oops. I didn't realize how long it's been since I've written on this. These past few weeks have been crazy busy. Seriously, my roommate and I keep talking about how at the end of each week we feel like we've gone through this time warp and still can't figure out where we are. This past week flew by especially quickly. It's really like this - we finish one thing, then have to begin preparing for something the next day. Our Christmas program is on Monday. Tuesday is our government presentation - where my class will sing "Yankee Doodle Dandy". We were chosen because of the animated students. Our class clown will be Yankee Doodle. He'll ride in on a broom wearing a larger than life yellow hat. Really...I'm convinced I have the best class.
Last night I tried to journal, and it's hard. So much is going on here - but I'm not sure what to say about it. I think I've given up on trying to express this experience verbally. Some pretty important people came to visit this past Thursday and at lunch asked us each to use one word that sums up our experience so far. That was tough. My word was "real". I'll try to explain that here as much as I can, but I'm a little hesitant because I know that I can talk all I want (even when I get back home) but until you've been here to see all of this, you'll have no clue what I'm talking about.
So... "real". Before I say anything, I'll say that yes, back at home there is realness. But man...back there, people are fighting to stay out of that "bubble" (hopefully you know what that means). Here, there is no bubble to protect yourself and hide in. Saying "yes" to Him means you have to trust Him - not just when it's convenient or easy, but everyday. I don't know if this makes sense.
Back home there are too many people who are comfortable where they are. Too many people say "whew...I'm safe..." and sit back and relax in a big comfy chair, getting fat with the food they have such free access to. The reason why we don't keel over after accepting Him is because the person next to us is not safe. If it was so we could have a nice quiet life (even getting to know Him more personally), why wouldn't He just usher us up to be right there with Him?
We saw something amazing last weekend. Almost two hundred people stood in line to go into the water. Then I found out something that just almost knocked me over - all of them, in order to go into the water, had to be a family member for a year. They were required to show their faithfulness and sincerity by showing that a year of trials would not pull them from His feet. You know what one of my first thoughts was? At home, we barely see five people a month go to the water. How much less if they were required to show their faithfulness for a year?
So for now, I'll step off of the soapbox.
Yesterday we visited a Children's home. One place we went to was named "House of Love". I wanted to stay there forever. All the children there have some disability. One little girl I held (about two years old) had a cleft lip. She was the cutest thing - I would tickle her and she just went nuts. She enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with my sunglasses. One little boy (about a year and a half old) was missing half of his arm. He was showing me his little picture book. Where most of the book had been torn off, he only had two pages left, but he just kept flipping from the picture of the bicycle to the crayons over and over again. He would gently bang on the pictures and when I banged on them he'd just stop and look up and me, smiling from ear to ear. Two of my teammates have a son and daughter in law who are in the process of adopting a little boy from the shelter. When we left, the man walked up beside me and we just smiled at each other. I'm not sure they were smiles of joy. He said, "it really leaves a lasting impression, doesn't it?" I just said "yeah".
"How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us...that we should be called sons and daughters of God! And that is what we are!"
Hope you had a great 4th of July!!! Guess what I spent doing? Practicing the "Macarena". Yep. Last night, (the 5th for us), I stood in the middle of a circle of almost 200 Chinese teachers and led them in dancing the Macarena. Yay.
So today was the first day of class!!!! It was so amazing! I have 16 students - all of whom I adore completely!!! 12 girls, 4 guys. They range between 25 and 43 years of age. One of the absolute coolest experiences in life is to name someone - I had the honor of giving English names to 13 of my students. My mother now has a namesake in China (I named one student May). It was such a busy day, but so amazing I can hardly wait for tomorrow (although I'm looking forward to sweet rest tonight). Just so you know, here's a little bit of what our day is like: 7:00 a.m. is breakfast (not really important in the scheme of things, but it's when the day starts). 8:00 a.m. is officially when class starts, but I have learned from today that I should arrive about 45 minutes to an hour early to get there before any of the students (they got there early this morning to clean the classroom and wash the chalkboard). We teach until 11:15 (with a 15 minute break in the middle). We break for lunch and rest and meet for class again at 3:00 pm. This class time goes anywhere from and hour and a half to two hours. Then, on some days we have evening events, and some days we have time to schedule meeting times with students.
So I realized I have a couple class clowns. One of our class rules is that they must speak English only. So a few times today I would look over at these two men in my class and see one whispering to the other in Chinese, watching me to see if I saw. As soon as they saw me watching, they'd smile and jump back to being quiet. My class is so lively and they honestly want to be there. It's so different here. Every single one of them have so much respect for me as their teacher. Seriously, if I start to do anything (like yesterday I went to tape a class roster on the door), they jump up and insist on doing it for me. As soon as class got out today, several students began to sweep, clean desks, and wash the chalkboard. We had a great discussion this afternoon on the differences between American families and Chinese families. It was so great - it was great bonding time. After class, several students stayed behind to talk to me. We talked about the differences between English and Chinese - the languages and the writing. They speak very well, I think they just need to adjust to hearing my voice because they have a harder time on listening comprehension than on speaking. It's been an amazing day. I think though I need to wrap it up because I could seriously go on forever just about today. In other words, I'm warning you - if you are family or a close friend, be prepared. I already have 61 pictures from the past 6 days. Start practicing pretending to listen. ;) *Fun random fact of the day - Our washing machine sings the melody of "Jingle Bells" whenever you press the start button.* Please be remembering a few things with me: my throat is killing me. I have begun to feel so much better as far as my sinuses and congestion, but I am losing my voice more and more. Bummer thing: I can't sing. I had to lead "B-I-N-G-O" and "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" this morning in class and I think that was the rest my voice could take. Also, please please ask that I would be able to remember why I am here and not get too wrapped up in the curriculum. I am absolutely loving the teaching - but I want to do more and connect with my students outside of the classroom. Last, but most importantly, for my quiet time. It's hard to make that priority (not just in thought...thought's nice, but my actions are an outpouring of what's really important to me) in the midst of everything here. Here's a quote/thought to end with: "It takes the storm to prove the real shelter." (Today's Daily Bread)
WOW. Can I just say, if you ever feel Him tugging on you to do something, do it. So I know I haven't written anything on this since getting here, but that's okay because the less I'm on here means the more I'm out there. :D So I was sitting in my room, and suddenly heard that I should go walk on the track. So I got up and walked down there, where a lot of Chinese Teachers were sitting and talking and playing basketball and stuff. There were three particular girls sitting and talking, and as I passed by they smiled, and giggled. I walked once around the track, speaking to Him, asking for opportunities. When I walked back around, the same three girls kept smiling and giggling, so I walked over to them and found out they were Chinese Teachers (our students). When I told them I was one of the English teachers, they got really excited and told me to sit down. We talked for a long time about some great things. One girl spoke a lot, with very good English. She told me that one of her biggest goals was to speak with a foreigner. When I told her "well, you did it!!! and you'll do it some more!" she smiled and just kind of looked down, marveling that idea. Then the mosquitoes came and so we got up and walked towards the dorms. I can't tell you now (really) how amazing this opportunity was, and everything that was spoken, but I can say that I am so so excited about these next few weeks. It's going to be fruitful. My Father's already moving mightily.
Please remember a few things: I have been a bit under the weather lately. That's about all I have to say about that. Obviously, that's a burden to the work we're doing here. Also, reflect on those three girls and more opportunities with them and other students.
So if I sent you the last email, I accidentally put John 15:9 and it's John 5:19. Sorry about that. John 15:9 is great too!!!
Happy Independence Day!!!! (It's just starting for yall!! - have a great one and please really take the time to reflect on this freedom we have. If you have the daily bread, read todays. It'll say more of what I'd like to.)
"How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called sons and daughters of God; and that is what we are!"
Last night I tried to journal, and it's hard. So much is going on here - but I'm not sure what to say about it. I think I've given up on trying to express this experience verbally. Some pretty important people came to visit this past Thursday and at lunch asked us each to use one word that sums up our experience so far. That was tough. My word was "real". I'll try to explain that here as much as I can, but I'm a little hesitant because I know that I can talk all I want (even when I get back home) but until you've been here to see all of this, you'll have no clue what I'm talking about.
So... "real". Before I say anything, I'll say that yes, back at home there is realness. But man...back there, people are fighting to stay out of that "bubble" (hopefully you know what that means). Here, there is no bubble to protect yourself and hide in. Saying "yes" to Him means you have to trust Him - not just when it's convenient or easy, but everyday. I don't know if this makes sense.
Back home there are too many people who are comfortable where they are. Too many people say "whew...I'm safe..." and sit back and relax in a big comfy chair, getting fat with the food they have such free access to. The reason why we don't keel over after accepting Him is because the person next to us is not safe. If it was so we could have a nice quiet life (even getting to know Him more personally), why wouldn't He just usher us up to be right there with Him?
We saw something amazing last weekend. Almost two hundred people stood in line to go into the water. Then I found out something that just almost knocked me over - all of them, in order to go into the water, had to be a family member for a year. They were required to show their faithfulness and sincerity by showing that a year of trials would not pull them from His feet. You know what one of my first thoughts was? At home, we barely see five people a month go to the water. How much less if they were required to show their faithfulness for a year?
So for now, I'll step off of the soapbox.
Yesterday we visited a Children's home. One place we went to was named "House of Love". I wanted to stay there forever. All the children there have some disability. One little girl I held (about two years old) had a cleft lip. She was the cutest thing - I would tickle her and she just went nuts. She enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with my sunglasses. One little boy (about a year and a half old) was missing half of his arm. He was showing me his little picture book. Where most of the book had been torn off, he only had two pages left, but he just kept flipping from the picture of the bicycle to the crayons over and over again. He would gently bang on the pictures and when I banged on them he'd just stop and look up and me, smiling from ear to ear. Two of my teammates have a son and daughter in law who are in the process of adopting a little boy from the shelter. When we left, the man walked up beside me and we just smiled at each other. I'm not sure they were smiles of joy. He said, "it really leaves a lasting impression, doesn't it?" I just said "yeah".
"How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us...that we should be called sons and daughters of God! And that is what we are!"
