Bible Corners and Pastries

I’m sitting in my hotel room listening to the sound of exploding fireworks outside. Today is some sort of mini pre-festival day leading up to the Chinese New Year celebration known as Spring Festival. Spring Festival is definitely the most exciting holiday in China, and the most widely and enthusiastically celebrated. The festival officially lasts six days, but preparations begin days in advance. Prior to the festival families do a thorough cleansing of their home, buy new party clothes, and purchase enough groceries to last for the entire six days (everything shuts down during the festival… it’s not like the U.S. where the poor McDonald’s employees have to serve Big Macs on holidays). China does holidays right. The city shuts down and everyone spends time off with family and friends. I’ve been extended several invitations to celebrate Spring Festival with friends and their families. The Chinese are very warm and inclusive and intent on having no one be alone during such an important time. It’s nice.

The ride home from work this evening was beautiful (and mildly frightening). Fireworks lit up the skyline… and by skyline I mean where all the tall buildings are. Right in the middle of all them. Beautiful little flaming sparks flying toward large flammable buildings filled with hundreds of people. Not sure it’s really a good idea to light off big Fourth of Jul-Ivars type fireworks on narrow streets between skyscrapers. I’m just saying…

But it was pretty.

Today was a really good day. I slept in, I ate two square meals (which is more than I can say for most days), and other than finding out that I was supposed to work three hours earlier than I’m normally scheduled on Saturdays (after I was already an hour late), work went really well too! I had my first Bible Story English Corner today!! Oh gosh, it was so good!!!

The school hung a poster on the student bulletin board advertising my class, and I had about 25 people show up (Saturdays are a light day at Web, especially this close to Spring Festival)! After spending a lot of time praying and considering where I should start, I thought where better than at the beginning?! So I set out to share the story of creation with the class. As a preface I talked about Chrisianity from a cultural perspective and how according to recent figures roughly 82% of Americans profess to be Christians. I didn’t go too much into all the implications of the statistic, but more just wanted to give a cultural framework for the Christian faith. Especially since I was not preaching, but attempting to present the faith in an informative way. It was actually really challenging. I had to use a lot of phrases like, “according to the Bible” or “Christians believe…” Definitely a very different way of presenting what I believe. I also explained what Christians believe about the Bible (I defined the word “infallible” and attributed it to the Word), what it is (many students knew absolutely nothing about it), how it’s laid out, who wrote it, etc. I thought it was important to lay that groundwork before telling the stories.

I shared the creation story by reading it verse-by-verse and stopping after each to explain what was happening. I tried to expound as much as I could and draw the students in by asking them questions. I could tell some students thought the story was absolutely ridiculous (this was something I had to work really hard on not getting discouraged by). Others seemed entertained, and some seemed genuinely interested in learning more. After I finished the story I explained some of the different ways people interpret the creation account. I didn’t go into too much detail but emphasized that the point wasn’t how God created the heavens and the earth, but that He created them. The conversation got really interesting when we got into man being made in God’s image. This led to a lot of questions about life & death and heaven & hell: what happens when we die, is hell real, who goes there, how do we get to heaven, how do we become angels, who is Satan, are we ourselves in heaven if our body doesn’t go with us, why does God punish people, what are demons, what determines whether I get into heaven or not… and the questions went on and on. You can understand the difficulty of trying to answer these questions in an informative way. But I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit who quickly brought answers (or questions) to mind that either addressed the questions or provoked further thought.

It will be so interesting to see where all of this leads. It really is so humbling to be sharing the Good News with people who may be hearing it for the first time. I feel so under-qualified, but up for the challenge, and extremely grateful for the opportunity to share not just His story, but also His love. I’ve been asking the Lord to let this passage mark each lesson:

Corinthians 2:4-5 "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."

I guess we’ll see what happens! :)

I’m so impressed and amazed at how God works. While making plans to move to China, one of my biggest concerns was my degree. I worried that such a blatantly religious degree would hinder me from securing a job. Only the Lord could orchestrate something like this. The “hindrance” became the wide open door for me to share the Gospel. My boss never would have known, nor would he have asked me to share my “expertise” with the students, if my degree had been in anything else. It makes me wonder why I seem to worry about things so much… He knows what He’s doing.

On a completely unrelated note… this was SO delicious!!!!

Cream Puff!!!!!

Who knew something named after facial hair could be so tasty!?!

Not tasty: “Beef” that is later discovered to be cow tongue. More on that later…

Shrimp With Sprinkles

(a picture of the Chinese museum near my hotel)








I woke up early this morning to catch a flight to Seoul, South Korea so I could renew the stay duration of my visa. It makes me feel so international and cultured to be able to say something like that. It was definitely more of a hassle than an adventure, but it did offer me a few precious moments (oh… I loved those figurines) of Facebook access. And for that, dear Seoul, I am extremely grateful. If you’re my friend on Facebook you probably noticed the flurry of comments I threw out in a matter of 45 minutes or so. I was just so excited. I still haven’t figured out the trixy way to get onto Facebook in China, but I hear it’s possible. I’ll do some research and see if I can’t make that happen. In the meantime, I’ll just have to let today’s fix hold me (and you) over.

I was the only white person on both my flights to and from Seoul. I’m growing more accustomed to this trend, but it struck me while the flight attendant was going through all the safety & flight info that her switch from speaking Chinese to English was done just for me. I was the only person on the flight who needed her to do her schpeal in English. I felt so cared for. Now granted, she also had to do the schpeal in Korean, but if I had not been on the flight, she would not have needed to do it in English. I had an entire airline catering to my needs today. How cool is that!!? Or entitled…

Whatever.

And in case you’re wondering… yes, China did let me back in. Thank you, China.

After landing in Qingdao I decided to grab a taxi, rather than take the bus. I can’t say why, but I chose to sit in the middle of the backseat so I could see the road. Bad choice. My driver was a maniac. He was weaving in and out of traffic, driving on the wrong side of the road. And I’m pretty sure that he took the sight of brake lights as a personal challenge. The man didn’t slow down… he sped up!! Faster and faster until he found a tiny, little pocket to fit in. I found myself doing the parental slam on the “air brakes” move in the back seat.

Several times I had to cover my eyes or turn my head and look out the side window because I was certain that carnage was in my near future. At one point he slammed on the brakes so hard that I nearly smashed my face into the bar-barricade between the front and back seat. And seatbelts were not an option because they were missing. “Safety First” is NOT the motto of drivers in China.

The thought did come to mind though, that some boys would really enjoy driving in China. My brother, for example. I think he would totally love the chaos and competitiveness. You have to be quick and aggressive and unafraid to use your horn or flash your brights. And you have to be good at spotting random pedestrians weaving their way through traffic (it’s like Frogger, but with people). Some drivers aren’t cut out for this kind of driving… they were the ones exchanging insurance information with other bad drivers right in the middle of all the traffic (we witnessed four accidents from the airport to my hotel).

Hungry, and thankful to be alive, I arrived with a friend at a lovely restaurant near my hotel. Rather than look at a menu from the table, at this restaurant they have you walk around to look at pictures and “live” samples of your dinner options. Because Qingdao is a coastal city, seafood is in abundance at nearly every restaurant, and it was definitely not lacking at this one. The difference here though, was that you see the picture of your entrée next to the creature they’re about to kill to make it. I guess that’s how you know it’s fresh! It would have felt like a fun trip to the aquarium, but all the death made it kind of a downer. Any hint of childhood delight leaves when you know that Mr. Bullfrog is going to be in someone’s stir-fry any minute.

So, I pointed at a few pictures of dishes that looked good and left my friend to do the ordering. He’s typically done a pretty good job of ordering things that I like, and I’ve been extra brave to try some of the more challenging dishes I’m presented with (jellyfish, sea cucumber, pig’s feet… I put it on my plate, but didn’t eat it… and I did not eat the fish eye I was offered the other day). But when our server brought our selections to the table, one dish required a double take. “Are those rainbow sprinkles atop what appears to be fried shrimp?” Hm.

The answer:

Yes, yes they are. And that’s watermelon and pineapple underneath it with a lovely yogurt dressing. I was definitely skeptical… but you know what? It was actually really good. Strange (and festive), but good. I won’t try to convince anyone because I probably wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t tasted it myself, but it’s true. Come to China and I will take you to the sad aquarium shrimp sprinkle restaurant so you can decide for yourself.

Whoa!

There are few things in life that truly constitute the Joey Lawrence “Whoa!” (from the hit 90’s coming-of-age sitcom, Blossom). I have Josh & Michelle to thank for reminding me of this little known, but universal truth. But, yesterday, I think it’s safe to say, I experienced the granddaddy of all “Whoa!” worthy situations (at least in my China adventures thus far).

Work began at 1PM and I arrived to discover that I had been scheduled for six (!) classes. One of the other foreign teachers had called in sick, so the others and I were left to cover her classes. That meant I was to have my very first “English Corner” class. English Corners are the largest format class offered at Web and it’s possible to have upwards of 50 students at one time. Any student is welcome to come and sit in as the teacher shares on any topic or activity of their choice. Since it’s only my second week at Web, I was asked to do an introductory class where the students could learn more about me and ask questions about my life, America, anything really. I was warned that I might encounter some odd questions, and encounter them I did. Questions about the NBA (which left me with little insight to offer), Seattle, food… I was asked to sing a Britney Spears song (tempting…)! Of course my age came up, and I continue to feel really good about the fact that people in China think I’m super young. The age guesses ranged from 16-25 years old. You should have seen the jaws drop when I told them I would be 30 (gag) at the end of this month! It was very satisfying for me as I am in denial of this very fact and clinging to 29 with clenched fist and white knuckles.

But the really good questions came up when I was asked about my degree. Studying theology is as foreign to the Chinese as eating pig’s face is to me (yes, they eat pig faces here). Many students had to check their Chinese/English dictionaries to learn what theology even meant and they looked stunned once they discovered its meaning. This brought up a lot of questions about Christianity and church. I even had one student ask me why Muslims and Christians were fighting over Jerusalem… only to be interrupted by another student asking me about Lebron James. :) I was really excited because I could tell that the student’s curiosity had been peaked and that this was only the beginning of great conversations!

But this isn’t even the “Whoa!” worthy experience!

Wait for it…

After the English Corner class my boss approached me. Gavin (his English name) is a 27 year-old Chinese man. He studied in New Zealand for several years and while there he was exposed to Christianity. He has a great deal of respect for the faith, but I don’t think he’s a believer… yet. I could tell something was different about him during my interview. When I mentioned that my degree was in theology, he was smiled widely and said that it was “lovely.” When I told him I’d like to have Sundays off, he gave me a knowing look and said it was no problem and that he “knew why.” So maybe I shouldn’t have been so completely floored by what he asked me yesterday afternoon.

Gavin asked how things went and then asked if I would be willing to do an English Corner every week. The topic: BIBLE STORIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He said that so few Chinese people know anything about the Bible, and that since it’s such a large part of American culture, it would be invaluable for the students to learn about it! What!?!?!? I’m in China, right? He also said that it wouldn’t necessarily be a time for me to present students with the opportunity to make a decision, but if they happened to do that in their own time as a result of my teaching, then so be it!! My boss said this. In China!!!! I was so floored. And still am, quite honestly!!

“Whoa!”

I had just been chatting with the Lord about my purpose here too. This is something I never ever could have imagined happening. Not ever. Talk about open doors…

I am humbled and thrilled and nervous and expectant. I have more to say on the topic, but I need to get ready for work. Who knows what awaits me today!!! I guess I can’t doubt the rightness of what I’m doing here in China, or the fact that the Lord is in this and working things unimaginable.
More soon… :)

The Big Day

I had my first day of work!!

I was anxious all morning. My stomach was in knots… I’m not sure whether it was because I was nervous about teaching or just nervous about this whole working in China thing and wanting to be sure I’m listening to the Lord and doing what He wants me to do. It’s a lot to consider.

I woke up first thing and spent time with Jesus. It was so good… He reminded me from Ex. 16:20 that He wants to provide anew every single day. I don’t need to hoard or hold on to His provision from yesterday. His provision is fresh and new each and every day. So don’t hoard and don’t worry. Good stuff.

After Jesus time I met my friend to go and get a bus pass (goodness knows I need one fully loaded with lots of money… the way I get around on the bus system here, going the wrong way and getting off at the wrong stops). It’s only ¥1 (about 15¢) to ride the bus and it’s totally worth it to get the pass so you don’t have to worry about having cash or change all the time. After getting the pass, we grabbed some lunch real quick and then headed off to Sianggang Lu (Hong Kong Road) to start my first day of work.

My workday began with getting my schedule for the day. I had one hour to prepare for teaching my first class. I didn’t get to sit in and observe anyone!!! I had really hoped to, just so I could get a feel for how they do this thing, but apparently they were desperate to get me started. So with one hour of prep I set off to teach my first class. It was a private lesson with two brothers (must have been from a very wealthy family for there to be two of them). They were 13 & 15… typical boys, but we had a lot of fun. The lessons are all planned out so all I really had to do was follow an outline. We played Taboo and talked about their life achievements. The lesson rounded off with us talking about the NBA. I pretended to know what they were talking about, and thankfully my exposure to the NBA (via the brother) gave me some street cred with the kiddos. We went over our time because they didn’t want to stop talking with me about basketball.

After that lesson I had another hour to prepare for a private one-on-one beginner’s lesson with a very shy and sweet young lady. It went well. We were talking about family and schedules. She also asked me some questions about my life in America, including what my job was there. I told her where I worked and she seemed to be intrigued and very surprised. It’s really neat that I can answer any question that’s asked of me. And it’s really convenient that so much of my life and work experience includes Jesus, so He’s bound to come up at some point. He came up again in the next lesson when the two students in the class asked me what my degree was in. They seemed shocked that I would spend four years studying Theo. They checked their little pocket dictionaries to determine what Theo meant and then the girl asked me, “Why would you study that?” Yay for answering questions!

The Lord has definitely given me favor here, and all the doting I receive is great for the self-esteem! Yesterday I had several students tell me that I was cute, beautiful and sweet. One girl even gave me the nickname, “Beautiful Girl.” Okay. I’ll take it!! And they really like my voice. I had students tell me that I sound so young and my voice is so soft and sweet like a little angel. One girl said I sound like a small child from American films, and then she went on to say that I sound like HANNAH MONTANA!!!! That’s exceptionally funny to me, given that Hannah Montana sounds a bit like an old diner lady. Definitely a stark contrast to a small child’s soft voice, but I’ll take it. I think it may be my most favorite compliment to date. It’s the best of both worlds! :)

So there you go... day one down. I wish I could have everyone here with me to experience all that’s happening. Other than the language barrier and the non-intuitive eating (I think I may starve to death in China if left to dining out on my own… only because I don’t know how to order or what to order for that matter… I had Starbucks for dinner last night), this place really is entirely lovely and it would be fabulous to have you all here with me. So, work on making that happen, okay!?

~Teacher Jaime (that’s my fancy teacher name now)

China. Part 1 :)

What’s that?

You’re looking for an English teacher?

Oh, well I just happen to be one!!!

I got a job! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did a “demo” at Web International English (www.webi.com.cn/en) this afternoon and it went smashingly. Personally, I don’t think it was all that terrific, but the guy who observed me said I was perfect, except for one piece of feedback he provided. In all honesty, I just think he thought I was cute. The voice gets ‘em every time! :)

So, I start tomorrow at 1PM and will be working part time on a three-month contract. I am actually quite thankful for the arrangements… I asked the Lord before the interview to work it out so that they would offer me something part time with a short-term contract. I didn’t want to be locked into something for an entire year, and three months is the perfect amount of time to determine whether this school will be a good fit for me or not. I also have a potential opportunity at Ocean University this September (which would be awesome), so the short contract keeps that option open. I will have a probation period of one month with Web and after that they will begin the process of getting my visa in order. That means I will have to fly to South Korea in the next couple of weeks to renew the 30-day duration of my visa.

I’m such a brave traveler!  I’ve been talking with Jesus about the job situation a lot, especially about getting myself into a situation where I’m being duped (which is common in the foreign teacher business). But I felt like He said that no one really wants to be messing with me (because they’d be messing with Him) and duping me means big trouble for them. So I feel pretty confident. It’s nice having the Creator of the universe on your side. He wins every time!!

The school is just lovely and I think the set up will be perfect for me to learn how to do this teaching thing. The location is great too! I’ll always feel safe going to and from work because it’s right in the middle of the financial & municipal area of the city. Check out the fancy-schmancy building I’ll be working in…

So, in other news, today was my first full day in China all by myself. The mom left yesterday…

I am SO brave!!! It was pretty good day though! I got up early and went to Sunday service this morning. Didn’t understand a word that was said, but the service was sweet. Very traditional. At one point I got really caught up listening to the symphony of body sounds echoing throughout the auditorium. Coughs, snorts, throat-clearings, loogi-hawking. It was comical and I was completely unable to hide the grin on my face as I sat there.

After service my friend called and asked me to meet him on the bus to go to lunch and then on to my interview. I ended up getting on the bus going the wrong way (not my fault… he did not specify which direction, only which number), and having to get off two stops later and walk to the nearest stop going the right way. It was all the way back at my hotel (unintentional exercise… Bob from the Biggest Loser would be so proud). I took the bus to the city center and met my friend (after I got off at the wrong stop – I’m very good at bus riding) to have beefsteak for lunch. Note to self (and to you for that matter): Chinese beefsteak is NOT delicious. Nor is it anything like steak. I tried to eat as much of it as I could since he was treating, but it was trying my meat tolerance (and gag reflex) for sure. The flavor was good, but the consistency was very fatty and gross.

Some things I’ve learned since being in China:
1. Public nose picking is acceptable and encouraged. Especially fervent picking. Oh, and while you’re at it, you just shoot that booger right out. Who needs tissue?!

2. Always look down when you’re walking. You will either trip or step in loogi.

3. Stay away from Chinese beefsteak.

4. Starbucks in China is 5 million dollars. And the “Daily Offerings” sign is beautiful.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


5. Try to find a seat or have your feet firmly planted before the bus driver takes off. Lesson learned.

6. Chinese people like to eat animal feet… and every other part for that matter.

7. Chinese people are incredibly generous and hospitable.

8. Body sounds abound in China.

9. Staring is socially acceptable but can be combated with a smile and a sappy sweet “ni hao”.

10. Going to “lunch” means eating for five hours straight. Seriously.

11. Cars before people. And lanes… they’re really only suggestions. As are traffic signals, double yellow lines and one-way streets.

12. Why bother eating with your mouth closed? Easy in. Easy out.

It really is kind of freeing… not having our pesky standards of etiquette. I ate pork off the bone with my bare hands the other day. It was amazing, and I think it may have tasted better that way.

It hit me yesterday that I’m going to learn a whole lot more here than I am going to teach. I sat in on a fellowship meeting yesterday (Saturday) with incredible men and women who were so passionate. They shared stories, and while I could not understand their words, their hearts were evident. These precious people love their Maker and have given up so much to serve Him. I think how I serve them will be very different than how I imagined. And I’m not sure what that looks like yet. I guess while I’m figuring that out I will just have to love like crazy. A great way I can do that is by learning the language. I’m excited to begin studying. It will be such an incredible asset, no matter how long I am here. And working part time will allow me time to devote to learning. Perfect!

Check out the beautiful city I get to live in…

 
 

So, there you have it. I think you’re all caught up now!

Zai Jian!

Off I Go...

I was getting used to the stares. White faces were still a bit of a novelty and it wasn’t unusual for me to meet eyes and smile awkwardly as I walked through street markets and squares. But that particular afternoon was different. I found myself deeply aware of a divine transaction taking place in each glance and every smile being exchanged. It was more than politeness or pleasantries. My smile brought life, light, hope. I was a walking, breathing, tangible expression of God’s love to these people, and even in the seemingly casual and insignificant, something miraculous was transpiring.

I have never felt more like Jesus in my entire life

When Christ came and walked this earth, mankind came face to face with the love of God for the very first time. He walked the streets, He looked in their eyes, He smiled, He healed their sickness, He brought truth and hope and life to a people parched for Living Water. And in the nation of China, where the Gospel has been withheld for decades, the people are thirsty.

Dear Friends & Family,

As many of you know, I spent about three weeks in China this summer. I had the privilege of working with the Qingdao (Ching-dow) Church teaching English and preaching every afternoon & evening. It was an incredible time, and several days into the trip I began to sense a pull in my heart. Experiences like the one above caused me to wonder whether God might be asking me to return someday.

Upon returning home, I processed and prayed about going back, and the question that kept coming back to me was this: “Why wouldn’t I go?” I had walked the ripe harvest field Jesus talks about in John 4:35. I had seen the fruit first hand, and it’s ready to pick! People are just waiting for the opportunity to say “yes” to Jesus. I can give them the opportunity.

So, with the support of my family, friends and church, I am moving to Qingdao, China NEXT month. I’ll be going as an English teacher, but I will really be a secret agent for Jesus. Some of my objectives include:

• Building relationships with students & faculty, and their families, in order to share God’s love

• Leading an English Bible study for the Qingdao Church to help equip Chinese Believers

• Strategically praying and preparing the way for God to move in miraculous ways in Qingdao

I want to invite you to join me in my mission. You don’t have to move to Qingdao in order to make an impact (although I’d love the company)! There are two ways you can serve as co-operatives with me:

First, you can pray! Praying for the people, the city, and for me, is the most important & effective way you can partner with me in this assignment.

some specifics:

that I find a job

that relationships form quickly

that hearts are open

for protection & provision

Second, you can give! I will be working while I’m there, but I anticipate additional financial needs that will surpass my monthly income.

the specifics:

one time or regular tax deductible gifts

can be given through New Life Church*

6830 Highland Drive • Everett, WA 98203

*earmark gifts in my name on a separate note

Thank you so much for your friendship, support, prayers, and love. I am humbled that I would be chosen for this assignment, but go confidently, knowing that I am covered and cared for by so many at home. I fly out January 11 and will be sure to keep everyone updated on life & ministry in Qingdao!

Love,

Jaime

Compelled

I found myself in tears this morning as I read in Mark 15 the account of Jesus' crucifixion. The magnitude of what Christ suffered overwhelmed my heart as I considered the answer to Pilate's question to the crowd insisting He be crucified: "Why, what evil has He done?"

None.

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us..."

This world has seen terrible suffering. People have been tortured and scourged. They've endured horrors unknown, but how many at the hands of their own creation? What Jesus must have been thinking as He was whipped and mocked, knowing the name of each of His afflicters. How He must have cringed knowing the loving way each one was fashioned by their Maker King, only to use the hands He made to beat and torture Him; using the mouth and tongue He gave to hurl insults and accusations at Him. What Jesus suffered was not impersonal, not to Him. He knew every story of every man and woman who cried out mockingly, "Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." He knew every man who spat, every woman who gawked, and they were the reason He didn't come down from that cross. They were the reason He endured, He suffered, He was forsaken. And in the end, when the earth shook and the sky grew dark, when the veil was torn and a way was made, it was His accuser who proclaimed, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!" 

He still knows every story and every name. He still knows each one who rejects, curses and mocks Him. And the love that compelled Him to remain on that cross, compels Him to stay His return. It compels me to make Him known until He comes. It compels me to be the same kind of love He was; to endure whatever may come for the sake of souls He created, longs for and loves - literally to death. It compels me to give my life to see the accuser become the proclaimer; the reviler the reconciled. This life is not my own. He was God and gave His away. Why should I, as His creation expect to do less? 

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again... We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."