Curious Students and Short Stories

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Our first 3-week total English immersion session ended a few weekends ago. I think the best way to describe it is to have you think of a three week summer youth group camp where you are a counselor for 20 days and are constantly exhausted. But in this “camp,” you don’t get to enjoy a game of capture the flag, a blob, or a high ropes course! Yet, even though it was tiring and not always exhilarating, the session overall was a great success and there were many opportunities to “reach out” to people as I will discuss in a moment. Although I have nothing to really compare it to, alumni facilitators and administrators alike said that the session went very smoothly. For me personally, it also went well. While teaching a low class requires a great amount of patience, I really enjoyed learning how to teach and getting to know my students. Furthermore, I had 3-4 separate conversations with students who wanted to know more.... They were all seemingly random too. I didn't even initiate them. It was like He said, "Sow seeds here!" and I simply responded to His nudging. Therefore, I thank you for your prayers, because God is answering them!

In order to illustrate this let me share a tactic we use. One way that we try to encourage conversation and get students thinking during meal time is to provide “conversation starter questions” on small slips of paper that are discussed while we eat. This way, we are able to ask questions that work as “hooks” to potentially have students ask deeper questions... One day in the middle of the session we were discussing the questions, “Is it possible to be a perfect person? Have you ever met a perfect person?” Below the questions, the vocabulary words that accompanied them were “sinless,” “remorse,” and “conscience.” That day, one of my students, came up to me when I was about to go and take a much desired nap. She asked, “What does the word ‘sinless’ mean?” I answered her by tying it to His life, and by reminding her of the Passion scene the students watched during Holiday club when they learned about Easter. This led to an hour and twenty minute conversation where I was able to explain the meta-narrative of The Book and the good news two or three different ways. By the end of it she said she wanted a Book, and I was able to give her one before she left for home. Needless to say I’m glad I missed my nap that day!

This experience was quite amazing because after going to so many book studies and community groups where we talked about sharing with others, I am finally on the front lines doing it (and, since the students’ initiate by asking questions, we are able to do this in a legal manner). Moreover, about half way through our conversation, it dawned on me that I was potentially taking part in Matt. 28 instead of just talking about it. And this wasn’t the only conversation I had this session either. There were two others just like it. Additionally, my buddy Dan has had similar conversations with students as well. One in which a woman emotionally broke down on the sidewalk and was balling because she was so hopeless. She was disheartened because she has seen her husband only three times a year for the past ten years, and has raised her child by herself. In that moment, Dan was able to tell her about the great Hope we have, and see her eyes immediately light up. She wanted to know more, and Dan spent 2 ½ hours unpacking the Story.

What makes all of this even more exciting is that my friend Tracey, the girl who had befriended our study abroad group last year in Chongqing and joined the Family only six or seven months ago, is now working for TIP and has been a big part of reaching out to these people. We have worked together with three different students to explain in Chinese and English (after the session ended) about why we have such a great Hope. She even spent those 2 ½ hours with Dan helping explain things and providing credibility. This is all very special because not only have I been able to see Tracey completely change from His saving work in her life, but I’m now seeing her “on fire” filled with the Spirit and wanting others to share in our joy. How providential.

Aside from this exciting news, I thought I’d just number off some other discoveries and short stories to tell you what else has been going on in daily life:
1) My sister came to visit me while the SPU gang was here in Beijing for a week. We (of course) almost spent an entire day shopping at the infamous Pearl Market where Lauren and her classmates all utilized the bartering tips I taught them before we went so they didn’t get ripped off. Don’t worry mom, I didn’t let her spend too much money!
2) Lauren also came to visit me at school during our first session with her friend Carissa. And, while I told them multiple times that they can’t practice ANY Chinese with the students (we have an English-only environment), a student of mine gave her a chair to sit in during our class and she blurted out quite loudly, “Oh xie xie!” which means “thank you” in Chinese. While she broke the biggest rule at TIP, the students thought it was hilarious!
3) There are multiple candy vendors that sell candy similar to delicious treats you would find at the Sweet Factory in the States. They ride around on these large bikes, and one can buy about a pound of candy for a little over a dollar. I’m not quite sure how safe or smart it is to be eating “street candy” but it’s sure tasty!
4) I ordered a banana split in a coffee shop a few days ago and instead of giving me a “cherry on top” they gave me cherry tomatoes with my bananas, ice cream, and whipped cream. A little strange if you ask me.
5) There is a group of foreigners who play Ultimate Frisbee under the lights on a turf field on Tuesday night, and a fellow facilitator and I have been going out the last few weeks to get some exercise. I never thought I’d be playing Ultimate in Beijing, and definitely not competitive Ultimate – these guys travel around the world and play in tournaments, and they are definitely the best players I have ever played with. Crazy.
6) I went on an English-fellowship church retreat this weekend where we stayed out in a beautiful location about 2 ½ hours outside the city in He Bei province. The glorious landscape reminded me of the Great Northwest. We had a bonfire by the river at night and sang worship songs in Chinese and English under the stars. This was a really special and unique experience. We also went white river rafting with no helmets and really sketchy lifejackets. Some parts of the river were calm and peaceful, but other parts were actually pretty intense. Thankfully no one got hurt! There were also many young believers on this trip which made it an excellent opportunity to mentor and teach people. There were about 25 people, and I was asked to lead a morning devotional where we worked through a leadership assessment (Jesus leading through us) that was Book-centered and rather useful. People enjoyed it, and it was a great experience for me to lead. I’m excited about further opportunities to lead people there. (Also, check out the pictures if you haven’t already.)
7) We have had a two week break because of the Chinese national holiday. I’m trying to redeem the time by learning some more Chinese. Tracey is a great teacher, and the other Chinese staff is willing to help as well. Furthermore, while it will be hard to continue to study during the session, a Chinese staff member is willing to meet with me 3 times a week to help me continue learning. I’m excited to see how God might use this in my work.
8) Last week, the other facilitators and I attended a “Foreign Experts” dinner reception in The Great Hall of the People celebrating the Republic of China’s 60th Anniversary (Since I am an English teacher I am considered a foreign expert. It is weird to be called that at 23, but I’m not complaining!). This is right next to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and is where the Communist Party of China holds its National Congress meetings. It is perhaps the most extravagant buildings I have ever been in. This event was also broadcasted on TV, and when I was riding the bus the other day I saw a rerun of our reception. Pretty cool. Also, the Beijing parade for this Anniversary was the most extravagant thing I have ever seen. When you get the chance, YouTube “China 60th National Day parade” or something and watch some of the videos. They put the Big Apple New Year’s celebration to shame. Unbelievable.
9) Going places around the city can be almost a full day event. It took Tracey and I 4½ hours (3 bus transfers both ways) to go to Ikea where I bought a room lamp. While this has been perhaps my best investment in China to date, it was sure a trek to get across town!
10) A group of us hiked to the Great Wall a few days ago… and ended up being forced to camp on the wall overnight in 35 degree weather without any of the appropriate gear… it was a crazy story and too lengthy to tell here, but I will share it in my next update.

Finally, I start my next session next week Tuesday where we will have 450 new students and I will be co-facilitating another low-level class with one of the new facilitators who just arrived. Her name is Abby and she is from Indiana. I will update again in a few weeks.
I would love to receive any news from the homeland when y’all get a chance to write. Also, thanks again for your prayers!

In Him,

Kyle