Day One of Teacher Training

I find that I am continually surprised by China-- the good kind of surprised. Perhaps this will be a continual state that I will find myself in for years but maybe not. Today, I am surprised that I can blog. So for now you can receive first hand accounts of my adventures. (cue suspenseful organ music: "duh duh duh duh") Yep. I knew you were holding your breath for that news, Ann-Marie.

My brain is on information overload, still processing and trying to understand all that I have heard and seen the last few days. I will try to give a little list before I go to bed.

Things that surprise me about China (in random order, not prioritized or complete):

1. People are still thin here when the food is so amazing. Okay, I'm not too surprised by that since it is obvious that they eat in moderation and are physically working or active in their transportation. But the food is still unbelievable.

2. Sorry to mention it, Joy, but Walmart is still great, even when you have to ride two buses and a light rail to get to it. Chinese Walmart is filled with fascinating foods that I so want to try to cook. They also sell forks; something that was a big concern until I got here and have been eating with chopsticks just fine the whole time. In fact, I may spill less on my clothes in China than I did at home!

3. The students are already welcoming to me. Last night we were out to dinner with several students from surrounding universities. Already I have received a text message from one of them today. One girl took us to visit a gigantic flea market. She helped me get the right bus and then shop for tennis shoes and an umbrella. We even bargained for a cheaper price. While I know that some of them are motivated by a desire to better their English skills, they've still been so gracious and friendly to strangers.

4. This next one is not really a surprise but rather a refreshing reminder. There is a supernatural unity with brothers and sisters that overrides cultural differences, race, financial differences, and even language barriers. We are one in Him.

5. I am surprised that I have been privileged to come here to teach. While I have skills and experience that have prepared me for my tasks, I am completely unworthy to serve with the quality of people that I find on the team here. My inability to to contribute to this high calling which we are striving toward is so obvious to me each day. The only thing that keeps me from panic is the knowledge that actually they, too, are unworthy and unable and are simply recipients together with me of the gift.

I must go to bed now. My body is tired and sore and weary. It is the kind of tired and sore and weary that I know will lead to strength and callouses and endurance, if only I can push my out-of-training self past its lazy limits. My brain is weary, too. Weary with trying to comprehend and stretch and adjust. My soul is... well, my soul is deeply challenged and humbled and rejoicing in hope.