All I have learned here
Autor: Ligian Ferreira | Publicado: 2015-06-12T15:30:00-03:00


Yes, I know my English is not good enough for it, but I still want my American friends to know all I have learned here since I came 17 months ago.



To my Brazilian friends, who know English better then I: good job, don't judge me!



It took some time to me to get used with the idea of really enjoy this experience. First, you should know that back in Brazil I was a very active person. I couldn't be still. Even though I had not much time - working 8 hours each day in a office, I would make my time count.



So, when I first came here and I had all these days with nothing to do with them, I couldn't help myself to think that it was an awful experience. I did like the snow and all the different things, but in general, I wasn't enjoying. I was just doing the minimum to be "Ok".



I'm glad that God gave us the opportunity to have Brazilian friends here. It helped a lot. It felt like home to us. In the times when we were gathering together, it was as we were there, back home.



It is so estrange how the concept of "home" has changed since then.



When I finally found a church to be part of, the things started to change. First because it doesn't matter if there is another language, they are part of your family. Of course in the beginning it was hard to communicate with them, but I had some patient and good friends there who hadn't given up on me. (thanks!)



First, I couldn't understand a single word. Then, slowly, I could catch something here and there. A while more and I was able to understand the main topic of the sermons and the conversations. Then, my first American friend, Betty Ann, invited me to come over to her house and she started to teach me once a week. I will never be able to thank her enough. I mean, she is sooo busy! Even though, she was patient and she never gave up on correct me. Even now. And I am very thankful for it. I still miss our weekly meetings. She is so precious to me! She and her family accepted us so easily and they even liked our food - Brazilian people has a thing with food. Our times gathering together were always full of fun and good talking.



After that, I started to understand the preachings. Believe me, it is a huge thing to say. Pastor Dale VanDyke can speak fast. Oh, boy! I remember seeing him and thinking: "Does he really need to speak THAT fast?" How blessed I am to had such a good pastor! He is an amazing preacher and it will be hard to find a new church now. He made our work even harder.



In September, I tried to get to ESL program in a public school and - what a shock! - they didn't accept me. They said that my English was to high level to get to the advanced class. I knew it wasn't true, but there was nothing I could do to change it, so my friends were all the teachers I had.



A group of intelligent and lovely ladies, then, accepted me into their "Literary Guild" group. I was just starting my readings in English and they were so kind with me. I already read 7 books with them and I'm not sure if I'm being a good member of the group, but they should know that they are very important to me. I'm glad that I still will have one last meeting with them. Sometimes it is so frustrating to express myself in another language. Specially if I really have a thought about the subject. But they helped me to get there every single time.



The Bible studies was the next step. I was amazed by the way that ladies were compromised with it. I learned so much with them. More then just English, I learned how to be a better christian and how to really serve God. They taught me so many lessons! I will never forget the way they put their hearts and thoughts in our talks. I hope I had brought some good ones to them too.



When I thought I wouldn't have anything else to add to my good life, God introduced me to Mr. and Mrs. Meyer and Mrs. Barbara Carvil, my English teachers in an ESL program. I can't even say how much I have learned with them! Their kindness and sweethearts amazes me and the only thing I can do is to say that I will never ever forget what they have done. More then just teachers, they were good christians who taught me more then just English - which was a huge thing! They taught me how to love my neighbor serving them with an open heart.



So, I have met people with so many things in common with me! My faith, my love for Jesus, my love for reading, my love for thinking and more! I can see the God's hand in everything and I am just so incredibly thankful for it!



I need to say that those people didn't try to change me, but they did it anyway. Of course I am still the same Brazilian woman in a way: I speak with my hands and body! I laugh laud! I love to gather together with friends for hours - I mean it! I still prefer Brazilian food (comida de verdade)! I have the highest heels! But, in another way, I know how to appreciate so many new things! Thanks to them!



I am leaving, but I will bring every single thing in my heart and, most important, I will come to visit them!



Thanks, friends!



Ligian.



Ps. Sorry for the poor English, but I know you will understand it!