew began half way through the year. Each of the boys was assessed and then matched with a volunteer tutor. The tutors worked with them using the Bible-based Firm Foundations curriculum.

The Ministry Center offers Literacy & Evangelism tutors and students space for weekly tutoring.

Tutors and students met at the “The Ministry Center” which provides rooms for Literacy & Evangelism tutors and students. The Ministry Center  is a Christian outreach founded by a Pearl Harbor hero,  providing food, clothing, counseling and legal assistance to needy families. Alice Bones is the Director and a good friend to all the tutors and students who meet at this facility.

Linda Shrewsbury and Linda Earl pose with Matthew and Joshua in one of two rooms used for tutoring.

Joshua was tutored by Linda Shrewsbury for over a year. Linda supplemented the Firm Foundations materials with phonics cards which helped Joshua see the relationship between symbols and sounds. His most recent tutor, Linda Earl, continued to help him make further progress in reading. Joshua completed all four books in the Firm Foundations series.

Deronda works with Matthew in Book 1 of Firm Foundations.

Donna most recently tutored Matthew in reading and writing.

Matthew was tutored by Deronda Doolittle for over a year and most recently by Donna Land.  Matthew finished Book 1 of Firm Foundations and  20 lessons in “Project Light”, a computerized literacy program.  Despite challenges in learning, Matthew showed perseverance and enthusiasm in every class.

The boys enjoyed their special “graduation” program on Thursday. They received certificates, cards and gifts. They seemed most appreciative of the cookies and refreshments provided by the Ministry Center.  Congratulations to both the learners and their tutors on this milestone in learning to read the Word of God.

The Ministry Center provided refreshments for this special occasion.

Keep up the good work in learning to read the Bible!

English as a Second Language Classes in Tulsa

January 2011 ESL training workshop at Literacy & Evangelism. Our volunteer teachers all came from this training event.

In January 2011 we held an ESL training workshop at the Literacy & Evangelism headquarters. One of the 20 people who attended, Karri Peterson, told of the need for English at a mobile home park in south Tulsa. Many of the Hispanic residents needed help with English. She arranged for a meeting with the owner of the park to request permission to hold a weekly class for residents of the park. Kirk of the Hills Church offered to  provide Bibles and refreshments for the classes.

Brook Pascarella helps a student with the writing exercise during the hour and a half class.

Since the beginning of the year, volunteer teachers have taught a group of enthusiastic learners using Bible-content curriculum. Let me tell you about some of these faithful workers:

Linda Ewing uses visual aids to vividly explain the parable of the sower from Matthew 13.

Linda is a pastor’s wife who is using her teaching gifts to help English learners. Brook is an student at Tulsa Community College who is carving time from her studies to help others. Kyle will soon graduate (early) from Oral Roberts University and is committed to the ESL class as he begins graduate school. Karri, who initiated the program, is also teaching an Advanced class. Odilia Pena substitutes from time to time when an additional teacher is needed. She successfully taught a class of Burmese women the previous year. Barbara Merrill, the Director of the Tulsa Literacy Center, maintains close contact with all the teachers to assure the classes continue smoothly.

Kyle Gibson teaches "pronunication" during a recent class. Teachers prepare 8 different steps when teaching Passport to the World of English.

A typical class includes: prayer, review of material from the previous week, the new lesson and Scripture reading/ memorization. Students are not only developing their listening, speaking, reading, writing skills but are also challenged spiritually from the Word of God.

Students work on writing exercises in addition to listening, speaking and reading.

15 learners graduated in the spring from the first session using Passport to the World of English (Book 1). Another 10 learners graduated in the summer from the second session using Nation to Nations. These materials are both Literacy & Evangelism curricula for teaching English as a Second Language. Currently 10 students are continuing their studies using the Oxford Picture Dictionary along with handouts developed by Melody Selby. Melody taught at Tulsa Community College and now helps us with our ESL program in Tulsa.

Barbara and Karri at an initial meeting at the mobile home park.

Karri is now working with group of Advanced students who wish to complete their GED and prepare for college. Recently she reported the graduation of her first student from the Advanced class with an 87% score. Congratulations!

The men and women, boys and girls who attend the ESL classes really enjoy their studies. Several times during the year the ladies brought food for the entire class to express their appreciation. The students also volunteered to help us during our International Literacy Training Institute this summer. In addition, some of the learners  help with improvement projects around the mobile home park.

Odilia teaching "conversations" as part of the ESL lesson.

It is exciting to see the progress of the learners, the dedication of the teachers and the growth that is taking place in the lives of those involved with this program. We praise the Lord for all the good work going on each Monday evening.

Literacy Training at the Dream Center

Training workshop at the "Dream Center" in the second week of October.

On October 13-15 a literacy  tutor training workshop (TTW) was held at the “Dream Center.” This workshop was a result of ongoing contact with staff and workers at the Center. 15 people participated in the 10-hour, hands-on, workshop.

Dr. Phil Truesdale explains the biblical basis for literacy ministry.

Trainers included Barbara Merrill, Amy Means and Phil Truesdale. They used the “Firm Foundations curriculum to equip the participants. This Bible-content, adult literacy primer, will take a person from illiteracy to a 4th – 5th grade reading level in 87 lessons. Workers at the Dream Center were anxious to see and use the curriculum which will be used to help both adults and children in the community.

Amy Means supervises a participant as she demonstrates the "5 Steps" needed to teach the curriculum.

Begun in 1998, the Dream Center is an outreach of Victory Christian Center. It’s vision is “to see thousands of people in the North Tulsa area restored and empowered to achieve the dream God has for them”  says Pastor Wendell Hope –   Director. The Dream Center has  a multi-faceted ministry including: computer classes, sports, a medical clinic, legal help and spiritual development.

Once the training ends, students will be assessed and matched with tutors to receive one-on-one assistance with reading and writing.

May God bless these new workers who are now equipped to help non-readers with literacy skills. They are part a faithful core of people who are making a difference in the lives of men and women, boys and girls in north Tulsa.