by Andy Pearce

When the stay-at-home order began in March, our weekly Conversational English class for Caltech international postdoctoral scholars and spouses switched to Zoom and has continued on Zoom. We miss face-to-face interaction, but teaching idioms using PowerPoint and videos on a shared screen has been effective and fun, and splitting up into Zoom breakout groups for discussions has also worked very well. Another blessing is that the class has actually grown in number. Our most recent class had 13 internationals, the highest number since 2018. The use of Zoom allows us to include class members who moved. The 13 joined from four continents (including North America). Two joined from China, one from Brazil, and one from Australia (a Japanese). Our 4:30 pm start time works well for China (16 hours ahead) and Australia (19 hours ahead).

Speaking of time zones, Zoom created an opportunity for me to teach a Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class in Singapore virtually. I have visited Singapore six times in order to encourage and disciple former international students and love the city/country. When I heard that Singapore would be in a strict lockdown beginning in March, I did a Google search and found that a Perspectives class was underway. I emailed the coordinator and volunteered to teach a lesson by Zoom if there was a need. I had a reply almost immediately and an offer to teach Lesson 8 (Pioneers of the World Christian Movement) in Singapore on Zoom. Due to the 16-hour time difference, I taught from 10 pm to 1 am Pacific time.

My interaction with the class in Singapore gave rise to another Zoom opportunity. Several class members lamented that they would not be able to take an upcoming trip to India due to COVID-19. So I told them that they should put on masks and visit Little India in Singapore. That gave me the idea of leading masked and safe-distanced trips to our Little India (Artesia). Before traveling to India (or Little India), it is helpful to have extensive preparation, so I created three two-hour Zoom sessions that cover India’s history, cultures, religions, food, and communities. So far more than 30 individuals in SoCal have completed the preparation, and I have led one tour so far. As soon outdoor dining resumes, I will lead another tour.

I am grateful for the new doors God has opened to be involved in His kingdom work in the midst of a global pandemic.