An American with a heart for the nations.
"And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me!" -- Isaiah 6:8
Email: chinaroadie-at-gmail.com
1 You Are Here
Bible Gateway
China Blogs
China Daily News
Joe M
Leading the Way
SermonAudio
Teach In China!
visited *loading* times
It's been a good five weeks since we've been back, and I've been busy as an Oregon beaver. Finding a job was number 1 on my list, and thankfully I've been gainfully employed for the past couple weeks. I'm doing production (that is, factory) work, and I'm working a 12 hour shift every day. It keeps me busy, and even if it's not the best job, it's where God wants me for now.
I've been unable to update this thing because of my slow connection, but things are working now.
I looked at my calendar, and see that if we were returning to China, we would be leaving tonight! I do miss it, and Suzanne recieved some emails from the people at the orphanage there.
Our time spent in China was time well spent. In every aspect. I feel the Lord calling us back to the mission field, however probably not back to China.
As a result, I'm switching blogs to better reflect this change. So, the winner of naming the blog contest is.......
NarrowRoad !
So, all my subsequent updates will be on www.narrowroad.motime.com
Sometime in September I will be giving an update on our time spent in China at our home Church, Salt Creek Baptist. So if you're in the neighborhood and want to get an earful, send me an email and I'll let you know the date Suzanne and I will be sharing.
God Bless!
Gary
I don't want people to think I've abandoned this sight!
We arrived back to the States a week ago and praise the Lord for seeing us home safely and without any problems whatsoever.
In Tai'an we literally had 3 minutes to board the train with all of our luggage and kids. But everything turned out ok, and we made it to Beijing. I'll post more in a couple days as we are still aclimating to this wonderful Oregon atmosphere.
Blessings,
Gary.
(I'm still getting used to the fact of using a computer in English! This is great, no Chinese characters to guess what I'm supposed to do!)
About this time tomorrow we head out on our next journey. Making our way to Beijing by overnight train. A couple students, one a doctor and the other a hospital worker, will help load us onto the train.
During Spring Festival we had the privledge of attending a great retreat in Hong Kong. This was just what we needed at the right time. One thing we noticed as soon as we crossed the border from mainland China how 'different' everything was. More Western. A few weeks of that and back to the mainland we really noticed the stark contrast between the East & the West. Going from HK into Shenzhen and heading back north was a reminder of the differences separating two distinct cultures.
So, what exactly is different? Start with everything. The bleakness of the landscape, the perpetual haze, the old run-down buildings. They all serve as a reminder. For what, I'm not sure. But you know the difference when you see it.
One book I've read called "Survival Kit for Overseas Living" speaks at length about life overseas. It also has a chapter on re-entry. I know that a lot of things have happened in the US since we've been gone. Fashions change, styles change, and life goes on. Yet I don't look forward to many aspects of western culture. The consumer mentality, and the whole bigger/more is better belief.
I was speaking to another teacher here who taught in China several years ago for a year. He said it was harder to adjust going back to America, than it was coming to China. In what ways I'm not sure, but I'll find out soon enough. In any event We'll do fine. The Lord will guide and provide.
"Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, forever. Amen." -- Ephesians 3:20,21
Zaijian!
Today was our closing ceremony. We said our goodbyes to our students, and had one last lunch with several of them. Saying goodbye is hard to do, especially when you know that you may never see that person again. I ended with my closing remarks giving the students encouragement for the progress they made, and mentioned a quote from Walt Disney --"All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them."
It's satisfying to hear that when many students come to us they couldn't understand a word we said, and when they leave they not only understand but can communicate at a conversational level!
It appeared that over half of the students left already. The majority of our "students" are working adults sent here by their work units to become more proficient in their English skills. They have families they haven't seen for four months and are anxious to get back home quickly. I don't blame them for leaving early.
Many people started to cry, and it's a difficult thing to say goodbye to those you've worked with/taught so closely the last 18 weeks. Many of these people will never have contact with another foreigner again. Some work with the Party and have many opportunities to interact with Westerners. Whatever the status of the student, I'm confident that they leave here with their perceptions changed about Americans.
A part of me goes with each and every person that I've come in contact with. I'll never forget their faces and unique personality. A year in China changes a person. I return to the States different than when I left. It truly goes beyond words and description.
A piece of my heart will remain in China.
Two of our teammates left tonight (without saying goodbye). Right now I find it very difficult to believe that it's over. Part of me doesn't want to accept it, and look forward to the next group of people. This is not to be. Monday the new teachers arrive and the summer program begins. We will be in Beijing roasting.
Right now it's hot & humid. This weather is hard for a Pacific Northwesterner. Suzanne is hard hit with something bad, possibly a case of food poisioning.
Sunday we will visit the orphanage one last time. We'll give A1 & A2's toys to these little guys. They have so little, and the joy on their faces when Suzanne comes is precious.
Here are the customary pictures:
Doo doo doooo, lookin' outside my back door......
Only because I like this one, I'll repeat it.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Mathew 7:13,14 NIV
There's a fast food restaurant that has this Chicken statue outside, I haven't eaten there but the statue looked intersting.
Just outside the kindergarden, the statues bid you welcome. Maybe they look slightly familiar.
And please keep yesterday's prayer requests on your hearts & minds,
Thanks & God bless,
Gary
Right now I hear the cicadas outside. It's a loud buzzing, but one that quickly drops into the background noise. It's also relaxing to hear. I once remarked to my friends about these bugs, and they said, "oh yes those. they are delicious!" They drone on throughout the day and all night. They're also not kidding about them being delicious, but I would never know.
I often wake up at night, and I also hear the bullfrogs at the stream close by. They get into a burping tune (for lack of a better description) that often sounds like it's pulsing.
One unforgettable sound is the coocoo birds. There are many around now, and their call in the evening breaks the stillness of the night. Like a co-co-co-coooooo sound. It's a haunting, and lonely sound.
Today one entire class of students took us out for lunch. It was wonderful! Every single student thanks us for our work, and they wish us happiness and "much lucky every day!" At this point I can no longer call these great people my students. They are my true Chinese friends. However, Chinese tradition dictates that if you are a teacher for a day, you are a teacher for a lifetime.
How can I gage any level of success of my service in China? This is a question I ask myself. It also has many answers, none so simple. Suzanne's involvement with the orphanage has been a true blessing. A physical therapist came down from Tianjin the other day with a wheel chair for one of the little ones. This is a huge answer to prayer. Moreover, the orphanage is opening up to having more assistance from outside organizations. I would love to post a picture of the little one and her new chair, but out of respect for the wishes of the orphanage, and the girl, I will not post it. They don't want pictures circulated, and I don't want to jeopardize the relationship here because God is moving.
On another level, how do I measure my effectiveness? During training they braced us for failure. I believe I've seen a share of that. But I also feel a level of success in changing many common misperceptions on what the typical American is like. I have a weekly journal topic that students must write about. For their last journal entry I see over and over how their point of view has changed regarding America. This is coming from many Party officials. Briefly, God's spirit is moving. His Word will go forth and accomplish what He desires, and it will achieve the purpose for which He intended. It will not return void. (Paraphrase of Is. 55:11)
I have to finish correcting my final I gave today. Then it's back out for diner with another class.
Here are two pictures from a recent out-and-about. I played around with the sepia tone, and on the second picture used a blur affect.........
Prayer Requests:
As you may know, our time of service is ending this week in China. We are returning back to the States, but Lord willing, it will not be the end of our ministry.
Please keep us in your daily prayers as.....
Ok Now. How about a contest!
Since I will no longer be in China after the middle of July (in fact I probably won't have internet for a considerable time), the name ChinaRoad no longer seems to be applicable. So how about suggesting a new name for a blog! If you suggest something I use, you can consider yourself a winner! If you've read this far, you're already a winner.
God Bless,
Gary
Sometimes throughout the day I get an idea for what to write about here. Then I sit down, and I say "Naaaaaaa, not interesting."
Well I'll just go ahead with the boring stuff. I never claimed I'll have flashes of insight into pressing matters. But first, this Word from my Sponser:
Mortals make elaborate plans, but GOD has the last word. Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; GOD probes for what is good. Put GOD in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place. We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it.
Brought to you by Proverbs 16:1-3, 9. I may not know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future!
We've been having a busy weekend. The talent show went well, except for our performance. The music was somehow divided into two tracks on the school's player. So there was either words or music, but not both. So through a few false starts, we bumbled our way through it. I had wanted to practice a song on the guitar, and come up with my own spin on an old song: Red River Valley. But unfortunately I never got around to it. Now I regret not doing it.
We went out for diner with all the foreign teachers here Saturday, and that was enjoyable. A1 & A2 started to act up a little bit. They're really good kids, but we are constantly in non-kid-friendly situations. It's just expecting too much out of a 2 year old to act older than they are capable. I'm really dissappointed with the whole lack of a team atmosphere and lack of understanding from others who haven't been around young children. We've been invited out to diner again with some students next week, Suzanne will stay home with the kids. That should make some people happy. It's just a shame that we are excluded again. I don't want to sound overly negative. I believe following God is the most important thing, no matter where He leads. I still hear His call, and plan to follow where He leads. Lord, I'm just praying that we can be in a more family friendly situation in the future, when the kids are a bit older.
We had a great rain storm last night. It's so refreshing, and I sleep better at night listening to the rain. It reminds me of Oregon. The wind just comes from nowhere, and howls down the mountain. Just as suddenly, it stops.
Suzanne has been helping a student with a great project. The student, who wrote the last poem to us, wants to translate some Chinese folk tales into English. Suzanne has been proofreading, and offering her some constructive advice. I think it'll turn out well. However, when the student came over this afternoon, we had the back door open. When we opened the front door to let her in, the back door slammed shut. In itself, not a problem, but the glass window in the door shattered!
So, between packing, taking things we won't use to the orphanage & church, and getting dirty looks from people because of our kids ........ Well, you get the idea.
I'll wrap up with a few photos.
Here is one from the Television program. I wasn't able to get anyone to snap our picture, but I took this photo of A1's kindergarden teachers doing their performance!
And, buying fruit from the open market....
One last photo to leave you wondering....
God Bless,
Gary
There are so many different foods and snacks to enjoy. Many are good, many are terrible! Here is a sample of some of the everyday things I found!
Coffee for the caffeine deprived. You gotta love the logo, "I'm young... I'm coffee"
How about some cereal with your coffe in the morning? Actually, this is for the kids. I prefer oatmeal, it sticks to your bones. Each box contains about 5 individual cereal packets. On the side panel, there are picture directions on how to eat the cereal: pour cereal, then add milk. Hmmmm, or was that pour milk, then add cereal?
Well, of course you need milk for your breakfast. Unfortunately, there isn't fresh milk here. But you can get milk treated by UHT in a box! Needs no refrigeration, and has a shelf life around a year. This brand is particularly good. It's wheat flavored milk! Note the universal thumbs-up from the cow below, and the bear above. You see this on just about everything. Hey, if it's got a thumbs up, it must be good!
There's a dessert the kids like. It's like Jello, again no refrigeration needed. We call it jelly candy. The container is actually a famous cartoon character here, called Blue Cat. I doubt there's room for Blue Cat in our suitcase. We'll have to leave him behind.
This one is my favorite. We call 'em Moon Pies, after the American version.
This is the last official week of teaching. Tomorrow is Friday, and we're having a talent show! There are many students with great talent: Some of them are singing, some are putting on a skit, and one of them is dancing. All of it will be great fun. We'll be doing our star encore performance of "Brush Your Teeth"
All year A1 has had a difficult time adjusting to the culture. Now, just the other day she commented that she wants to stay in China longer! Good for her. She has the distinction of being the first foreign kid in her kindergarden. Here she is on her way to a busy day of learning, probably something in Chinese.....
Tai'an in the Spring. If only it stayed like this all year. We're right at the foot of the mountain, yet sometimes you'd never know it's there. Lately it's been so hot & humid, by the time I get to my classroom on the 5th floor in the morining I'm just dripping with sweat.
I just ran across this article on Yahoo. Apparently Science and Faith are NOT mutually exclusive.
"CHICAGO - A survey examining religion in medicine found that most U.S. doctors believe in God and an afterlife — a surprising degree of spirituality in a science-based field, researchers say. "
Over the winter I hardly saw another western face in town. In fact, I saw none. Now that spring is here I see quite a few foreign faces about. Or I would see them, if they happened to look up.
Most Chinese have an impression of the typical American: friendly, outgoing, and extroverted. Sadly, they base their sterotypes on the Tom Cruise, and Julia Robert movie characters. Wouldn't it be nice if we were all like these characters? I remind them that many Americans are like Chinese. We have our share of introverts, and soft spoken people as well.
As I was walking with some of my students, I told them they could practice their English with foreigners they meet on the street. Just as I said this, two American women were walking by. But they seemed to be watching more of the ground, and were missing all the beautiful sights & architecture surrounding them!
This isn't the first time I noticed this. As I see more westerners around, I notice that sometimes they don't even see me as they approach. If they do, they rarely acknowledge me. I always try to say hello, and if I were to notice if they looked lost, I'd be glad to help out.
Contrast this to when I lived in Alaska. It seemd that everyone walked around looking up. Everyone said hello to one another. Different places, different customs. Go figure.
Another time I was in a taxi, and through translation the taxi driver wanted to know why foreigners were so cheap? Apparently, when the driver gave a foreigner his change, he didn't give .5 kuai back. (This is about six cents US.) The foreigner got angry and almost got into a fight over such a small amount. Granted, there are people who will cheat you, but 6¢ is hardly reason to get into a fight over. I'm just more aware of my actions, and how they are percieved. You have to let little things go, and laugh about stuff.
Today I taught a segment on Easter and His message of Hope. PTL! Many are interested in learning what this is about, and the level of respect payed to the topic is wonderful. Pray for the seeds planted, for the fruit to ripen, and the eventual harvest.
Do you not say, It is yet four months, and the harvest comes? Behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white to harvest already. -- John 4:35
OK, Now for the Joke!
When I was learning Chinese, I learned how to write some characters. I'll show you how you, too, you can write in Chinese as well! We'll start with the numbers. You write the number one like this:
You write the number two like this:
Then, you write the number three like this:
Now you are ready to write the number ONE THOUSAND. I'll leave you alone as you write that one out by yourself!
Template by Splinder.com | header image credit: Markus Gann © www.begann.de
