Forgot to mention. Mikes classes are not as hard for him. His church has been doing this a while and are more organized. However, his kids too have very poor English.
He went to the science museum with his kids on tuesday. He tried out all the things there where their was interaction. He fell off a tread mill. He was not hurt, but I think people gathered to take pictures of the big white man on the floor.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Wednesday
I am finally able to get to a computer again. Mike never has gotten his hooked up, so I have to use a coffee shop.
The new church I am at is quite different from years past. This is a new program. They are doing a pretty good job, but there are a lot of difficulties for us or at least Lindsey and I. We get there around 9:00 AM and do not leave until 5:30. It is a long day. The first day the assistants were apologetic and said they had not prepared well. they were right. I will say though, that they have worked hard to correct that.
Most of our kids do not speak or Understand English very well. Many are only there because their parents made them come. They love the games, but the rest is only ok. It is very frustraiting. I do have 4 darling little girls who are very smart and whose English is great. They make everything worth while. They put 100% effort into everything.
MOst of our kids did not know each other which made things a bit harder too. They have been so shy. To get them to have conversation, to read or do anything at first was like pulling teeth. We would ask questions and get blank looks. Just like when we were at the orphanage in Hohhot, we had to go to plan B.
We are using a Christian curriculum that is pretty good, but it is hard to communicate a lot of it. I do not think any of them go to church. A few had been once or twice in their lives and have heard a bit but do not know much. Lindsey and I need lots of prayer!!!
The kids are developing relationships with each other. We also have some girl crazy boys, who will tell you they are girl crazy. Some of the kids like the relationships and are asking about youth groups. So, I guess this is what a lot of it is about.
We had a cooking competition today. Lindsey, Me and two TA's judged. There were 6 groups. one group made sandwiches, one did hamburgers , two did salads, one did punch and snacks. Then there was the last one...it was an egg and meat thing that was snatched away by a leader before it could get to us. She made the boys who cooked it eat it first. Two of the group would not eat it and one did not like it. The 4th who did most of the cooking said it was great. The judges were to sample everything. We were not allowed to eat it. We were grateful!! HOwever, the contest was fun and most of the kids did a good job.
We are on our way back to the dorm to wash clothes and go to bed.
The new church I am at is quite different from years past. This is a new program. They are doing a pretty good job, but there are a lot of difficulties for us or at least Lindsey and I. We get there around 9:00 AM and do not leave until 5:30. It is a long day. The first day the assistants were apologetic and said they had not prepared well. they were right. I will say though, that they have worked hard to correct that.
Most of our kids do not speak or Understand English very well. Many are only there because their parents made them come. They love the games, but the rest is only ok. It is very frustraiting. I do have 4 darling little girls who are very smart and whose English is great. They make everything worth while. They put 100% effort into everything.
MOst of our kids did not know each other which made things a bit harder too. They have been so shy. To get them to have conversation, to read or do anything at first was like pulling teeth. We would ask questions and get blank looks. Just like when we were at the orphanage in Hohhot, we had to go to plan B.
We are using a Christian curriculum that is pretty good, but it is hard to communicate a lot of it. I do not think any of them go to church. A few had been once or twice in their lives and have heard a bit but do not know much. Lindsey and I need lots of prayer!!!
The kids are developing relationships with each other. We also have some girl crazy boys, who will tell you they are girl crazy. Some of the kids like the relationships and are asking about youth groups. So, I guess this is what a lot of it is about.
We had a cooking competition today. Lindsey, Me and two TA's judged. There were 6 groups. one group made sandwiches, one did hamburgers , two did salads, one did punch and snacks. Then there was the last one...it was an egg and meat thing that was snatched away by a leader before it could get to us. She made the boys who cooked it eat it first. Two of the group would not eat it and one did not like it. The 4th who did most of the cooking said it was great. The judges were to sample everything. We were not allowed to eat it. We were grateful!! HOwever, the contest was fun and most of the kids did a good job.
We are on our way back to the dorm to wash clothes and go to bed.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sunday
We went to Rev. Loh's church this morning. They had a commissioning service for those going to Mongolia, much like ours but no laying on of hands. After church we went out to eat with one of their decons and the Loh's. Mike and Lindsey returned to the dorm and Pacific Coffee (our home away from home) while I went to a meeting for all who are going to Mongolia. I found it funny that their group is so much like us. One man wondered if they should take crackers in case they do not like the food! Everyone is a bit worried about sleeping arrangements and about bathing. seems like Mongolia in the summer does not have a lot of water and it is strictly rationed. you can buy water, but there is very little for other things, like bathing. We have baby wipes, and some liquids used in hospitals for bathing patients with no water. We may only get one bath a week. They tell us Mongolia is hot, but humidity is zero percent. At night is gets cold ...in the 40's and 50's.
Today is everyones first day teaching. We are to be at out church at 9:00 and will be done around 4:00. For Lindsey and I, none of our kids know each other or have ever done SEA before, so this will be a new experience for us. The assistants we met are very enthusiastic, so we are looking forward to a great day.
Mike is at a different church and has a treck that will take about 1 hour on the MTR to get there, which is not bad either. He too has met his Teaching Assistants and thinks they are really great. They kept him out till 11:00 on Saturday night. Mike ate Durian , not sure of spelling, but that is quite a feat. it smells awful. some hate it , other love it. He said it really was not bad at all.
Today is everyones first day teaching. We are to be at out church at 9:00 and will be done around 4:00. For Lindsey and I, none of our kids know each other or have ever done SEA before, so this will be a new experience for us. The assistants we met are very enthusiastic, so we are looking forward to a great day.
Mike is at a different church and has a treck that will take about 1 hour on the MTR to get there, which is not bad either. He too has met his Teaching Assistants and thinks they are really great. They kept him out till 11:00 on Saturday night. Mike ate Durian , not sure of spelling, but that is quite a feat. it smells awful. some hate it , other love it. He said it really was not bad at all.
Friday, July 18, 2008
days
I am not sure what is going on, but I see my dates do not match the automatic dates. I think the automatic are Nashville time. Unless I have really lost it. It is Saturday morning here
day 3 Saturday
Had dim sum with the Loh's, Mike Ng and Kevin Ma , all old friends from here. It was a great lunch. At the end some of my old Teaching Assistants came by to visit and we went to starbucks to catch up. We had a free day the rest of the day. We hit the usuall markets. I guess after several years it is the same old stuff and not quite as exciting. We did not see any great bargans. We did a lot of walking, as usual. It is hot but not as hot as last year which is nice.
Today we meet our group for lunch and then go to training for the week ahead. After training we will go to our church assignments, meet new Teaching Assistants, see our physicilities, etc.
Mike mentioned to the Loh's about his shoulder hurting. They made him an appointment with an accurpunctuist (sp?) today at 10:30. we will see how this goes. :).
Today we meet our group for lunch and then go to training for the week ahead. After training we will go to our church assignments, meet new Teaching Assistants, see our physicilities, etc.
Mike mentioned to the Loh's about his shoulder hurting. They made him an appointment with an accurpunctuist (sp?) today at 10:30. we will see how this goes. :).
Thursday, July 17, 2008
we are here
All our flights went well. Thanks for ambien!! We all slept well on the plane, I think the best I ever have on a flight. We got in Hong Kong a bit early, got to our rooms , settled and went back to bed. Thanks again lunestra...we slept great.
We are now in Pacific Coffee waiting for the rest of our team. We will meet here, have a short devotional time and then a free day. Mike is staying with Jeff from Australia. Lindsey and I are together and suit mates with two young girls, one from Malasia and one from Perth, Australia. Both are darling and both speak English with Australian or British accents.
Pastor Loh and his wife has asked the 3 of us to to to lunch. Dim Sum of course. afterwards we will probably spend the rest of the day sightseeing.
It is not quite as hot this year as last, which is nice. But it is still hot and humid.
Not much else to say except that we are here, safe, and well.
We are now in Pacific Coffee waiting for the rest of our team. We will meet here, have a short devotional time and then a free day. Mike is staying with Jeff from Australia. Lindsey and I are together and suit mates with two young girls, one from Malasia and one from Perth, Australia. Both are darling and both speak English with Australian or British accents.
Pastor Loh and his wife has asked the 3 of us to to to lunch. Dim Sum of course. afterwards we will probably spend the rest of the day sightseeing.
It is not quite as hot this year as last, which is nice. But it is still hot and humid.
Not much else to say except that we are here, safe, and well.
Monday, July 14, 2008
One more day and we are off. We are still getting last minute things ready. Mike found some good info on the internet about the curriculum that we need to go over. I think he is more nervous this year about teaching than he was last year.
Mike will have his lap top, so feel free to email us.
We had two people from Atlanta Church that were joining us. Its a long story but they backed out. Today we have heard that replacements have been found for them. This is an answer to prayer.
Mike will have his lap top, so feel free to email us.
We had two people from Atlanta Church that were joining us. Its a long story but they backed out. Today we have heard that replacements have been found for them. This is an answer to prayer.
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