School ~ China Style

Something we never quite expected when we moved here was that we would be involved with the opening of a new International School.  It was not in our 'plans'.  God, thankfully, had other plans.  While year 2 in China started off with the reality that someone in our family would need to get a Working Visa, in order for our family of 7 to stay here and continue to be involved with New Day South and all the incredibly important work they do here in this city and surrounding area.  God provided an incredible opportunity for Adrian to work part time with a dynamic buisness woman who is opening her 3rd school.  Adrian is not teaching, he is serving as the project manager for the school.  Very exciting plans for this very 'unique' school that if you lived here I would love to tell you all about it... 

 

...so one day I figured, lets ditch homeschool and take the kids to the construction site!

 

Daddy explaining the layout for this very high tech new school.

 

I love the colors!  There is nothing like this around here!

 

The basket ball courts...

 

 

So some of our kids are going to be staring here in a few weeks, 

(yes this school will be open in 2 weeks) 

I am thankful for this opportunity, although I love homeschooling I understand not all my kids prefer it to traditional schooling. 

Kole and Gemma will stay home with me 

*yay*

 and the rest will embark on this new cool adventure!

God is so good ~

We now have wheels in China!

 

Close your eyes Lukai.....

 

...open them up!

 

SURPRISE!!!

 

"How did that get in here?!!!"

 

"Is it for me?"

 

Outside on the foyer/balcony gearing up to test them out...

 

Biking in China requires maneuvering bikes in and out of elevators...

 

...down the ramp...

 

...and ready to roll with our new 'folding' bike!

 

Riding at night is hows it's done here folks....

it's only 25degrees (C) when the sun goes down...

 

Everyone gets a turn, 2 bikes for the whole family...

 

So proud of this guy who learned to ride SO fast on our recent trip to Canada, 

this night he jumped on and took off.  He is incredible ~

Our family is SO thankful to the anonymous  persons who blessed our family with these bikes. 
Thank you so much we are having a BLAST with our new set of wheels!

I didn't see that coming ~

 

Well, I didn't see that coming....

      

...I happen upon some Chicago guests who were visiting the Foster Home last Friday...

 

...and after hearing why they are here, to put on their annual VBS week with the 3 local 3 Registered Churches here... 

    

I begged for 2 spots to be opened up for Gem and Jade to attend!

 

 

They said 'Yes' and the girls went for the whole week!

 

They had a great time, and made FRIENDS!!!

 

And we got introduced to the Registered Churches here, and we made some friends!

 

There are differences with the 'Registered Church' here, but that is for another post...

 

It was surreal experiencing something so familiar like a VBS.....

in a Chinese way...

(some funny differences)

 

But for all the differences....

I loved the similarities...

 

The singing, action songs, crafts, food! 

 

The message that Jesus IS the answer ~

  

God is the same yesturday, today & forever

in English, Mandarin & Cantonese

 

We never expected this gift this week,

this camp, these memories

God loves to give gifts to His children...

Matthew 7:11

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Not what I had planned ~

 

 

When we moved here...we were so excited to volunteer with a Foster Home here and had no plans to teach English...

unless VISAs required us too... yet somehow here I am 18 months later ..... 

teaching English at a preschool.  

Not what I had planned.

(On this day of preschool half the class was away)

 

I've learned via other Expats that EVERYONE assumes you're an English Teacher when your living in China and EVERYONE will come knocking at your door asking you to teach their child.

 

...and it doesn't matter how many times you say, "No, I'm not a teacher" or 

"No, I homeschool my  children, I have no time......"

They are not deterred....they keep on coming and asking...

 

In our situation, we decided fairly early on that we wanted Lukai to attend School.  I tried to home school him, but it just wasn't the right fit for him.  He is SOCIAL and I think Homeschooling would have frustrated him.  

So off he went to a local preschool that was recommended to us, and we were amazed at how quickly his fluency of Mandarin came back to him and how quickly he made friends.

 

But as all things via school related here in China is, I became aware of how EXPENSIVE schooling is for expats!!!  The kids are not permitted to attend 'local' schools so we are left with private/international ones.....they are like the schools from 'Dead Poets Society' .  These school are gorgeous!  

But we couldn't sustain the tuition....

 

Then came the request, as we were praying what to do, come and teach an English hour 3xs a week there...

 

Well, we had been praying for a clear open or closed door.  So with alot of fear, I said 'Yes' and I quickly immersed myself with TESOL for preschoolers.  

Sites like Super Simple Learning became my lifeline.

 

I was shocked and amazed at how I was able to put together an 1hour curriculum that included awesome ways of teaching Greetings, Alphabet, Phonics,Calendar, Weather, Colors, Shapes, Story time, Craft time, Parts of the Body, with loads of great singing and games.  

This is something I am thrilled to brag about...because I can say ~ 

it was totally the Lord.  

He did it.  

He showed me e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.   I had not a clue! 

I take no credit at how incredible these classes have become.

 

Attendance doubled within a few months at the preschool as word spread about the class.  The Teachers were thrilled!  The Parents were so happy.  And we are able to send Lukai with his tuition paid.  He was so happy.  

And once again, God provided a way.

 

This was never part of our plan when coming here ~ we were only thinking about the Foster Home.  But this opportunity has allowed us into the community in a whole new deeper way.  We are making friends because of it.  

We are building relationships because of it.  

We can share our faith because of it...

 

Not what I had planned ~

 

I was reminded this week as I was feeling frustrated at the little we are contributing here, that I need to remain faithful to where He has us planted.  He has a purpose that He is unfolding, and I have a part.  

It may be a teeny tiny part, and that's okay, 

I just need to remain faithful and trust Him to bloom where I am planted.

 

I am reminded that the opportunities I have to build relationship here is precious.

I have nothing to share without relationship.

 

And maybe that is all this 'Teaching Thing' is about....building relationships within the community.  

Or maybe I will take this new skill and use it elsewhere...who knows

 

It doesn't matter, I don't need to see the whole plan.....I need to trust.

 

And today on this stormy day, when half the class didn't show up, and the older boys, my boy was SO NAUGHTY...

 

I can remember that,  be faithful with the 'talet' He has given me and prove myself a good and worthy Servant.

 

...and love on these kids every moment I can...

 

...and shine Christ's love and truth among the Buddist Teachers...

 

We were serving somewhere else as well, that I can't share online, 

but politics being what they are here....that awesome door sadly got shut fast.

As I process that change, my heart ached for more....

and I was reminded this week that this Teaching Opportunity IS from Him.

(Here they are, as they like to sing good bye to me...

tackling me ...and then falling off of me onto eachother... )

 

(...someone got a foot to the head...I think I know whose kid too

*sigh* Lukai )