Christmas Aftermath

(After our spectacular Christmas performance to N'Sync).


(All of our friends and many brothers and sisters who turned out to celebrate Christmas Eve with us in the rain).


(Lighting some candles on Christmas Eve).


(One of our recipients of our Christmas caroling. This man is poorer than poor, but we are good friends. He looked like he was going to cry).


(Eating lunch with some of my students who are eager beavers).

The past few days have been very special and blessed, although I'm not sure why. I guess I finally feel that perseverance is paying off--my students are attentive and we get along well with each other; relationships are also great; and the end of the semester is on the horizon. There is also never a shortage of activities or things to keep me on my toes. I have hardly noticed the cold weather and rain. (This morning there was terrible fog, though, and at least 10 people died on the roads in our province).

First of all, Christmas was wonderful and simple, although I certainly missed my family! On Christmas Eve we went caroling around the campus and back streets in the pouring rain. The Chinese people didn't have a clue what we were doing, but everyone still enjoyed it. Many of us and our Chinese friends then went to another university to celebrate a very meaningful Christmas Eve together.

On Christmas night, the seven of us foreign teachers went to new campus to audition for the school's huge New Year's performance. Last year our team sang a song and did dismally at the auditions--we were probably the only foreigners in China that were barred from a school performance. (Performing is China's favorite past-time. Remember the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony?)

This year, we decided to dance to an incredibly cheesy song--"Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by N'Sync. We wore sparkly Santa hats and busted out our most outrageous moves. In China the rule is the flashier the better. Today we found out that we made the cut and will be performing Wednesday night for the big performance--in front of two or three thousand people. Hooray!

We still have two weeks of teaching before our holiday break, but He has given me a burst of energy to continue. My students are becoming more precious every day. Recently I was reading my journal from the first week of school in early September--I was in despair because I had to teach mostly new, crazy students. I'm just in awe how He has turned my heart around, and how well we get along with each other. I'm sure your constant thoughts have a lot to do with it too!

Another amazing thing that is happening after our Christmas lessons is that our students are approaching us to study the Word. All of a sudden there are almost more students who are interested in Him than we know what to do with. Please lift this up! It's a wonderful dilemma to have.

All right, thanks for everything! Stay warm and well!