Heart Overflowing, Legs Exhausted

Sunset at Hua Qaio

 I walked in to my apartment, dropped my heavy "teacher" bag on the floor by the entry, a place my dad would for sure be upset with me leaving my stuff everywhere if he were here. I staggered over to my big firm bed and collapsed. My mind was spinning but the darkness quickly came. I didn't even bother to take off my boots or pull my blanket up. Sleep. It was so simple... and I faded...

bzzzzzzzzz buzzzz... I felt something vibrating and in my fog I finally realized it was my cell phone. Positive I was not going to answer, I reached for it to check the caller id.. Veronica. Oh boy. Veronica is my Chinese boss, and she is an absolute doll! She always affirms me that I am "so nice". A compliment that pleases my soul as words of affirmation are my love language. I sigh, pull myself completely out of my nap and say "hello?"

"Yes Courney?" (most leave out the "t" in my name and I find it so precious haha)

"Hi Veronica! How are you?"

Hua Qaio Campus

"Ah, I am good, yes, uh Courney, I just call to tell you your schedule yes, it is changed, again" I laughed at this. My schedule has now been changed four times in the past two days.... the second change was this morning. I woke up early and took extra care in preparing because it was Monday morning- I have 3 classes today from 8am-3pm. So I walked confidently to my first class continually repeating to myself the mantra "I AM the teacher, I am THE teacher, I am the TEACHER!" Funny how even with a lesson plan, you can feel so nervous about being the one in charge!! After 3 quick flights of stairs I found 310. I peeked in and the class was full, students already sitting in their seats. Alrightey, I offered up a quick thought to my Shepard and took a deep breath opening the door. The students instantly began clapping and a huge smile lit my face! How could you not smile at this greeting?! They instantly began asking me questions like: "teacher, do you speak chinese?" "teacher, do you have boyfriend?" "teacher, you are so beautiful" I spent time answering their questions as I set up the chalk board with my grammar sentences, my name 'Miss Courtney' and a few things to describe myself. About a minute before the bell rings, the students decide to tell me they don't have Oral English this morning. I figured it was a simple mis-understanding on their part because their English level is so minimal. However, in a flustered and VERY embarrassed state I look over at the door and there was about four or five senior students trying to get my attention. I meet them outside and they explain in easy English that my schedule is wrong and my first and third periods are switched. With the darkest shade of red coloring my cheeks, I quickly collect my things and erase my drawings on the board and bolt out. OF course this happens- It's China, Courtney, could you expect anything else? I sprint to the right classroom and begin class. The students were active, but I found myself throwing  my lesson plan out the window within five minutes. My students have the lowest English ability in the whole school. No. Literally, they do! And, I discovered I needed to re-structure my whole lesson plan to meet their needs. Fortunately, it went smoothly enough. The second and third classes were much better. I had the students draw or write about themselves, as well as, fill out a "get to know you" paper. They were allowed to ask me two questions on the back of the paper and I received questions ranging from:
"Are you miss your hometown?"
"If I make some mistakes I hope you will not get angry"
"Do you love me? (I know you will say yes!)"
"are you good at singing?"
"Do you think it pays to have a sex before two persons get married?"
While many of these questions are cute, some are very deep and serious. They show me the need for light and hope. I had confidence before that the Father was calling me here, and now knowing a bit more about my students' I can see even more so the reason He has called me here. For this, I praise Him.

So at the end of the day, I was exhausted. After Veronica informed me of my schedule change, I chatted with a teammate, and did a workout. By 7:50 pm I was in my bed, bundled up and completely drained from the day. My only thoughts- thank you Father for this tiring day and the students I FINALLY got to meet.

This morning I woke up refreshed and alert really early! I hesitantly crawled out of bed- the weather is dropping to cold temperatures that I'm not quite sure about yet. I did a workout with my teammate Emily and felt rejuvenated for my unexpected 8 am class this morning! I walk the same path as yesterday offering up thoughts to my Father to go before me today. I walk in the class- and it is clear He has shown up today. My class this morning was excited, energetic, and my lesson plan was running much more smoothly, as it was my fourth run through! I truly enjoyed this morning with much laughter and focus with my students. The BEST part of my day however was skyping with not only my dad, but my BROTHER! Ah, I have not talked with him since the beginning of August!! I cannot tell you how much joy seeing and talking to him brought my heart! My brother, Brandon, is one of my best friends and I admire him so much. He has such a strong heart for the Father and I am always encouraged when I speak with him! It was a true blessing to hear about his life in Arizona and hear the ways the FAther is moving in Him. Afterward, I met my teammates for some time on our knees for our campus here. It was special to come before the throne with specific names on our lips of the students we have seen glimmers of interest in!

I believe the second best part of my day was my English Corner class. This class is not a typical class- there is no grade and students of all ages just come to practice speaking. Today I led a discussion on Family. I had many questions for small group discussions and over forty students showed up!! A blessing compared to the 4 that came last week! I will have to admit, before I went to English Corner this afternoon, I was complaining to the Father that no one was going to come because the location was always changed. I know they aren't going to come, because I planned my lesson plan for a lot of students and it always happens to work not in my favor. Well, at this thought, the Father simply told me "be diligent daughter, I will reward your diligence". I knew before getting to class, if I provided the lessons, he was going to provide the students! And provide He did!! I was especially thankful because I had a sequencing activity on the story of the Prodigal Son from the Good Book to add "Salt". I heard some incredible conversations among the students today. There are 3 stories I would like to share. The first, I sat with two girls and began listening to them discuss the questions. Eventually they turned their attention toward me and began saying they didn't have an English class because they had a foreign German teacher for German. They came to English Corner to speak so their English wouldn't "die". Then they said the strangest thing, "you, you are so different than our German teacher" I gave her a confused smile, because I wasn't sure if I had heard her right. She continued, "I just, I can't describe, but you are different, my heart, I can't explain what it is, but in my heart I see you are different than her" I smiled as she finished her thought. I know what it is. It is Him. He is who they see in me that is different than their other teacher. I felt the Spirit leading and have scheduled to have dinner with them after class on Thursday. I want to be brave enough to explain how He is my reason for being different- but I am a little afraid. Thank goodness He will be present and just as He said to Jeremiah in Chapter 1, "The Lord said to him, 'do not say I am only a child. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you". Yes, He will be the One speaking. Please be lifting that dinner up to Him- to annoint that divine appointment!

The second story is fun! I had a group of four boys sitting in the back. They called me over and we began to talk. The bravest, started with, "you are so beautiful, when i see you, my heart ah, it says you are so beautiful" I just laughed and thanked him... he explained that they were freshman and seeking to work on their English. I welcomed them and answered all of their questions! Then, he said, "I want you to give me an English name!" I replied, "what do you like?" He answered putting his arms in a flexing pose, "strong, I like man!"(BTW when girls think a guy is "hot" they say "he is so man") Knowing this, I said "you are manly and you want a strong, manly name? How about Peter? It means rock- strong!" He lit up at this explanation and tried it out, "Peter, Peter, Peter, yes, Peter is good". His friend asked for a name too. I asked him what he liked and he mentioned Harry Potter, Spiderman, and Titanic. I sparked up at Titanic! I said, "what about Jack?" He got really excited and agreed his English name would be Jack!

The third story is very short... during the Prodigal Son activity, I was passing by one group, and a girl asked, "is this story from the Bible?" I excitedly said yes! I asked her if she has read it before, she replied no. That was the end of the conversation- but I left her by saying if you ever want to read more stories like this let me know and I can give you some! They have great lessons in them! She smiled and thanked me.

Overall, it was a beautiful day in Changchun and I'm thankful to have been picked to come here- what a priviledge it is.