All over the city of Langfang, spring is in the air. Two weeks ago, morning exercises were canceled due to ice on the playing fields. One week ago, temperatures soared into the mid-70s. The heat has been turned off in our buildings, and Brad has moved most of our plants onto the porch again. He’s no longer hanging our wet laundry on the radiator, but now hanging it on the porch to dry in the warm sunshine. The weeping willows are budding, and the sliced-pineapple and ice cream salespeople are back on the streets. Yes, spring has finally arrived! Five weeks ago we began a new semester, and for Brad and me, our last semester in China. It’s been going great, as we all aim to finish the year strong.New Classes: The new semester began on February 16, only two days after Brad and I returned from vacationing with his parents. We spent most of that week just catching our breath. Our class load is lighter this semester; I am teaching 12 hours per week, and Brad is teaching 16 hours per week. It’s a great schedule, but during the month of March I haven’t really gotten to enjoy it as I make up all the classes I will miss in June. During March I will teach (or have taught) 14-22 hours per week.
Vision Meetings: One thing that has really made this semester different from others has been our attention to planning and goal setting as a team. For four consecutive Thursdays, we met to discuss our core values, personal mission statements, individual dreams, team dreams, SMART goals for ourselves and our team, and finally writing a team covenant. The girls and guys also met separately to plan the vision and execution of our weekly studies. These times have increased team unity, direction, accountability, and given us a chance to know one another more deeply.
Visitors: We’ve had so many visitors this semester! Amelia and Emily came out from Baoding to visit for three days as the semester began. Ryan (also from Baoding) joined us that weekend and played a hilarious game of “Psychologist” with us. Hannah came from Texas to visit Jess Shamblee, help with her classes, see the sites, and eat a lot of “street food.” Finally, Newt and Tony came out to visit for two days, eating a lot of meals with us and the students, and indulging in a little late night karaoke.
Tianjin: On March 7 we made it out to Tianjin to visit Wil and Courtney. The most memorable part of the day was walking through the downtown area and then catching a taxi to Eric Liddell’s Home and Sports Stadium in the international district. Liddell is the famous hero of the movie “Chariots of Fire,” Olympic gold winner, and a native of China. His contributions to China were great, and he eventually died in a Japanese concentration camp during the occupation. A week after our visit, Newt and Tony went to Tianjin and also got to see the school where he taught, and the place that houses his Olympic trophies.
IECS Staff Weekend: All twelve IECS teacher joined Newt, Tony, Da Yu, and Michelle in Beijing for a weekend of fun and friendship. Newt quizzed us on our memorization, invited us to share our stories, and spoke to us about his vision for IECS. We also enjoyed some good times together at Starbucks, Pete’s Tex-Mex, and karaoke.
English Club: On one Monday each month (Main Campus) and one Friday each month (Western Campus), the five of us put on one of China’s best English Clubs (in our humble opinion). Our English clubs come complete with Mixers, Minutes, random activities, American songs, solo musical performances, Run-On skits, and moving speeches about what it means to love with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. This semester Shannon and Shamblee have turned into “The Soul Sistas,” and Peter and Brad have turned into a pair of contradictory “Kung Fu Masters.” If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out on Youtube!
Students: We’ve been having a great time with students outside of class this semester. We invited Laura and Felix to visit the Philip Hayden Foundation Orphanage with us. Two weeks later we invited Laura, Felix, Cassie, and Megan to our team Movie Night to watch “Prince of Egypt.” I’ve been hanging out with Cassie on a weekly basis, sharing meals, cooking, and traveling to Beijing together. I’ve also been hanging out with Danielle on a weekly basis, sharing meals, cooking, traveling to English Clubs and Beijing, and creating art together. It has been great to get to know both girls on a deeper level. Shannon, Shamblee, and I also continue to meet weekly with Carol, Jean, and Sunshine to study. Unfortunately, Carol and Jean moved away with little warning two weeks ago, so you can be thinking of them as they move into new towns and new jobs.
Beth Moore Study: Shannon, Shamblee, and I have been studying “The Patriarchs” with Beth Moore for ten weeks, and will complete our time with her this week. It’s been a great time of learning and bonding together as we work our way through the videos and texts together.
Sickness: This week, we were caught unawares when Brad came down with an awful illness. He was up sick all Sunday and Monday night, and dragged through Monday and Tuesday. Thankfully he has no classes on these two days, so he had time to recover before he had to be teaching again. He also kept me up all night, but I did make it through my classes fine. Thankfully, I did not catch whatever he had.
Next Year: Brad and I are continuing through the interview process of becoming an Area Director for YL in the United States. Newt has been tremendously helpful in making personal contact with the East Coast Vice President, Staffing Director, and Regional Directors, and following leads for us stateside. We’ve met with Newt and Claire to discuss our future, and continue to make moves toward a full-time position on the East Coast. You can keep us in your thoughts as we make this move, hoping that we will be placed exactly where we need to be to do the work that needs to be done.
Thank you for your continuing thoughts for Brad, me, our daughter, our team, and China. We couldn’t be here without your help and support!
Love Always,
Jessie
