20080806-Jonathan's Blog

The best way to describe today is a day of mixed feelings. I am sad to leave the students.
They were so caring and respectful towards all of us. They wrote and signed my notebook and
shirt. Their letters to me were thoughtful and make me want to stay. I will not forget
this emotional and memorable experience. On the other hand, I am happy for them. I am glad
that we helped them improve their english as well as teaching them good character traits
(you know what I mean). Hopefully they will be watched over and cared for.
We are currently in our hotel. Debriefing we all agreed that the trip should have been
longer. As I said before, the whole team misses the students already. I gave away some of
my old shirts to the students. I must have signed 10000000000000 shirts, notebooks, limbs
etc. My hand was so sore afterwards. Oh well.
Nhat is going to get a ripstick!

So this was the journal from the August Fifth.

This next part is Aug.6
Right now I am in Shanghai. We made it safety. The food here is great! I really enjoy it.
Tomorrow we are going to take a cruise for an hour and then the day after that we are
taking a day tour.

Don't know what else to say...we miss the students.

Thanks,
Jonathan

20080806-Good bye Guiyang, Hello Shanghai (Andy)

After all the craziness of waking up at 5:30AM with everyone still half asleep, we finally arrived to the airport. We travelled on plane for 3 hours and arrived to Shanghai around noon. The taxi from the airport to our hotel was only 34 Yuan surprisingly and it was insane seeing a lineup for taxis at the airport and 50 taxis waiting there for people. We got to our hotel which was a two star hotel, and unpacked our stuff. We went out to lunch with Nhat’s friend Eagin at a dumpling place, which was awesome! It was one Yuan for one sew long bao and 5 Yuan for a bowl of dumplings. We finished off our afternoon by eating at a dessert place after our lunch and walking around some streets playing a game where we had to spot white people. Surprisingly, we saw about 5 or 6 of them on different occasions. We played “Bang!” and napped until 7:30. Next, we met up with Nhat’s other friend who showed us to this Hong Kong restaurant that was the equivalent of your typical Congee Queen/Wong, etc. in Toronto. We ordered so much food and it tasted even better than the food in Toronto.

After the meal, Jack and I went to the barber shop so I could get a haircut. Jack went off for a walk, while the barber tried to converse with me even though I did not understand half of the things he said. Next, the barber took advantage of the fact that I could not speak mandarin and asked me if I want to do extra stuff with my hair and not being mindful, I agreed to it. By the time Jack was back, the barber had already started his “procedure” and I realized I had to pay an extra 188 Yuan for them to put aluminum foils around each large strand of hair. The barber used a machine after to heat up my hair and dry off the special gel he put on my hair. After the haircut, my hair has been able to stand up or go down every time I brush, so now I don’t have to use gel. The lesson behind all this was, G takes every penny from you for every penny you take from him. Although these barbers have scammed me, I think G was trying to reveal to me that I haven’t been giving to offering for a while. We ended the night with devos and here I am blogging about our day. Please remember me and ask that I be healthy, since I had 5 upset stomachs today, and right now I get tired really easily. Thanks for remembering us.

Andy

20080807-Nat-Rest

Today we arrived in Shanghi and we are basically resting...shopping....eating...etc... We woke up at 5 in the morning in Guiyang to get to Shanghi at around 12 (we were supposed to get there around 11 but they sent us to another airport and the pilot flew in a circle around the city....Sorry Albert but Air China is the worst....) when we arrived we got to the hotel and went out again to eat.... we had 2 lunches....one with dumplings and fried buns? (Nhat knows the name I think) and then we went to eat at this other place that had spring rolls and deserts. Tommorow we are going on a tour (I think it is a cruise on the lake to see the city) so please (fill in the action) for the 5 of us and (fill in the action that we will be healthy and we will not get sick from the local food. Thanks!
Signing Out,
Nat

20080805 -The End (Jack)

The End
Today we had our farewell presentation. Yes, the end of our days with the "class of hope". Each class did their individual presentations, then the teachers presented our skits. My class, team badminton, did three songs and our cheer. We sang "I love you", " Amazing Grace", and last but not the least, " From the inside Out". Also, I was the director of two of the skits we resented today, "Work, Eat, Sleep", and 'Don't Follow the Crowd". The school principle also made a short speech to thank us and to encourage us. As the finale of the presentation, the girls from our class did a song call "Hope".

After the presentation, we went back to our class, where we said our final farewell with a song from the students. i held backup the tears again...

Right now I'm writing this in a four people room in our hotel. Although we left the students, i will forever remember them, for they taught me more than I've learned in 15 years of schooling. Teaching them was truely a blessing. i only hope that by G.'s hand i will be able to meet some of the students agian. i will be keeping in contact with the students trhough QQ, so i truely hope that we will always remember eachother.

During the debriefing today, we all agreed that the trip should be longer, I even wish to stay with them forever, but time is cruel, and as the tudents say: "there's no party under the heavens that never end.".

Our team is bonding really well, but we'll be missing George, Albert, the Meyhews, Shirley, and the King and Queen, for tomorrow we go on deferent ways, five of us (Nhat, Nat, Jon, Andy, Me) will be going to Shanghai for sightseeing. Hope we'll have a time pleasing to G. in Shanghai.

20080805 Tough Farewells (Andy)

I cannot believe today was the final day, although this trip was over the duration of 10 days, it felt as if I was doing this all my life. It has been truly a pleasure to teach these kids and I have fallen in love with them. Although I don’t not believe this is my calling in the future, I have experienced my first overseas missions trip and would like to try out other works to find my calling. The day was really simple today, beginning with devos as usual, we got the school to practice for our presentations. The presentations went well as all the kids did a great job and showed great improvement in their English. The principal made a speech thanking us for teaching these kids and emphasizing how important English was. He encouraged the kids to continue to work hard as they do have a bright bunch.

This trip has truly been awesome and I really felt G’s presence as we were bonding with these kids. I would like to thank my whole team individually (not in any order):

Jack- It was great to work with you and see that you have a heart for these kids. I don’t know what I would of have done without your translations, and we just agreed so well on our planning. Continue to serve the Father; I can see Him using you to do great things.

George- I was one of the few people who could communicate with you, since our Cantonese is about the same level. I would just like to say thank you for joining this team, although you joined pretty last minute, you were a great addition to our team. I am encouraged to know that G has beacons like you in China shining His light.

Nathaniel- Thanks for being such a champ throughout the whole trip lol. Although I pick on you a lot, you know it’s all out of love and deep inside you’re a good sport. Continue to serve G, and He’ll show you life changing things.

Albert- Thank you for literally being our GPS and always exploring the city and finding places for us (laundry, shops, supermarket, etc.). Although you are a young seed, I can tell that G is already making you sprout into a young plant, continue to serve Him.

Jonathan- LOL wow I think we both got a bit retarded this trip but it was awesome bonding. Thanks for joining our team and I can really see that G has given you a heart for these kids as well. Lets rip stick some more when we return to Toronto. Looking forward to bringing you up as a leader in Genesis next year.

Stephen- Thanks for coming so prepared with all the technology for the multimedia and helping to lead the song for our two classes. I hope you enjoy your vacation and G bless you in Australia.

Merilyn- Yes I spelled it right this time! It’s been really encouraging to be on the team with you and thank you for being such a great part of our team. Thanks for your encouraging words of wisdom when we were on the bus talking about G.

Shirley- I just want to thank you for always overseeing everything. You called us so much reminding us of things to be done and always made sure everything was finished. I’ll see you at church!Uncle Alfred and Auntie Alsie- Thank you for doing all the behind the scenes work. Although you did not directly teach with us, you have done a great job planning everything for us and took great care of us during our stay.

Nhat- Thanks for being team leader, although it was a lot of stress I remembered you and you pulled through. After all the yelling and the nights of sleep without shower, it is finally over so you can take a rest Nhat! We bonded so much being in the same room and it’s kind of funny how we always think alike and it is almost as if we can read each other’s minds.

Last but most importantly, I want to thank the Father for making this trip possible and answering our requests. I know we are here merely to plant seeds due to time and money constraints, however, I know the Father has great plans in store and will use others to reap the fruit that we sow. This trip has opened up my eyes to the brokenness of people in China, and it really made me thankful to know I do not live in such poor conditions. Thanks everyone for remembering us and reading our blog this whole time.

After a three hour bus ride, we have finally arrived to Guiyang and will spend the night here. We fly at 8AM tomorrow to Shanghai to spend the next four days. Then we are landing around 8PM on Saturday, August 9th, take care everyone.

P.S. The picture to the left shows my class; team Badminton, doing their presentation… I’m so proud of them and I’m going to miss them.

Andy

20080805 Nhat -10th Final Day Presentation

The English Camp has ended and there are mixed feelings, relieved and sadden. Relieved because my team leadership role ended and I am not longer responsible for the whole endeavor. To tell you the truth, I was in denial till yesterday afternoon because that is when we decided on the presentation and I naturally had to do the hosting, which is the figure head for the team. Sadden because the love for the students is in my heart and I dearly miss them. They are very sweet and p..y that we can cross path again or in heaven. They have my email and QQ so I am sure to stay in touch with them via cyberspace. Distant is nothing for cyber generation as you are all with us on this trip by reading our blog.

Merilyn & Albert’s students (Team Ping-Pong) made us all tang yuan (sweet soup with egg and sesame in rice ball). That was a heart felt treat and it was complemented by last night’s snack of dumpling by Andy & Jack’s students (Team Badminton). Each class had its own way to show their love to their teachers and to the other teachers.

The presentation was a joyful sound to all the teachers’ ears and I can see the pride in the teachers as they see their class present their song or cheer or skit. My student initially was disoriented on their stage sitting layout but once they got into position, they me proud. They also did a fun skit on basketball where they dunk basketball through a hula-hoop. The crowd went wild when they dunk the basketball. The teachers were well prepared to do their four skits/dramas that were inter-spruced between the class presentations. The principal gave a quick message to the students about the importance of the English and giving thanks to us. His presence was important to us because it gave us his support and honors the students for their hardwork. Though it was hot, the joy and laughers keep everyone’s attention.

We gave our last set of gift out. Stickers for everyone and our clothes that we don’t want to take back to Canada. The T-shirts were the first to go and later, we signed them like we were celebrities and they wanted all our signatures on them. That started the chain reaction to sign the teachers’ pink shirts and some students wanted the shirt on their back to be signed too. I was locked down at a desk, signing my English and Chinese name on books, shirts and photos. Of course, all the other class teachers have left so we were getting other students filtering in to ask us for our signature. I slowly zone out for I don’t even know who was asking anymore because my head was down all the time. I could not even move and when I finished, my legs were asleep and need abit of time to get the blood circulating again.

We were escorted by some of the boys to the bus stop and I gave them the rest of my coins and photos. Jack translated the letters that my students wrote me and it made me miss them more as we travel to Guiyang. I don’t feel too down now for I believe I will be in contact with me as a lot of them have QQ and G will open or close door for me.

After a dinner feast at the hotel, we have our debriefing meeting. Many suggestions were offered and many encouraging words exchanged. We have super FAT team that made this a successful vacation with G. We all drew closer to G and each other. In my future blogging message, I will thank my team members and post the feedback of the team.

We will need to wake up at 5:15 to go to the airport but we all are too high to sleep. Not to mention that there are four of us in a room and we are the most hyper ones in the team – Andy, Jon, Nat, and me. Keep us still in your thoughts as some of us are sniffing and Shirley will be by herself for three days in Guiyang.

Time for anything and it all English now for me and no more Chinglish. Nhat out to play Bang!

20080804 Nhat - 9th day Balloon Burst

Why balloon burst you ask? Well, it did both literally and emotionally. Literally was because the night games were all about popping balloons in many various methods. Emotionally burst was because the students were hard to manage with their balloon excitement and my co-teachers left me or did other things while I needed their help.

How did I vent my bubble, you might ask? The students were given a rule that if they were not silent when we raised our hand, I would come around and burst their bubble. This worked since no one wants their bubble pop and the sound it makes when it pop was loud enough to startle the class. Regarding Jon and George, I simply told them my feelings that I feel alone as a team and that we are there together for the students. After my two minutes breather, I was back to my naturally-happy self.

This morning we had the students to enact the “Lost Son” because they did not understand the story as a whole. They were into us doing role playing and to help them understand the story better but we went further and involved them. They were manikin for us to use to illustrate the English story better. We gave incentives prizes at the end of the story to thank them for their “told” participation. We should have done this earlier so we don’t have to work as hard to fill multiple roles/characters.

Jon was quick on my cue to use the students and really key on the elements that made the whole story ran smoothly as if rehearsed all this a few times over. George has grown in confidence and in his English as he took the initiative help in the using Chinese phonics symbols to help the students better understand our enunciation.

Before and during lunch, two of my students were suppose to take me to develop the class photo but instead they took me to a photo-sticker shop. Of course I went along and took 60 mug shots with different frames so I can give out to the students. Yes, I only have 30 students in my class but I knew that some wants two and other classes will somehow get a hand on it too. Low and behold, it all disappeared.

Late for the whole team meeting that I called but we did a quick run through of our program for the night – Presentation order and Party for tomorrow. Ran through the skit the teachers were going to present and it was all in going well. Of course G. had to rain on our party. Actually he encouraged our party because we have to switch the Presentation to be tomorrow morning and the Party to be tonight. Thank G. that the team has prepared (Stephen, Merilyn, and Shirley) have prepared the food and it was their idea to switch.

Travel in the rain and we had a wonderful night of balloon Party. So much noises and it was getting hard for me to project my voice. The food flew away fast as they feast and the watermelon was well received since it provided extra water supplement because all the drinks went really fast. In the excitement of balloon and photos, George’s camera was knocked over and his professional camera’s front lenses were shattered. George was hurt but he did not get mad or blame the students for the accident. Instead, he encouraged everyone to continue the party and join us after he put his camera away. It was wonderful to see his grace and love for the students over his earthly possession.

We left the latest and some of the students escorted us to the bus stop. Yes, I am getting spoil on it. We then went to the photo-sticker shop because George promised the students that he get them some since he got some from them. This made it a late night for me and I got more stickers too. Well, it all disappeared on the next day within a blink of an eye. Therefore I was too tired to complete my blog and blog the day after. Thanks for thinking of us. Nhat in Guiyang