Well, I hope this kind of makes up for me missing my update last week. Ugh...that's like an oops. Some admin huh? Can't ever get an update out on time. Oh well, here's a cool one for you.
I'll warn you though, many pictures ahead! Dial-up users may have to go home crying. Though if you just stick with it you'll be ok. :-)
Daniel Neu
Ji Ji
“Why did you come to Taiwan?”
You might be surprised how many times we hear this question. It seems like everyone we meet wants to know why young Americans would leave their families, put a hold on their futures, and come to Taiwan to teach English. As I was thinking about what to write today, this question kept popping into my head, for the events of the past few days have reminded me why I came to Taiwan…
“BE QUIET!” I had to laugh. I was trying to help some second graders with some English dialog they had to recite and have me sign. Trying to get second graders to say “would you care for some ice cream?” can be like trying to catch mosquitos and paint their toenails blue- it just ain’t happening. To make matters worse, the kids like to swamp my desk during breaks and push each other around while they’re waiting. They seem to think its funny when they all start saying what they think is the dialog, so I can’t hear what the one who’s reciting is saying. I’d been signaling for the kids to be quiet for several minutes but they just wouldn’t stop. So in the middle of my “repeat after me” session I asked them to be quiet. It went something like this:
“Would you care for some ice cream?”
“Wa you ca wa wa i-suh cwee?”
“Would. You. Care. For. Some. Ice. Cream?”
“Wa you ca…”
“Be quiet, please!”
All the kids’ eyes lit up and they all yelled “BE QUIET!” They were probably thinking “Wow, something I actually recognize in English!” It struck us all as being so funny that it took a minute to restore order and get back to caring for ice cream. My point in this little story, however, has nothing to do with ice cream or being quiet. My point is that I absolutely adore all of the kids I get to work with and I wouldn’t trade this opportunity for the world. The kids are what make my little world go round and they always manage to find ways to totally brighten my day.
“Hi! My name is”- before I could finish, an excited student bounced in her seat and exclaimed “CHRISTINA!” I had never been to this class before. In fact, I had never been to this school before. No, I was not in a kindergarten class. I was not even in an elementary school. I was in a seventh grade classroom at the local Junior High school and every student in the room was trying hard to hide their excitement at seeing five foreigners in their classroom. Each of us would be teaching a seventh or eighth grade class for the rest of the semester, so we were introducing ourselves to the students. In the midst of the introductions, the Lord chose to show me one of the reasons I am here in Taiwan- more specifically, the reason that I am still in Taiwan. The student that was so excited to see me was one of my students from last year’s sixth grade. I love my students now, but there’s nothing like seeing a “cool” junior high student that is so excited to see you that they’re squealing and they can’t sit still. I realized that God still has me in Taiwan so that I can follow up on relationships that I’ve built throughout the year and a half that I’ve been here already. Whoever teaches that seventh grade class will find a special place in that student’s heart too, but I know that she will always be special to me and there may be opportunities to talk to her and spend time with her that might not have been there if I hadn’t been here last year… or if I’d have gone home this year.
“Max and Ted ran with the hen!” Now maybe this sentence wouldn’t bring happy proud tears to your eyes under normal circumstances, but last night that is exactly what it did. Perhaps it wasn’t so much the sentence but the little boy who was reading it with an almost perfect accent. Every Monday evening I get to give little Benny English lessons. We’re working through a phonics book- so far we’ve gotten through vowels A, E, I, and O. Most of the time we don’t get much of an opportunity to actually see our students progress much, but working one-on-one with Benny has been such a privilege. In just four lessons he’s come so far and last night just listening to the shy 4th grader read the sentence about Max and Ted with such confidence almost did bring tears to my eyes. Benny’s mother would love to pay me for the lessons, but as part of our contract with the government, we aren’t allowed to be paid by anyone other than the government without express permission. Too bad for Benny’s mother, but I think it’s great. Benny’s mom owns a vegetarian noodle stand and treats me to dinner every week, as well as any other time I want to stop by and get some. I love all the extra opportunities that God throws into my path to encourage and help others- it usually ends up being a much bigger blessing to me than to any of the people I’m “helping”.
Last night I was standing outside on our balcony thingy just looking at the dark sky, thinking, and talking to God. I like to “discover” things that are rather obvious to other people, and this particular time I was thinking about my life recently. It hasn’t been easy- God has allowed many tests of my faith. In thinking back, though, I can already see how God’s hand was clearly in every part of it and that he carefully planned each part of my life. Even the parts I don’t understand have a reason, and I’m so grateful that God is in control. This is also the most important reason I came to Taiwan and that I came back to Taiwan. God is in charge of my life and God clearly led me here. And I will always be so thankful that He did. Taiwan has touched my heart in a way I never would’ve imagined.
There are many other reasons why I’m glad I’m here. I won’t go into them now because this update is already way too long. Taiwan has and always will have a very special place in my heart. Last year’s tourist slogan was “Taiwan- touch your heart.”
I couldn’t agree more.
In His love,
Tina Moody
Ying Pan Team
This past weekend was the teachers conference in Chuanghua. It started Saturday morning and ended late in the afternoon. The teachers seemed to enjoy all of the classes. There were classes on motivating students, playing games, teaching songs, telling stories, using storybooks, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Character, etiquette, and phonics. I got to teach the ones about Christmas and using storybooks. I thought storybooks' session went really well. The teachers seemed to like getting to participate in the games we played. Christmas went okay, but I think those in charge decided they would put something else in before the next conference. After the conference, the people from the school took us to a small market. The cool thing was that the market was in an area of a lot of old, traditional buildings. After the walk through the market, they took us to a wonderful restaurant. It was probably some of the best Chinese food that I have ever had. Today, Sunday, was a really nice day. We went to Church this morning and one of our Chinese friends met up with us there. Since it was such a nice day out today, we decided to go for a bus ride and a walk up a hill for some, really good, famous popsicles. While we were up there, I saw one of my students and we heard a man's opinion on the need for students to learn English. Since he was speaking Taiwanese, my friend translated all of it after he was done. When she said he was talking about English, the first thing to pop into my head was that he did not like the fact that we are foreigners teaching English in Taiwan. But, that was not what he thought. He said that the Taiwanese students should learn English because it is the international language, and told my friend that she should be studying English. I also got to see two of my students. That was a special treat! I love getting to see my students outside of the classroom!
This semester has been really good. I could not have asked for better schools. I find myself very happy and content when I am at school. The neat thing is that I am friends with so many of my students. From being the rope in tug of war, to being pulled by the sixth graders to go play UNO, it is such a comfort to know that this is where God wants me and has placed me. No, things are not always easy here, but I can trust His perfect will to take provide all that I need. To think that I only have 5 more months here, is both exciting and sad. I am looking forward to going home to my family, but at the same time I am really going to miss Taiwan. Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement. It is greatly appreciated!
Holly Polson
JiJi Team
For me, a word that would describe recent days as well as coming weeks, would be, “busy”. Let me try and fill you in.
Last Saturday I was able to go to the engagement ceremony for one of my teachers. A traditional Chinese wedding has two parts, the engagement ceremony, and the wedding ceremony. The engagement ceremony is a chance for the groom to meet the bride’s family, as well as for exchanging rings, and several other proceedings. The ceremony was held at Sophia’s parents’ house, it started about 10, and lasted till noon. At noon all of the guests (about 35 of them) headed to a restaurant for a formal dinner. I would guess that about 500 people showed up for the two and a half hour meal. It was a neat experience, I’m glad I was able to go.
Sunday I went to church in Taichung with Daniel, Mai, Christina, and Joel, as we have been doing for about 6 months now. On this particular Sunday we arrived a little early to go over the “Written in Red,” the song we were singing for the service.
After church we went over to the Brenneman’s house for lunch and games. Carl and Amber invited us over for Christmas dinner a couple months ago, and then we were able to spend the afternoon with them again last Sunday. We had a great time. Carl teaches at an American high school in Taichung; our church meets in one of the buildings on the campus.
Tuesday night my team went to dinner with several of our friends from the area. We had a really good time, and ate some good food too. Wednesday held several new experiences as well. First, we visited Zhong Hsing Jr. High School. Joel, Isaac, Christina, Mai, and I will each be teaching a class there starting April 6th. We went yesterday to meet our classes and take a walk around the school. Teaching in Jr. High is not something I have done a lot of, and while it presents a lot of challenges, I am expecting good things from this opportunity. We are starting this kind of as an experiment. If it goes well the amount of teaching will probably be expanded next semester, so please pray for us as we start at Jr. High.
We rushed off from Zhong Hsing into Nantou, where we were ushered into a conference room at Zhonghua Telecom Company. Zhonghua Telecom was presenting all 10 of the Nantou teachers with some gifts to say thank you for working here. It was really nice of them.
Ok, so that was earlier this week. Let me tell you what is coming up… In the course of the next 2 or 3 weeks we have 2 teacher conferences, one in Taichung County, and one in Nantou County, several visits from friends on various weekends, we start teaching at the Jr. High, and we have to keep up with all of our normal classes, as well as with teachers and friends who would like to do things with us.
Needless to say, we are pretty busy. I don’t think any of us would complain about all the experiences we are able to enjoy, but I know everyone would ask for your prayers. Please pray for strength and endurance for the teachers here, for good health (some of us aren’t feeling well again), and above all, pray that our lives would truly reflect Christ and His character to our students and teachers.
For who is God, save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God? (Ps. 18:31)
From Ying Pan,
Chase Hiebsch
1. My dog ate it my update.
2. My dog ate my computer.
3. I just forgot!
4. Well you see I got stalled at the drink stand.
5. I was busy spending time learning Chinese.
6. God did not make the world in one day, what make you think I can do it all.
7. The bus broke down, and I was stalled for six hours on the bus with no way to get home.
8.I couldn’t think of anything to write.
9.I couldn’t find the computer.
10.I needed beauty rest.
11.I had to go to Taipei.
12.My team leader was sitting on my head.
13.My sister needed to talk.
14.We were having girl bonding time.
15.Well it is my day to have a manicure and that is a must.
16.I had to chase a ceiling fan down.
17.I had to mop the floor.
18.The MRT ran over my fingers in Taipei, and so now I can’t type.
19.I was busy spinning in a chair.
20.Well Holly made this yummy food, and I really did not want to miss out on it.
21.Daniel locked Lydia and I out of the house.
22.I was distracted and could not think because of the trash truck.
23.I needed to go and get my hair washed and styled.
24.I had to give everyone in Ji Ji a hair cut.
25.My computer exploded.
26.There was an earthquake a few days ago, and I was not sure that it was safe to get on line.
27.I was not sure if I was supposed to update in English or in Chinese.
28.Well I had problems because I tried to use chalk on the computer, and it did not work.
29.It snowed.
30.Well it was raining, and I wanted to play in the puddles.
What a wonderful weekend I had. Lydia, Holly, and I all went to Taipei this weekend. Holly had a doctors appointment, and Lydia and I just wanted to go and visit friends that live there. We left here on Friday afternoon at about 3:00 on a bus to Taipei.
We arrived there we met up with Laura and Daphne, who are some friends that we had met over winter break in Kinmen. All five of us girls went out for dinner at a near by night market. After dinner Holly and Daphne went home, Laura, Lydia and I just hung around for a little while just looking around.
We went back to Laura's house and her mom was up waiting for us, She was so hospitable and so caring we sat around her dinning room table talking in broken Chinese and English. Laura's mom would ask us a question in Chinese and then we would try to figure out what she had said. It was so fun for me to think in Chinese. We ended up staying up until 1:30 talking and trying to communicate.
In the morning we went to McDonald's for breakfast, and then we walked around the town where Laura lives. I enjoyed just looking around and not really having to be somewhere or worry about being late to something. Our time there was so relaxed. That afternoon we met up with Amy and Laura, Amy, Lydia, and I went to Taipei 101, which is the tallest building in the world. There is a lot of exspensive things in Taipei 101, but most people go there becauase there is an awesome bookstore there. The bookstore is like a Barns and Noble bookstore as there are a lot of books in English as well as Chinese. I really like going because it makes me feel smarter.
On Saturday all of the girl TAs from Kinmen, the Ji Ji girls and Ginger from Kinmen went out to eat at this beautiful resturant. Now, when you have that many girls together you know that there's going to be a party. It was a blast to be together with all of the girls.
Sunday after Church Lydia and I went to Subway for lunch with some sweet friend of ours and afterwords headed back to Ji Ji. I really had a fun weekend and I am so thankful to my friends who helped me and for Laura who let us stay at her house.
Sarah,
Ji Ji
