Names I am
called here:
Hey Joe! (as
in, G.I. Joe) Filipinos are generally fond of Americans and
appreciative of their WW II and post-WWII efforts in this country.
So on the street, people often smile or laugh at how tall I am, and
people sometimes call out hey Joe! to get my attention and wave.
Kuya. Kuya
means 'older brother' in Tagalog (the Filipino language). On campus
Kuya Tom, our president, decided when he returned after getting his
Ph.D. that being called by academic titles would hinder what the goal
was for this place. So he asked the faculty to be on a first name
basis with their students with the addition of Kuya (for men) and
Attay (for women) to show respect as an older brother or sister,
since we are a family. So my students call me Kuya or Kuya Andrew.
Andrew. It
still works, and I like it.
Kuya Andrew ...I like it! What a blessing for them to learn in a family environment, where you are their older brother in Christ. A brother whom they can come to trust and ask good and even personal questions re: faith in Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI am glad for this blog, and I am enjoying the emails (including the parts in the Old Testament for us), good stuff! Keep them coming. :) Each one brings your ministry a little closer to Michigan. Thank you for taking the time to write these things down.