So I think we've established that this semester thus far has been rough. We've lost some of the kids who've been Studying with us, we've hit roadblocks in the form of big exams, and we've been discouraged.
Here's the good news.
One of the Sisters, Cen Zi Lin, and one of my favorite Seekers, Hao Hao went with me to eat some barbecue tonight. Cen Zi Lin is the only Family member to date who's been able to stand up against peer pressure. She is such a strong kid, especially for still being a babe in Him.
Hao Hao is the girl who, when studying one of Paul's letters with me, saw the reference to Timothy, asked questions, and came back the next week having also read Paul's letters to him. Just because. And when a lot of the kids show up having not completed the chapter or so I asked them to read ahead of time, that's a big deal.
These girls have been super busy preparing for the crucial TEM-4 English exam and haven't been able to commit to a weekly study with me. I had, up until tonight, been super frustrated and upset about that, feeling like I was wasting all my time while all the girls I'd been studying with spent their time in the library.
And then, while we were walking to the restaurant tonight, they tell me that they've been Studying TOGETHER. They took the initiative to find time together when they couldn't commit to a study time with me. They told me all about how they were studying about Ruth and what they learned from this woman of faith.
I was blown away. Here I was, moping and stressing about the situation, and they've been doing exactly what they should be. The Sister is out there producing crops of her own. The Seeker is dedicated enough, even in the frantic exam-preparing mode, to take the time to learn the most important things.
Maybe we have been doing our job, after all.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Silver Linings
So I realized after the influx of concerned emails that the last post might have been a bit of a downer. Reading over it, I choose to ignore the "gloomy" adjective and go straight for "suicidal". Never fear, my friends, things are looking up. A bit.
I think God knew that we would need a little more time this semester to get into the swing of things. I am always amazed at His infinite wisdom. For example, we were dreading a semester as busy as the last, but didn't know how to slow down without disappointing the kids who are used to coming to our house every week. Many of these kids have a HUGE English exam in less than two months that they're cramming for, so they can't come to our house regularly right now. We are truly enjoying a little bit of peace in an otherwise hectic schedule. While we do miss the students, we can see the benefits in Connor, who is given more attention and time than we've ever had before.
But it's not just the free time that has improved our outlook. It's the people here working their magic on us again.
The Chinese people are, as always, both a blessing and an annoyance. You can't help but love a people who are downright thrilled when you can string three words together in their language. They are friendly and kind, always smiling and excited to see you. Unfortunately, these are also the people who stare, point, whisper behind their hands, do their best to run you over in the street, and try to pick your kid up when he cries (even though you're attempting the same thing). Still, the blessings far outweigh the annoyances.
And then there's the kids we're teaching.
Our students are (mostly) amazing. There is nothing more encouraging than a student who sends you the message: "Teacher I miss you! I want to help if you need. Love you!" Or the students who are riding the same bus as you and offer to completely change their plans for the day if you need help with shopping or getting around the city. Or the students who actually speak up in class on a regular basis. Or the kids who get so excited at the prospect of dyeing Easter eggs with you as a reward for their hard work. Or the kids who try a brownie and pass out on a chocolate high.
Even when we're tired or missing home or irritated at the perpetual knocking on the door, it's worth it. Because of these people.
So, I have nothing specific to say except that you can stop worrying about us. God always has a silver lining behind every cloud. And right now, that lining is the endless throng of people we have come here to serve.
I think God knew that we would need a little more time this semester to get into the swing of things. I am always amazed at His infinite wisdom. For example, we were dreading a semester as busy as the last, but didn't know how to slow down without disappointing the kids who are used to coming to our house every week. Many of these kids have a HUGE English exam in less than two months that they're cramming for, so they can't come to our house regularly right now. We are truly enjoying a little bit of peace in an otherwise hectic schedule. While we do miss the students, we can see the benefits in Connor, who is given more attention and time than we've ever had before.
But it's not just the free time that has improved our outlook. It's the people here working their magic on us again.
The Chinese people are, as always, both a blessing and an annoyance. You can't help but love a people who are downright thrilled when you can string three words together in their language. They are friendly and kind, always smiling and excited to see you. Unfortunately, these are also the people who stare, point, whisper behind their hands, do their best to run you over in the street, and try to pick your kid up when he cries (even though you're attempting the same thing). Still, the blessings far outweigh the annoyances.
And then there's the kids we're teaching.
Our students are (mostly) amazing. There is nothing more encouraging than a student who sends you the message: "Teacher I miss you! I want to help if you need. Love you!" Or the students who are riding the same bus as you and offer to completely change their plans for the day if you need help with shopping or getting around the city. Or the students who actually speak up in class on a regular basis. Or the kids who get so excited at the prospect of dyeing Easter eggs with you as a reward for their hard work. Or the kids who try a brownie and pass out on a chocolate high.
Even when we're tired or missing home or irritated at the perpetual knocking on the door, it's worth it. Because of these people.
So, I have nothing specific to say except that you can stop worrying about us. God always has a silver lining behind every cloud. And right now, that lining is the endless throng of people we have come here to serve.
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