Mr. Lexie, From Zero to Hero

Mr. Lexie, a Manadonese in Surabaya, a Church Worker

Mr. Lexie was my student. From Sidoarjo to Surabaya he just joined the English course for his further study. This student is very special. He started from zero. Having a mental block in learning English made him pass the first two months with struggle. I remembered the time when he kept silent when I said sentences and when I asked him to do some tasks. I remembered the time when I was confused of what to do with his silence. I just let him have his time. I did not force him a lot. The time came when he tried to speak. He was more fluent in the third month. His understanding improved followed by his confidence in speaking.

I was tricked by his silence. In fact, he is not shy. It was just because he did not know how to say in English. But the time came when he tricked us back using difficult quizes and jokes. What I remember the most was he liked to say, "tacky", a word that I taught which means "kampungan/norak". I always laughed when he tricked us (Ms. Olga, Mr. Aries, and me).

Now, he is finishing his study in Jakarta and continuing his ministry in his church. Wherever he is, I always remember our time that we have been through together.