Global Connections

Twenty-one American Volunteers and Internationals traveled to Sandusky, Ohio last  Friday to the roller coaster capital of the world: Cedar Point!  It was a beautiful sunny day and from the pictures I saw it looked like everyone had fun despite the fact that the wind was a little cool coming off the lake.  I’m sure there were some great memories made!  Above are a few pictures.  Check out our Facebook Fan Page for more!

If you are planning on taking the TOEFL in the near future, consider joining us for this free, six-week class to prepare for the internet-based TOEFL.  Taught by ESOL instructor Julie George, the class will focus on strategies for mastering the reading, listening, speaking and writing sections of the TOEFL.

Class will be meeting on Wednesdays starting June 5th till July 10th from 12:45-3:00PM.

This class is not for the beginner or low intermediate speaker of English.  Please contact Julie by Tuesday, May 28th if interested in attending.

Next Friday, a group of GC American Volunteers and Internationals will travel to the roller coaster capital of the world!  Cedar Point located in Sandusky, Ohio is truly the roller coaster capital with not only roller coasters but many other great rides to enjoy!  We will caravan over via car or van and there are still seating spots left.  Please email Mallory for more information and to sign up!

Date: Friday, May 17th, 2013

Time: 9AM-9PM

Cost: $32 (48″ and up), $19 (under 48″)

This is one of our most popular field trips, so sign up soon!

It’s amazing to think this is already the last week of the school year!  Good luck to those taking finals this week and many blessings to those recieving their degrees this weekend!  You have worked hard and are now reaping the blessing of all that hard work!  May it bring the added blessing of a job for the near future!  We will miss you if you are moving on and hope you will come back to visit us!  God Bless you!!!!

Last Friday a group of International ladies and American Volunteers gathered for the last Friendship Friday of the season.  Crafter, Betty DiSilvio demonstrated and led the class in creating fabric angels.  These adorable creations could be used for wall decorations or ornaments or I think they could easily sit pretty on a bedspread against a pillow!  They were very fun to make and even the two little girls who accompanied their mothers were able to make their own!

As always, everyone brought a food dish from their home country to share.  So we feasted and crafted and hopefully made some new friends in the process!

Last Friday International students and American Volunteers volunteered to serve dinner at Martha’s Kitchen.  Martha’s Kitchen is a community outreach to serve the poor of Wood County with a nutritious dinner and spend some time getting to know them.  Leftover food as well is sent home with those who have been served.  Martha’s Kitchen uses First United Methodist Church on Wooster Street in Bowling Green and serves the poor from its kitchen facility.

If you need to stock up on foods you just can’t get in Bowling Green consider signing up to go to Toledo to the ethnic markets there!  We go to an Asian, an Indian and a Middle Eastern market and usually take time to eat at one of the deli’s offered.  Remember, this is the last shopping trip to Toledo that will be offered for the school year.

Date: Saturday, April 13th

Time: 9:30AM-1:30PM

Place:  We’ll meet in Parking Lot A (at the corner of East Wooster and S. College) by the walkway between Hanna Hall and University Hall by the dumpster.

Space is limited.  Please email Mallory if you want to go.

The summer is fast approaching and that means Global Connections’ Field trips!  We have four wonderful field trip options to choose from for 2013:

5/17– Cedar Point–The roller coaster capital of the world!  $32.  9AM-9PM.  Deadline to sign up for this popular trip is 5/8.

6/8–Wood County Historical Museum–learn about the rich history of Wood County!  Watch demonstrations on quilting, rope making, butter churning and more!  We’ll have a picnic lunch as well!  10AM-3PM.  FREE

6/22–Detroit!–Enjoy Belle Isle (an island park), the Eastern Market (a farmer’s market where you can also buy your lunch!), The Heidelberg Project (a place to look at outdoor artwork), the River Days Festival (celebrating maritime, ecological and culinary culture), a ride on the People Mover, and finally dinner at Mexican Town!  9AM-9PM.  Events are FREE but activities may have a cost.

7/20–Downtown Toledo!–Experience the Imagination Station, Sandpiper Boat Cruise, and/or a tour of the W.B. Boyer Museum Ship.  We’ll eat a late lunch together at Tony Packos or the Spaghetti Warehouse.  9:30AM-4:30PM.  Activities range from $7-$15.

Children are welcome to accompany you on any of these field trips.  Costs listed do not include spending money.  Since space is limited on all these trips, it will be wise to contact Julie soon to reserve your spot.

This coming Friday Global Connections in partnership with CMC Group will host interested Internationals wishing to learn about this highly successful company.  You will hear from the leaders within this group of companies how they grew from the bottom up.  CMC Group consists of Century Marketing, DayMark Safety Systems, DayMark Technologies, and NovaVision.  In addition you will be able to take a tour of one of the companies and ask any questions you may have.

Date: Friday, April 5, 2013

Time: 1:30-3:00PM

Place: CMC’s Boardroom (12830 S. Dixie Highway, BG)

Please RSVP to Julie.  Rides are available.

For Christians, yesterday marked the beginning of the Easter season.  This season is the celebration of Jesus Christ rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples and other of His followers for a period of forty days.  At the end of this time, called Pentecost (which is actually fifty days in total), His followers were given the gift of the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of flame and commanded to go out and make disciples of the nations.  They were to be witnesses first in Jerusalem and then to the whole world.  The early church was born.  What was witnessed as a travesty became a blessing and continues to be so.  So to Christians and others who are open to this message, may this be a blessed time for you!

The picture above shows Jesus appearing to two of His followers along the road that led to a town called Emmaus.  He explained to them how it was necessary for Christ to suffer and die and then be raised again.  He opened up many scripture passages to them and was invited to stay and have a meal with them.  While at the table, he took some bread, broke it and gave it to them.  At this, their eyes were finally opened and they realized who he was.  Then, he disappeared.  These followers then returned to Jerusalem and told the disciples what had happened to them and how their eyes were opened at the breaking of the bread.  They said, “The Lord has risen, indeed!”