HistoryInspiration | Founder Beth Cordes Thompson | WELS Model ESL Program
Serving Other ESL Programs | Debts of Gratitude | Outreach at Gethsemane Stories Behind the Inspiration for ELPW by Beth Cordes Thompson, Founder
STORY #1
I would LOVE to get to know people of other cultures, to share with them and to help them if I can. But I don’t know how to meet people from other cultures. I don’t know how to get started. This is what Susan said to me in 1995, after my husband had preached a sermon about reaching across cultures to show Christian love. I realized that my life had been blessed with opportunities to learn how to connect with people from all over the world. Even before I married and accompanied my husband to Zambia, I had lived in another country. STORY #2 Hero My hero is a strong survivor. No other person is as strong of heart. She is my understanding of the World. Other heroes can be hard-hearted. My hero is as kind as they come. Her embrace is like a warm, summer breeze grasping the trees. She gives me the respect I need every day. The sight of her is the sight of a rainbow, all bright and colorful. This person is the door to my future. This one person is the guide to my right path. My hero is the best Because I know she will always be there for me—through good times and bad times, My hero, my beautiful mother. - Karen M. (used with permission) In 2000, when working towards my masters degree in TESOL, I set up a six-week class that was the prototype of ELPW’s program model. One of my students was Elena. One evening, her fellow students showed me this poem written by her daughter. As I read it aloud, Elena beamed with pride. More... |
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