Torch, Spring/Summer 2012

Nueva Creaci Ó n connects me to my culture, and worshipping alongside these brothers and sisters feels authentic. As a daughter of Mexican immigrants, I have been bridging cultures and translating English and Spanish for my family since I was a child. I am grateful God is allowing me to use this gift to give something back. A Place to Partner Dr. Carl Ruby, G92 Coordinator Last summer, I visited a nursery in Clifton, Ohio, just a few miles from Cedarville. All the workers were Hispanic, and the owner told me they were all from Mexico. He pointed out one of the workers who he said was a pastor in Springfield. I was working on plans for the G92 Immigration Conference at that time and was looking for someone to open the conference in prayer. When I approached the man, he said, “I’m not the pastor, but I attend church there. The pastor’s name is Jose Sanchez.” It took me a moment to realize this man’s pastor was the same man I saw every morning working at Cedarville. I invited Jose to lead the conference in prayer, and he did so in his native Spanish. He brought about 30 people from his church to participate in the conference as well. Following G92, I met with Jose to ask if there were specific ways our students could help with his ministry. One of the primary needs, he told me, was transportation. The church needed a van to bring people to church. I then learned the University was selling some of the older vehicles in its fleet, including some vans. After speaking with a group of student leaders, the four class councils agreed to raise the needed funds. What a joy it was to transfer the title and hand Jose the key. It felt really good to meet a specific need that will make a difference for this ministry. A Place to Teach Katelyn Hannah, ESL Instructor Spanish is my passion. I’m a sophomore at Cedarville majoring in multi-age Spanish education. God has given me a talent for teaching and languages, and I can use it to connect with people. I can think of no other reason why God would have planted this passion in me. I’m from Circleville, Ohio, a town with almost no minority population. I took a Spanish class in high school and loved it. After my required two years of classes, I kept taking classes, including English as a Second Language (ESL). I decided to pursue certification so I could teach. Jose works in my residence hall at Cedarville. I told him about my desire to teach English, and he invited me to his church. After last fall’s G92 conference, I joined a student organization on immigration. A few of our members go to Springfield to teach a one-hour English class on Sundays between the English and Spanish services. Some people attend both so they can practice and improve their English. In class, we work on vocabulary and everyday conversational phrases. We consistently have about 10 students who are Make the Most of the Opportunity 30 TORCH | Spring-Summer 2012 SCOTT HUCK | CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY