CALL Christian Academy of Language and Learning

The CALL program has a NEW website! Check it out at callcostarica.com!

After several busy months I can share what has been happening with the CALL Program here at SENDAS. This update is long-overdue! Jamie Gerbrecht recent graduate of SNU was with us in February - a nurse who wanted to learn some Spanish to help in her work environment; Ashley Heer came in March to do 4 weeks of student teaching at ICS (International Christian School) before graduating from MNU in May. Karen Hamar spent some bittersweet time with us in March and was not able to stay in Costa Rica as long as we would have liked due to a family tragedy; Lyle and Ginger Wensley and their daughter, Cana will be joining us long-tern to begin “Life of a Champion Miniseries.” And learning Spanish? What better place to do it than with our teachers here with the CALL Program; Kirstyn and Alaina Bahr were at SENDAS as part of a work and witness team from ONU - women’s soccer team in July. After two weeks of ministry, mom and daughter stayed for two more weeks to study Spanish intensively; and Lori Lloyd was with us again - coming to improve her Spanish and see all her friends made in previous visits. Each of these students has touched my heart and life and all learned so much about Spanish, the culture and the people here! Are you ready to come?! We are waiting for you!

Tomorrow we say goodbye to Ron Stephenson who completed 75 hours of language study in 4 weeks. He traveled every weekend to experience the culture and really improved his Spanish. Que Dios te bendiga, Ron! Hasta la próxima vez!

We said “hasta pronto” to Lori Lloyd today. We look forward to having you back! Que Dios vaya contigo en tus viajes hoy y en tu trabajo en Missouri!

Today was Lori Lloyd’s last day of classes with CALL - her second summer here with us. We will hate to see her leave! But we know God will bless her as she returns to Missouri and continues to serve others. Que Dios te bendiga abundantemente en tus viajes y en tu servicio ahí! Siempre recuerda el estilo de vida en Costa Rica: Pura Vida!! 😊🌸🌴❤️

Culture, culture, culture! Yesterday Lori Lloyd, attended her first Saprissa soccer game! Her time with the CALL program has been so much more than studying Spanish. She gets to experience living in our beautiful Ticolandia. ¡Vamos Morados!

Over the weekend we welcomed Lori Lloyd back to Costa Rica to study Spanish with Gaby for 6 weeks. Lori has a heart for God and a love for the language and the people of Costa Rica! Welcome “home,” Lori!

I was able to have lunch with Dan and Toni Larson this week. They have been taking Spanish classes through CALL since December 2017 in a combination of online classes and visits here to Costa Rica. The Larsons are retired and are seeking God’s next step for them. We are thankful to have them as part of our CALL family!

Levi has had some great experiences here in Costa Rica with the CALL program. Student teaching, exploring downtown San José, touring the National Theater and the National Museum and trips to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Doka Estate and Manuel Antonio. He has also completed almost 24 hours of Spanish study with Gaby Mata.

Touring the National Theater in San José is one of the perks of living on campus and studying Spanish via CALL! Levi and Gaby are enjoying their tour.

On Saturday, February 24 we said goodbye to Dan and Toni Larson from Lakeland, FL. After 7 weeks and 103.5 hours of Spanish classes with Nuria, they have accomplished a lot! We are glad they will continue building on their progress by taking CALL classes online. Chao, friends. Nos vemos pronto si Dios lo permite.

We are so happy to have Dan and Toni Larson here to study Spanish! They arrived on January 9 without knowing the language. After their month here they have learned so much! They love their classes with Nuria and are so motivated to learn. Keep learning, be patient, and Pura Vida!

Today, McKenna Wyatt and Melinda Crow finish 24 hours of Spanish language study. They are nearing the end of their month-long adventure student teaching at the International Christian School (ICS) and experiencing some Tico culture. We have enjoyed having them here! Congratulations girls!

Melinda and McKenna are seniors at MNU and have come to Costa Rica to do part of their student teaching at International Christian School (ICS). The adventure is just beginning!

We would like to wish a very happy birthday to one of our CALL teachers, Zeidy Garita! ¡Feliz Cumpleaños! Que Dios te bendiga en este año nuevo!

Learning Spanish online is convenient and fun! You can find out more info about our online program on our website. Pictured below is Karen Brash studying with Gaby Mata, one of our excellent teachers. As you can see, Karen has her husband Richard in tow on her cell phone!
http://www.callcostarica.com/virtual-classroom-vc

Lori has been a great CALL Spanish student and missionary volunteer. We are sad to see her return home to Missouri, but hope to have her back with us next summer. Bendiciones, amiga.

Omelettes American style! Our CALL student Lori Lloyd and her teacher, Gaby Mata, had a cooking class this morning. Lori taught Gaby how to make American-style omelettes and Gaby taught Lori the cooking vocabulary. What a fun way to learn! Y que rico! Aprovecho!

An article written by a native English speaker about the joys and giggles of learning another language!
http://www.ticotimes.net/2017/06/04/learning-another-language-keeps-us-young

Why learning another language keeps us young I giggle and gasp as I discover these misunderstandings, or when I hear phrases that are normal to Spanish speakers but sound funny to me. Life would be less interesting without them.

San Jose Centro! A great day with volunteer Lori Lloyd!

Welcome to Lori from Missouri. She will be studying Spanish with CALL for six weeks. We are so glad you are here.

Today we said goodbye to four wonderful student teachers, one of which is our first student teacher from Mount Vernon Nazarene University: Laurianne. Vaya con Dios, amigos.

The MNU and MVNU students enjoyed their first CALL Spanish class. We are blessed to have these great young professionals with us.

Today we say goodbye to the Hamars who have studied Spanish with CALL for two months. They also taught conversational Engish to missionaries. Now they will continue their studies with CALL's online program from the USA until they can visit us in Costa Rica once again. Muchas bendiciones en Cristo y hasta luego, amigos.

THE Student Teachers have arrived to CALL!

This semester we have students from MNU and MVNU on campus to learn more Spanish and complete four weeks of student teaching at a local school. They have already learned so much in just a few days. Welcome to CALL and Costa Rica, Nick, Laurianne, Ellen and Sydney.

Check out some of the recent testimonies from CALL students about their experience learning Spanish.

Are you ready to learn Spanish? We can help you achieve your goals both online and here in Costa Rica.

http://www.callcostarica.com/testimonies

Testimonies

The Hamers have been learning Spanish with CALL for one month. We are blessed to have them with us.

Do you want to learn Spanish too? On campus or online, both are great ways to learn.

It is the last day of CALL Spanish class for the Miners. They have learned so much and have been a blessing to all.

CALL students, Alan and Glenda, hosted an ESL/Valentine's Party. We are thankful for their hearts for their students. They have taught lots and learned lots in their months at SENDAS and CALL.

CALL students, AJ and Chelsea Fry are about to embark on a new missionary adventure in the Dominican Republic. Their language learning with CALL will make the transition much easier. Vaya con Dios, amigos. Read their testimony about their CALL experience on the website: http://www.callcostarica.com/testimonies

We love having CALL students return to the classroom. Ted and Lori are volunteer missionaries who are leading teams in Costa Rica this month, but between teams, they are brushing up on their Spanish with CALL classes. ¡Bienvenidos a CALL!

Check out this great video by AJ and Chelsea Fry. It has been our joy to have them here, but it is nearly time for them to move on. These two missionaries are leaving CALL and Costa Rica to live and work in the Dominican Republic leading teams at the DR Seminary and for the Genesis project.
Feliz viaje a nuestros amigos y muchas bendiciones en Cristo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpAWX-XHItE&feature=youtu.be

December Update This update is a little longer than the ones previous. A lot happened between November and December.

It is the final day of class for this term. AJ and Chelsea completed their CALL experience today, completing the curriculum in record time. The Miners are taking a short break for Christmas but will continue their studies and ESL teaching in January. We celebrated with tamales and cookies - a wonderful mix of two cultures. Merry Christmas from CALL.

The Christmas Party for CALL was a great time. We enjoyed apple cider, delicious desserts and wonderful fellowship.
La fiesta de Navidad fue un tiempo muy especial. Disfrutamos una bebida caliente de manzana, postres deliciosos y compañerismo maravilloso.

Do you want to study with CALL (on campus or online) in 2017? Visit our website to learn more. www.callcostarica.com