God is so awesome -He never let me down..
I had four classes today.
First- I had no clue what to teach. The teacher told me what pages, but reciting and repeating is...not my style of teaching. I like to make my students THINK. And now that I'm teaching jr. high, I can manage to do things like that in class. So while I'm praying for ideas, my turn to teach comes. Ok, I was NOT going to let myself get walked over by thoughts of uncertainty. God didn't plan for me to fail this morning. I got close to a "silent moment" (VERY scary thing when you're a teacher), and decided not to let it last long. Ideas finally came, and the rest of class flowed after that.
2nd- This was funny. I had to teach a song. It did NOT give me an ego boost having to sing it (oh my word, it was so..not a fun song). I prayed again, this time that I would stop laughing by the time we finished listening to it and I had to teach it.
3rd- I don't know what happened, but that was one of the best classes I've taught in a LONG time. It flowed. It completely rocked.
4th- Last, but not least. I thought it had all but crashed itself. The students would NOT talk...at all- then, to top it off, the inspector and princple decided to walk in and grace the students with a speech during class. I spent almost the entire class time trying to get the kids to TALK. Then we sang another song.~ No comment.~ Walking out, I'd felt like that class was near impossible to teach, and was trying to figure out ways to fix what I thought were "problems." Then I talked with one of the students- who's also a good friend of ours. He said he'd never seen his classmates so interested in English, and that class was fun today. He gave me some helpful insight as to why they were so quiet, then thanked me for giving them a fun class.
That last part really made my day. It wasn't really becuase they thought English class was fun today. It was that God gave me success- even when I didn't realize it- and showed me how to change things that needed work to make them work better. So now, I have lots of good ideas for that class- and they involve getting students more involved and speaking LOTS of English....:-) So we'll see what happens.
I'm so glad God wants us to succeed. That makes Him an awesome Boss to work for.
Enjoying my job,
Ginger, Kinmen team
Administrator: February 2005 Archives
I sit here in front of my laptop with a very blank screen in front of me and, most likely, a very blank look on my face to match. So much has happened that I could write about, and yet I don’t even know where to begin. I was informed by several of my teammates in Hong Kong that they actually read my updates. The thought that people might actually take time to read what I write is, honestly, quite horrifying and suddenly I’m sitting here wishing that I’d written lousier updates so people wouldn’t read them and then I wouldn’t have to worry about writing something good every time. I think I’ll just tell you about some of the funny things that have happened recently- maybe that will give you a glimpse into the randomocity of life for us weirdos in Taiwan…
The fun started when my group of nine of us foreign teachers got to Hong Kong. We went through customs and all and traipsed through the airport to find our bus. We went the wrong way several times and met some nice people- I think the helpful chap with the McDonalds bag was my favorite. Eventually Tony got the brilliant idea to ask someone where we were supposed to go. They directed us to the hotel bus curb, which was really simple to find- all you had to do was go all the way through the airport, turn after you see all the taxis, go past several sinister looking guards, and keep walking for about three and a half minutes after you stopped seeing other human beings walking around.
Once we found the place we all went outside to get on the bus. Well the guy is like “you can’t get on the bus- you have to go upstairs to exchange the tickets!” We’re all like Huh? We have tickets- can’t we just get on? But noooo… So Tony takes all of our tickets and heads upstairs. We’re sitting outside waiting next to the sign that says “no waiting” watching the people walk by and get right on the bus when finally Tony comes back wearing this enormous sticker on his chest. We all bust up laughing and he begins to recount his little adventure. He went upstairs, found the desk, and got our tickets exchanged or whatever he was supposed to be doing. The lady evidently asked him which hotel we were staying at. She writes the name of our hotel on this enormous rectangular sticker with the bus company’s name on it, and then she’s like “come closer”. Tony leans over and she sticks this HUGE sticker on his chest. Then she tells him that he must wear the sticker on his chest so the bus driver recognizes him. Furthermore, his eight friends must stand close to him so the bus driver knows who we are too.
Well, while he was upstairs the midnight bus left so we have to wait for the last bus, which comes at 12:30. So we all sit down to wait and laugh at Tony. This bus drives up and we all go stand close to it so they know we’re there. Tony walks up to the window and is flashing his sticker, pointing to it, jumping up and down…yeah, I’m sure if you know Tony you can imagine… The bus driver seems to think this is quite hilarious also, but he begins to get slightly annoyed when Tony begins to interfere with his nap and gets out of the bus to tell us that we can’t leave yet cause we have to wait for the “staff” (whoever that is). A second bus pulls up behind the first one and we all go up to that one, thinking maybe that was it, but the guy is like “No, no, no- not yet!” So we’re standing in between the two busses- us “eight friends” are all standing close to Tony and Tony is making sure everyone can see his sticker quite clearly. Every other person who walks out the door gets to board the bus right away while we’re standing there watching in dismay as our first bus up and drives off! We were all about to scream and run after it but finally the “staff” announced that NOW we could get on the bus. I think they just got a kick out of torturing us- we were certainly their entertainment for the evening…
Less than a week later, my team was teaching at an elementary school about two hours into the mountains of Nantou. I had been looking forward to teaching at this school, as two of my good friends had taught at the school and told me a lot about it. It was a really nice school, and everything was going according to plan- we started out with a large group with the whole school (only about 80-some students). Mai and I were singing to a few of the students during the break when Chase comes up to me with a rather odd look on his face. He informs me that it’s my birthday and the school bought me a cake so I needed to act surprised when they showed up with it. Well, the surprised part should be easy to do… At first I just kind of stood there staring at him, thinking this was some sort of joke. Soon I realized that he was being serious- and sure enough, after the next class several teachers came in with a big cake with a “?” candle on the top. Kind of what I was thinking too- “?” I acted surprised (of course, I WAS surprised but not quite in the way they were expecting) and they were so excited that they knew it was my birthday. I even got a big bouquet of flowers… Later we were mulling over how in the world they got the idea that it was my birthday- I mean, it was February 25th and my birthday is July 19th. Finally we figured out that it was the Hualien Christina’s birthday and there had been some mix-up about which Christina’s birthday it was. Oh well- the cake was really good…
Tuesdays always crack me up because not only do I have this totally wild and crazy 6th grade class, but during breaks all these kids come to recite their English dialog for me so I can sign their paper. I guess it’s a requirement for all the kids in the school or something. Anyway the funny part is that some of these kids that come to me for help can barely read Chinese, much less English. I have this one little guy who especially cracks me up- he must be in first or second grade. Every break he comes up to my desk, sidles up to me, sticks his paper in front of my face, and whispers “bu hui nien” (which basically means he can’t recite it). So then I say the dialog and he “repeats after me”. Normally, however, what I say and what he says are vastly different. What starts out as “I’m going to the Principal’s office” ends up sounding more like “Ima going…” and then he forgets the rest and inserts his own jibberish until he feels like it should be about time for the sentence to end. Sometimes I just have to laugh... another perk of Tuesdays is my wild 6th grade class. Those kids are naughty beyond all reason but I love them anyway. I guess I just love mischievous boys… There’s this one boy who almost always greets me with “hey man” except for the one time he realized I was not a man and said “hey woman” instead. They’re a little harder to teach and I’ve even “as-close-to-yelling-as-Christina-gets” at them a couple of times, but it’s still probably my favorite class. Anyway, this update is getting really long so I shall sign off for now. Keep us in your prayers, especially as those of us in Nantou and Jiji prepare for two back to back teachers conferences on March 19th and 25th. Thanks!!
Congratulations, you’ve officially reached the end of my update. Good for you! If you scrolled down to read the end first so you could see who wrote this and decide if you wanted to read it or not, THAT’S CHEATING so you don’t get any good baby stickers…
Christina “Kai Shi” Moody
Proud member of the Ying Pan team
“… I’ve grown so much its crazy. I have dreams now, hopes, goals, and I’m still getting more… It’s funny I’m even closer to my dad now.” That was a good part of the conversation that took place between me and on of my best friends last night.
We both have been going through as we would call it trials well I guess every day is a trial for me. I find myself asking Lord will I make you the most important thing in my life today or am I going to put myself or someone else above you. Will I focus on how things are not going for me or am I going to give these things to you.
In these last 3 months God has really been hitting the importance of relationships. I originally wished it was only in one area but it’s been affecting many areas of my life.
The first biggest change has been between my dad and I. Having conflicts before I left from home with him just over 3 ½ years ago are finally being worked out between us. I really have a much better respect and understanding of my dad then I’ve ever had before. I guess in a sense I don’t even see him as my dad anymore but as one of my closest friends. I go to him now not because I have to but because I want to.
The next area and much more important has been my relationship with the Lord. You know I have to be honest it was very hard hearing clearly from Him. Over these past few months I’ve ultimately had no where to go other then to God. You know the first thing he starts doing is showing you areas in your life that you need to confess and make right with Him. I’ve learned in a new way that sin really prevents you from hearing clearly from God. Due to God’s hatred of sin he can’t live in a heart that is in disobedience to Him. The most amazing thing has been in the fact that it’s not me that’s brought about that change but Christ.
The next area was expecting God to work within my timetable. You know I’ve never been someone who’s enjoyed waiting. In fact I don’t think any of us want to wait for the things we want most. Waiting upon God and his timing has probably been the thing that has brought about these other changes in so my life. I’ve learned that although waiting is difficult it’s what God would have me to do. The biggest comfort comes in not being alone. During these trials we have feelings that were alone. God’s asked us to do this huge thing and we have to face it all by ourselves. But really we’re not alone. In fact in the times where I don’t think I can make it one more minute, one more hour, one more day that’s when God comes and reminds me that He’s right there with me. It doesn’t change the fact that you still have to wait but you have someone who’s with you and won’t leave you.
So really all of these trials are really turning out to be blessings and in the end I know that even the things God is having me wait upon Him for will bring about a wonderful blessing.
Please continue to pray for all of us here in Taiwan. We really are unable to carry on the work without your prayers. Thank you for those of you who pray for us faithfully even every day. During the times we need it most its of great comfort to know we’re not alone.
Being reminded every day that God is good… all the time.
Hualien, Taiwan
Joshua Smith
Well, I was looking forward to writing this update, because I was planning to introduce the new people on the Kinmen team. But now I’m sick, and pretty much the whole team has been sick all week, and this update is late, so I’m just going to keep things short. :-)
I’ll give you all a praise that my brother Samuel shared at a church gathering Friday night. On his way to school Wednesday morning, he felt pretty bad and asked for prayers that he would be able to teach his four classes; and before starting his first class, he prayed again. His four classes went beautifully, he felt great, and he had no trouble juggling (whenever he’s tired or sick, his juggling usually goes way downhill)!
Just as soon as he got back from classes, though, he immediately felt terrible again, and spent the rest of the day in bed. On Thursday, he still felt bad, but decided to try praying again and see if he could teach his classes anyway. Sure enough, he felt just fine while teaching! and ... felt terrible again just as soon as he finished. :-)Seriously, though, it’s always nice to know that it was definitely God getting you through your classes. :-)
Okay, until next time, I shall think about how I want to introduce the new team members... Megan has suggested “Sick 1, Sick 2, and One From Michigan,” but I heartily disapprove such state comparing…unless it makes Texas come out on top. ;-P
God bless each of you, and thank you for your prayers!
~BJ, for the Kinmen team
Almost two weeks have past since we resumed teaching after the winter break. It felt good to get back into the mix of things with fresh energy and new ideas. A Couple high lights and changes are that I am now teaching a pair of third and fourth grade classes. At least for the first two weeks these kids have been a dream to work with. No, they are not better behaved than the other little munchkins I work with in the fifth and six grades, but the majority don’t know any English words, all they know is a little bit about the alphabet.
So armed with the fine literary classic Hop on Pop we began to learn English the right way. I was so pleased today when they finally were able to read two words: Up, Pup. While I still don’t think they fully understood why pup was up, or how he got up, or why he wanted to be up in the first place, they were still pleased with themselves, and I was quite proud of them.
Thank you for your continued prayers I will be traveling to Taipei this weekend for a meeting with King Car. We will discuss recruiting for next year. Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth workers.
We have the possibility for adding another two counties next year, and we will need at least 22 new people to fill all the locations. This is humanly impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Blessings thank you for your prayers
Benjamin Jacob
I like new things – new beginnings. There’s something that is exciting about the beginning of a new year, the beginning of a new month, week, or day. It’s clean and fresh no marks or stains. Like a blank page waiting to be written on. Many times at the beginning of a day, week, month, or year I wonder what this particular amount of time will hold. Here in Taiwan I often wonder what “new thing” I’ll experience next!
This past week has been spent in starting a new semester. Brainstorming for new ideas to use in the classroom, handing out the new books, making new name cards, and talking with the kids about the New Year has all helped to make this a fun week for me. (The only thing that I didn’t like was my new schedule but I’m sure I’ll get used to it fairly quickly!) I’m not going to new schools this semester which is nice, although there are a few new faces in some of my classrooms. New friends to make! As I look ahead to the next four months I’m asking the Lord to give me a new burden and zeal for sharing His love with those around me.
Today this verse stood out to me. I believe it was because I was thinking about “new” things as well as the fact that I’m living on an island and can see the ocean from my bedroom window. “Sing to the LORD a new song and His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, the islands and coastal regions and the inhabitants of them sing a song such as has never been heard in the heathen world.” (Isaiah 42:10).
Please join us in praying that a new song of praise would be sung to the Lord here on the island of Taiwan and that in the months ahead we would have a new song in our hearts as well.
Katrina Nisly
Hualien, Taiwan
Well, we had an incredible time at camp...at least I did. You should have seen some of the stuff that we did. It was crazy, so much fun, but terribly exhausting.
We had 77 kids from all over Taiwan, studying Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Now, I didn't know if I would be alive after it, but it went well. And, I have become the infamous "Hamburger!" - 'Scrooge,' that is. Somehow, I ended up acting this character, and every time I said, "Humbug," the kids thought it was the Chinese for 'hamburger'. The whole camp was full of kids imitating my part in the 'Christmas Carol'. During the skits, I was: Joseph, Ebenezer Scrooge, Charlie, Storyteller, Squanto, Messenger boy, and...I can't remember the rest. But it was very cool.
Now, as we move back into our regular schedule for the next semester, it is going to be interesting to say the least. Almost every one of my schools are swapping classes for me, so I will be teaching different kids. I pray that this semester will be the best semester that we have ever had. That should be our desire, our goal, - to do the best that we can. Please pray for the team here, that we would all have this encouragement; that we would strive to teach this school year for God's glory!
Isaac Mazur
Ying Pan Elementary School
How Precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. ~Psalm 139:17-18
These two verses came rushing back to my mind as I took off in the airplane today from Kinmen Island. I had spent three weeks on Kinmen Island. The first two weeks were spent teaching winter camps. The last week was a vacation week. Now I was on my way back to JiJi. It was the breath taking view from the airplane of the shore which seemed to stretch for miles that brought these two verses to my mind. As I looked out over the shore I could not even comprehend the amount of grains of sand that were on the shore. To think that God's thoughts are even more than the sand! As I reflected on that thought I was in awe of God's greatness. God's thoughts truly are great. I enjoyed my tine spent on Kinmen Island.
Lydia Deluca
Well, I sit here with 20 minutes before I leave for the airport realizing I never wrote my update. I guess I can blame it on the late night dinner and a movie but I wont use that excuse this time.
My time home has been an adventure, traveling from Chicago to Orlando to Washington D.C to Detroit onto Toronto back to Detroit then here in Chicago. With today leaving Chicago to go to Tokyo and then back to Taipei.
I guess you can say I've been traveling a lot. I'm looking forward to hopefully a nap on the plane. I guess we'll see what happens with Daniel and I. Pray we dont get kids kicking our seats all the way back as we had on our trip back to America.
The Lord has been really good providing for different needs while being home as well as giving direction. I'm amazed at how God can even work in changing the hearts of those in authority over us. I've seen two specific situations through appeal where God is giving me the desires of my heart or at least pushing me in those directions.
I will have to update you all on it later as I'm out of time.Thank you for all your prayers its because of you praying that we are able to do anything affective for the kingdom of God. We'll be starting school on Monday, pray that God would give those of us traveling back the strength we need.
From Chicago
Joshua Smith
