Jinan is in Shandong Province, home of Confucius' birthplace. His teachings of peace and respect are everywhere. We see it in our students, our co-workers, and the people around us each day. It has been a blessing to be involved in their lives in a very small way and for a very short time.
We have learned much about the culture of the Chinese people. We have seen their everyday lives, their desires to learn, their willingness to try a help given the language barrier. The city is beautiful and holds a great history. The PRC has been what is it is for 65 years, but the history of the country can be counted back for thousands of years. We have seen artifacts from 500 BC, traveled to far off places where parts of ancient city walls still stand after two or three thousand years. We have seen the love of families in our students. There is a quiet innocence and purity in some of these wonderful people, who when truth reaches their hearts and minds they will accept it.
While China is closed to open worship of God, we have been blessed to be part of the Virtual Branch in the Central China International District . The largest branch geographically in the world. Anyone who lives outside an area where an organized branch calls into our branch meetings weekly. We follow the strict guidelines set by the government in our worship and because of the obedience of many before us, we can continue to worship quietly on Sunday's from our apartment with the other expats in Jinan. This is a tender mercy which allows us to go forward each day loving and serving others without judgement or grudges.
Our travel adventures have been less this year, but we have had a few fun ones. We have been able to enjoy our students more this year. It is a bittersweet moment for them as well as for us as we are starting to wrap things up. We have some students who have reached out and become closer to us than others. There are teachers we have met who love the BYU teachers and have become our good friends. Technology has been a tender mercy in communicating with our loved ones at home and it will be a tender mercy as we will be able to stay in contact with those we love here.
We have experiences daily that we will be able to share with you. You may find them interesting but you may not really 'get it' like someone who has lived in China would. Like crossing the street is a death defying act in and of itself! Or going to an open market, using charades in order to find what you are looking for, and being successful with the seller, and watching the joy on their faces as they were able to 'understand' what you are dancing around trying to say, then the light in their eyes as they see you return to their stand another day.
You may see hundreds of people around you at the train station, waiting, pushing forward so they too can get on a train they have a ticket for. But unless you are there it is hard to believe that the mass of people really are headed in the right direction. Their pushing and shoving isn't rude anymore, it is culture. If you think about 1.3 billion people living in a country with such a volatile history, each one trying to take care of themselves and get where they need to go, you would understand what is really happening. As their history, their culture evolves it will become better - just like us all.
The students: They are smart, sharp, and studious. Those studying or trying to improve their English love talking to native speakers. They are shy and unsure about themselves, but they know more than they give themselves credit for. Given the opportunity to shine, they will. They are beautiful inside and out. Our lives will never be the same. Never.
We are looking forward to being home seeing, sharing, and visiting with you all (in the same general day and time zones - ha!).
Keep your fingers crossed that I will be able to load the photos today. Technology, while a blessing, has also been a thorn in our side. Today I am connected through Australia where I was able to finally get to the blog. So here goes....It's now three hours later and I'm still waiting for the last of the pictures to load. Too bad I'm not really in Australia - I'd go see the sites while I was waiting! ;)
Well, a watched pot never boils, so I will go and have an adventure and be back to hopefully a completed blog!
Easter Sunday dinner after church.
Shanhaiguan - Old Dragon Head - where the Great Wall meets the sea.
Most parts of the Wall have been renovated. But there were a few places where the original Wall is still there. Temple festival at Qianfo Shan - Thousand Buddha Mountain
1st picture - famous calligrapher, 2nd making of the one noodle for soup, a symbol of long life, 3rd Miao group item, and 4th sea shells from the sea shoreWeifang - International Vegetable Expo and Kite Museum
Someone has the job of gluing little corn kernels and beans into place on these massive figures! Just amazing the time and talent! Speaking of time and talent just below are the photos from the kite factory where they still make many kites by hand in assembly line fashion.
This gentleman carves a board with a basic outline, he then carves 3 or 4 more boards that will represent the colors added to the picture. After all the papers are lined up and secured he painstakingly colors one board, applies the paper, applies pressure, folds the paper back and down and then repeats the process for each color.
Dumpling making day:
Our Students: They have so much fun and take an active role in what ever the lesson is for the day. They love to work in groups, to meet new people, and enjoy English. The first picture on the right is a group of Freshmen during their mandatory 2 week military training, on campus, before they start their classes.
Everyday sights and sounds - well, except the sounds part - be glad you can't hear the noise! :)
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