Busy in X-amen – March 25 - 27

We are sorry it has taken so long to post this blog but we needed to take great care in what we posted and wish we could share in much more detail.  It has truly been a great time here and we wish we could post every detail.  We will share at the appropriate time.



Eating at KFC



Yesterday we flew into Xiamen and I was looking out the window wondering what it would be like.  The haze made it obvious that there was pollution and it was a huge looking city on the ocean.  I was amazed how spread out it was.  We were glad to see Jeff waiting for us as we walked out of the airport...always so nice to be met by a familiar face.  There was a KFC there so he suggested we have lunch there due to everyone's schedule so we had a snacky lunch and talked and caught up with him about what we had been doing the last few months as well what we will be doing etc.  It all seemed a bit overwhelming at the time and a bit confusing but its been fun so far.



Courtyard at apartment





We left KFC and headed to their apartment.  They actually live on a part of the city that is an island.  It has a different feel than the large city feel of other places we have been when we visited China in the past.  The complex they live in is not too large...maybe about 6 large buildings in a shape of a square with an open and large courtyard in the center.  The Teeter boys call it their roller rink as they rollerblade and skateboard around the area.  When you get out of the complex there are some shops nearby and a fairly busy street but not too much traffic compared to other big cities we have seen. Any way I guess what I am trying to say is it is quite a bit nicer than I expected for a big city in China.

          

The weekends actually tend to be the busiest time for the Teeters and this weekend in particular was even busier so we got to jump right in and have been going ever since.  Actually we are really enjoying it and now starting to sort out the different work going on and where things are.  So the first thing was a marriage group they are leading in their home on Friday nights.  They do a great job making it a special event.  There were 8 couples as well as jeff and Jennifer, us and another couple (E & E).  So they set up little tables in their living area...put red and silver tablecloths on them and then a vase with a rose and candies on the tables so each couple gets a table to themselves.  They are using a DVD series and start right off with that.  There were times the DVD was paused for times to allow the couples to discuss with each other what was presented.  The 5J boys served dessert to each table...brownies and fruit on each table.  After the DVD time there was time for Q and A and so we helped the Chinese couple lead it and answer questions.  It was really cool how open and eager these people were about things that were discussed.  Only 2 of the 8 couples were followers of our Father.  Overall we really enjoyed that time and it gave us a feel for what it would be like to have an interpreter.  Not as easy as it sounds... People hung around till after 10 and did not seem in any hurry to leave.

         

Saturday...we hit the floor running...We headed to the building where "Grace Family" does their English learning session.  People come to learn and practice their English.  They start off singing some songs in English and then a couple shared their story...more songs...then kids went to various classrooms for different an age appropriate activity.  Jenn was doing the Life Talk on Patience and I took her place helping with one of the kids groups.  I read a story in English (with an interpreter also) and then they had phonics, vocal, song time etc, told a story about Abraham in Chinese and then during free time they had a choice of coloring, playing a game or practicing reading.  I was the one to help to help with practicing reading and there were 2 kids who wanted to practice...so we read Dick and Jane books and they did really well.  It was so fun....the kids were a blast.

       





English Circle



After it ended we went to lunch at a grill type restaurant (like Sumo's in Columbia).  But it was Chinese cooks and food and Teeters ordered all the food that was really delicious.  It was fun to watch the boys as they cheered our chef on doing fancy tricks while cooking.  We came back to the  apartment for about an hour...i took a short nap...and then we headed to "the Bridge".  When we got there we were handed a name tag and a piece of paper with questions on it and put in a circle of chairs... We each were to be the leaders of English circles...talk about jumping in!!! I had never done anything like that before but within a few seconds they came like there were magnets in the chairs and I had a group of 10 or 12 people ready to talk English about whatever I asked them to talk about.  Roger had a circle as well.  It was a lot of fun and very interesting to hear what people had to say about charity and what that meant and how they could show charity etc.  

After about 30 min we were told our time was up and we quickly moved into a building where we sang and they heard more testimonies and were just challenged to reach out to others and care about others.  Jeff did a talk about joy and how we can have joy in our lives etc.  Then at the end there were some announcements.  They would say for those with blue tags this announcement is for you and you with green tags this announcement is for you.  The different colors were indicating how long they had been coming to the Bridge and how involved they were etc.  That meeting ended at 4:30 and most people left but they had the option to go to another room and speak English with in smaller groups.  So Roger and I went to that, each taking a table with about 6 people each.  They were free to ask questions of us and we talked just about whatever they wanted to talk about for 30 min.  I totally enjoyed that.  I had all women at my table and we just had fun getting to know each other.  Roger really enjoyed it too.  

We then headed out with Jenn and the boys and a Chinese friend of theirs and went to dinner at a nearby restaurant. (Jeff had gone to another place about an hour away doing a similar talk at a similar place.)  I do want to say that I LOVE Chinese food!!  It is not really like Chinese food in the states...well actually its nothing like it...way better.  The place we ate had about 6 or 8 little tables...but tons of good food.  After we finished we walked home to the apartment...about a 10 min walk.  Roger and the boys were playing tag (which is normally what happens when we head out anywhere) and Jenn and I had a good visit.  When we got home we played Apples to Apples with the boys till bedtime.  It was a fun day!

I will let Roger write about Sunday :).  I am off to finish making sweet rolls :)  

I sure wish we could say more about the feelings that go through us as we share in the sessions shared above but it is not possible in this forum.  The Sunday service is about 10 minutes walk away and is a service for non-Chinese passport holders and we had to present our passports as it was our first Sunday there.  The service is truly a mix of His people with the leader being from Mexico, the person making the announcements was from an African country and we met people from Nigeria, Lesotho, United States and South Africa and there were people from many other nations.  The variety this diversity brings to the service is so dynamic you truly get a read on the total kingdom all these people represent.  There was a time for small group prayer after the service for those who wanted to stay and do that and it was a good time.  

After the service we went to lunch with the lady who has coordinated our talks on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We had some more good Chinese food including cabbage, chicken, pork, dumpling, noodles, and rice dishes all in the middle of the table so you can enjoy a small part of each dish.  Of course chop sticks and the mode of getting the food from the plate to your mouth.  We are improving on this but still cheat occasionally and use the soup spoon to get a bigger bite.  I haven't perfected the Chinese way of eating by putting your bowl near your mouth and almost shovel some food in.  Not sure I can get to that point due to my western engrained etiquette.

After lunch I intended to go play kick ball with Mr. 5J and the boys.  The kick ball game was organized by a man from The Bridge ("red card") to get some "blue cards" more involved.  Unfortunately I came down with a headache and did not feel that was the best thing to do.  The guys should be back soon and we will have some fun time together with cameos and seeing some pictures.  

A short note on the cards system used by The Bridge.  Everyone has a name card and the card is colored to indicate your level of involvement.  White Cards are for first time attendees, Blue Cards are regular attendees but not committed, Green Cards are those who have chosen to attend more regularly, Red Cards are for those who have had further training more involved and Purple Cards are those who are very involved.  The system, which is very well known and works well with the various people who come with many of them being students and are transient throughout the year.