Dear friends and family,
I hope this
finds you doing well! As I look out my window and enjoy what is sure to be one
of the last nice autumn days, I miss you all dearly and wish I could be there
to share the beautiful fall season with you. I am beyond thankful, however, for
all that the Father is doing both in and through me here in Changchun and am
excited to share a glimpse with you.
Since
arriving at my university at the end of August, I have been overwhelmed at the
site of His fields. The truth of Lk 10:2, has never been more clear. The
harvest truly is plentiful and the workers truly seem insufficient. In a few
words, we have had more students want to befriend us than we can talk to and
more open doors to love on the people around us than we can walk through. But,
thankfully, the Father of the harvest knows what He’s doing and we are truly
blessed to be used by Him.
In addition
to making friends, teaching English has been a true joy so far. I feel so loved
by my students and am blessed to have those 200 I know I will spend time with
every week. I teach oral English to sophomore English majors and 2 English
Corners where students come for speaking practice. For the most part, they are
smart and diligent students, but it is truly crazy some days, when 60 people
show up for my English Corner! I truly understand that I can do none of this on
my own and thankful that I can trust Him to help me lead meaningful
discussions. Not every day feels like a success, but I know in the end, His
will, will be done.
In daily life, I feel like I am
beginning to adjust to this new world where I’m living. I am constantly reminded,
however, of my teacher’s warning, “While you are in China, never assume you
understand what’s going on, for you will soon find that it is probably the
opposite of what you expected.” As I am still constantly surprised, constantly
learning, and constantly growing, I can second that statement. I know that my
differences are real and they are draining, but I know that they are there on
purpose. I also know that no matter how different the people around me look,
think, or act, in the depths of their hearts, they have the exact same needs
that only their Father can fulfill. Therefore, I can celebrate my differences
because I know that he uses them daily to motivate conversations and allow His
love to be shared. Would love your continued Thoughts during this season of
building relationships.
And now for the pictorial journey:
Exiting the train station, our first glimpse of Changchun
Chinese driving at its finest
We were awestruck when we finally arrived at our beautiful campus, Hua Qiao Foreign Language Institute!
Our first taste of Dining Hall 3, where we spend hours each week
The beautiful green lawn was so refreshing after a month in Beijing!
First Day of School!-insert Disney World Music...
Outing with our new friends to Gui Lin Lu, an international hub. First taste of schwarma (aka, so amazing Syrian chicken wraps!)
Gui Lin Lu, during the day.
First of many trips to the foreign import store. Look out butter, here we come :)
Welcome Party for the English Department teachers. They truly made us feel welcome.
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