Investing in People’s Lives for Christ

“It was amazing to watch the participants in our first-ever ESL camp, go from shy to confident in their desire to speak English,” says Jeff Kim, National Director (ND) for TeachBeyond France.  

From July 15-19th EducaVie held an English as a Second Language day camp for the St. Louis and Mulhouse region (in north-east France). They had 19 participants that ranged in age from 13 all the way to 65! They divided them into 3 different levels for teaching purposes and the camp was held at Ecole Emmanuel. 

The theme for the week was the Creation Story. They started with Day 1 of the story for Staff Orientation on the Sunday. The first day of camp with all the participants actually kicked off with Day 2 of the Creation narrative. After moving through the story Monday to Friday, the camp wrapped up on Friday with a time of singing and worship in English. Prayer was also offered for any of the participants in French, so they could use their heart language to share concerns and requests.  

The camp participants were also invited to a church service on Sunday at a local Baptist Church. “There was genuine curiosity,” notes Jeff. “This was so encouraging, as there can be so much mockery and antagonism in France towards anything religious. It was evident to see how building relationships and investing in people’s lives opens doors for them to see and know Christ more.” 

An interesting note about Ecole Emmanuel where the camp was held: TeachBeyond, Janz team and Black Forest Academy came full circle this summer. The ESL camp at Ecole Emmanuel (on Rue de la Fontaine) was literally held down the street from where the first missionary couple founded a classroom and TCK (Third Culture Kid) dorm residence back in 1972. That concept of a school and dorm together later transitioned to become Black Forest Academy, across the river in Kandern, Germany. 

Future plans for ESL camps include holding another one next year in the St. Louis area, as well as the potential for expanding the ministry and working with youth in the Cevennes region (in the south of France).