"Verbs! Verbs! ...and more verbs!"

This was how Jill Dillard from the cancelled Christian reality TV show "19 Kids and Counting" described the Spanish lessons she has been taking with her husband Derick now that they are undertaking a new ministry in Central America.

"We are enjoying our classes and are so blessed to have each other to bounce questions off of since we are taking the same classes," she shared on the Dillard Family Blog. "The way our school teaches is individualised, so we each have an instructor. This really helps us to be immersed and practice conversational Spanish every day. It has opened up good opportunities for both of us to talk about the Bible and pray with our teachers."

Aside from learning a new language, the Dillards have also been busy paying a short visit to their families back in the United States. Jill played her part in the new TLC documentary she did with her sister Jessa, and still found time to attend the wedding of their good friend Michaella Bates.

"We didn't think we were going to be able to make it. But once we realised that we needed to make a trip back to the States to do some filming for the upcoming TLC documentary, we were thrilled that the dates coincided with that of the wedding! We were able to make the stop in Tennessee on our way back here to Central America!" she said.

They had to double up on their studies because of their short trip, but Jill said it was worth it to be reunited with their families and friends. She said her younger sister Joy and her best friend Carlin Bates even joined her on her return trip to Central America.

"It's been a blast having company and they've been such a great help to us while we bury ourselves in the books! I will not want them to leave after their two-week visit! I love having them here for the friendship, and Israel certainly loves all the extra attention!" she said.