For The Telling: Rise up, it's Fall!

I'm pretty excited about my first witty title since I've began our blogging experience.

Yes, it's Fall in Wuhan. Two weeks ago we had our much needed October Holiday which lasted a full 8 days. Then, this past week we were back at school finishing up week number 6 of the school year.

Like everyone else who irregularly blogs, I'll make the comment about how fast times seems to fly.

We are settling into life back at school. This year is a challenging year in my students' curriculum and I look forward to seeing their English blossom. With that will come some deeper conversation that's harder to have when two parties don't share much of the same vocabulary. I've been making an effort to make my words and actions show my love for my students. Many of them work so hard, and try to meet such high expectations (these are mostly 2nd-4th graders) that they are obviously impacted when met with love. At the end of each class I bow and say, "thank you students," and they respond with a bow and, "thank you Teacher Luke." On the Friday before our holiday we had a short discussion about how I discipline them for incomplete homework because I love them. This was a little foreign to some but not unattractive. At the end of class, instead of saying "thank you students," I said, "I love you students!" and they all shouted back, through laughs and smiles, "I love you Teacher Luke!"

It's a tangible reminder for me that little things throughout the day can speak volumes to soft hearts. I think my students' hearts are soft.

On the weekends I like to go to a nearby university and join a pick-up soccer game that may be happening. At first it's a little awkward for me as a foreigner to join in a game, but I am always met with gracious invitations to come play. Last week I went and, as I was putting my soccer shoes on by the side of the field, two university students came up to me to practice their English. Before I knew it, I was sitting in a circle with at least 10 or 11 young university guys, all wanting to know where I was from, whether I liked China, etc. I was able to exchange QQ numbers with them (which is an instant messaging software in China) with the hopes of continuing our conversations. Some of them wanted me to help them find English names!

I am frequently amazed at the respect shown to me because I am a foreigner. Instead of treating me as a nuisance because I don't know the language or customs, I am treated with respect, patience, and much grace! I will not forget this when I go to America. Too many times I have been ungracious to foreigners. And aren't we all foreigners in a strange land?

Phew, I start with a witty title and it gets me philosophizing.

Below are some pictures from the first few months here.

May we all have soft hearts, and may we not forget that we are all foreigners in a foreign land!

Luke and Steph