- Initiate Relationships -
If you can take the first steps, most likely you will be encouraged by the response. But you may need to overcome
your own inhibitions in the process...
your own inhibitions in the process...
Once you have found where international women are located, it is time to start reaching out to them. This will happen most naturally if you do so through relationship rather than through program.
In other words, look at the relationships you have with international women in your community. Connect with them for coffee, a shopping trip, a hike, or to your home for lunch. Invite them to share their traditions and food as you share yours. Get to know a small group well first, then suggest they invite a couple of their friends and you’ll invite a couple of yours. By doing this, you are multiplying numbers without sacrificing relationship.
This point is key for a sustainable IWC. After all, it is modeled on the principles that the greatest Multiplier of all times Jesus, used! He poured His life primarily into twelve men, and the results have been astounding. Our task is not nearly as all-encompassing, but we can extract the principles of the Master’s leadership and leverage them for great gain and longevity.
You can even let the international women in your “inner circle” know that your heart is for this outreach to go on for a very long time and to bless many women just like them. This strategy is also appropriate as you build your IWC local leadership team.
Taking this approach, you will give them a stake – and a responsibility – in the future well-being of your outreach. You will also take the pressure off of yourself because the health of the ministry will not always rely on you, but will change, expand and grow over the seasons.
In other words, look at the relationships you have with international women in your community. Connect with them for coffee, a shopping trip, a hike, or to your home for lunch. Invite them to share their traditions and food as you share yours. Get to know a small group well first, then suggest they invite a couple of their friends and you’ll invite a couple of yours. By doing this, you are multiplying numbers without sacrificing relationship.
This point is key for a sustainable IWC. After all, it is modeled on the principles that the greatest Multiplier of all times Jesus, used! He poured His life primarily into twelve men, and the results have been astounding. Our task is not nearly as all-encompassing, but we can extract the principles of the Master’s leadership and leverage them for great gain and longevity.
You can even let the international women in your “inner circle” know that your heart is for this outreach to go on for a very long time and to bless many women just like them. This strategy is also appropriate as you build your IWC local leadership team.
Taking this approach, you will give them a stake – and a responsibility – in the future well-being of your outreach. You will also take the pressure off of yourself because the health of the ministry will not always rely on you, but will change, expand and grow over the seasons.
- Offer Conversational English -
Conversational English, whether casual one-on-one, in small groups, or in a structured class, offers an excellent
means to get to know international women and to share the HOPE you have within you.
means to get to know international women and to share the HOPE you have within you.
Here are some excellent tools to assist as you reach out to international women through English language learning. Many of these tools offer tie-ins with biblical faith as well.
www.earlyrain.org • Questions organized around themes, includes optional Scriptural tie-in
www.esldiscussions.com • Questions designed for partners or groups organized around topics
http://iteslj.org/questions • A huge bank of questions on various topics
www.esl-lab.com • Great listening and vocabulary-building exercises organized by difficulty level
www.eslcafe.com • Huge wealth of ESL resources, including grammar exercises, idioms, slang, etc.
www.efca.org/reachglobal • Click on "Resources" and then "Outreach English Class Materials" to find comprehensive Bible-based ESL program
www.altaesl.com • ESL Resource Catalogue -- You can find anything you need here. Two recommendations are: (1) Cathy's Cards (cards containing questions for conversation starters); and (2) Action English Pictures (teach vocabulary using total physical response -- great for beginners)
Eyes to See, Ears to Hear • ESL curriculum -- A teacher-friendly, student-engaging, faith-based course for English language learners
www.earlyrain.org • Questions organized around themes, includes optional Scriptural tie-in
www.esldiscussions.com • Questions designed for partners or groups organized around topics
http://iteslj.org/questions • A huge bank of questions on various topics
www.esl-lab.com • Great listening and vocabulary-building exercises organized by difficulty level
www.eslcafe.com • Huge wealth of ESL resources, including grammar exercises, idioms, slang, etc.
www.efca.org/reachglobal • Click on "Resources" and then "Outreach English Class Materials" to find comprehensive Bible-based ESL program
www.altaesl.com • ESL Resource Catalogue -- You can find anything you need here. Two recommendations are: (1) Cathy's Cards (cards containing questions for conversation starters); and (2) Action English Pictures (teach vocabulary using total physical response -- great for beginners)
Eyes to See, Ears to Hear • ESL curriculum -- A teacher-friendly, student-engaging, faith-based course for English language learners
- Get IWC Meeting Plans -
We have uploaded a host of IWC meeting ideas, plans, and Bible studies from various IWC groups. Check them out by downloading the doc/PDF copies here!
- Plan Events & Activities -
Most women love to gather with other women - to talk, to share, to cook, to learn.
Check out the ideas listed here and add a few of your own...and let us know how they go!
Check out the ideas listed here and add a few of your own...and let us know how they go!
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While your imagination is the limit as far as events and activities with international women, practical considerations – time, resources, participants, children, interest – usually factor in here. Here are some ideas that have worked for those already doing an IWC. These will vary depending on your location and the group's stage of development.
In most cases, you’ll need to take childcare considerations into mind. Many international women will not feel comfortable leaving their child(ren) with their husband for an extended period, nor will they do so with a stranger. They may do so, however, if there is strong relationship among members of the group and one or two women offer to stay behind to care for the children. |
MOVIES:
The Ultimate Gift Classics like Les Miserable, Fiddler on the Roof, The Count of Monte Cristo Whenever possible, try to have the English subtitles show as you watch. (Great for English learning.) Check out a huge selection, for which you can read reviews, here. OTHER ACTIVITIES: Titus Time For another example of what one team does to Connect, click here. Movie Reviews You can also use this website to get an idea of the appropriateness of a movie (from a Christian perspective) for your group. Get Acquainted Activities Click here for a fun get acquainted game that you can use as an ice breaker or to deepen relationships in your group. |
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