However, there is one young brother named Lyevin in one of the French congregations I want to tell you about. This brother has been attending some meetings at the Kigali English Congregation because he has such an ardent desire to learn Chinese, he is planning to transfer here knowing that a Chinese group will eventually be formed. Every time I see him, he tells me in French or in heavily-French-accented English how much he wants to learn Chinese. The conversations usually go something like this:
"So, Brian, when will there be a Chinese class?"
"I don't know, not yet."
"How soon?"
"Soon. You just need to be patient."
"Will you tell me when that happens?"
"Yes, I will."
I tell Lyevin that when the time comes, he will need to fill out an application, it needs to be approved by his elders, and in the meantime, he needs to work on his English because the Chinese class will be conducted in English. Therefore, English comprehension is critical to taking the class.
Back in October, before we started the unofficial class, our supply of pinyin Bibles (yes! 30 of them!) arrived from South Africa. After the Wednesday night meeting I was trying to discreetly distribute them to the students who were approved to take the unofficial class. However, from the back of the Kingdom Hall, Lyevin somehow noticed what was happening and made a beeline to the literature counter.
"Hey, Brian, what is that you're giving everyone?"
"It's a Bible."
"Can I have one of those?"
"Uh, no, sorry, they are for certain people only."
"Why can't I have one? I want to learn Chinese too."
"Be patient, the time will come."
"When will there be a Chinese class?"
(see above for continuation)
Poor Lyevin. I hope he does get approved to take a Chinese class, because if not, I think it would break his heart. (In that case, I may have to arrange private lessons.)
I did work an entire day in field service with him once, and of course we had to do Chinese calls.
Well, you can't deny the interest in learning Chinese. Stay tuned!
 |
| Lyevin |
Love Lyevin's enthusiasm. I hope you get to do a class and he gets accepted! Then move him to Sacramento to help us. ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, his enthusiasm is great.
ReplyDeleteHopefully he gets one soon!
What would Jesus do?
(Mark 7:24-30) 24 He rose up from there and went into the region of Tyre and Si′don. There he entered into a house and did not want anyone to know it, but he could not escape notice. 25 Immediately, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him and came and fell down at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, a Sy·ro·phoe·ni′cian by nationality; and she kept asking him to expel the demon from her daughter. 27 But he said to her: “First let the children be satisfied, for it is not right to take the bread of the children and throw it to the little dogs.” 28 But she replied to him: “Yes, sir, and yet even the little dogs underneath the table eat of the crumbs of the little children.” 29 At that he said to her: “Because you said this, go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 So she went away to her home and found the young child lying on the bed, and the demon was gone.
PS: What about helping him download the Chinese Pinyin Bible .pdf?
http://download.jw.org/files/media_bible/0d/bi8_s-Pi_CHS.pdf
To: Anonymous
DeletePerhaps you didn't realize this:
As much as we would love to accommodate everyone who wants to learn Chinese, we have to follow the direction of the branch, because they are the ones who are overseeing this matter.
According to the branch, there is an approval process in place that must be followed.
Moreover, providing a pinyin Bible (hard copy or electronic) to someone without explanation or instruction is not a productive use of this material. When the time comes for the student to begin learning the language, only then will the pinyin materials be helpful tools.
Good job Brian! You are doing a wonderful thing. Jehovah will work it all out, especially when Organizational directions all followed.
ReplyDeletePlease keep us posted. Take care