Let the Games Begin!

Here's the link to the pictures from my Inner Mongolia trip. There are also pictures from training if you haven't seen those already.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kyleghansen/InnerMongolia#

http://picasaweb.google.com/kyleghansen/BeijingTraining#

New pics!

http://picasaweb.google.com/kyleghansen/InnerMongolia#

http://picasaweb.google.com/kyleghansen/BeijingTraining#

The chaos has started. We’re only on day 4 of the 20 day session, and I feel like it’s been a week and a half. Why? When one combines lesson planning, two hours of teaching, one hour of game time, 2 staff group meetings a day, and speaking “special English” when one is with students for most of the day, one gets pretty exhausted. Furthermore when one spends 2-3 hours trying to work with the unbelievably slow and temperamental internet access so one can update their blog and do something as simple as email, the day feels much longer then it should.

Yet, even after only 3 full days of teaching, my experience has been very rewarding. Let me first explain my circumstances and then express the rewards. I am co-teaching with a girl on our team and we have a class of 27 Chinese teachers. Amanda and I are the two youngest facilitators, and so it’s kind of funny that the program director put us together because most of our students are twice our age! Speaking of them, most have pretty poor English, so I find myself talking V E R Y S L O W L Y. I have also had to find creative ways to explain concepts and ideas. Yet, while this can be a challenge, it is actually allowing me to gain confidence in my teaching because I have so much time to think about what I want to say before I say it. The Chinese passion to learn English and their respect for foreign teachers also makes teaching a lot of fun. They are easily likeable and a joy to teach, help and serve.

As for some of the already apparent joys of teaching (I’m sure I will be writing more on challenges and frustrations in due time!), students have to give a 10-minute speech in English at the end of the session. In order to help our students think of a topic, we had them discuss multiple questions including, “Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why?” And, when walking around the room and talking with two students separately, they said that we (the facilitator’s) have been perhaps the most influential because we have challenged and encouraged them to practice and excel in their oral English so they can go back and be better teachers to their students. Our students’ have no reason to suck up either, because they aren’t getting “graded” by us. Therefore this was a significant complement and not only made my day, but inspires me to be the best facilitator I can be.

Additionally, they are also very "hungry" for truth. Some of my students learned about "The Story" from watching some clips from The Passion in a class they are taking on American holidays. At dinner that day, I was able to strike up a conversation with three of them about what they learned. Even with their limited English, I could sense their curiosity and desire to understand. And, with the help of another teacher, I was able to share the heart of His passion with them. While I am unsure if they understood everything, I have 2 more weeks with them and have faith that other opportunities will arise for me to fill in some of the gaps. Please pray for a softening of hearts and opportunities to share.

Furthermore, another teacher has already had a student approach her after learning about this holiday and asked how she could "join us." She even asked how she could get "dunked" to make it more official. This was quite exciting news and we (teachers) rejoiced when we heard it! He is definitely working over here and we earnestly pray and expectantly wait for more to join The Cause. Please join with us and continue to pray for Him to glorify Himself through me and the others on our team, as we work and take part in making others glad in Him.

What I’m learning:

1) Chinese people pick the funniest English names. One girl’s name in my class is ‘Petty.’ One man’s name is ‘Johnson.’ Another student’s name in a different class is ‘Easter,’ and he is this short, shy, middle-aged man!
2) Chinese people, especially teachers have a serious respect for their teachers even if they are a foreigner who is half their age. I had one 35 year woman ask me the other day if she could go to the bathroom during one of our classes. This was strange coming from her, but it was a powerful expression of the respect they have for us.
3) I’m learning the importance of punctuality. For almost my entire life I have been “fashionably late” (however late that happens to be) to many of my classes, appointments, etc. Yet in TIP I am forced to be on time in order to set a good example for my students, and not delay our multiple staff meetings. I’m also learning not to be late because one rule in our class is if a student (or teacher) is late, we lock them out. Then, when we let them in, they must entertain us with a song or dance in front of the entire class as punishment for their tardiness. And, if you have known me for any amount of time at all, you know I can’t dance or sing. Seriously. It’s bad. Consequently there is a great incentive not to be late!
4) The older I get, and the farther down the road of sanctification I travel, the more I am realizing how little control I have over my life. But God, in His sovereign grace, brings great joy to those seeking to discover what He has already planned for their journey on that road. In other words, I am experiencing the great thrill of following God’s will for my life. Yes, trials, frustrations, and suffering undoubtedly will accompany the journey that still lies ahead, but godly joy and peace will be there through it all. Therefore, I think I can say with John Paton that "Nothing so clears the vision and lifts up the life, as a decision to move forward in what you know to be entirely the will of the Lord." Namely, my decision to come to China. Or perhaps more accurately, God’s ordination for me to come here. God initiated, I responded, and I am enjoying this leg of the journey so far. J
I really should try to shorten these... sorry!