If you haven’t heard yet, I’ve started learning Arabic this past week. I am now able to write all the letters (all millions of them) and we are starting to form words and sentences now. I honestly thought Hebrew was difficult, but it seems to be a piece of cake compared to this crazy language. The beauty of it though, is that they have many similarities, and knowing Hebrew first has helped me tremendously.
Anyways, today at Food Distribution, our little translator came to help out so I was showing her my Arabic workbook and what I was learning. It was then that I discovered she does not know how to read or write in Arabic, only Hebrew.
Arabic is her mother tongue… her first language…. the one she speaks with her family; YET, she does not know how to read or write. She reads/writes only Hebrew. And this is true for many of the Sudanese we work with.
It made me think.
Therefore, I decided that a part of the after school program at the youth center will be dedicated to teach these kids how to read and write their own language.
Imagine a foreign American… teaching written Arabic to kids who speak it fluently… in a country that none of us belong to… in Hebrew.
Now if that isn’t just crazy awesome, then I don’t know what is!!!
You girl are amazing!
and it is crazy awesome…just like finding lost items in felafel containers….HA!!! got it in for the week.
maybe I should start serving falafel for snacks…that would really add extra opportunities for things to be lost in the containers!!! lol
THAT is a God thing for sure!
That is wild!
That is amazing! I love it, love you, love how God is using you!
Isn’t it just hilarious!!!!
friend,
That is so amazing! and, sounds like it’s gonna be fun, too
love how the Lord keeps giving you more insight(s) and how He His faithfulness is so obvious … He is bringing forth the needs and so wanting to love on these kids
Praying for you and for them, blessings!
kim
Great insight.
Imagine a foreign American… teaching written Arabic to kids who speak it fluently… in a country that none of us belong to… in Hebrew.
Well put. Kind of reminds me of Joseph in a foreign land, second in command, meeting his family…
God continues to use your willingness to serve!
Love you so much!!!
I don’t think I can EVER be on the same level as Joseph, or even compared to him, but thanks for the awesome compliment, mom! You know after David, he is my favorite
I love you too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can teach them english too, it could be a very useful tool for them.
yes, thats already been planned
Arabic is just in addition to that…
Sounds logic. Shalom.
Go figure!
But what an amazing journey. Nothing hum drum!
Maureen – I sent this post on to my son, Anthony, studying Arabic & Shannon, daughter, Hebrew. God bless your teaching (and learning).
You rock, Maureen! how precious that you would find a way to reinstall dignity on such a basic yet important level.
Super crazy!!
I love how you keep tackling languages. 
So me! Wish I could be doing that too. 
(wait … I am learning Hebrew …)