Week 2 Down… 3 to Go!

I have to say that being here has been amazing!  As a group, we have seen exquisite sights, eaten phenomenal foods, bargained for ridiculously cheap things in the underground market… It has all been such a blast! 

In saying that, I have to be careful.  The purpose for us being here is not to be tourists, but for us to love, care, and teach these children.  On the plane ride here, one of my teammates was sharing with me some previously gained wisdom from another trip.  She said that we shouldn’t just have the eyes of a tourist, but sp!r!tu@l eyes for the lost. 

 

Thus far we have had one grand instance of a local girl coming to know Him.  It was amazing!  One of our teammates met this girl and within 24 hours of hanging out and talking about their favorite TV show, Sex and the City (oh how ironically He works! :-P ), she wanted to know more about what our teammate thought about Him and who He is.  Very carefully, and with discernment, she shared with her the story of Cristo and salvacion.  The local girl was SO excited about the Good News and accepted this truth into her life! 

 

WOW! 

 

It was really jaw-dropping to watch the progression of how He put this desire in my teammate’s heart to be ready with answers if the girl were to ask questions… and she did!  It was at the local “building with the pews” that my teammate randomly turned around and asked if I could intercede for her over the whole situation prior to her acceptance.  It was such an honor to feel a part of His plan :-)

 

So, I have to keep editing my rough drafts for the blog throughout the week, and I have an update that would merely seem like new news to you all anyway!  A door was opened today that led to a very deep conversation between my Teacher’s Assistant and I.  It all began with a question about my purity ring that I wear on my left hand that makes me look married. 

My promise ring

 She asked if I was in “love” (all google-eyed) and I said no, then she asked if I had “a crushes”, and I said yes.  And she began to test me as to why I was not professing my “love” for this person, and I just simply stated the whole, “he will come to me when the time is right”.

“So Miss Joan, do you believe in destiny then?”

“Well, I believe that someone greater than me knows when it will happen in my life and with whom.”

“Oh, so you believe in Gawd, Miss Joan?”

The conversation went on from there into a very deep discussion on theawlogee and “thoughts” of who He is and why we’re on this earth.  And to add, she’s only 14… and very BRILLIANT!  I have been so impressed with my TA!  And coming from that conversation only heightened my awareness of how important it is to be ready if there are questions.  We ended up talking for an hour during my teaching time (I just told the kids to read and draw and it worked out just fine), and it was pretty amazing :-)  If you could keep her and our conversations in “thought”, that would be amazing!

 

So this week has been pretty good!  We’ve finished our 2^nd week of teaching, and now we’re going downtown to stay in a hotel for the weekend!!!  Holee crap!  I’ll be sure to get lots of pictures posted when we get back!

 

Okay, so I want to inform you on the weather… I pre-assumed it to be very humid, and it is!  We sweat non-stop, but I’m totally used to it and kind of enjoy it to some degree :-P  My skin was a big concern for me before I came because of my eczema, but it has been SO good here!  Our skin is always moisturized because of the humidity, sweat, and oils in the food.  So if you notice in many photos that our skin is very greasy looking, it’s because it is and there’s absolutely nothing we can do about it!  Plus, you can’t really wear makeup either; powder turns into dough, cover-up turns into mud, and mascara turns into tar.  So, I’ve been “roughing” it when it comes to vanity :-P

 

Speaking of vanity!  We often go to this salon that is literally underneath our dorm that only costs 10 kuai (about $1.50) for a hair wash and massage!!!  It is so great!  But oh buddy… Asians may seem fragile and small, but they’re so freakin strong that it hurts!  I actually got my hair cut the other day!  They did a great job, especially since it only cost $4!!!!!  WHAT?!?!  You can’t even find conditioner in the States as cheap as that!  It also is a great example of the language barrier, because I didn’t expect on getting a haircut when I walked in :-D 

 

Overall, things are AMAZING over here!  I love the group I am with and the people of this culture.  We’re headed off this weekend to spend the night downtown and be total tourists!  Woot woot!  I’ll be sure to post a bunch of pictures (or Lizzy will :-)  Wo ai ni (whoa eye knee)-I love [y’all] <haha, add a little southern twist :-P

 

Joyfully,

Joanie

PICTURE TIME!!!

So as you all know, I, Liz Uyvari (Joan’s Sis), is posting her blogs for her, so here are some of the pictures she sent me to upload on here. Enjoy!

 

Sorry I know its not very pretty but I have a month to work on that! Enjoy!

We made it to East Asia! …Jetlag and all!

Yes, I would never imagine that I would ever experience the bizarre feeling of the complete time change, but it is real and it is obnoxious!  Being 13 hours ahead of you guys certainly nips our regular sleeping habits in the butt!  You all should go through this sometime, it’s kind of surreal.  When we’re merely starting the day, everyone back home is getting some good shuteye (and vice versa).  The sun rises about 4:30, which is the time that it has been waking me up, and it starts setting at about 6:30 or so.  

I apologize that it has taken a while to get this post uploaded!  I’m afraid that my blog server does not work in this part of the country, so my sis Lizzy has been helping me out!  What would we do without family?!  

There are so many things that could describe this place!  The city has its similarities to Dallas or Houston, but there are quite a few differences in the reckless transportation, unique food, people, and language.  Culture shock has honestly not set in; it just seems like I’m in any other big city in the States.  The language barrier is a major difficulty in the sense that I may never be able to comprehend it, but we have received amazing help and direction from alumnus of the previous years, our personal leaders, and the school’s/program’s leadership. 

It hit me today that I am so thankful for the structure of this trip.  Having a group of people I know, I came with, and are leaving with maintains a very important level of accountability and fellowship amongst us all.  It is really needed.  I would walk through the halls on the way to my class and realize that it would initially be very difficult to go through this without others with me.  This may be my first trip out of many or the last, but I am gradually recognizing the importance of encouraging one another as brothers and sisters and as a body of say-ers and do-ers of the Word.  

I know you all want to know what it’s like here!  Well, the transportation is one thing that will certainly catch you off guard!  The people drive CRAZY!!!  I swear I’ve almost seen 10 people almost die while zooming across oncoming traffic riding their rickety old bikes.  Every time we get in a taxi, our lives are completely in the driver’s hands… and His :-)  I actually witnessed a woman almost die from our cab and a large truck.  She just walked out right across the street as our Taxi took an unprotected right turn (without looking for oncoming traffic to say the least) as a 12-wheeler came from the opposing street.  It’s certainly adventurous to say the least, and we have a great deal of freedom throughout the school we are teaching at and the city itself.  

We are at a very beautiful school!  My classroom is quite the looker, one of the nicest actually!  I’ve got dark wood flooring and many windows that act as a nice breezeway whenever we want them open (and we have an AC unit that prevents heat stroke ☺).  MY KIDS ARE SO GREAT!!!  And… I WANT TO ADOPT AN ASIAN BABY!!!  Haha, that one might change, but it would definitely be something that I would consider in the future.  So, back to my kiddos!  I am teaching English to a lower fluency group of 3rd graders, and I have 15 kids: 4 girls and 11 boys.  Yes, 11 boys!  They’re a hoot!  We have methods of rewards and discipline in our class and I had to implement the first strict measure of discipline on Friday.  One of my boys ran away when our class was on our way to lunch.  When we came back to class he had to sit in the “thinking chair” where he wrote about what he did and state that he will never do it again.  All I can say is that the blue ink on
the paper smeared a bit from his little 5 year-old tears ☹.  Poor kiddo, but now  he understands his actions and he was really well behaved from then on.  Despite the minor tasks of keeping order, it is really wonderful being able love on these kids and to treat them with respect.  I don’t know if they get it often, but I know that I’m called to do it!  

I really look forward to the rest of this trip.  There are so many things that I would love to tell you all, but I am afraid that I need to hurry and send out this blog (I’ve been accumulating it this whole week, oy!).  I should be able to write more soon ☺

Joyfully,
Miss Joan [tee-chuh= teacher in 3rd grade Asian language :-)]

Tick, tock, tick, tock…

Oh me, oh my! Our group is leaving in no more than one week! I have no idea how the time flew, but it did!

I pretty much have everything I need for the trip: clothes, supplies, appliances, paperwork, and shots (while being stabbed with miniature javelins induced with deadly viruses, I struck up a conversation with the nurse about politics within literature and romance novels [we were both obviously single], but it was just my cup of tea!).

Since I have all the supplies, the greater dilemma is how in the world I will jam it all in my luggage! I’ve got a few bags I’ll be taking (plus a guitar), so I’ll be sure to take a nice picture of the final product. I hear they give ridiculously awesome massages over there, so I’m totally fine with whatever back pain comes my way from the excessive luggage that will be dangling from my limbs :-P

I have honestly not conjured a list of replacement words and phrases, so I am assuming that each of you will creatively come up with some clever way of saying what you’d like if you feel led to do so!

For this trip ahead, there definitely are things that you can keep in your “thoughts: daily seeking His will, safety, health, preparation, good communication amongst each other and with our students…

I’m certain that some major things are going to go down on this trip, and I’m really looking forward to seeing it all play out beautifully! So far, He’s been watching over us and rescuing us from potential little setbacks on numerous accounts. He’s that good :-)

So much personal gratitude goes out to the International Office at DBU (I’m not listing names for safety purposes, but you know who you are!) They have been working nonstop this whole past semester and summer. Wow. I often kept them in my “thoughts” only because I knew they were loaded with paperwork and itty-bitty details on the trip. THANK YOU!!!

So that’s it! I’m going to try and upload videos and pictures, so get excited about that visual appetite I will hopefully be serving up to y’all! I will be writing a new entry every week for the whole month of July, so keep updated on what’s happening over on the other side of the world!

I love you all, and I hope you join me on this journey :-)

Joyfully,

Joanie

I’m leeeavin’ on a jet plane…

…don’t know when I’ll be back again!

Okay. That’s a lie :-P . I’m aware of the exact days of departure and return to and from the other side of the world.

I won’t be digging any underground tunnels with Pottery Barn stainless steel spoons any time soon, but I’ll fortunately be flying with fellow college students and leaders to East Asia!

The mission: to love.

The objective: teach English.

Means of doing so: much grace and preparation.

This will be the main website that I will be posting on, and please feel free to write back with comments or questions! But I do have to inform all of you special people in my life… in communication back and forth, it is VeRy ImPoRtAnT that our words are “chosen wisely”. Censoring our conversations and posts are crucial because, on a more extreme level, they could risk the livelihood of us and others as we go over there. I tried looking for a website that would suggest certain “words” for substitution, but I’m afraid I can’t help you out! Get creative! But if you have to think twice, consider another word choice :-)

This is the CRAZIEST direction in life that I NEVER would have imagined coming to!! Wow. How the…? When did…? Where will…? I can’t fathom the behind-the-scenes planning (or rather, knowing) He did behind this, but it’s IMPECCABLE!!! Let’s just say my socks have been blown off and are hopelessly taken by the wind.

I have quite a few things to do for preparation: buy/make cute toys/gifts for my kiddos; make teaching plans/lessons; gather school supplies for myself and students; and yarp, yarp, yarp!!! [spell backwards-I'm practicing (-: ]

This is such a girl thing to say, but I think I have all the clothes I’ll be needing! Wahoo! Trust me… that’s a big deal! The weather is said to be hotter and more humid than Houston in August :-O !!!

What?!

Yes… more than Houston. I don’t think I could have ever heard of the day!

But hey, I’m looking forward to it :-) Another thing I’m looking forward to is figuring out HOW IN THE WORLD I WILL USE THE RESTROOM!!! I’m aware that could have been embarrassing on many levels, but I think it’s a legit topic to think upon! I’m just going to leave it at this… My Taiwanese friend said, “Oh. Then you may need to bring an umbrella!” (a.k.a. no doors) :-D YAY!! Who needs privacy anyway? Kinda overrated…

So, that’s basically my intro to this amazing summer of new possibilities in East Asia! I really look forward to keeping you posted on the ridiculous and undeserving grace and bendiciones (spanish) that Dog (backwards-not the canine) makes happen!

Joyfully,

Joanie

Cherry Cobbler and Ice Cream

The Day

Summer is setting in, and a voluptuous wind is caressing the maple trees outside my dorm room window

My Day

Sleeping in until 8 doesn’t say much, but it was much appreciated :-)

A good sunbathing session at the pond served as great territory for reading a book on disproving evolution… hmm… weird combination.

A solid run was refreshing and oh-so sweaty!

His Day

Daily, lost sheep are coming to know the Lord. I just got news from my close international friend that she accepted Christ today, and it brings me great joy!!!!! Praise Him :-)

Whoa, it’s been too long.

Okay… kinda don’t know where to begin, BAH!!!

To say the least: there has been resolution, completion, lack of anticipation, no more mystery, and answers answered since I last wrote! Everything that could possibly come true… did!

What’s wrong with this equation?!?!

Well, one thing I know is that there isn’t a camera crew filming all of these miracles that have been reigning down from heaven! A new reality TV show? I’d call it… My Super Sweet Savior (ha, as a spoof off of Sweet Sixteen :-P )

Because of a need to censor all of this stuff, let’s just say that He’s pretty darn good… and I don’t feel as if I deserve it.

Question: When was the last time you evidently saw God make something “come together” or “fall into place” in your life?

Another question: Was that proof enough to show that He IS God and has got the best set for you?

I certainly hope that I can look back and recognize His grace and blessings in this time so that I can rest in His promise in the future. It will get tough and my ambition will most likely get the best of me… but I once heard someone mention that “if only we recognized all the things that God has done, then we would never doubt Him.” So, I’ll consider this a potential life lesson to withhold.

I’m currently sitting at Cafe Brazil off of Oak Lawn, TRYING to avoid doing some heavy reading on dramatic literature. Yup, Senecan tragedy. The kind with the blood, guts, and gore. We’ll see how this goes!

Soooooo, I better get on that :-)

Journal Entry: #1

August 25th 2007

La Biblia en Espanol

Psalm 23/Salmos 23
*goal: memorize in English and in Spanish

Verse 1 (English)
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Verso 1 (Spanish)
El Senor es mi pastor, nada me falta.

Verse 2
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters

Verso 2
En verdes pastos me hace descansar. Junto a tranquilas me conduce.

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:5-7

“We can rejoice too when we run into problems and trials for we know they are good for us. They help us learn to endure. and endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. This expectation will never disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loved us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” Romans 5:3-5

Let the Truth Be Known

So, I’m going to begin recording past journals! Excited?! In doing so, I just have a few things to mention: take each entry into consideration that they reflect moments within my past where great emotion was expressed; the entries are testimonies within themselves of how God has changed my heart through events and situations; all names will be voided out; and many of the journals may be very personal and embarrassing… spare me! I hope you are able to relate and learn from my mistakes and experiences. Otherwise, sit back, put your reading glasses on, and enjoy!

Journal Cover (outside)

“¡Qué día tan hermoso!” (What a beautiful day!)

“Cut through organizational impediments and get some real work done. Lucky Numbers 2, 40, 49, 25, 37, 21″
(Fortune Cookie)

“Teach me to do your good will, for you are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me to level ground.”
Psalm 143:10

DATE DUE 28 SEP 07
(Hot pink due library book sticker)

“Knowledge is power. Lucky Numbers 2, 28, 37, 49, 1, 47″
(Fortune Cookie)

“Joan. My kid is off to college at: DBU”
(Sticker from The Container Store)

“Revolution of the Lonely Heart”
(Church lesson series logo)

Journal Cover (inside)

“You’re going to know when you’re going to know because you know.”

“It isn’t ‘getting’ to know, it’s ‘God letting’ me know…”

“Values and Goals: not feelings; not by contract.”

“1st Semester of 1st year
MWF- Speech 11-12
English 12-1
Spanish 1-3
TTh- DCM 11-12
Math 3:30-4:30″

“If God told you that this wasn’t the boy you are going to marry… How would you treat him the next day?”

“Lord, I pray that you would bring Jews to know Jesus Christ. I pray that you would bring Muslims to know Jesus Christ. Finally, Lord I pray that you would bring Christians to know Jesus Christ. Amen.”
-Arthur F. Burns

This is merely the beginning, but I wanted to give you an idea of the canvas I was once beginning to paint upon. I never said it was a good piece of artwork, but it certainly was scribbled upon this whole last semester.

I like Soymilk… :-)

It’s pretty funny and detailed, but in the school cafeteria there is a milk station. There are four options: whole, chocolate, 2%, and skim. Above each milk type there are pictures of 4 cows standing in a field with the milk’s name sloppily written on a sign hanging around their necks (imagine a Chick-Fil-A billboard). Something that not everyone notices is that as the fat content of each type of milk goes up, so does the weight of the cow…

BAHAHA!!!

I found that to be remarkably honest on behalf of the milk company. I think they caught onto the mind of a college student- images work best. Thank you.

So, I’m contemplating if I should post old journal entries on my blog… the thought is very tempting, but I don’t know. I sat down and began reading through some old writings that I did last semester, and they ain’t too shabby! A wee bit of drama, and very entertaining! On a more serious note, many of the writings reveal the progression of God’s will and glory played out. If someone else is capable of gaining anything from my experience, then I would find these journal entries to be of help and encouragement. Most girls wouldn’t DARE posting their personal stories from their diaries or journal, but I merely find them to be recorded events in my life where God was evident. I would love to boast in the Lord through them. I know not many of you read my blogs, but whoever reads this, just leave a comment that gives your opinion on whether you would or wouldn’t like to see some posted on here.