ENGLISH LESSONS, Helping The People

View of some stores crowded with tourists on the east side of the main street.

Nuevo Progreso is a tourist town sitting directly on the border between the United States and Mexico.  The last estimated population of the spreading community was approximately 18,000 people.  There is no industry in Nuevo Progreso, but there is a very large tourism trade.  People come from all over the world to visit this quaint and colorful city, and most of them speak English.  Many days it's almost impossible to walk through the crowded sidewalks and many chose instead to walk down the street among the cars and trucks.

Most of the people we know have contact with tourists in one way or another.  Many work in stores while others sell on the street directly to the passing men and women.  It has become very important for these vendors to speak at least a little English.  This helps them earn their living to support their families.

One day when the street was full of tourists.

It would be impossible to name all the types of businesses in Nuevo Progreso.  There are dozens of pharmacies, doctors' offices, dental offices, beauty shops, barber shops, tortilla factories, souvenir stores, restaurants and cafes, leather stores, shoe stores, pet supply stores, jewelry stores and grocery stores.  In addition the sidewalks are lined with outside vendors selling baskets, table linens, CD's and DVD's, pottery, religious statues and more.  Men and women parade back and forth carrying their products to sell such as toys and balloons, carved wall decorations, strings of garlic, chopped cactus and hot peppers.  And everyone tries to get the tourist's attention by calling out their wares in English.  Some can be heard calling out: "Almost free! Almost free!"

Unlike villages deeper into Mexico, Nuevo Progreso has evolved into an unusual place where new words are always being invented.  A cross between Spanish and English, it's called Spanglish or Tex-Mex. Communication with tourists is very important.

On a cold day this sidewalk jewelry vendor shielded his wares with plastic canvas sheets.

That's why we started teaching English at the church in Nuevo Progreso.  It's a way we can help the people make a better living at what they do best.  It's always pleasing to North Americans when they can talk to the vendors about their colorful and clever products.  Not only about the price of an object, but where it was made or if they made it themselves.  And it's another way we can minister to the people south of the border.