Raining in my heart

It's been a rough and emotional couple of days, saying farewells to a couple of my classes. I still have more classes on Friday and Saturday to complete. One of the most difficult moments was Wednesday when I had to say good-bye to Business English Class 3, which I have taught for the past 2 years. Last year, I dreaded going to that class, because I feel like we didn't connect, and they didn't care. I guess the Father knew that I wasn't finished with that class, because I was given that class once again this year, as well as 3 other new classes.

This year I looked forward to their class. The Father really taught me how to love them and care for them and encourage them. I didn't give up on them. And they turned out to be the most spiritually interested class out of all of them. I grew very close to several of them, like Angel, Rain, Talent, and Jackson.

During class they did a "free write" where they could write about whatever they wanted. A lot of them wrote about their feelings at not having me as a teacher anymore. They wrote some really sweet things:

The most important thing in your class I have learned is how to love others.

We are so lucky that we can be your students. I'm so grateful that you can teach the [Word]. In [the Word], I have learned so many things that I don't know ever before.

The important thing I learned is don't be selfish. You should contribute your love to everywhere.

I will always remember the colourful two years you give me.

You are a special teacher in my life. You are in my brain forever!

You taught me to be a person.

Miss Laura, though you stare at me now, you'll see a girl you can't tell whether she is happy, sad or not. In fact she is depressed, it's raining in her heart, in her classmate's hearts. Whatever happened, please don't forget in China you own a special wealth--a group of sincere, lovely guys, they love you!

I wish time could stop running at this moment because Miss Laura will leave for American, and we may say goodbye and can't see each other forever. We love you so much.

Weep, weep. I actually did weep in class. Well, I didn't exactly weep, but I shed a few tears and could barely talk towards the end of class. I didn't think I would cry, because I'm not a very outwardly emotional person, but it was bound to happen. At the end of class I said I wanted to encourage them with a few last words. I told them how proud of them I am, how they helped me feel at home in China, and all the wonderful memories we've shared. I also told them that I know they can be successful, even though they live in a very challenging place and time.

At this point, I couldn't talk very much, because I had tears swimming in my eyes. Then I got even more teary-eyed when I looked at several of my students who were also red-eyed and crying. Jackson piped up, "Don't be sad, Miss Laura!" I said that I wasn't sad; just so happy to have known and taught them. Later Talent said he was "crying in his mind." :)

Some of them gave me really precious gifts that I will treasure forever. Angel quietly gave me a blue wood and paper fan, which is so pretty. After class Talent said he didn't have anything amazing to give me, but had something that was so special to him, and he wanted me to have it, because it was from his heart. He gave me a little "lucky" golden card that was very simple and communist-y. It had a portrait of Mao Zedong etched on the front. He had bought it two years ago on his first train ride to Nanchang to attend college at Blue Sky, and has kept it ever since. I was so deeply touched.

How can I leave my little baby students? Hopefully it's not good-bye--just see you later!


Students diligently working on their "free writes."


Cheerful Jackson always sits in the front.


Students working under the watchful gaze of Mao.


Some of my dear students.


One class gave me a giant t-shirt, which they all signed.