Last week, I had a rough week where none of my lesson plans seem to come together as I had intended. It is very humbling when a lesson plan you spend hours on and have such pride in falls painfully short of it's much anticipated success. However, while classes did not harmonically float by, I found deliverance through the joy in my relationships with my students. Father provided such a surprising turn for me last week. I was in a sour mood at the beginning of the week because of my previously mentioned complete failure to teach English, yet, on Tuesday one of my students asked if I had plans for dinner. To my chagrin, I was not excited about this text because I simply wanted to wallow in my emotions and failures. I tried to come up with as many legitimate excuses as I could. I thought, well, it's the end of the month and I don't really have enough money on my meal card, or I'm not really feeling that great tonight... but, between you and I, I simply just wanted to be left alone- away from this foreign culture, and away from all the things that don't make sense or frustrate me. But the Father was quick to align my heart to His passion for His children here. So, I reluctantly agreed to meet this student for dinner on Tuesday. Unknown to me, it was this student's, Phoenix, birthday! She saw our relationships as a very important friendship and she wanted to spend her birthday celebrating with me- her foreign teacher. Wow. So humbling. Here I was reluctant to give her a minute of my "precious" time and yet, she asked me of all people to celebrate her birthday with her! Not only that, but she put my fear of running out of money on my meal card by buying me my meal! I was completely floored and my selfishness was instantly revealed in the light of her kindness. The Father had much to teach me that night! And man, am I sure glad He loves me enough to teach me because the night has become one of my favorites! Phoenix invited me back to her dormitory to eat birthday cake with her and some of her friends- little did I know that half of our class would show up to cram into her tiny, spotless, white-washed walled room that she shares with three other girls. The girls in the room were so intrigued by presence in their dormitories, I saw a whole new side to their personalities. One of them who I don't think has ever peeped a word in class was bouncing off the walls and she ended up chasing me around with frosting on her hand finally catching me, and creaming it all over my face! Completely shocked at their comfortableness in their own quarters, I was honored to have such a beautiful opportunity to further pursue these precious girls' friendships. At one point, they even forced me to sing a solo of a Justin Beiber song (shout out to you Eco!) and I sang for all I was worth despite my inability to hold a tune! The girls were awed by my performance and we all busted out laughing! I felt like I was back in my freshman year, and it definitely confirmed in me that I have a passion for the college-aged! It is such an awesome time in life where you are permanently influenced by the experiences you have in growing up on your own! I love it!
Anyways, the past weekend, my team traveled to a city a couple hours north of us called Haerbin. We left late Friday in order to get a snapshot of life with ELIC in the University Teaching Program. (this is the option we have if we decide to commit to staying in China for the next two years). Because Haerbin is further north, it is significantly colder than Changchun. When we returned, I actually think one of my fleeting thoughts was categorizing Changchun as "warm"! So, back to Saturday. Saturday, the girls spent the afternoon visiting a UTP worker, Jodee Poon. She was such a breath of fresh air! She has an awesome personality and so full of life- it was a joy to be welcomed by her. She showed us her apartment (on the 20th floor of a building) and around her neighborhood. We got some local snacks, a few of the girls got "dry washes" (chinese hair wash but it is completely dry- no water and they massage your head- Bran you would love this!!), and also had to do a mini photo shoot in a makeshift photo booth! All six of us crammed into the booth was quite a site to the Chinese locals passing by. Needless to say, it was a much needed and enjoyable day with just the girls on the team. I have been blessed with all of their friendships and the sincerity in the love we all have for each other and our Father. Sunday, we spent the day at the only Starbucks in the city!!!! We do not have this luxury in our own city of Changchun, but Haerbin a city of like 7 million has ONE! So, we braved the chaotic lines to wait for our heavenly cups of home! Although I don't like coffee, I did enjoy the seasonal Dark Cherry Mocha this one freezing cold day! After enjoying the revitalization that a familiar setting can have, we walked the famous "century boulevard". Haerbin's design and architecture is heavily Russian. This main street is a cobble-stoned shop-lined street. We spent time wandering here and there into various stores and looking at all the "china-fab" fashion. Finally, we made it to the end of the strip and low and behold there is the CRAZIEST sight I have ever seen. I am standing at the beginning of many stairs that meet the biggest lake bed of frozen ice I have ever seen (which living in California isn't much- but seriously this thing was ginormous!!) Situated on the ice was like a miny carnival! There were people everywhere sliding and skating on the ice, riding on dog-sleds yes, I said it- dog sleds, and there are street vendors selling treats. Abby, Megan and I were in complete shock as we took in all the sight had to offer our senses. It was amazing. Unfortunately, we did not get long on the ice- much to this old Chinese woman's dismay who was eagerly trying to persuade us to buy a dog-sled/cart ride with her animated actions and quick chinese tongue. Poor puppy on the ice- I don't think even if we would have had the time that we would have taken her up on her offer! Following the great time in the city, we headed home by train. After the train ride, Emily, Megan, and I had the most amazing cab-ride experience of our lives. Our driver was young, 32, and he was enchanted with his "3 white beautiful foreigners". Once we got into the cab, he instantly cranked up the volume on the techno music he was playing. With Megan having gotten car sick from the train, I asked Emily to ask him to turn it down and he sweetly did so adding that he would drive slower. (which never actually happened lol). As the ride went on, Emily became my translator as I asked him questions. I asked him if he enjoyed singing and he replied yes, he was good at it. With this, I continuous urged and bothered him about singing to Megan to make her feel better. Well, I eventually won the argument and he spent the last ten minutes of our ride serenading her and us belting out songs at the top of his lungs. He also told us when he is not working we should all go to KTV and sing karaoke. We all laughed and enjoyed the silliness the end of the weekend was providing!
This week has been tiring because there was not really any "down" time this weekend to rest and sleep, but Father has shown up in the most unexpected ways already! And it's only Wednesday! YAya! Monday I was texting my friend Ri Ri (also my Chinese tutor) and she mentioned not being herself. Impulsively, I asked her to meet me for dinner on Tuesday to talk. She shared her heart with me about a situation with a friend and her inability to feel herself recently. The Father opened a huge door when he prompted her to ask if I have ever felt this way. I got to explain how my faith allows me to be joyful in all circumstances and when I do feel like her, it's usually because something with my relationship with the Son is not right. She asked how I talk to Him and what it looks like to have a relationship with Him. I shared many parts of my testimony and a lot of my personality and experiences resonated with her. She is interested and seeking- please be lifting her up to the Father as her interest is fragile and I want the Father to continue to use me and soften her heart!
Also, today during office hours, I was packing up to go to lunch when my co-worker Aileen walked in. She asked me a question that caught me completely off guard, "Courtney, you believe that He created everything don't you?" I replied, "uh, yes I do". She said, "Can you tell me more about it?" "Sure, what do you want to know about it?" I responded.. and she said everything... "did it happen in 6 or 7 days? I pulled out my Word and began to read to her right from it and explained the whole process of creation. During the middle of this, my other co-worker, Linda, walked in. She has heard a lot about Christianity because she surprised me by interjecting comments about it like, "ya wasn't woman made out of man's rib?" Surprised, I finished explaining the creation and then Linda explained how she has been to church and studied the Word with many foreigners but has never gotten to a point where she could choose to believe. My heart broke/ I was instantly feeling super put on the spot and incapable of where this conversation might go... She began to ask me questions about whether I believed it was the truth or not. I simply said yes I believe it is all true. She said, "have you ever experienced God?" I replied yes. And she asked for an example. Picking the most recent and hopefully the most relatable, I gave her my testimony in my decision-making process in coming to China. I explained about my car accident and how after much prayer, the Spirit was asking me to trust and take a step of faith. She listened patiently and asked several more questions. After the conversation, I walked toward lunch letting out a deep breath that I seemed to have been holding during the whole conversation. My only thought- whoa, thank goodness their eternity is not in my incompetent hands! He is going to reveal himself to them regardless of my ability/inability to eloquently say the right things or the right words. No, He is the One who saves, and He will soften their hearts to hear what they need to hear. Please pray for these three women: Ri Ri, Aileen, and Linda. Eternity is a forever thing and I would love to see them understand the importance and significance of the life of the Son.
So as it's late Wednesday night, I continually type the wrong words as my mind is exhausted and half asleep, so I will turn in for the evening! I hope to hear form many of you soon! I love and miss you my brothers and sisters! I leave you with this beautiful poem I read on my teammate's wall tonight:
LOVE
by: George Herbert (1593-1632)
OVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, - Guilty of dust and sin.
- But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
- From my first entrance in,
- Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
- If I lack'd anything.
- 'A guest,' I answer'd, 'worthy to be here:'
- Love said, 'You shall be he.'
- 'I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
- I cannot look on Thee.'
- Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
- 'Who made the eyes but I?'
- 'Truth, Lord; but I have marr'd them: let my shame
- Go where it doth deserve.'
- 'And know you not,' says Love, 'Who bore the blame?'
- 'My dear, then I will serve.'
- 'You must sit down,' says Love, 'and taste my meat.'
- So I did sit and eat.
We have a beautiful wedding feast to keep our gaze fixed on and to look forward too! Enjoy the Freedom of enjoying and glorifying Him who has come to save us! Blessings from the Father be on you today!
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