A letter to summarize Sunday's presentation at Calvary

Greetings,

My name is Stacie Evensen.  It was exciting to share at Calvary on Sunday. I was thinking back and 29 years ago I started out my education at Calvary Lutheran preschool and now God has called me to start a preschool in Myanmar. 

I have chosen the name Legacy English Center, as I want the power of God to change the generations.

There is a great need for preschool education because public school in Myanmar does not start until 6 years old 1^st grade.  Also the typical family does not have storybooks nor toys and so many basic skills are not learned at home.

There is also a great need to learn English in Myanmar.  10^th grade exams for Math and Sciences are all given in English.  It is almost impossible to pass 10^th grade without separate private tutoring and even many of those who can afford tutoring fail.   Passing 10th grade is equivalent to getting our 12th grade diploma.

Legacy English Center will start with a 3 year old nursery class this year and then add 4 year old preschool and 5 year old kindergarten the next two years.  After this I hope to teach after school English classes for 1^st grades on up to 10^th grade.  I believe this will help many students achieve their 10^th grade diplomas and give them a better start in life.

At Legacy English Center I hope not only to provide education, but also to share God’s Word with the students and their families through Bible lessons and the relationships we make.  Myanmar is 87% Buddhist and only 4% Christian so there is a great need for God’s truth in Myanmar.

I also plan to provide employment and training to some local people I have met in Myanmar.

My friend Naw Eh Wah, whom I’ve known for 5 years, is a very gifted teacher although she was not able to pass her 10^th grade exam.  She has received Level 2 teacher training with Children Evangelism Fellowship.  She will be my teacher for the Burmese and Bible lessons.  She will also assist my English lessons and train to be an English teacher in the future.

There is a mother, Ma Doe Doe, whom I’ve known for 3 years now.   Her husband has been away for 3 years working in Thailand.  She has two sons that I am planning to teach in the preschool.  I would like to provide her with the opportunity to work for me to be able to afford for her sons’ tuition costs.

Another mother, Ma Po Mu, has one son.  Two years ago she asked Naw Eh Wah and I to unofficially adopt her son to educate and raise him.  It is touching to see how desperate parents are to give their children a good chance in life.  I would love to have her son attend our preschool and to give her a job at the school to be able to pay the tuition and be near her son. 

Please pray with me as I start Legacy English Center.

Thank you, Calvary, for all your prayers and support over the past 10 years that I’ve been overseas.  It is such a blessing to have you be a part of what God is doing in Myanmar.

God bless!