Videos 

Two Tongues One Voice: One of the most epic moments of this year was getting to record an original bi-lingual praise song written and performed by my teammates and Chinese sisters. It was such an amazing reminder of how God is working in our midst. If you would like to hear our song, click the following link:  TwoTonguesOneVoice

Thank You Video:On the last day of school, one of my classes made a silly video to thank me for being their teacher. If you want to view it, click the following link:  ThankyouKelsey:)

Winter Travel 2015

      6 weeks, 12 planes, 6 trains, 4 minibuses, and innumerable taxis rides=an exhausting, but incredible adventure around the world. This winter, the Father provided some amazing opportunities for me to visit dear friends and family at home as well as travel in South Asia, connecting with other teachers from 7 different countries, and visiting some students and friends in their hometowns. Though my travels gave me a wider glance at the sad state of physical and spiritual poverty in our world, they also provided memorable milestones of the Father’s faithfulness to help in times of need. 

        On January 15^th, after turning in Final Exam grades for the fall semester, my teammates, Elen, Rachel, and I hopped a train to Beijing to head home for a 2 week visit with our families. What a needed time of refreshment that was! I visited my sister Hannah and saw her ministry in Florida, my grandparents in Daytona, my cousins and grandpa in Kentucky, and spent time at home with my parents, sisters, and friends in Franklin. It was truly a time of rejuvenation. 

After two weeks, I flew to Thailand for my company’s Annual Thailand Conference. I received some wise advice during our leadership training and was very inspired by the gathering of 600 teachers from all over Asia. The Father is truly working in mighty ways in and through their lives! After 2 weeks in Chiang Mai, I flew out with my teammates Elen, Rachel, and Carrie for another two-week excursion. First stop: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

        The decision to travel to Vietnam came unexpectedly from a series of emails from a previous student, that I received last summer. My junior year I spent a semester interning in the Chelsea Hospital School in London where I met Khan Ngan or as we call her, “Sophie.” She was a courageous 14 year-old Vietnamese girl who underwent 10 months of surgeries and treatments in London for the removal of a large tumor behind her eye and facial reconstruction.  During that time, I was struck by her positive attitude and her excitement for life despite the difficulties that she was facing. After 10 months, she was able to return to her home in Vietnam and begin working and continue schooling. We stayed in touch on and off via email and this summer she sent me some beautiful pictures of her wedding. She continued to beg me to visit, so my team and I decided that after our time in Thailand we would fly an hour to it’s near neighbor, Vietnam. 

Though the visa process for entering and exiting Vietnam was no less than a nightmare, I will never forget the image of Sophie’s outstretched arms as she ran up to hug me as we finally exited the airport. The pink flower in her hair immediately caught my eye. It was the parting gift I had given her 5 years ago in London! She took us back to her hometown of Vung Tau, which turned out to be a beautiful beachside vacation spot. We spent sweet time with her family, seeing her favorite spots in the neighborhood, basking in the warm sun, and eating lots of Pho (Vietnamese beef noodle) before heading back to Ho Chi Minh (and that’s where things got interesting).

When we got off the bus in Ho Chi Minh, Rachel realized that she had left her ipod in the bus. Being her only internet access and way to communicate, we were really concerned. As we were being swarmed with motorbikes and taxis, we decided to head to our hostel and try to call Sophie. We had heard repeatedly about things being stolen in Vietnam, so we had little hope of seeing it again. After a series of phone calls and prayers, miraculously, we discovered that the driver had turned it in to the police! He truly cares for us, even in the small things!  

       The next morning we recovered her ipod from the police station and headed to the airport to fly North to Hanoi. When we arrived, the airport was swarming with travelers! It was 2 days before Vietnamese and Chinese New Years (this year accounted for the largest human migration in history), and it was chaotic!  To make matters worse, when we finally reached the desk to check-in, the attendant informed us that Rachel had no ticket for our plane! As she used her ipod to check through emails and bank accounts, she realized that the ticket she signed up for had never processed! As the clock ticked down until our plane was to take off, we frantically checked at different desks and searched the internet for more tickets. We quickly realized that during this busy time of year, tickets were scarce and VERY expensive. In the end, she had to book a different ticket through Thailand and we had to leave her in the Father’s hands for 2 days before we were able to reunite in Nanning, China. Though we parted with tears, we trusted that He would take care of her and He did. He totally provided her every need. 

      In the meantime, Carrie, Elen, and I flew into Hanoi (in North Vietnam), spent a day seeing the sights (including the Hoa Lo Prison aka the “Hanoi Hilton,” POW camp where John McCain and other American pilots were detained during the Vietnam War).  Though the presentations and propaganda were misleading to say the least, it prompted us to do our own research on what happened during the war. That night, we boarded an overnight train from Hanoi to Nanning, China. After processing through several immigrations and customs offices in the middle of the night, we were overjoyed in the morning to meet the smiling faces of Rachel and our Chinese friend Leaven, in Nanning. After a month away from China, it was exciting to be back in a place where we were somewhat familiar with the language, food, culture, etc. 

Additionally, it was a real privilege to visit Leaven in her hometown. Her parents treated us to a nice dinner at their favorite restaurant and invited us home where we got to see some baby pictures and watch some Chinese New Years programs on TV with them. Being welcomed into Leaven’s family and home-life felt like a big step in her opening up her heart to us.

When we left Nanning, we traveled to a more rural and scenic areas, Guilin and Yangshuo, which are famous for their mountains and rivers. I really enjoyed the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere outside of the city (though during the night it was anything but peaceful as the locals set off fireworks the entire night for the New Year, haha). 

       After two days, we embarked on the final leg of our journey to Guangzhou, one of China’s largest cities. I feel a personal connection to Guangzhou, because its’ where my sister Kaylee was adopted from, but we traveled there this time, to meet one of our closest Chinese friends, Bee. I had the privilege of visiting her home, in a small factory town outside of Guangzhou, last year during the New Year and it was a joy to again get to visit her loving family. Being the only foreigners her family had ever interacted with, we were treated like royalty, given small envelopes of “lucky money” (their New Years tradition), fed the “finest dining” (breakfasts of chicken feet, full fish, pork bones, clam soup, you name it!), and shown their favorite sites. It was a true blessing to be welcomed in and loved-on, though we did nothing to deserve it! Despite their hospitality, we were quite ready after a few days to be on the road (and eating some Western food again) as we headed back to Guangzhou to meet our friend, Cece. After a fun day in Guangzhou with her, we drove to the airport to return to Changchun. 

      After 6 weeks, 12 planes, 6 trains, 4 minibuses, and innumerable taxis we were exhausted, but also in awe of the Father and all the ways that He cared for us. There were SO many times that we would have been lost, stuck, or cheated if he hadn’t sent the right person to appear and help us. In fact, I’m sure that we’d still be wandering somewhere in Guilin, if it wasn’t for His grace! I am beyond thankful for the experiences that He provided for us. I learned a lot about China, a lot about my teammates, a lot about myself, and a lot about His faithfulness! These are memories I will laugh at forever and memories I will cherish forever. Praise Him!

Sweet time with my family at home. 

My team at our Annual Thailand Conference (Heather's borrowing a sweet Mongolian hat ;)

Visiting Sophie in Vietnam

Visiting Leaven in Nanning, China. 

Oceans

So, how cool is it that 5 years ago some ELIC teachers at my school bought a piano and a cello so that they could continue to w-ship through their musical passions, while they were in China. When they returned to The States, they left these treasures behind. Little did they know what an amazing gift these instruments would be to me and my team this year. Having the piano has been such a blessing for me and hearing my new teammate Krista make the cello sing, has been a true joy!

This morning my team and I had the privilege of leading our city team in w-ship. It was an incredible gift to join with my sisters and see each of their giftings in serving, reading, making artistic slides, welcoming people, and making music, all to celebrate our Father. He is so amazing and so worth it! Below I attached one of the songs we sang called, "Oceans." It has been an amazing reminder to us of how He leads us through difficult places, but never stops pouring out His love! 

Oceans Where Feet May Fail

Last Night's Band Practice

Falling Leaves

In Changchun, our few deciduous trees have now turned yellow, red, and brown and the ground is decorated by groups of fallen leaves swirling in the wind. The musky smell in the air, the beauty of the colors, the change in landscape, the falling, all bring sentimental feelings to my heart. 23 times before, I have watched Him do this-bring change and beauty, then death and falling; transitioning to a new season of life and time. This fall, I have not only watched Him change the leaves, but have felt a similar change in my heart.

            As He’s challenged me through relationships with teammates, students, and coworkers, He’s opened my heart to see my true state, apart from him. I am that barren tree. I am dry bones, dead apart from him. In my state, there is nothing I could possibly do to bring life to myself, I can’t make the season change, I can not give myself life and breathe. I’m dead.

            Thankfully, it doesn’t stop there. Though I can't change the season, I can’t breathe life, I know the one who can. Though almost daily, I forget the miracle of my life resurrected, this fall He’s reminded me again. He gives me life as a free gift, not based on my merit, or hard work, or decision to move to China, but because He loves me as his daughter.

Though this fall season has been difficult for me and for my team as we’ve been transitioning back into life here, taking on more leadership roles, seeking His will for this year and our futures and at the same time deal with sin in our hearts, I am starting to see the beauty in what He’s doing. I am so thankful that He’s blowing off the dead leaves in our hearts and preparing us for new life. May he continue and bring the spring!

I'm Staying

See my precious students' responses when I told them I would be back to teach next year. :)

Good China Week

It’s a good China week. One of those when the unexpected continually surprises you, awes you, or makes you laugh. When you learn a new favorite dish from the dining hall and after practicing twenty times, you walk up to order and the cashier understands  you! One of those when you are falling asleep writing a lesson plan at your desk and your Chinese co-worker jaunts in and asks you one simple question that leads to two hours of heart-sharing. When the ice on the river starts giving way to the warm sun and you can actually sit on the lawn, not wearing a parka or long underwear, enjoying some “fresh” air! When your students tell you, “your skin looks extra white today,” (which you know, they mean as a compliment), or start an impromptu animal-noise contest when you are walking home from the dining hall. When your co-workers beg you to join their jump-rope competition and you feel like a middle schooler again. When your mom facetimes you through Belle’s house in Disney World or you receive a box full of Easter candy from your grandparents. A week when the burdens that you cried on your knees for only days before are lifted off your shoulders and you Know someone’s listening. Though every week can’t be a good China week, I am thankful for this one. I know that in the joys and in the burdens, He is faithful to provide what we need and He knew what I needed this week. 

A November Winter

Yesterday, as I scurried to clean up my apartment before a group of students arrived, I gasped as I looked out and saw a full flurry of white racing past my window. The plain brick apartment that I usually see, looked more like a charming postcard picture in the snow. I ran to my front window and looked down to see that the ground was already covered in white! Though we have talked in anticipation about the snow everyday we have been in China, I was still in disbelief to see a white world in the middle of November. I couldn’t think about it long, however, because shortly after, a scurry of students arrived loaded with bags upon bags of food to cook! A few had asked me if they could cook for me, which of course, turned into a party of 13 or so!

For three hours, we scurried back and forth across the hall, cooking in 2 different kitchens. Though it was a little overwhelming, I was so impressed by my students’ teamwork and expertise as they buzzed back and forth blending dozens of ingredients and arranging their delicately designed dishes on the plates. After about three hours of preparation, we all squeezed into my tiny living room and huddled around my coffee table covered in about 11 different dishes. It felt like Thanksgiving-Chinese style! We ate it up and topped it off with some American brownies (which was a first for most of them). We laughed and joked awhile before saying goodbye. Then on to the scrubbing the literal piles of dishes and sticky floors, but it was definitely worth it.

            In the morning, I woke up to the sound of a scraping snow shovel outside my door and looked out to see a glistening winter wonderland. My teammates and I ran out for an adventure! I got transformed into a snow mermaid, played a game of snow baseball, and felt like a kid again! Unfortunately, the power and water were out for much of the day, but we cooked dinner by head-lamp-light, haha.

The snow has now been flying for nearly three days and going to class today was a whole new adventure. At first, I was careful not to slip on the ice, but alas, beware of granite! Somehow, one second after stepping through the door into the teaching building, I was wiped out on my back! Thankfully, the layers upon layers of clothing I was wearing, gave me a little cush. Though I have already begun to freak out in realizing that the snow that is on the ground now will most likely still be there, come April, I have to remember that the Father has me here to teach me new things-and this climate is definitely new! Additionally, I can hardly pity myself when I look out the window and see my students shoveling the sidewalks! Of course they inevitably start throwing snow at each other and screaming dramatically, which warms my heart. I am thankful to share this adventure with my team and new friends here. I don’t quite know what I’m in for, but He does. I am looking forward to fully experiencing my first real winter!  

 Chinese Feast!

 Walk to class!