The SEI finish line has been crossed
Yesterday we had our last day of classes at Summer English Institute (SEI) and the graduation followed. It was a very busy three weeks for students, teachers and staff. This was Shannon's second time doing SEI (first time 2 years ago) and Scott's first time.
This is an incredibly busy time and it also gets very tiring with not only classes but other events interspersed into the days as well. We drove in every day but one (stayed in a hotel after our SEI closing party) as we have chickens and a garden to look after (we are eating our grapes and watermelon). Each day takes around 45-50 minutes to go from the village to where the classes are held.
Despite the fact that you get tired with the passing of each day, this was an amazing opportunity. Most of our teachers flew in from Canada, so that is a huge commitment on their part as well as for the students who take time off from work and other duties to spend three weeks learning to speak better English.
What is amazing is the building of relationships with the students and the opportunity to hopefully share truth and life lessons into their lives that will make a difference for the rest of their lives. Some of the comments from different students make SEI so worth it! It truly is an amazing experience! (NOTE: IF SEI IS OF INTEREST TO YOU, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. IT IS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE TO TEACH CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH AND BE A LIGHT FOR JESUS IN ANY WAY THAT WE CAN.)
One day some of the students took Shannon and I and some other teachers to a Vehicle Museum. We enjoyed riding on the tram and just spending time getting to know each other better. The students make a lot of effort to get into our lives and it is a huge blessing.
Some of the other fun events at SEI is that we do a Canada Day and encourage people to dress in red and white and then a few days later we have a Ukrainian Day. Lots of fun! The students are excited when we dress up in clothing that has a Ukrainian flavour. One lady brought a special corsage with Ukrainian colors. Another lady made us a bracelet or it can double as a book mark. The students are very generous and then on the last day they have class gifts for all of their teachers. One student did a drawing of Shannon and I that is amazing!
To come and serve at SEI is a serious commitment, because you need to come up with your own material, but the possibilities are endless. What are you passionate about and what do you love to teach? This year Shannon taught about the "Distinctives of a Difference Maker" and Scott taught about "Integrity." Some of the other classes were on accounting, First Aid, teaching about Canada, some used movies, and podcasts. The ages of those participating in SEI for adults range from 16 - 60+. This year we also held a youth SEI where around 40 young people (12 to 15 yrs) had an amazing time.
Some of the other events held during SEI are: a picnic on the first Saturday (photos in last blog); a boat ride on the Dniper River (we didn't go this year); a day at the village to tour Garry's farm and dairy (probably 40-50 came out last Saturday), followed by a staff supper at the farm and the SEI closing party at the EFCC church on the left side of the Dniper River.
Our last official function as teachers and staff at SEI was to go out for a nice lunch together following the graduation. It was a very nice restaurant and we will sometime go back there. The food was very tasty and the service was great!
One thing that is offered to the SEI students is follow-up classes that start this Fall and go through to next Spring. Garry and Teresa have been doing these classes for many years now, as has Marina. We have had some good interest from some of our students to participate in classes that will be held at the Morningstar Church we attend in Dnipro. We will hold these classes once a week. Please pray that many will be able to set aside the time to attend. We will be using Scripture in these lessons and our desire is that people will attend, not just wanting to learn English, but also to begin a journey to knowing more about Jesus and His plan for their lives.
Our next few days will be very busy as we leave for Canada early Wednesday morning. We are looking forward to seeing many family and friends during our six weeks in Canada. We have a little granddaughter who will be born in August and we are excited to meet her, as are her parents.
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| Youth singing at graduation |
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| Graduation |
This is an incredibly busy time and it also gets very tiring with not only classes but other events interspersed into the days as well. We drove in every day but one (stayed in a hotel after our SEI closing party) as we have chickens and a garden to look after (we are eating our grapes and watermelon). Each day takes around 45-50 minutes to go from the village to where the classes are held.
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| First grapes from our vines |
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| First watermelon! |
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| Photo from hotel |
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| Hotel photo |
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| Hotel photo |
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| Hotel photo |
Despite the fact that you get tired with the passing of each day, this was an amazing opportunity. Most of our teachers flew in from Canada, so that is a huge commitment on their part as well as for the students who take time off from work and other duties to spend three weeks learning to speak better English.
What is amazing is the building of relationships with the students and the opportunity to hopefully share truth and life lessons into their lives that will make a difference for the rest of their lives. Some of the comments from different students make SEI so worth it! It truly is an amazing experience! (NOTE: IF SEI IS OF INTEREST TO YOU, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. IT IS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE TO TEACH CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH AND BE A LIGHT FOR JESUS IN ANY WAY THAT WE CAN.)
One day some of the students took Shannon and I and some other teachers to a Vehicle Museum. We enjoyed riding on the tram and just spending time getting to know each other better. The students make a lot of effort to get into our lives and it is a huge blessing.
 |
| Museum photo |
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| Car Museum |
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| Car Museum |
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| Five ladies in the Museum phone booth - Shannon at the back |
Some of the other fun events at SEI is that we do a Canada Day and encourage people to dress in red and white and then a few days later we have a Ukrainian Day. Lots of fun! The students are excited when we dress up in clothing that has a Ukrainian flavour. One lady brought a special corsage with Ukrainian colors. Another lady made us a bracelet or it can double as a book mark. The students are very generous and then on the last day they have class gifts for all of their teachers. One student did a drawing of Shannon and I that is amazing!
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| Canada Day - Clay and Valerii |
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| Canada Day Best Dressed winners |
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| Canada Day class photo |
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| Ukrainian Day |
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| Ukrainian Day |
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| Ukrainian Day gifts |
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| Ukrainian Day gift |
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| One of our students drew this!! |
To come and serve at SEI is a serious commitment, because you need to come up with your own material, but the possibilities are endless. What are you passionate about and what do you love to teach? This year Shannon taught about the "Distinctives of a Difference Maker" and Scott taught about "Integrity." Some of the other classes were on accounting, First Aid, teaching about Canada, some used movies, and podcasts. The ages of those participating in SEI for adults range from 16 - 60+. This year we also held a youth SEI where around 40 young people (12 to 15 yrs) had an amazing time.
Some of the other events held during SEI are: a picnic on the first Saturday (photos in last blog); a boat ride on the Dniper River (we didn't go this year); a day at the village to tour Garry's farm and dairy (probably 40-50 came out last Saturday), followed by a staff supper at the farm and the SEI closing party at the EFCC church on the left side of the Dniper River.
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| SEI farm visit |
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| SEI farm visit |
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| SEI farm visit |
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| SEI farm visit |
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| Shannon and Iryna - SEI farm visit
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| Jenya sharing at SEI closing party |
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| Shannon with some of her students at party |
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| SEI closing party - caught Shannon by surprise |
Our last official function as teachers and staff at SEI was to go out for a nice lunch together following the graduation. It was a very nice restaurant and we will sometime go back there. The food was very tasty and the service was great!
 |
| SEI staff photo at lunch |
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| SEI staff lunch after graduation |
One thing that is offered to the SEI students is follow-up classes that start this Fall and go through to next Spring. Garry and Teresa have been doing these classes for many years now, as has Marina. We have had some good interest from some of our students to participate in classes that will be held at the Morningstar Church we attend in Dnipro. We will hold these classes once a week. Please pray that many will be able to set aside the time to attend. We will be using Scripture in these lessons and our desire is that people will attend, not just wanting to learn English, but also to begin a journey to knowing more about Jesus and His plan for their lives.
Our next few days will be very busy as we leave for Canada early Wednesday morning. We are looking forward to seeing many family and friends during our six weeks in Canada. We have a little granddaughter who will be born in August and we are excited to meet her, as are her parents.
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