Adrian and Evelyn Jotter and family are language learning among the Umayam people in the Philippines.
The last few weeks have perhaps been the most exhausting of their lives.
They started language learning at the beginning of February. They have a detailed programme that they follow, which theoretically makes it easier, however it involves functioning in four languages. Adrian and Evelyn read the guidebook in English, discuss it in German until they fully understand what is meant, then explain it to their language helpers in Visaya (which they have only just learned) so their language helpers can teach Adrian and Evelyn in Umayam. This juggling of four languages is draining.
The dry season is over, and it has been a steep learning curve when it comes to conserving electricity. If it’s cloudy and rainy all day their solar system doesn’t fully charge the battery.
PRAISE
- For the unity in decision-making that they have been able to experience as a team especially this month as language learning has begun and decision needed to be made regarding responding to the differences in culture
- For the great support of a German couple (volunteers in Malaybalay for a year) who spent about a week with them working on house projects
- For a good start with language learning and that God has blessed them with talented language helpers of different ages
- That they have all remained mostly healthy over the past few weeks
- For a few lovely days in Malaybalay, where they were able to accomplish quite a bit (including paperwork, vaccination for their youngest child, and planning car repairs)
- For some encouraging visits from Malaybalay
- For a great trip to a nearby waterfall
- That they have been able to employ a house helper
PRAYER
- Wisdom and unity in their marriage and parenting
- Wisdom in how to spend their time and energy with sufficient times of rest to persevere long term and avoid burnout, especially now that the tiring initial phase of language learning has begun
- Wisdom and unity for them as a team with co-workers Travis, Natasha and Martha
- For good relationships with the people in the village
- That their language helpers reliably attend every day; they are not used to this kind of work, and it is very tiring for them
- That they find a way for their children to continue learning the language and that it will help them to make friends
- That their lives bear witness to Jesus’ love for the people even though they don’t yet speak their language and there is so much they don’t understand