By Derek Weiss

AT two o’clock on a Thursday afternoon, seven people chat casually as they make their way into a side room at the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) Drop-in Centre.

Several of them have come from the dining area, where they enjoyed UGM’s free lunch service and some friendly conversation. Others have come straight off the street.

As they settle in, a man with a warm smile and a guitar strapped to his back greets them. He checks his tuning and announces a song, then starts singing in a beautiful, melodious foreign language. Others quickly join in, using song sheets from binders they have brought with them.

This is Hebrew class at Union Gospel Mission.

It is not what you would expect at an urban relief organization – even a Christian one. But for the last two years, UGM’s facility in the City of Mission has been offering Hebrew classes at no cost to its guests and other members of the community.

UGM assistant manager Greg Peters leads the class weekly; and on the day I visited, he started the class as he always does: with a song.

“Songs are a great way to get people used to the Hebrew words,” explained Peters. “It takes away the intimidation factor.”

 Many raised their hands as they sang the biblical psalms in the language in which they were written; and others turned their shining faces upward in worship. Clearly, this was about more than just academic learning to them.

But when Peters made the transition to teaching them a lesson on the white board, the excitement in the room only grew. With keen enthusiasm, he explained the meaning of one of the Hebrew words in the last song. He wrote the Hebrew characters on the board, discussing the origin of each character in detail, and how the word relates to others throughout scripture.

Peters’ enthusiasm was as focused as it was contagious. The students could barely keep from interrupting one another as they explained how the class has changed their understanding of the scriptures – and their lives.

Continue article >>

“Where it really hit home for me,” said Paula, a middle aged woman with a warm smile and thoughtful eyes, “was when I realized that ‘Bethlehem’ means ‘House of Bread.’ And Jesus said that he is the bread of life. So it makes sense that he was born there!”

Paula grinned as she saw the reaction of a new classmate, who had never heard this before. She continued: “It was those little bits of meaning that drew me into the Hebrew; it makes me more excited about my faith.”

She quickly shuffled through her stack of paper from the class –  notes, Hebrew alphabet charts, and dozens of pages of Hebrew songs – looking for a sheet that explained the Hebrew origin of ‘Bethlehem’ in more detail.

 Heidi, the new student, was a quiet woman with auburn hair and a keen interest to learn more. She had only been going to the classes for a few months, but had already picked up quite a bit – and worshiped freely and passionately during the songs.

The students come from a variety of backgrounds. Some first connected with UGM as volunteers; others have left a life on the street, and continue to come to UGM for support.

Many, like Heidi, are, in her words, “doing the shelter thing” and use UGM’s services – like meals, advocacy, chapel services and other support.

 The class usually meets weekly, and though attendance varies from month to month, there is a core group that is always encouraging the newcomers.

Jane, a woman in her 50s wearing a bright yellow dress, said: “I’ve always wanted to read the Bible in the original language. I thought, because of my age, that it wouldn’t happen – but it did.” A friend in the class interrupted with a grin, boasting that Jane can even recite the Lord’s Prayer in Hebrew, from memory. Jane looked down modestly; but there was no escaping the feeling of shy confidence the class has given her.

 “People tend to really underestimate themselves at first,” said Peters. “But pretty soon they realize how far they’ve come, and how much they can read in the Hebrew. I’ve never seen such passion for any other language. Once they start, it’s hard to stop!”

 Contact: ugm.ca

December 2010