July 18, 2008
I was having a really great day today. The teachers were doing good in their classes, having changed directions and supplementing their lessons with some stuff I brought. Our site supervisor came by just in time to see me play a character. Okay, playing a character. There are several sports figures programmed into the lessons to help make the lessons come alive. Each of us have to play at least one person. We have to make a costume out of whatever we can find and we have a script we follow. I find it pretty fun. I usually overplay my character if you can believe that.
For the afternoon we held a birthday party, and planned four stations. A station is an area or classroom in which a game or event is being held. The classes rotate through these stations so the students get to participate in each. One station was pin the tale on the donkey, another was doing the limbo dance, a third was a spinning and get dizzy then run to a race game and the fourth, water balloons. Well, all we had to say was “WATER BALLOONS,” and all pandemonium broke out. Before we even attempted to play the game we planned, the kids had water bottles and were splashing, and eventually soaking each other. We gave up on the game and just passed out the balloons. When it was time to gather them together for cake and signing Happy Birthday to those having a birthday in July, it was, as someone coined the phrase, latterly like trying to herd cats. It became very stressful.
The woman on my team, the older adult, became offended when I asked her to relax, there wasn’t going to be any order to the mess. She then told me something and I said to her that we are bumping heads, and it needs to stop. Instead of being submissive she said, someone needs to step up. I turned and walked away in utter disgust. I’ve worked very hard for these people, they have no idea how much stress is on my shoulders. I am not a perfect person, and often make mistakes. I am the first to admit that, but for her to say that in the midst of anarchy because she too was stressed out, was wrong and mean spirited. It was not meant in a kind way. It has been very difficult trying to sustain positive energy, and to give it to the team with her and her husband always going nose down negative. I need my team and I lifted in prayerful thought.
I know there is a reason for all of this. I know that I wasn’t even sure if I would ever come back to Asia after last year, and with what happened with Hoa. But being here, I love these kids, even the trouble makers. I have a very tear jerker of a story, I don’t know how it is going to end, but there is the beautiful young girl. Please lift her up. She is quiet, sits alone, doesn’t talk to anyone. Today she had her hand out for a water balloon, and as soon as I put one in her hand another kid stole it. I tried a second time and again; another student snatched it out of her hand. She didn’t say a word, but just walked away. I went up to her with a third balloon and offered it but she didn’t take it. I pointed to the students and asked her who she would like me to throw the balloon at. She didn’t say. So I pointed to a student and told her this was for her and hit a boy student in the back with the water balloon. She is so sweet. I can only imagine that there is some terrible story behind those quiet eyes.
July 17, 2008
Another thorny day, two of my teachers are doing okay, they have their ups and downs but they are okay. The married couple is struggling really badly. I believe it is because they have never had children and are not accustomed to working with kids. Gosh, I cannot believe I just said that. What does that say about me? Anyway, I also believe they had different expectations of what this was going to be like. We all did of course, but they are not adjusting to it and secondly, they don’t know how to be a kid themselves. In fact, three of the teachers don’t know how to be a kid. What I mean by that is this; they don’t know how to play with their kids. I played baseball with them the other day. I was drenched with sweat. Today, we had them playing volleyball and the teachers just stood there on the sideline. If I were wearing a t-shirt, I would have been on the court playing with them. I run up and down the hall chasing the boys, hitting them and pushing them. I played with the girls by secretly trying to take their picture. They don’t like having their picture taken. I think if they could learn to be young again they would have more success in developing relationships with the students.
When we got back to the dorms, they said that they thought they were going out to have dinner alone. That is a bad sign. The woman said she needed to have some time alone. This was very discouraging to the team. The ones that should be weak are being strong, and the older ones that should be strong are being weak. We have two more weeks left, and I am not sure if they are going to make it. Part of me hopes they will give in and go home because they are draining me of energy. They are also negatively impacting the other two teachers. These two people are good people, and well intentioned, and it’s not their fault that they were placed in this situation. Nonetheless, it is hard for me, and for them to see God in this. For me, that is okay. They, on the other hand, need to see something.
July 16, 2008
Today was a rose amongst many thorns. In other words, it was a great day. We held a bunch of activities and games that the kids loved, especially the water brigade game. They had a blast. We were laughing and smiling and talking and playing together. They came way out of their shell on this day and some of us had breakthroughs. I saw it that way but then it may be my experience and eternal optimism that allowed me to see. We played basketball, and many different kinds of games that included Uno. They love Uno but they pronounce it “You know. “
July 15, 2008
Each day is now equally as bad as the last. I’ve asked the teachers of the school about how normal classes go. They explained to me that they have disciplinary problems within the classes as we do, talking while the teacher is lecturing, and what not. I also asked a few of the students why they were in the Camp, most answered because their mother enrolled them. I am thinking that maybe we are summer baby sitters for the parents. But that really doesn’t matter.
My married couple came into the teacher’s room today. The wife was definitely upset. She said we were wasting our time, and the organization that sent us was wasting a great deal of resources on students who could care less. After they left the room, I remembered a sermon I gave at my church. It was entitled, “What price a soul? It went on to state that to man, souls are cheap. A robber kills a store clerk for a mere $75, that’s cheap. To God, a soul is priceless. So what price a soul? If it cost us as a team a total of $15,000 to be here in Hong Kong, would that price be worth paying if we impacted 20 lives, 10 lives? 5 lives? How about just one life? I wrote this on the board. When they came back in they read it. She thanked me for reminding her of what this trip is about. Even if we impact only one life this summer, be it one of us or one of the students, then the price to be here was well worth it.
I heard a story once, of a teacher who taught in an alternative high school. He said there was one girl who he was afraid of, really afraid of. He talked to her once, and then one day she disappeared from school. He never saw her again. 12 years later a well dressed and well kept woman pushing a baby stroller stopped him. He didn’t know who she was. She said to the teacher, “I want to thank you. You said something to me that change my whole life” She then told him who she was, and what the one thing was he said to her and how it made a world of difference. One life, one soul, God loves them all.
July 14, 2008
Ah yes, the day from Hell. Well, let’s see, the students wouldn’t listen to anything anyone had to say. They were absolutely disobedient. They talked while the teacher attempted to talk. Have you seen the move, the Concrete Jungle I think it is called staring Glen Ford as a teacher in an inner city high school back in the late 50’s? Yea, that is what it made me feel like. My counselors are beginning to question why they are here; one of them breaking down had a crying fit again. We broke for lunch, mentally preparing for the afternoon activity of Valentine’s Day.
Well, let’s see, you take 67 kids that are already ADHD and feed them about two cups of rice, starch, carbohydrates and what do you think you get? A) Sweet docile students ready to learn or B) little Asian rubber balls bouncing all over the classroom. The correct answer, B. Valentine’s Day was a bust. The only part that went well was making Valentine Day cards. To date, everything that has worked in the past has failed here in Hong Kong.
Back to the question of why we are here, this is a vast unknown question. Only God knows the answer. As I spoke to my counselors, I encouraged them with the fact that at the very least, God is working on you. I explained to them that when they emerge out of the other side of this experience, they are going to be different people. Secondly, they may leave Hong Kong never knowing that they have indeed, impacted someone’s life for the positive. Finally, they are of course laying a foundation and building upon the foundation for future teams. Those future teams may and will see fruit harvested. Fruits grown from seeds planted by us, or by teams working on what we have built. It is a collaborative effort and only the Father knows where we are at in the chain. A positive is that three of the counselors went and ate with some of their students and began building personal relationships with them.
As team leader, I Covent your prayers for me, that I can sustain a positive mental attitude, and put my trust in the Lord. Also, for my counselors, pray that God will grant them patients and energy and that they will build long lasting and deep relationships with their students, and they will be able to plant seeds in some good soil.
July 13, 2008
Sunday, we went to church today, the two girls and I. The married couple went off to visit their friend’s church. While there, I ran into an old friend who moved to Hong Kong seven years ago. She normally goes to a Lutheran church but because she is leaving HK, heading for the U.A. E. she was visiting to say good bye to some old friends. The church we are attending is an Evangelical Community Church and can be found at www.islandecc.hk if you would like to see what they are up to.
After church we explored a bit and found the jade market. I’ve never see so much jade in on spot before. Two buildings filled with it and other stuff as well. We were out and about in an area known as Mong Kok. This is a more seedy part of town but it is also were the good shopping is at. On the way back to our dorms we ran into a teacher from the school we are working at. He and his family are heading off to Vancouver BC. Nine hours from Portland. They wanted to invite us to dinner but we had McDonalds, that’s right, we cheated and ate McDonalds. We finally met up with the married couple back at the dorm and hammered out the week’s events. I hope this week will be better than the first week. Three to go and still searching for what the Lord has brought us here for.
I think at the very least, the married couple is discovering something about themselves. They are learning how to be a team. The two girls are growing as well. Both suffer from mental disorders of sorts, such as anxiety. They are facing their problems and creating coping skills. For me, I am learning to be patient, and graceful. I am also learning how to deal with the Asian people. After the break up with Hoa, I didn’t know how to act with Asians or Asian girls anymore. I didn’t want to spend anymore of my love capital for what could amount to be a waste of expenditures again. I also wasn’t sure how I would receive them. I feel so cheated and thrown to the pigs by what she has done. I am learning that each are individuals and must be treated as such. I cannot gauge the whole on just a part. God has given me a heart for Asians and to block it is to block God. No can do.
July 12, 2008
What a deal, I’ve spent so much money trying to call home that it’s not funny. First I bought a SIM card. Idealistically, you snap it into a cell phone and off you go, yea… no such luck. That was $48 dollars, ah, Hong Kong Dollars, so about $7 U.S. Next I bought a “Phone card,” for $100 HK dollars, again about $14 US. Finally, I resorted to the good old Internet. I first purchased an online card for $50 US dollars but then received a notice that they would confirm the order. That’s a no go because I gave them my cell phone as primary and the house phone as the secondary. So, I looked up another online calling card company, Penny Talk, which was recommended to me. I paid another $25 US. Hm…I called and got through; however, the automated service told me that I had only 16 minutes of actual talk time. Penny talk? Hm…I paid $1.52 per minute. If you add it all up, I paid, $6 per minute. I hope I get use out of the other cards before this trip is over. In any case, I got to say hi to Sabrina my daughter, and my wife. It was good to hear their voices even if it were only for a brief time.
As for today, the married couple on the time notified me that they were planning on spending the day with their friend that lives in Hong Kong, and that they were planning on going to church with the friend. Today being Saturday and tomorrow being Sunday. This left me and the two girls at the dorm. We did our laundry, and then headed out for a walk to the store. We got a little adventurous and boarded the subway riding it only to the next stop. There we hunted down a 7/11. Yes, a 7/11 where we purchased the useless phone cards. We then rode a bus back to our dorms and had dinner. The one thing that is nice is that I borrowed my daughters laptop and yesterday, I discovered that there are episodes of Stargate and Stargate Atlantis for my viewing pleasure. Well, that was my Saturday, how was yours?
July 11, 2008
I woke up this morning, the thunder of last night’s storm still echoing in my ears. It was a bad storm that blew through last night. I have a strange sense of energy flowing through me. I sleep at least as much as the others, probably less, but I am vibrant all day. The married couple on the team is 38 and 40 years old. I am turning 50 this year. Again, waking up this morning I sensed energy, waking up joyful and looking forward to what the day has to bring. I am of course praying that the students will settle down in their behavior while coming out of their unresponsive behavior towards doing activities. God has been good to me, and I’ve not been very good to him.
Today, we executed our disciplinary plan. Teachers separated students, and we threaten exile to room 306 which is the disciplinary master’s room. I did have to actually yell at a boy and that seemed to get everyone’s attention. Yesterday, a strange thing happened. One of the teachers approached us and asked if we were going to share the message with the kids within the school setting. That is absolutely unheard of in China. Today, the principle of the school asked me if we were going to invite any students to services with us, and he went on to say that it would be okay to do so. He further stated that we could intertwine the message into the curriculum because they want to see them become familiar with the faith. I was in shock. This is of course a good thing, and we will adjust accordingly.
Things went a bit better, still had discipline problems, but we also took the kids outside and played Ultimate Frisbee and baseball in the sweltering heat and humidity. I was drenching wet by the time an hour and a half passed. Each drop of sweat and or tear is progress in the right direction.
I was having a really great day today. The teachers were doing good in their classes, having changed directions and supplementing their lessons with some stuff I brought. Our site supervisor came by just in time to see me play a character. Okay, playing a character. There are several sports figures programmed into the lessons to help make the lessons come alive. Each of us have to play at least one person. We have to make a costume out of whatever we can find and we have a script we follow. I find it pretty fun. I usually overplay my character if you can believe that.
For the afternoon we held a birthday party, and planned four stations. A station is an area or classroom in which a game or event is being held. The classes rotate through these stations so the students get to participate in each. One station was pin the tale on the donkey, another was doing the limbo dance, a third was a spinning and get dizzy then run to a race game and the fourth, water balloons. Well, all we had to say was “WATER BALLOONS,” and all pandemonium broke out. Before we even attempted to play the game we planned, the kids had water bottles and were splashing, and eventually soaking each other. We gave up on the game and just passed out the balloons. When it was time to gather them together for cake and signing Happy Birthday to those having a birthday in July, it was, as someone coined the phrase, latterly like trying to herd cats. It became very stressful.
The woman on my team, the older adult, became offended when I asked her to relax, there wasn’t going to be any order to the mess. She then told me something and I said to her that we are bumping heads, and it needs to stop. Instead of being submissive she said, someone needs to step up. I turned and walked away in utter disgust. I’ve worked very hard for these people, they have no idea how much stress is on my shoulders. I am not a perfect person, and often make mistakes. I am the first to admit that, but for her to say that in the midst of anarchy because she too was stressed out, was wrong and mean spirited. It was not meant in a kind way. It has been very difficult trying to sustain positive energy, and to give it to the team with her and her husband always going nose down negative. I need my team and I lifted in prayerful thought.
I know there is a reason for all of this. I know that I wasn’t even sure if I would ever come back to Asia after last year, and with what happened with Hoa. But being here, I love these kids, even the trouble makers. I have a very tear jerker of a story, I don’t know how it is going to end, but there is the beautiful young girl. Please lift her up. She is quiet, sits alone, doesn’t talk to anyone. Today she had her hand out for a water balloon, and as soon as I put one in her hand another kid stole it. I tried a second time and again; another student snatched it out of her hand. She didn’t say a word, but just walked away. I went up to her with a third balloon and offered it but she didn’t take it. I pointed to the students and asked her who she would like me to throw the balloon at. She didn’t say. So I pointed to a student and told her this was for her and hit a boy student in the back with the water balloon. She is so sweet. I can only imagine that there is some terrible story behind those quiet eyes.
July 17, 2008
Another thorny day, two of my teachers are doing okay, they have their ups and downs but they are okay. The married couple is struggling really badly. I believe it is because they have never had children and are not accustomed to working with kids. Gosh, I cannot believe I just said that. What does that say about me? Anyway, I also believe they had different expectations of what this was going to be like. We all did of course, but they are not adjusting to it and secondly, they don’t know how to be a kid themselves. In fact, three of the teachers don’t know how to be a kid. What I mean by that is this; they don’t know how to play with their kids. I played baseball with them the other day. I was drenched with sweat. Today, we had them playing volleyball and the teachers just stood there on the sideline. If I were wearing a t-shirt, I would have been on the court playing with them. I run up and down the hall chasing the boys, hitting them and pushing them. I played with the girls by secretly trying to take their picture. They don’t like having their picture taken. I think if they could learn to be young again they would have more success in developing relationships with the students.
When we got back to the dorms, they said that they thought they were going out to have dinner alone. That is a bad sign. The woman said she needed to have some time alone. This was very discouraging to the team. The ones that should be weak are being strong, and the older ones that should be strong are being weak. We have two more weeks left, and I am not sure if they are going to make it. Part of me hopes they will give in and go home because they are draining me of energy. They are also negatively impacting the other two teachers. These two people are good people, and well intentioned, and it’s not their fault that they were placed in this situation. Nonetheless, it is hard for me, and for them to see God in this. For me, that is okay. They, on the other hand, need to see something.
July 16, 2008
Today was a rose amongst many thorns. In other words, it was a great day. We held a bunch of activities and games that the kids loved, especially the water brigade game. They had a blast. We were laughing and smiling and talking and playing together. They came way out of their shell on this day and some of us had breakthroughs. I saw it that way but then it may be my experience and eternal optimism that allowed me to see. We played basketball, and many different kinds of games that included Uno. They love Uno but they pronounce it “You know. “
July 15, 2008
Each day is now equally as bad as the last. I’ve asked the teachers of the school about how normal classes go. They explained to me that they have disciplinary problems within the classes as we do, talking while the teacher is lecturing, and what not. I also asked a few of the students why they were in the Camp, most answered because their mother enrolled them. I am thinking that maybe we are summer baby sitters for the parents. But that really doesn’t matter.
My married couple came into the teacher’s room today. The wife was definitely upset. She said we were wasting our time, and the organization that sent us was wasting a great deal of resources on students who could care less. After they left the room, I remembered a sermon I gave at my church. It was entitled, “What price a soul? It went on to state that to man, souls are cheap. A robber kills a store clerk for a mere $75, that’s cheap. To God, a soul is priceless. So what price a soul? If it cost us as a team a total of $15,000 to be here in Hong Kong, would that price be worth paying if we impacted 20 lives, 10 lives? 5 lives? How about just one life? I wrote this on the board. When they came back in they read it. She thanked me for reminding her of what this trip is about. Even if we impact only one life this summer, be it one of us or one of the students, then the price to be here was well worth it.
I heard a story once, of a teacher who taught in an alternative high school. He said there was one girl who he was afraid of, really afraid of. He talked to her once, and then one day she disappeared from school. He never saw her again. 12 years later a well dressed and well kept woman pushing a baby stroller stopped him. He didn’t know who she was. She said to the teacher, “I want to thank you. You said something to me that change my whole life” She then told him who she was, and what the one thing was he said to her and how it made a world of difference. One life, one soul, God loves them all.
July 14, 2008
Ah yes, the day from Hell. Well, let’s see, the students wouldn’t listen to anything anyone had to say. They were absolutely disobedient. They talked while the teacher attempted to talk. Have you seen the move, the Concrete Jungle I think it is called staring Glen Ford as a teacher in an inner city high school back in the late 50’s? Yea, that is what it made me feel like. My counselors are beginning to question why they are here; one of them breaking down had a crying fit again. We broke for lunch, mentally preparing for the afternoon activity of Valentine’s Day.
Well, let’s see, you take 67 kids that are already ADHD and feed them about two cups of rice, starch, carbohydrates and what do you think you get? A) Sweet docile students ready to learn or B) little Asian rubber balls bouncing all over the classroom. The correct answer, B. Valentine’s Day was a bust. The only part that went well was making Valentine Day cards. To date, everything that has worked in the past has failed here in Hong Kong.
Back to the question of why we are here, this is a vast unknown question. Only God knows the answer. As I spoke to my counselors, I encouraged them with the fact that at the very least, God is working on you. I explained to them that when they emerge out of the other side of this experience, they are going to be different people. Secondly, they may leave Hong Kong never knowing that they have indeed, impacted someone’s life for the positive. Finally, they are of course laying a foundation and building upon the foundation for future teams. Those future teams may and will see fruit harvested. Fruits grown from seeds planted by us, or by teams working on what we have built. It is a collaborative effort and only the Father knows where we are at in the chain. A positive is that three of the counselors went and ate with some of their students and began building personal relationships with them.
As team leader, I Covent your prayers for me, that I can sustain a positive mental attitude, and put my trust in the Lord. Also, for my counselors, pray that God will grant them patients and energy and that they will build long lasting and deep relationships with their students, and they will be able to plant seeds in some good soil.
July 13, 2008
Sunday, we went to church today, the two girls and I. The married couple went off to visit their friend’s church. While there, I ran into an old friend who moved to Hong Kong seven years ago. She normally goes to a Lutheran church but because she is leaving HK, heading for the U.A. E. she was visiting to say good bye to some old friends. The church we are attending is an Evangelical Community Church and can be found at www.islandecc.hk if you would like to see what they are up to.
After church we explored a bit and found the jade market. I’ve never see so much jade in on spot before. Two buildings filled with it and other stuff as well. We were out and about in an area known as Mong Kok. This is a more seedy part of town but it is also were the good shopping is at. On the way back to our dorms we ran into a teacher from the school we are working at. He and his family are heading off to Vancouver BC. Nine hours from Portland. They wanted to invite us to dinner but we had McDonalds, that’s right, we cheated and ate McDonalds. We finally met up with the married couple back at the dorm and hammered out the week’s events. I hope this week will be better than the first week. Three to go and still searching for what the Lord has brought us here for.
I think at the very least, the married couple is discovering something about themselves. They are learning how to be a team. The two girls are growing as well. Both suffer from mental disorders of sorts, such as anxiety. They are facing their problems and creating coping skills. For me, I am learning to be patient, and graceful. I am also learning how to deal with the Asian people. After the break up with Hoa, I didn’t know how to act with Asians or Asian girls anymore. I didn’t want to spend anymore of my love capital for what could amount to be a waste of expenditures again. I also wasn’t sure how I would receive them. I feel so cheated and thrown to the pigs by what she has done. I am learning that each are individuals and must be treated as such. I cannot gauge the whole on just a part. God has given me a heart for Asians and to block it is to block God. No can do.
July 12, 2008
What a deal, I’ve spent so much money trying to call home that it’s not funny. First I bought a SIM card. Idealistically, you snap it into a cell phone and off you go, yea… no such luck. That was $48 dollars, ah, Hong Kong Dollars, so about $7 U.S. Next I bought a “Phone card,” for $100 HK dollars, again about $14 US. Finally, I resorted to the good old Internet. I first purchased an online card for $50 US dollars but then received a notice that they would confirm the order. That’s a no go because I gave them my cell phone as primary and the house phone as the secondary. So, I looked up another online calling card company, Penny Talk, which was recommended to me. I paid another $25 US. Hm…I called and got through; however, the automated service told me that I had only 16 minutes of actual talk time. Penny talk? Hm…I paid $1.52 per minute. If you add it all up, I paid, $6 per minute. I hope I get use out of the other cards before this trip is over. In any case, I got to say hi to Sabrina my daughter, and my wife. It was good to hear their voices even if it were only for a brief time.
As for today, the married couple on the time notified me that they were planning on spending the day with their friend that lives in Hong Kong, and that they were planning on going to church with the friend. Today being Saturday and tomorrow being Sunday. This left me and the two girls at the dorm. We did our laundry, and then headed out for a walk to the store. We got a little adventurous and boarded the subway riding it only to the next stop. There we hunted down a 7/11. Yes, a 7/11 where we purchased the useless phone cards. We then rode a bus back to our dorms and had dinner. The one thing that is nice is that I borrowed my daughters laptop and yesterday, I discovered that there are episodes of Stargate and Stargate Atlantis for my viewing pleasure. Well, that was my Saturday, how was yours?
July 11, 2008
I woke up this morning, the thunder of last night’s storm still echoing in my ears. It was a bad storm that blew through last night. I have a strange sense of energy flowing through me. I sleep at least as much as the others, probably less, but I am vibrant all day. The married couple on the team is 38 and 40 years old. I am turning 50 this year. Again, waking up this morning I sensed energy, waking up joyful and looking forward to what the day has to bring. I am of course praying that the students will settle down in their behavior while coming out of their unresponsive behavior towards doing activities. God has been good to me, and I’ve not been very good to him.
Today, we executed our disciplinary plan. Teachers separated students, and we threaten exile to room 306 which is the disciplinary master’s room. I did have to actually yell at a boy and that seemed to get everyone’s attention. Yesterday, a strange thing happened. One of the teachers approached us and asked if we were going to share the message with the kids within the school setting. That is absolutely unheard of in China. Today, the principle of the school asked me if we were going to invite any students to services with us, and he went on to say that it would be okay to do so. He further stated that we could intertwine the message into the curriculum because they want to see them become familiar with the faith. I was in shock. This is of course a good thing, and we will adjust accordingly.
Things went a bit better, still had discipline problems, but we also took the kids outside and played Ultimate Frisbee and baseball in the sweltering heat and humidity. I was drenching wet by the time an hour and a half passed. Each drop of sweat and or tear is progress in the right direction.
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