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
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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!
This last week I've adopted a five minute rule for this blog. If it takes longer than five minutes to think about, and write about, it doesn't get done. (Total time around ten minutes.)
I wanted to write more about God's faithfulness. This is a topic I've been listening to on a CD I have going over the Life of Abraham. It's a fascinating topic, but, it'll take much longer than I've time for now. We're getting ready to make the big move back to the States, and for the time being I'll just keep it simple.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -- Mathew 11:28-30
I'll end today's post with a quote from Mr. Incredible: "We're always looking for ways to celebrate mediocrity."
Choose to do something that rises above medocrity, dare to be a flame in a dark world!
I don't usually get poems written to me and my family, but since this is the second one, I thought I would share it.
Spring Song- to Mr & Mrs H.
I’m in the east
You came to the east
You came to the east
Then we met
Then we met
In wonderful spring
In wonderful spring
You’ve been teaching
You’ve been teaching
I’ve been learning
I’ve been learning
But spring is passing
But spring is passing
You’ll be going west
You’ll be going west
Leaving me in the east
Leaving me in the east
Awaiting your return
Awaiting your return
I’m in the east
I wanted to capture some of the everyday life events while living in China. Some of the experiences I cannot put down in a web-log are the sounds.
Every day we wake and go to sleep to music blaring over several loudspeakers. It's just a brief simple trumpet tune, but it has a catchy melody. It almost sounds like the morning reveille bugle call from the military. I don't know if this is played in larger cities, but Tai'an is small enough to have some of these older traditions.
Another sound I hear constantly is from people calling out in the street. There are people who sell all kinds of things from their bikes. There is a fried noodle lady that has a huge trunk on the back of her bike. She walks around our apartment complex and sings out what she is selling. In Chinese it's called 'san zi' . She has a nice voice and the Chinese is very melodious. The fried noodles are also very delicious, and they go well with soup.
There appears to be a standard for some of these sounds as well. All the tofu vendors sell there stuff by hitting a hollow block of wood with another wood stick (Also while riding a bike.)
I recently saw a military band. You can't hear these guys play, but you can imagine the music they played.
Every week I go on a "walk and talk" with some of my students. It's a great way to get to know them better, and their true personality sometimes comes out more when there is just a few people. Today I went with one student who is a bone surgeon, and a nurse. Every person has their own reason for learning English, and I'm always interested in learning their reasons. The doctor wants to read and write medical articles, and the nurse wants to get a masters degree in psychology. I'm glad to help them, and try to meet the needs of each student. But it's difficult to reach every one of them, but we can only try. As Paul said, we are to be all things to all men.
Well, my walk-and-talk turned into a walk-and-shop. I'm not much of a shopper, and I would rather avoid it, unless it involves power tools or books. But I really needed new glasses, and they were able to barter the price down for me. Yes, you can barter the price on just about anything, and I got a great deal on my glasses. They actually cost LESS than the price of four value meals at your favorite fast food joint! Only 180¥! That's only 22US$. And it only took less than 15 minutes!
They won't last forever, they are made in China. 
But they do come with a lifetime warranty.
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