Jistine and Karen

Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, near NC State University, has been offering community ESL classes for over 40 years! Volunteers from the church run the program, which even provides daycare.

From October to December 2004, I volunteered at the church and helped teach a few classes. Near the end of the fall term, I began to transport Jistine and her daughter Karen (pictured on the right). Jistine is from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I learned about the classes at Holy Trinity through Lutheran Family Services. I tried transporting one of their clients, but she was able to go only once.

Here are some pictures taken at the Christmas party on Thursday, December 9th. The students brought special dishes from their countries and some, like Jistine, wore traditional clothing. Through this experience, I met people from all over the world: Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam (Montagnard), Nepal, Sudan, Angola, Norway, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Armenia, Colombia, Mexico and El Salvador -- plus some really cool Lutherans!

Sam and Savistria



Sharing food



Singing Christmas carols



Waiting for Santa Claus



Little ones



More little ones



Nursery



Kitchen time