Well, its been a month of being MIA, and in all actuality it was greatly needed and in the end greatly appreciated. Yes, I missed you all and hearing all of the going-ons back home, but it was good to be fully present in China, without the internet’s tendency of becoming an all consuming world. It gave me many opportunities to be present and while not every opportunity was taken (for reasons I’m still processing), some were and it made my experience in China, one that I will remember.
Ice Festival Sculptures we were able to explore with weather in the teens! Beautiful!
After arriving in Harbin after a 39 hour train ride (check out the video if you haven’t), we had just over 2 weeks in Harbin, China, we learned that in addition to working with college students as we were previously aware, we would also be teaching English lessons with people in the community. We spent our first day in Harbin, posting fliers everywhere, with temperatures in the low 20s, inviting people to take part in English lessons taught by Americans. In less than 2 days time, every appointment was filled including, additional lessons to be taught at some of the local preschools during our mornings! So we spent an entire day putting together lesson plans and teaching resources for 3 different levels of learning. Come Monday morning, we were as ready as we knew we could be and our adventures in English teaching began.
When it finally warmed up a bit, Harbin, got its first snow of the year.
Our smartest students at one of the daycares
I loved my time with my 2 girls and my pregnant momma (who gave birth while I was there and was able to visit on my final day in Harbin). My two girls and their mothers came to church, during my time there in Harbin and people from the church are going to be in contact with her as she spends a month at home, as is the custom in China. Though some only came to church to have their children expand their knowledge of English, they are still learning about Jesus and their minds are so receptive to hearing His Voice and experiencing His Love.
More to follow, stay tuned…
