And we're off

October is already well under way (before we know it it will be Christmas!)  Oh, mamma mia--did I just say that?!  Last week was our re:start-up week for ministry activities.  We distributed flyers for our English classes and guitar club the week prior, but did not get much of a response for either.  I heard back from 4 out of 9 students from last year wanting to continue the children's English course, but that was pretty much it.  I didn't know what to expect come Monday afternoon.  Sure enough though, they showed up in mass.  I had 11 students for my first lesson.  Two of them will transfer to the middle school class and those two spots have already been filled by others.  This year instead of alternating weeks of teaching, I will teach the elementary students weekly and Catherine will teach the middle school students immediately following my class.

There is a vast difference between elementary and a middle schooler's focus and attention span.  If you think of it, pray for much patience and stamina for me as I teach and try to maintain classroom control with 12 jittery students.  As of week 2, Catherine is now simultaneously teaching 2 middle schoolers in the back room during my class, so it can be a lot to handle on my own. 

Still no calls have come in for the adult beginner level 1 course.  Really strange as there is usually a big interest.  Maybe the time of the class is too early (7pm)?  Who knows.  It will however, cut down on Jonathan's marathon Wednesdays.  He orginally planned to teach 2 English classes followed by the alternating weeks of guitar club and seeker Bible study.  So as it stands he weekly teaches the level 2 beginner course at 8:00pm, followed by the study every other week.  The guitar club may or may not get off the ground, I'll let you know.

Our first service of the fall went well on Sunday.  We were small in number due to work, travel, sickness and a loss of one family who have decided to stay at the Torino church.  We are dissapointed and pray that God will bring others to fill their spot who desire to serve and help in our church plant.  The kids now remain in the worship service with us and did quite well with the change of structure.  They each were given an activity sheet that was focused on the message.   It seemed to hold their attention and teach them a few key points from the sermon.  It will be nice now to have the back room reserved just for the toddlers.

Tonight is our first seeker Bible study.  We are excited for this and the four individuals partcipating.  I've got a light dinner/snack in the works to bring to the study tonight and am hosting another dinner tomorrow, so I best be getting back to the kitchen.  Week two of our new norm is coming to a close and now that I am hitting my stride hopefully blogging will become more regular too.  Thanks for checking in.