East Asia || Day 12

7/23/12 – 1:10 p.m. – On the way back from camp, a boy not from the camp, but who I assume attends the university came up to me and said “Hello beauty, can I communicate with you?”. I was half startled/nervous and half wanting to laugh, but Grace and Bryan were with me so I was just kind of like “sure…”. He said “let me guess, you are from the United States. How do you feel about the current relationships with our two countries?”. I didn’t really know how to respond and Bryan and Grace said something to him in Chinese and then he said “ok, ok. But before I go, I’ve been looking at U.S. billboard. Number one song Call Me Maybe, so can I have your cell phone number?” HAHA I wanted to laugh so bad but I just said “sorry, I don’t have a phone that works here” and he rode away on his bicycle. It was so funny. But I was also a bit startled. But Grace held my hand and said everything would be fine  J And Bryan said that he just wanted to practice his English with me. Then they told me that now I had a funny story to tell all of my American friends J.

7/23/12 – 11:48 p.m. – I GOT TO SEND AN EMAIL TODAY. It took a long time to get on the internet, but I was so glad when I did. The girls worked so hard to get it to work! But it was also sad when I did, because I briefly saw that there had been some kind of shooting in Colorado. It was just a reminder that this world is not perfect and we need to be on guard even at home. I think I am going to miss the way of life though. Not having much internet (well, absolutely no internet) has been really nice. But I know that is more of a camp thing, and not really a this country thing.

Today was really fun! We had mutual appreciation tonight which is where everyone gets to say something nice that the other person has done for them and then give them a smiley face sticker! Everyone loved that! They all said that they loved my smile and that it made them feel welcome and joyful! J That really encouraged me to smile more at home. I often catch myself not being as joyful as I should be and hopefully after this experience I will J. After the mutual appreciation we all took pictures with the smiley face stickers all over us J THEN we had a dance party J They played some music and everyone made a train and went all around the room. They thought that was so fun! Then Jacob started yeling “one more song” when it was over. Emma and I joined him, and then all the Americans, and then all the students started shouting it, even though I don’t think they quite knew why! But Then they played the Cha-Cha Slide! It was hilarious to see them all doing it. Most of them had never heard/seen that song before! They had a blast!

I am going to miss all these students so much! But now there are only 3 more days. I’ve had that Pat Green song stuck in my head all day! I can’t believe it’s almost over! But also, I am so ready to go home and talk to everyone!

While I have been here I have really been having a passion for India. I was thinking about it a lot before I left, but while I have been here it has become more and more apparent. I think that will be my next stop and I’m excited to see what the future holds!

Also, I just want to mention this so I don’t forget: when they say “smile” it sounds like “smell” J. It’s so cute. They say “Your smell is so bright and white. I love it.” And “ Your smell brings me joy” or “your smell is like sunshine. I am so happy when you smell”. So cute. I’m glad my smile brings them happiness J

^{Acts 16: "40} After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left."

East Asia || Day 11

7/23/12 – 12:00 a.m. – Today (well yesterday, since it’s 12:00 a.m.) we had the effective listening exercise, I was a little nervous that our group would not respect each other while they were talking because many of them enjoy being on their phones J But they all did a great job! Everyone opened up and shared and really encouraged the other members of the group. It was a great experience and I’m glad it went well! I am going to miss this group so much! There are only two days of camp left so I am praying that they are great! However, I am very excited to get home! J hopefully tomorrow I can send an email! Only 4 more days.

Lamentations 3:

"32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
    so great is his unfailing love.

33 For he does not willingly bring affliction
    or grief to the children of men."

East Asia || Day 10

7/21/12 11:19 p.m. – Today was relaxing! We went to a lecture this morning about interpersonal relationships, which was very good! And then in the afternoon we had a dysfunctional tower game where everyone is assigned a certain disability or handicap and the team still has to try and build the tallest, strongest tower. Our team failed miserably – the tower fell over before the judging even started, mainly because we ran out of tape before it was finished. BUT that’s ok, because they all worked so well as a team and made sure that everyone did their part, had their say, and that no one was left out! It was awesome!

After dinner was the talent show! It was a multicultural talent show and it was really awesome J lots of good acts!

I tried to call home, but it didn’t go through. I might have done it wrong, I don’t know. But I will try again tomorrow and also try to email if possible. The days are getting better, I think because I know we only have a few days left. But the whole-not-having-any-communication-with-the-outside-world-whatsoever thing is pretty hard and lonely. I am just so looking forward to that Korean Airport. Wi-fi, western bathrooms, HOORAY! HOORAY! J But I also think the flight will be hard to sit through. Just because I will be so anxious to get home.

I absolutely love it here though! I just wish it wasn’t 20+ hours of plane rides away. I love these girls and these people so much! J And their culture! It has really opened my eyes to how international students must feel when they come to America. SO different!

Today I braided Graces’s hair. She has been admiring the braids I do in my hair all week, so she LOVED having me do her hair! J I also taught them the wobble, how to line dance, and how to do the running man today! It is so hilarious. None of them have ever danced before, and if they have it’s like traditional cultural dance, so they can’t really do any of the moves right but they have so much fun! It is so great!! Also, Today was Sue’s birthday and the day after tomorrow is Karen’s so our group bought a cake and we lit candles and sang to them! The cake was so yummy! Only 5 more days! Can’t believe it!

^{Galatians 6: "9} Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

East Asia || Day 9

7/20/12 8:15 a.m. – At 8:15 this morning we woke up and CoCo said “I am really considering God – I need that”. WOW! How neat!! She asked if I could give her more information and I obviously said yes, so we will see what happens. Praying for her!

7/20/12 11:29 p.m. – Last night was weird. I had several strange dreams – one about red riding hood that was very violent. I was having a lot of worries. I just kept praying and praying. I woke up in the middle of the night and my face wouldn’t move. It was stuck in a weird position. I just prayed and it went away. But when I woke up this morning, Coco wanted to talk about God so I know that’s why the attacks were so heavy last night. I still need to talk to her more about it. We had a lecture this morning and the discussion after went really well. CoCo shared how she had seen the Peace in that I have & that it makes her very happy. Then Bryan shared how happy this camp had made him and how he was sad that it was going to have to end.

After lunch, we had Olympics and we played 5 games. One of which was just for the coaches. It was a balloon relay where the coaches had to carry a balloon between their backs through obstacles. Then the last pair would have to pop the balloon using only their backs. Let me tell you – that was the hardest balloon really I’ve ever been a part of and of course I was in the last pairing, which meant that we had to pop the balloon. That balloon never popped. For 5 minutes we tried so hard and my legs were hurting so bad from trying to push against the balloon against my back! Everyone crowded around us and was taking videos, but the balloon never popped! Finally my partner just took it and poked it with a pen, but even then it didn’t pop right away!

This evening was movie night! We watched a movie called 3 Idiots. It’s a Baliwood movie. It was so good!! Although, there were random outbursts of song, which were a little strange! But it dealt with suicide and the pressures of school and parents which is very similar to the pressure that the students face here. Many of them had seen it before, but I pray that because of this camp they can see it in a different light!

Before the movie started, I was just hanging out with Sunny and Grace and I asked if they could give me a Chinese name J They gave me the name “Ruo Lan” (in characters) which translated means “resembling an orchid” because they said I am a beautiful white flower J haha.

Today was better in terms of homesickness – I think because last night I read a lot about Peter & Paul J But still there is only 6 days left! Very exciting! I pray that I don’t feel homesick tomorrow, but can just take in the greatness of being here J I also talked to Peter today and tried to convince him that He should trust God with his problems first, rather than trying to solve his problems, then follow God, but he said he just is not at a stage where He’s willing to do that yet. So we will see what happens and I pray that the Holy Spirit would give me the right words to say to when I am talking with him.

^{Acts 12: "5} So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."

^"24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread."

East Asia || Day 8

7/19/12 10:56 p.m. – We now have only one week left! I still feel as though I have been gone for like 6 months! Today I listened to music on my ohone for the first time and it really made me miss home. Like just going on drives and breathing in fresh air.

I opened my Bible today and saw the verse “man does not live on bread alone” in Luke 4 & read about the temptation of Jesus! It really made me so thankful for His example and knowing that there is nothing we have to go through alone.

I got to talk to CoCo some more today. She said an American boy was telling her about the same God I had told her about and she thought that was really neat.

The speaker today, showed some movie clips. One was from Les Mis and so we got to talk about the Bishop and why he was so forgiving. It was really great!

I am starting to get to the point where I can’t eat the breakfast anymore. All I am craving is a big bowl of cereal and some scrambled eggs with salt and pepper and cheese! There are no (or very little) dairy products and everything is either very bland or loaded up with crazy spices and peppers and oils. So it is getting very difficult. Today I didn’t go to breakfast and just ate a granola bar I brought from home while I was at the coach’s meeting (we have a coach’s meeting every morning).

Maybe tomorrow will be better, but I am really just so thankful for His reminding me that man does not live on bread alone! 7 more days! I think when people ask me if I had fun I will say yes, but I will also say it was very hard. I really think this is a very difficult task. I am not doubting at all, as He is proving so faithful! But it is just so difficult to live life on guard 24/7/ But I am so thankful because this is what I should be doing everyday & I am glad for that. I am so thankful that He still continues to provide me with joy so that others can see that.

Luke 4:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, 

¹⁸     because he has anointed me
    to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

East Asia || Day 7

7/18/12 11:12 p.m. – Today was day 2 of camp! We had a great time & I feel like we are bonding more as a group. We ate ice cream, played hacky-sack (which is called Jient Za and is made of feathers and metal) and our group won 2nd place at the improve activity we had tonight! We got to do our performance on stage! I am really enjoying being with our group!

However, it is becoming very emotionally and physically drainging to be here. I know it is the enemy’s attacks, so I am praying against that. But we are all (Americans) also realizing that this is what it means to live for Him all day everyday, fully & completely. Which is a great thing and such a blessing! Too often we do not put 100% into worship and serving Him. But here we must be on guard 24 hours a day. Meal time, group time, sleeping time. All the time. There are eyes watching and moments that we can share with them. We never have alone time – except the shower, which as previously mentioned is not the most enjoyable part of my day. I love these girls & these times so much, but it is hard. But we must remember that if He can die on a cross for us, surely we can live for Him :).

Also, we are all starting to talk in broken English! Just because that’s all we hear all day long! It’s so funny. None of us can even think of any higher vocabulary words. We’re all wondering if we will come home and say something like “Hi. I had great time on trip. It was so fun and enjoyable”.

Today we played a game where you tape a piece of paper on your back and everyone writes their first impressions of you on it. It’s supposed to tell you how other people perceive you and let you know if there are things you should change about your body language, or your attitude. Then we get a chance to talk as a group and everyone can share if there’s anything else they would like the group to know about them. They all wrote that I was kind, beautiful, gentle, and warm-hearted. But one person wrote that I was Snow White :) That made me so happy :) I think it is hilarious! I kept remembering it all day and laughing to myself!

Lamentations 3:

55 I called on your name, O Lord,
    from the depths of the pit.

56 You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears

    to my cry for relief.”

57 You came near when I called you,

and you said, “Do not fear.”

East Asia || Day 6

7/17/12 1:48 p.m. – Thanks to my Japanese bracelet (it says Make Him Famous), I was able to talk to CoCo about who Jesus was. Not super in depth, but it’s a start J She is very into people’s connections & their spirits so I was glad to get to talk to her. She is in kind of a stressful point in life, so I pray she can find peace here and true joy. In our group this morning, we talked about life maps (where you’ve been in life and where your life is headed). One boy said he worked at an orphanage last summer as a teacher and he discovered that the kids turned out to be more of the teachers because they were so joyful and smiled all the time. We talked about what might’ve caused them to smile so much and eventually he said he thought it was probably because of the nice people from the church who helped to run the orphanage J Then Mike said that last summer he went to Bali. He said that he had never seen such beautiful scenery and that when he looked in the clear water and saw such a beautiful fish, he just instantly had a vision that everything in this world would die, and so it is better to have joy! Wow! I mean how amazing??  I hope that through this experience he can find truth & that God will reveal himself even further to Mike :)

7/17/12 10:36 p.m. – Have you ever used the excess water you ring out from your hair to clean your toilet? I have. For 4 days now. That’s just what you have to do when your toilet and shower are the same thing. Today I had hot water for the first time. It was so nice! Except that it’s kind of weird because this strange smoke comes out of the pipe (we don’t have a shower head in our room) & it spits out in random bursts. I can’t tell if the smoke is just steam from the hot water meeting the air, or if it’s some kind of problem, but either way, I’m showering in it.

I’m really missing home a lot today. It has been one week since we left (almost). We are 12 hours ahead here, so in 12 hours it will be one week. The days seem to go by very slow. I think the hardest part is having absolutely no contact whatsoever with people back home. I am reading through text messages on my phone that people sent before I left to keep my spirits up and I am so encouraged and blessed by all my dear friends and their words of encouragement. However, I am having a great time! And I am so excited to see how the rest of the week goes! It is so exciting to see all of the curiosity that they have! Today was the first day I have not really wanted to eat any of the food, but I think most of the Americans are down to the “rice only” phase, as everything else is a little different! J Also, my chacos tan is becoming very apparent since those are the only shoes I have worn since I’ve got here. And I still can’t get enough of the students singing about Joy!

^{John 16: "22} So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."

"³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”