Ajutor!! Ajutor!! Ajutor!!

In case you are wondering what Adjutor means, it is Romanian for HELP! This has been our most commonly used phrase of the week, and it is only Tuesday! No, we are not in any real danger, we mainly use it when we have communication issues with the boys. The most common use of the word is "Eli Ajutor Ajutor!". He is our translator for the week and has a minor case of ADHD. The other boys have joined in using this phrase and also call for HELP when they don't understand us.I must say that over all, the guys are doing a great job and picking up on English very quickly. As Alex would say "I am making progressing"!

We have also taught them that yawns are contagious, the proper use of the word duh, and difference between a flower and grass. Aren't we fabulous teachers.

In all seriousness they are doing very well and Sara and I feel very lucky to be teaching them. I said yesterday that I feel like I have taught them more in 3 days then I taught my class all last year.Today we are going to talk about money management and it should be quite interesting. It is difficult for them to understand the concept of saving. They have always had to live in the moment and when they get money it burns a whole in their pockets. They are also incredibly generous and love to share what Jesus has given them. It has been a very humbling experience to see their faith in God and their desire to share what they know is not truly theirs. Many times this week we have been the recipients of their generosity and feel a little guilty because we know they do not have much. But they love to give!

These guys are so appreciative of what we are doing here. We are constantly being thanked for helping them and we can see that they truly want to learn. It is different from any other student I have known, they do not take learning for granted and understand how important it is and how much it will benefit them in the future.

We already know that it is going to be very difficult to leave since they are not just our students, but also amazing friends. We hope to continue teaching them when we get home through the use of Skype. Their goal is to be able to speak English well in one year, and we will do everything we can to make that happen!

We thought that this week would be somewhat relaxing and that we would have plenty of down time, but, as things tend to go, we have been spending 8 + hours working with the boys. (which is why we haven't been blogging, as promised) We will try to write more often, though it may be brief.

And now, as we close this wonderful blog, we will leave you with a new Romanian phrase we have learned, as well as a picture of Eli, Colleen, me & Alex with the beautiful (frumoasa) flowers (not grass) they bought us.

Am nevoie de un calmant. (I need a painkiller.)


We love you all,
Colleen & Sara