TPR - Total Physical Response

We went to the pasar (market) Thursday and had some TPR - Total Physical Response time on Friday - basically we point at a picture we took during the cultural excursion and ask the helper "Apa ini" or what's that? Then they say what it is. We ask a number of times and just listen to the national person say what it is. Then they say in the trade language - "Point to the ....." and then we point to whatever they say. Then they say, take the ....... and put it (on top of, underneath, to the right of, to the left of) this item. So we do that, Josh and I taking turns to follow the instructions. So far we are not expected to try to say the word - they just want us to get used to hearing the language. But we do say the words when we practice at home - at least in our heads if not aloud. We also take time with the language helper to record their voice saying each item correctly, so we listen to that over and over at home. We've learned a lot of words this way already. The main topics so far have been transportation and things related to transportation and the market and food you'd find there.

We have one more week of this National Culture & Language Acquisition (NCLA), and then on Fri. Sept 15 we have language school orientation. The following Monday we start our first unit.

Josh and I have been walking to NCLA every day and back home again - 15 minutes each way. Church this morning was a short walk. We're not allowed to drive for several months for various reasons including the different traffic patterns here, so we have to walk, have someone drive us, take Josh's bicycle or take public transportation (which is safe and convenient but doesn't run after sunset (around 5:45) and sometimes is quicker to walk).

There are 3 mountains surrounding our town here. We can see 1 or 2 from our front porch depending on how hazy or cloudy it is - we haven't had too many clear days. It's hard to get a good picture of the mountains from this distance.

OK - tried twice (at 15 minutes each) to post pics, so will skip that for now and put the kids down for their naps. Thanks for your prayers. We continue to be encouraged and excited to learn the language here.