ESL, Driver's Ed and More!
/2022 was an incredible year for the ESL, Driving, and Citizenship ministry at CFNA, which has been underway in one form or another for more than 15 years!
During the past 12 months, several program changes were introduced along with the addition of a new staff member, Debbie McBride, who now oversees the entire driving program. This, plus the addition of a Driver’s Ed vehicle, has increased participation to the extent that we had to modify the schedule to accommodate all the students!
To celebrate all of this, on January 7, the ESL program hosted a New Year’s party. A very important part of the celebration was to recognize seven of our friends who became US Citizens in 2022. These students were from Nepal, Sudan, Republic of Congo, and Uganda.
The celebration began with a Bible reading from Ephesians 2:19, “So you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household.” Each student was then called forward and presented with a flag pin and a card of congratulations from the staff of Christian Friends of New Americans.
The students were excited to be recognized. This was demonstrated when one of them, Eric Stewart (Mukindi), expressed his joy by introducing me to his family and announcing to the class: “This is Mrs. Kelly. She has helped me with so much English and Citizenship.” Following the recognition ceremony, there was a celebration breakfast that included a cookie cake.
What a blessing it has been to be able to serve this group of people for the past year and more while showing Christ’s love to each of them!
By Kelly Teuscher
ESL/Driver’s Ed Facilitator
