Shanghai

This will be last blog posting as I am flying home today. I will miss China, but am very eager to return home.

We arrived in Shanghai very late on Monday evening. The bulk of Monday was spent in Kunming, in meetings with two different organizations who were at our presentations on the weekend. Both groups are very interested in sending students to our school and both thought that 20 students would be possible.  Realistically five students would be more accurate. I have a sense of peace that the Lord will direct the right students to HDCH.

After the following up meetings, Alice and I arrived at the airport on time only to find our flight was delayed again.  I had my second western meal of the trip at the airport. 

Our first day in Shanghai was spent with Nino’s parents.  Actually we only spent half the day in Shanghai.  The other part of the day, we took the train to Nanjing (250 km away from Shanghai) to the hometown of Nino.  The train ride through country side was a study of contrasts.  At one point from my window, I could see modern tall buildings, fields of canola, a pig pen, and bamboo lean-to shelters.  These bamboo lean-to homes had a sheet metal roof complete with a satellite dish for what I assume was television. Fascinating.  (Sorry the pictures did not turn out.)  After a tour the city and another great meal, Nino’s father drove us back to Shanghai.  It was a very good day.

Yesterday, Alice and I met with the group who is interested in organizing the cultural exchange program for our school. They did not like the idea of the exchange to happen in the fall as we had proposed but preferred the idea of a summer cultural exchange program.  We both need to do more research to see if this can become a reality.  The best part of the meeting was the meeting after the meeting.  Walking to the elevator, one member of the group approach me and said that he had become a Christian two years ago.  His message to me was that it is very important for China to send students to Christian organization such as ours.  We have made another friend.

After this encouraging meeting, I met with a mother and daughter who are considering HDCH for next year.  This family moved to Shanghai from Mississauga seven years ago.  While in Shanghai they became Christians.  Harry Meester has been corresponding with them for several months after they discovered our school from our website.  After a two hour meeting of sharing our faith and Christian education, we decided to pray about this decision and seek the Lord’s leading for this family.

My last night in Shanghai was spent being awed by the lights of the old stately building and the new modern towers.  Again I am struck by contrasts. Yet even in these contrast there are similarities.  To me, this is symbolic of the western and Chinese culture.  In many ways opposite our cultures are opposites.  Yet at the core, we are all created in the image of our God with a desire to be in loving relationships.

I am very much looking forward to returning home this afternoon.  I wish you God’s blessing as you remember Christ death and celebrate his victorious resurrection this weekend. 

Kunming

The sights, sounds, and cities are all beginning to blur. Much like the cities in Canada, each place is unique and has its own feel, but they have similar characteristics too – good food, many people, and no rules on the road.

Being the only white guy around, I continue to get strange looks in the many places we visit. This is especially true when I am walking with Alice, Sunny, Nancy, and Alan. Sunny is Alice’s associate and operates East Sun Overseas Consulting CO. Nancy and Alan work for Sunny. We celebrated Sunny’s birthday with cake in his office.

The pace of my trip has increased greatly. Here is a brief summary.
On my first day in ChongQing I met with several parents and one very bright student over dinner. This young man, a student in grade 11 and I had a conversation in English for over an hour. Next year I hope to see him in Hamilton. I also managed to take a cable car ride and watch some kite flying at the opera house.

Yesterday, we left ChongQing at 6:00 am for Guiyang. In Guiyang we made an afternoon presentation in a local hotel to a group of 40 potential students and parents. After the two hour presentation, I met a young person who shared with me his story of being introduced to Christianity through a foreign teacher at the University of Nanning. We had a long conversation and his final words to me were that he really believes that the Lord has a heart for the people of China. I’m still thinking about those powerful words.

Besides the presentations, we also enjoyed two extravagant meals with parents of Alice’s students. The father of the student is a controller of a major media company and the mother is a top official in a nearby city.

Later in the evening, we caught a flight to the city of Kunming. Due to poor weather, it took two attempts to fly to Kunming. I finally got to my hotel at 2:00 am.

Today, I was up by 7:30 for my first HDCH presentation which took place at the Communist Party Department of Education Headquarters of Yunnan province. Outside the headquarters there were two engravings on stone sculptures which said “Education should be driven by the heart” and “True education happens by genuine love.” These sayings proved to be useful when I spoke about what we do at HDCH and why we believe in Christian education. After the presentation, three people approached me and wanted to know more about the place of Christianity in our school. More people to pray for.

After a three hour presentation this afternoon and another big meal, I finally made it back to my room. Although the presentation did not raise any immediate questions about Christianity, later at dinner, we discussed and shared stories about the similarities and difference between Chinese and Canadian cultures. In many of the connections I make, I sense an openness and desire to learn more about the meaning of life.

If you are reading this blog, it is because my beautiful wife has edited and posted it for me.  (Petra do not edit the preceding sentence.) Thank you, Petra. Looking forward to seeing everyone again soon. Blessings from China.

ChongQing

I arrived last night in ChongQing, a city of 31 million people.  It is a city of hills and rivers and lots of lights.  Actually quite scenic in the evening, I am curious to see what it will look like in the daylight.

My last day in Nanning was supposed to be more relaxed as I did not have any appointments booked.  However, as I am learning on this trip, I need to expect the unexpected.  I had another lunch meeting with the father of a potential student where I received a gift of a badminton racket for our school.  It is a very nice racket.

In Nanning , I also had a chance to visit Number 3 Middle School and Senior High School.  The school was over 110 years old.  It was quite large – approximately 500 students/grade for grades 6 -12.  The highlight of the day was talking to the grade 12 students.  They were quite eager to practice their English, which they spoke very well.  They were telling me that they study from 7:30am – 10:30 pm every day.  There is tremendous pressure and competition for them to succeed.  When I asked them what they do for entertainment, they said that they study.  During the month of June,  the grade 12 students will take the year end exams which determine whether or not they will go to university.  These exams also determine which university they are eligible to attend - high test results go to the best universities.  One other fact I learned is that students in China can attend school until grade 9 for free.  After grade nine there is about a $5000 tuition fee for students in grade 10 -12.  This means that for some students education will stop after grade 9.

Some of the pictures that you see are of the school.  I was impressed with the gardens and sculptures.   One of the sculptures talked about real love.  She asked me about what I thought real love was.  I said it had to do relationships, my wife, my family, my relationship with God.  She told me that the school’s meaning this sculpture was to focus on respect and developing a sense of community among students and staff.  I could see evidence of this as I observed a senior class study a lesson.

On the visit to this school, I also met Elaine who is currently studying in Pennsylvania and is home on March Break.  I had dinner with her, her mother, and her younger sister.   The younger sister who is 10 spoke very good English and is also learning French.  It was a good meal as we spoke about the differences of cultures and the implications for education.  The picture of the two girls at the middle school are of Sarah, the international education agent, and Elaine, the student studying in Pennsylvania.

Yesterday, I was also able to give Sarah, the international agent, my copy of Eugene Peterson’s the message.  We had several good conversations about how our stories fit into the bigger story of the world.

Today I will meet with three families as they consider HDCH for the future education of their children.  Tonight, I will have dinner with the director of the international education agency and a US lawyer who helps with the student visa applications to Canada.

Nanning

It is more difficult to blog here in China. For some reason I’m unable to post or even read my blogs so I’ve been sending my postings through Skype to Petra.

I arrived in Nanning very early yesterday morning, around 1:30 am. After a good rest, I met several international agents who work for Sarah a young single mother. In her office were two HDCH posters. These posters were made from pictures Mr. Meester had sent on ahead of my trip. They look quite good.

Last evening, I met with a grade nine student and her parents along with Alice and Sarah. We enjoyed a very tasty meal where I ate snake, (second time in my life), cooked in a very spicy sauce. The food here is very interesting. (See picture of BBQ pigeon.) Although I was the first foreigner she had ever talked to, this grade nine student spoke excellent English. After seeing the video clips done by Jenn and Beth, and the photo story done by Heather, they decided HDCH is their first choice for a Canadian education. Before our presentation they were going to enroll in a school in BC.


The city of Nanning is much more relaxed and welcoming than Shenzhen. Although its population is huge — currently about 2 million, it is a comfortable city to walk around in. That is until you learn how to cross the street without getting hit by a bicycle, scooter, or car. The secret to safely crossing is not to make eye contact and just walk. This city has a wonderful rhythm.

I am beginning to understand what it means for our international student to come to study in Canada. Everything is new and different. Even simple things such as turning on lights and crossing streets can be a challenge. Sometimes I feel like a little child learning everything for the first time. Yet, there are also many similarities — some good and some not so good. As I see people who are created in God’s image, I see hope but also many lost people in need of Christ’s salvation. If moved, please pray for this country. Thanks.


Hi to everyone back at HDCH. I trust the staff and students had a good March Break. For those who are interested, here is my itinerary for the remainder of the trip. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Nanning March 22 - 24
Visiting Nanning No. 3 Middle School, training staff and meeting students and parents

ChongQing March 25 and 26
Training staff and meeting potential clients in ChonQing office
Evening flight to Kunming

Kunming Mach 27
Morning Presentation for office of International Co-operation &
Exchange Yunnan University from 14:00 - 17:00

GuiYang Mach 28 and 29
Morning Presentation for GuiZhou No. 1 Middle School from 14:00 – 16:00

Shanghai March 30 - April 1
Meet with Grade 9 nine students and parents to promote Cultural Exchange for fall of 2010

Old & New Friends

Signs

Students in Hong Kong

Blue Elephant

I Wonder about the Stories

It has been several days since I recorded an entry and I may not be able to post this blog. In each city that I travel to, I seem to have some internet issues. Right now I’m in my room in Shenzhen and will try to post when I reach Nanning tonight or find another solution.

A summary of the past few days.
Friday, March 19
Authentic Learning Projects and supper with Kuby's parents

On Friday afternoon, I walked the city of Hong Kong for about 4 hours. It was a great walk where I saw among other things a bird garden, a Baptist University, and the Avenue of Stars. On the Avenue of Stars, I was interviewed five different times by students from a catholic middle school. These students had developed a questionnaire for tourists to practice their English. When the interview concluded, they took a picture which will be included in their final power point presentation. I gave them my card and asked them to send me a copy of their final work. In exchange I received a souvenir for my participation in their authentic learning project. It was exciting to participate in some creative education on a Friday afternoon in HK.

Later that day I had dinner with Kuby's parents, a younger sister, and Kuby's father's business partner. Again it was excellent food and great conversation. In fact the business partner will visit me in Hamilton this summer with his two children. We were able to talk about life in HK and education in Canada.

March 20, 21, and 22 in Shenzhen

Alice and I left HK by ferry to Shunde Port on Saturday morning. The weather was very foggy and humid. It was interesting to see the contacts of large container ships in the same waters as small Chinese fishing boats — a picture of the traditional alongside the modern. This seems to be the story of Shenzhen. There are so many people hurrying from place to place. Everybody is trying to make a living with one foot (or maybe toe) in the old world and another foot in the ultramodern.

As I observe all the people, I can't help but wonder about their stories. I wonder about their families and the role men and women assume or try to break away from? How do the millions of people of Shenzhen find fulfillment in life? Where do they find value? Although they live in a very modern city that is growing at an exponential rate, I still see much of the traditional life occurring alongside the modern.

Yesterday, I had lunch with a young international agent who said he came from a family of three brothers. When I asked about the one child policy, he said not everyone abides by the policy. His parents had to pay a substantial fine when they had more than one child. At supper, I dined with Alice and one of her friends. This friend works for the government and was in charge of the propaganda division for one section of Shenzhen. Her only child is attending school in Hamilton. She missed her son very much but felt that a Canadian education was important for his future.

Through Alice, I have also met parents of potential students for HDCH. Again I hear of the love these parents have for their children and the sacrifice they will make for a good education —similar values of the parents of HDCH students.

One of the highlights from the past three days was a visit with Aize and Marioka Smit, a couple who attended the same church that Petra and I attend in Hamilton. They have been in China for the past two and a half years teaching English and hosting a small group in their home each Sunday. They are doing very well. It was good to see where they live and work. The other couple in the picture above, also teach in China and are part of the small group. The school pictures above are of the school where Aize and Marioka teach. The sign is one of the many sayings that are throughout the school.

It is time for me to go. Today, I move on to Nanning. Hopefully the internet connection will work better for me there. This entry is being posted by Petra whom I miss very much. Thank you my love. I sent this entry and photos to her through Skype—a wonderful solution.

I though Taipei was a busy city1

Thursday Happenings:

People, cars, taxis, busses, and noise everywhere!   Hong Kong is incredible.  It never slows down.  As I walked through the city today, I wondered and marveled at how this city lives and works in such tight quarters. It would definitely be  huge adjustment to live in a city with this type of pace.

Thursday was a day of meeting  (It feels like I am back at school):

Meeting #1  - My first meeting was with Alice Murakami over an early breakfast. We discussed our itinerary for the day and the plans for the next 13 days. We also discussed educational strategies for international students so that they can best achieve their learning goals.  Some good ideas were explored.

Meeting # 2 – After much frustration, I was finally able to meet the connection between my computer and the internet.  Yeah!  So Skype, blogging and emails can happen.  This meeting took some time to make happen.  The two seemed not to want to work together.  Tomorrow should be an easier connection now that I have done it once. 

Meeting # 3 – Alice and I met with Betsy Law of Elite Oversees Study Centre.  I was impressed with both  of these women as they always put the welfare of the students as their number on priority.  Betsy has agreed to keep HDCH material in her office for interested students.  I was able to explain to her who we are as a Christian school community and the type of students that would be a good fit for HDCH.  She agreed to only suggest students to us that would match our school.  I left the meeting with a good feeling. 

Meeting #4 -  On the way to hotel on Wednesday evening, I met a Cambodian family - father, son, and two daughters. The father moved to the US in 1975 and is now back in Cambodia teaching English.  His three children  live in Florida, Los Angels, and San Diego.  They were meeting in Hong Kong to connect as a family and vacation together.  When I met them on the MTR on Wednesday, I was able to explain to them how to use the MTR and helped them with directions to their hotel.  I thought that would be the last I would see of them.

However, on Thursday, Alice asked if I want to go the Hong Kong Peak by tram.  I said yes and this is what we did.  On the top of the observation deck of the peak, I met this same family again.  We exchanged information as one of the sisters is interested in international media.  She is currently working in the media in LA and wanted to find out more about ORTV where Naomi works.  To me this meeting was more than just a coincidence but a meeting within God's master plan.

Meeting #5 - Alice and I had a supper meeting with Cherry's mother and brother along with another mother whose children attend MacMaster University and Barton Secondary school.  It was a fantastic meal.  I really appreciate the taste and smells of authentic Chinese food. (My chop stick skills, although poor, are improving.)  The conversation was very lively although I did not understand much.  I was presented with a nice tea set and some great teas.  I was able to present each of the ladies with an HDCH. pen.  It was a good evening.

Friday Happenings

The picture on the left is of Alice, me, Cherry's mother, and the mother who has two students going to school in Hamilton.  We went for Dim-sung at very good restaurant this morning.  Again it was another tasty meal.  (I think I am going to put on weight during this trip.)  At  this breakfast meeting, I was able to  show a power point presentation of HDCH and some video clips of Cherry.  Mrs. Yip really appreciated seeing her daughter at our school.  Her son  is thinking about starting at HDCH in the  near future.

So much to see! So little that I understand!

Tuesday Happenings

For the past two nights when I close my eyes and lie down to sleep I am bombarded with a myriad of colorful images and lights that shout out to me.  There is so much visual stimulation in Taipei that I cannot turn it off that quickly. Yet I do fall to sleep within a very short time.

As you can see in the pictures, there are signs and people everywhere. I had forgotten just how busy life can be in Taipei. Last night Naomi and I went to the night market where we discovered some very unique items, ate some interesting food and had a fun conversation.

Early in the day, she and I took a walking tour of Tamsui, where George Leslie McKay established the first of his many churches in Taipei. As I understand it,   Dr. McKay was quite advanced in his approach to mission work. He assimilated as much as he could into the culture of the island and never tried to westernize the converts to Christianity. Dr. McKay is from the Zora Township, Oxford County in Ontario. Through his leadership, Oxford Christian School was also established. I was able to walk the grounds of the school and informally observe the students. I was impressed with a group of art students outside on the lawn sketching the scenery while another group of students scaling a rock wall.

During the morning, I had a chance to observe Naomi teach an English as a Second Language reading class to 55 first year university students. I was very impressed with the class picked up some good ideas as to work with a group that size. After class, we discussed about the challenge of how to make the class as interactive as possible with so many students.   I also talked to one student and was encouraged by his engagement with learning a second language and how that helps in the understanding, cultivating and creating of culture.

Wednesday Happenings

It seems like sitting in airport is a good time to blog. Currently I am in Taipei airport waiting for my plane to Hong Kong. Saying goodbye ye to Naomi was difficult. I miss her already.
I started today by attending a men’s bible study at the American Club in Taipei. We talked about signs and wonders, grieving the Holy Spirit, and how our story fits into the bigger story. This men’s group has been meeting for the past 30 years. A fine start to the day!

After the bible study, I headed back to ORTV where Naomi asked me to join her in recording several radio shows that centred on a article about Miep Gies (This is the women who helped Ann Frank and her family during WWII.) After drawing a blank on the first question, I enjoyed the next hour and half of radio conversation with Naomi and two of her colleagues. You will be able to find the taping of these shows at www.ortv.com . However you will have to wait until May when the shows will be aired.

After the taping Naomi took me to my favorite restaurant, DinTaiFung. Check it out at www.dintaifung.com.tw . mmmmm!

Reflecting on my past three days in Taipei, the thing that I strikes me the most is how much we can learn from each other. Today I witness the practice of burning ghost money and leaving food sacrifice for love ones who have died. The reason this is done is so that the deceased will be taken care of in the afterlife. It is a form of ancestor worship. When this is done, people believe that it is will help them and bring them good fortunate in this life. Although this practice is very foreign to me and I could never support it, I am impressed with the biblical principles of honouring parents and the importance of passing the truth from one generation to the next. This makes sense to me.

The plane is almost ready to board so I am going to stop for now.

Day One in Taipei - This is the day!

Yesterday was day one in Taipei. It was a good day that included many highlights. At the chapel service for ORTV (the company where my step daughter,  Naomi, works),we started by singing This is the Day. The song proved to be prophetic as it was a day that the Lord's goodness was evident. During the chapel time, I had the opportunity share a little about HDCH and to ask prayer.

The top highlight of the day was when I was able to meet Yoshie on the MRT and bring her to Naomi.  Many good connections were made for Yoshie when she visited ORTV.  As you can see by the picture, I was able to present Yoshie with the HDCH diploma. I am pretty sure that this is the first ever HDCH graduation Taipei.  Yoshie is doing well and sends her greetings to Mrs. Vonk and the entire HDCH community.

Other highlights of the day include:

• Participating in three different meeting with people from ORTV who have spent cnsiderable time traveling and living in China.  These were very helpful meetings.
• Enjoying a delicious supper of Thai food with 8 of Naomi's ORTV colleagues. Great food -Excellent conversations - Much laughter!
• Meeting with high school students from the Philippines .  I had the opportunity to encourage them in their studies and to explain to them the type of education HDCH offers comparing this to their educational experiences.

Adventurous trip

Okay so I am a little slow so in blogging.  I will try to keep more current depending on my internet availablity.  I was told yesterday that this blogspot sight  might night work well in China.I will do my best.

The following is an entry I composed at the airport in Japan on Sunday:

"My trip to China had a very interesting start.  My flight out of Toronto was delayed just long enough so that I missed my flight to Taipei.I stayed the night in Washington DC.  A grade 12 student from Columbia International College was on the same flight and was also delayed one day in his travels to Asia. The two of us were able to do some sight seeing in the US capital.  It was a good day despite the early disappointment and frustration.

What started very bad ( I thought) became very positive.  I am reminded and encouraged that all things work together for good.  For those going through current hardships, this does not always seem the case.  However, I am convinced that there is a Master plan that will ultimately be triumphant.

I am writing this blog posting on my phone while I wait for my flight to Tokyo to Taipei.  This is an amazing airport if you like shopping.  I think I will take a nap.  It is 4:30 pm here and 2:30 am in Hamilton.

Good Night"

Three days before the trip

Plans for the my trip to China are finally coming together. I will be leaving in three days. This trip is a big step of faith for me as I seek to follow the Lord's lead in introducing Hamilton District Christian High to students and parents in the country of China.