The time spent in China so far has been very productive. It is hard
to believe that nearly 3 weeks have passed since I have been here —
it is flying by! I have roughly 9 and a half weeks left here for
this trip. I know it is going to pass more quickly than I can believe.
My studies have gotten off to a good start — and very fast-paced!
The first week left my head spinning a bit, but I think I am settling
into a routine. I have written 3 short essays already, and have 2
more due soon. It is a challenge to write the essays. But I think
it is a good challenge, and can already see some improvement in my
writing. I will be pleased if the time spent here gives me more
confidence in the language and enables me to express myself better.
It seems that language-learning is a never-ending task.
I’ve had a good time being in touch with the people I am working with
here. Two of the sisters have been especially helpful in getting me
settled in, both to my apartment and into the general routines of
life. Without their help, getting set up would have been a very
difficult task, but they have made it very easy. For that I am very,
very grateful. They got everything ready for me, as far as all the
little daily needs go, and helped me apply for all the various
permissions, passes, and other things that seem to be so necessary
for a foreigner to live in China. All of those procedures would have
been very tough to manage on my own, just because they are things
that are not required in most places I have lived before. For
instance, I was not aware that I had to register my address with the
local police when staying for an extended period. In fact, when I
was told I needed to do so, I had no idea where to go or anything.
But with the help of one of the local ladies, it was done very
quickly and easily. She and another lady from Singapore who has been
here for about 6 years have been such a huge blessing.
The other ladies who we are continuing to reach out to seem to be
very glad that I am here for a longer stay this time round. It has
been good to have some time together, talking and studying and all.
I think the 3-month stay is going to make a real difference for
them. In addition, it is already a big boost to my former Chinese
teacher, the Shanghainese lady who was in Singapore for some time
(and was baptized there) but now has returned to Shanghai. She is
planning to start meeting with us each weekend, and I think that is
going to be really good for her, and also for the other ladies. I
did not think it was going to be possible to pull them all together
during this stay, but it seems that the timing is working out just
right. She is very eager to join the group, whereas in the past
there has always been some obstacle or another. I think that these 3
months will be good for helping them get to know each other, and
hopefully have a bond that they will maintain even when I am not
around. Please do be praying for that.
Next week, I will have company with me from Singapore. My
godchildren and their mother will come to see me. I am really
looking forward to the visit. Arranging the tickets was not easy,
but we managed to get it all taken care of. I will take the week fof
from school to spend time with them. I know they will be a big
encouragement to the group here. It should be a very good week.
Thanks to all of you for your support and prayers.
[I won't be able to check into the website here until I am back in
Singapore. I won't see any comments left here until mid-May, so if I
don't answer them, please be patient.]
