Myra Goodwin, a professional teacher, has taught with the American Professional Partnership for Lithuanian Education, A.P.P.L.E. for six years. This article was the basis for her remarks given last summer in Vilnius to the A.P.P.L.E. faculty members who were teaching in Lithuania. (Permission to reprint this article was given by A.P.P.L.E., P.O. Box 617, Durham, CT, 06422)

The Gift of Knowledge

Before arriving in Lithuania, we spend months preparing for the classes we are to teach. When in Lithuania, we go to a town or city and for two intense weeks we pass on the educational knowledge and skills we believe are most valuable. To those of you who are here for the first time, I guarantee that you will find the teaching to be exhilarating and exhausting. Sharing the gift of knowledge is our purpose.

The Gift of Laughter

When I went to Lithuania six years ago, I noticed the lack of smiles and eye contact from the teachers. Often they would look at the floor or turn away when I approached them.

Then for two weeks we worked together...and we laughed together. We had fun! We did silly things on Talent Night. I always remember John Sullivan (our favorite Hawaiian), shedding his clothes and doing a hula dance. All of us nearly died laughing. John, however, did more than simply demonstrate a dance. John demonstrated that it was okay to laugh at ourselves. I think this was either something new for the teachers, or something they did not expect from the Americans. Many times Lithuanians have said to me, "In Lithuania, we are very reserved. We have enjoyed the freedom to laugh with our A.P.P.L.E. friends."

The Gift of Hope

A Lithuanian friend of mine made this comment: "As children, we were taught not to think because it was dangerous. When the Soviets invaded, they either killed or deported many of the most intelligent and the most productive people in the country. We learned not to ask questions and to hide our intelligence."

During the A.P.P.L.E. courses, we notice that many Lithuanian teachers come to the classes prepared to write every word that is said. They want us to tell them "the answers". They seem to want us to give them a recipe for teaching. Immediately, we explain that we are there to share ideas and techniques, which have worked for us, and that there is no recipe. We tell them that they must constantly brain

orm and problem solve. The power is within their own heads Ö the power is within themselves! As they realize this, their sense of hope in dealing with the future increases. This concept is important, not only for teachers, but for every Lithuanian.

The Gift of Care

One of my favorite writers is Henri Nouwen. He says that in America we want to fix things. We want cures for the problems. We create agencies to provide cures for the ills of society. Nouwen also says that "cure without care is dehumanizing". Many of the social service agencies in our country are examples of that.

A.P.P.L.E. is an organization whose desire is to help educators find solutions. It is certainly true that we want to help them fix things. A.P.P.L.E., however, provides care.

A.P.P.L.E.'s schedule is structured so that relationships naturally form. Faculty members do not teach and then return to the isolation of their rooms. Faculty members are required to participate in English coaching sessions for the Lithuanians and choice lectures (with topics ranging from discussions on women's issues to the less serious line-dancing lessons). Most of the evenings are planned so that A.P.P.L.E. faculty and the Lithuanian educators spend time together. Relationships form. CARE happens.

Several years ago in Vilnius on the day the A.P.P.L.E. seminars were ending, Gita Kupcinskas, an A.P.P.L.E. teacher, returned to her classroom to find these words written on the chalkboard: "Thank you for the journey home. Yours to Lithuania, ours to becoming human beings again."

So...what do the A.P.P.L.E. lecturers receive from Lithuania? I find it very difficult and emotional for me to put this into words. For me, Lithuania is my "healing place". I come to Lithuania, I put aside all of the demands of my life, and I allow something very deep inside of me to be touched. I experience the goodness of the Lithuanian people. I experience the generosity of the Lithuanian people.

I become friends with people who tell of growing up in Siberia or who tell of being at the TV tower when the tanks arrived the night of January 13, 1991. I know that I am here to learn from them. My materialistic world seems very far away...and very unimportant.

As they teach me, I receive the gift of knowledge. As I dance and sing and spend evenings with my friends, I receive the gift of laughter. When I return to the U.S. and face the often-painful challenges and difficulties of life common t all human beings, I remember the faces and the strength of my friends, and I

stknow that I have received the gift of hope. As I hold the presents I have been given, and as we hug our good-byes and I feel the sincerity of the embraces, I know that I have also been given the gift of care.

To those of you who are new to A.P.P.L.E., I can tell you that the relationships with the people in Lithuania will be as deep as you allow. If you happen to be in a town without regular hot water, don't let that become an issue for you. If you happen to have a bed that is not quite as soft as the one you have at home, don't let that become an issue. Allow yourself to experience the true beauty of Lithuania  the people. Allow yourself to experience relationships with the most beautiful, giving people you can ever meet.

Last summer my wonderful friend and mentor, Dr. Jane Schulz, taught with A.P.P.L.E.. Jane has taught for years in the U.S. as well as in other countries. When she was leaving Lithuania, she said with tears in her eyes, "You know, at this stage in my life there are not many life-changing experiences. Lithuania has been life changing." Jane's comments sum up the reason we return year after year after year.