Christmas Update

Our 1^st Semester Is Nearing An End

It doesn't seem possible that the first semester of our teaching will end next week. Our classes have 16 weeks here instead of 18 as is more common in the US. We will have a long break from teaching from Dec. 22 until Feb. 15. This will give us even more opportunity to spend time with the students who will continue to take a courses until January 25.

Since the beginning of this term 64 have been added to those who are in the game with us. It is exciting to see so many interested in having their own good books, which we have been able to give them because of the support of so many back home. They read, and we discuss, what they are learning. We are very thankful to the coach for such blessing and the privilege of being here to help.

Thanksgiving

We made a Thanksgiving trip with Gary and Signa Cook to Wuhan, the capital of our province, Hubei. Although it is a city of 9 million, I found only one person in the US who had heard of it. It is an educational center in China with more than 60 universities. So there are many American teachers there, most of whom are family members. It was a very special day with a traditional dinner; turkey and all the trimmings one could imagine. The teachers in Wuhan provided the food and invited those of us from out of town to be their guests.

Christmas In China

Christmas is not a national holiday in China. However, the widespread interest and curiosity about all things American, and Christmas in particular, gives many opportunities to share the story and traditions of Christmas and its celebration in America. Many students will have classes on Dec. 25. Since our classes will have concluded we will have the day free, but will still have a crowded schedule. More on that later.

As I was doing some shopping in Shashir, the adjoining city to Jingzhou, I notice one of the very large department stores with a huge "Merry Christmas" sign was playing very loudly over their outdoor PA system "Jingle Bells" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," both in English. Both English and Christmas are growing rapidly in popularity in China.

We Have a Lovely Christmas Tree

We have been working with two different groups of Freshmen classes. One group has been coming on Sunday at 2 PM to watch videos and discuss the good book we read together. After being at our apartment last Sunday for two hours, and showing no signs of leaving, I asked them if they would like to go to town and help us buy a Christmas tree and the trimmings for it. They were very eager to do that, with the intention of returning and putting up the tree as well. Three hours later, about 7 PM, we were returning on the bus with our treasures when they surprised me by saying, "We have a class we must attend now." Because the university is short on classroom space classes are held seven days a week, beginning as late as 7 PM each night. This had not been mentioned when we discussed buying and setting up the tree. So, off they went to class, but they wanted to come after class ended at 8:30 and fix up the tree. We were glad they would return as we wanted to share the experience with them. We promised them supper when they returned, which they did promptly after class. It was like watching kids in a candy store as they hung tinsel and shinny balls that reflected the flashing lights. None of them had ever helped decorate a Christmas tree before. After enjoying their handiwork, they left for the dorm rooms about 10 PM. They will be back next Sunday to discuss more readings and sing more Christmas songs.

Christmas Day for Us

On Christmas Eve we have been asked by people in Jingzhou to sing some Christmas carols at a local theater, which we are glad to have the opportunity to do. These will include both secular and sacred songs.

Christmas Day will be very busy. We will have an "Open House" for students and friends to visit from 9 AM � Noon. In the afternoon we will visit with Gary and Signa Cook, and some other American "family" members who teach here with us for traditional Christmas Day activities -- dinner, visiting, games, and some presents, too.

In the evening Evelyn and I have been invited to attend a Christmas party for four classes of Freshmen, the other group of Freshmen with whom we have been working. We were invited to attend the party, but soon learned that they really meant for us to host the party and plan all the activities. They will help, but really have no idea what to do. So from 7 � 9 PM we will lead a party for 170 students and faculty. About 20 of them will come on Saturday before Christmas to learn how to make decorations for the Christmas tree and learn some Christmas songs. They will each lead a group of 8-10 students as they make ornaments to hang on the two trees they bought last Saturday. Other activities will include singing, a gift exchange, and Christmas foods. They also said they would like for us to play some games. I am at a loss to know how we can play games with 170 people who only understand about 1 in 10 words I say in English. I believe it would take an hour to make them understand the procedure for the simplest of games. This should be interesting. If any of you have any ideas about "Christmas games" for large groups please write back and tell us.

We Are Enjoying the Discussions - and They are Growing

We have the opportunity to hold different kinds of discussions with students; some at the university academic building and some in our apartment. We also go to J's apartment for others. English Corner is what they call it when we stand in the foyer of the main academic building and talk in English to interested students. We do this on three nights each week for 1 � - 2 hours. For the past two weeks we have sung Christmas songs, which the students love. Everyone knows Jingle Bells and many know Silent Night. Along with We Wish You a Merry Christmas, these seem to be their favorites. We sing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Silver Bells, Rudolph (which they have never heard before), O Little Town of Bethlehem, Joy to the World, and others of both types. They always want to know how Christmas started and what it is all about. Since they asked we are free to tell the old, old story � at least the beginning part of it quite often.

We have four other discussion meetings each week. This week the participants totaled about 120, many of them frequent participants. Another 22 from one of Evelyn's classes came to our apartment for a class party on Saturday, December 15. We gave them stamps from America, a highly desired item here for many, and Delaware state pins which State Representative Nancy Wagner provided to Lee Shanks for us.

Merry Christmas to All of You!

We will miss being with our family in America for Christmas for the first time ever. But we will enjoy the phone calls and letters from all of you. And we will celebrate a unique opportunity to share the spirit and message that this time of year is all about with people eager to hear it, usually for the first time. All of you who have made it possible for us to be here share in the blessings we are receiving and giving. And we thank our Father often for you. Please continue to remember us and our new friends also in your talks with him.

Merry Christmas to you from China, and from our hearts!

Ron & Evelyn McFarland

Work Update - Nov. 17

Hello Everyone,

Things continue to go very well for us here. We feel so very blessed to be in China and are constantly thankful for the open door made available to us and all of you who made it possible for us to come. So far during this school term another 51 have decided to speak the King's English. (Thanks, Dan Oden, for the unique phrasing!)

We have met hundreds of people from the university and the community. Because Jingzhou is not a place tourists visit, folks here are not accustomed to seeing foreigners. This makes us a constant curiosity, but provides surprising opportunities. Yesterday I rode the bus from town out to our campus (South Campus). A young man sat in front of me and we began to talk. His name is Lio Lee and he teaches Chinese at the Central Campus of the university. I will try to see him again. I invited him to stop by our apartment any time he was free just to visit and talk. I hope he comes, but the Chinese are very reluctant to accept the first initiation. It usually requires two or three invitations before they will come. I think they are accustomed to people being polite, but not necessarily really meaning it. They discount the first one or two as just a courtesy.

The two freshmen boys I met last week riding into town were different. As we talked I asked them when they were free later in the week. They said they did not have an 8 AM class on Wednesday. Free time for the students, especially freshmen, is very limited. Almost all freshmen, and many others, have three or four classes during the day and another at night. Classes here last 90 minutes. I invited the two boys to come to our apartment on Wednesday at 8 AM. We have installed a wireless doorbell because the entrance to our building always locks when the door is closed and we cannot hear people knocking on that door. But the wireless doorbell sometimes fails to work. When they had not arrived by 8:05 I wondered if they were coming since they tend to be very prompt, and if they are eager to come, may arrive 30 minutes or more early. Afraid that the doorbell had failed again, I went to the front door to check on them. Outside stood the two boys and two other friends. In China it is not unusual for someone invited to dinner to bring along a friend or two. If you only want two people to come to dinner, you must be very explicit that they are to come alone, and even then you may have two or three others come too.

I got to know the four boys and answered many questions they had about us, our family, and our experience in China. After about a half hour I thought I would introduce them to the game of Pit. We have taught several groups of students to play this game and they love it. If you are not familiar with it, it is a boisterous game. Just as we were about to begin playing Jim said he had to go to an exercise class. Michael said he also was in that class but the teacher would excuse him since he was visiting a foreigner. A few minutes later when the teacher phoned Michael, they all decided they should leave. They asked if I had free time later in the day so they could come back and play the game. Promptly at 2 PM they returned and we played Pit for an hour. Two of the boys already had English names, but two did not. So we gave one the name of Fred and the other we named Jim. They adopt an English name with foreigners because we cannot pronounce Chinese names, and they love all things English.

While we played cards one of them said, "We have many classmates who want to come to your home." Most of them have never met a foreigner before and are very curious and excited at the possibility. We told them to bring their classmates for an hour or so on Sunday at 2 PM and we would have a party for them. Ten of them arrived on time Sunday and stayed until 7 PM. We had not planned for such a long visit, but it was a great afternoon and we enjoyed them tremendously. We had snacks for them, played some games, gave a few English names and just talked getting to know them. (See the attached pictures. The "unusual" English names, James Bond, Sucre, etc. were not from us.)

About 5 o'clock I decided they were in no hurry to leave and we were having such a good visit that they may as well stay for dinner. I asked Evelyn if she could fix dinner for 12. Always the trooper, she simply said, "Sure." The students pitched in to help cook and set up the two folding tables we purchased for such a time as this. Soon the living room was transformed into the dinning room. We served a combination of American food and Chinese food (cooked American style). We would have had more food on hand if we had expected so many for dinner, but everyone had a good meal and the fellowship was great.

During their visits they noticed several of the good books lying around our house and were curious about them. In China, if something is where it can be picked up and examined it will be. So we always have the books out as conversation starters. Only one of the boys knew anything about the books. For the others it was all new. We also have a couple of DVD's about our older brother. After answering several questions I told them if they wanted to know more to come back next Sunday (tomorrow) at 2 PM and I will show them a DVD about the book. I have seen several of them this week and they always say that they are looking forward to coming to see us on Sunday at 2.

It all started with a conversation with two students on a bus ride into town. I believe we came to China "for such a time as this." Thank you for making it possible.

I am working on setting up a blog so that we can write short notes about our experiences here and share more photos. I will let you know as soon as that is functional. Meanwhile, continue to remember us and all our new friends and family in China when you talk to the coach.

Yours and His,

Ron & Evelyn

Staying here - blocked again

Well we tried the new site, Ron could get to it 1 time and after that he was blocked. So for now he will send me updates via e-mail and we will update them here. Happy Thanksgiving. As you are giving thanks, remember Ron, Evelyn and others who are working for Him and give thanks that we live where we do, where communication is not restricted.

In Him,

David

Trying another site

Since Ron cannot access this site any longer, we are moving his blog site to http://bigmactn.wordpress.com/ we hope that he will be able to use this one for a while. If not, and he has to start e-mailing me his info to post, then we will probably continue to post here.

David

Roadblock

Currently Ron and Evelyn cannot log onto any blogsites to either post or read blogs. We are investigating alternative sites where they might be able to post. It may be that we end up having them e-mail us their updates and we post for them. Will update you as we learn more.

On a positive note, 50 new members have been added to the team. The Coach is proving that he is still in control, continuing to open doors for new opportunities. Continue to pray for Ron, Evelyn, Gary and Signa.

In Him,
David

Oct. 20th Update

Ron hasn't had a chance to log his first blog, so I am posting his October 20th update so that there will be some material here until he can begin his regular postings. - David

Greetings from China!

We have been here for six weeks now, but just got email at our apartment last week. So this is the first general email to our China Friends in America.

We are getting everything pretty close to being set up in the apartment. Our phone and TV are here, but are not connected. We expect both to be fixed in another week or so. This is the first time this campus has had foreigners living here so they had to create a new apartment, which has proven challenging to them. Since it is the first apartment like this everything is new. We have a new state-of-the art Chinese kitchen, complete with a rice dispenser and cooker. While small and with little cabinet space, it is nonetheless quite functional. We purchased a toaster oven, as Chinese kitchens do not have an oven. Now Evelyn can bake American cookies for our guests. The "office" included a beautiful desk and two storage cabinets (each with 4 locks and different keys). Every door in the apartment has a key, including those to both toilets and the shower.

Last year our apartment was three rooms in one of the boy's dorms. One room became our living room. The kitchen replaced what was the bathroom in it. The office room bathroom includes a toilet and a large (read 3.5' x 7') new shower. The sliding glass window between the office and shower was left intact, making it much easier to visit with anyone in the office while you shower. I can't imagine anyone doing it, but you can! The bathroom in our bedroom includes another toilet and a sink. The washing machine is also there. This split up bathroom a bit unusual, but again, it works. There are no closets or other storage options except one 24" wardrobe. We are buying a couple more, this time with some drawers. Any kind of a chest with drawers for storing clothes is almost unheard of here.

The first two weeks all the windows in all three rooms were without curtains; then men from a local curtain company came to measure for them. They made beautiful drapes and also gave us a lovely wall decoration called a Chinese Knott as a gift.

Our friend, Signa, had to have shoulder surgery here a couple of weeks ago. She separated her shoulder in an accident last year and developed more problems this fall. She is recovering nicely now, but her experience has motivated me to stay healthy. After returning to her room following surgery, she was in a lot of pain when the anesthesia wore off. When she asked for some pain medication she was told that they would give her something in eight hours and meanwhile not to worry, that pain following surgery was normal and good. After considerable "negotiations" with the medical staff they began small doses a couple of hours later. Getting them to allow her to take pills at home for pain and antibiotics rather than returning daily for IV's proved more difficult, but successful after a few days. Neither she nor Gary understand Chinese well enough to decipher what the doctor said when he finally agreed to the pills, but they think it was basically, "Crazy Americans!"

National Holiday (Chinese 4^th of July) was the first week in October. During that break we were able to take a three day cruise on the Yangtze River, thru the Three Gorges. The Cook's has booked this trip, but could not go because of her surgery. So they offered us the opportunity to go in their place. We had a great time visiting with people on the boat from about 10 different countries. It was an "English" boat, which meant that the tour director, but hardly anyone else on the crew, spoke English and the food served to "westerners" was a little more like American, especially breakfast. However, the fried eggs were always cold and I am not sure what it really was that passed for ham, but it tasted OK, so we ate it. They even had coffee, or more precisely, something they called coffee, which was at best lukewarm. I believe the cooks used an entire bag of coffee to make ten cups. A cup of this in a gallon of hot water would have qualified in America as "strong coffee." Don't misunderstand, these few oddities did not spoil the very good meals we were served. The Chinese eat little meat, but have a lot of excellent vegetables. Some of them are completely new to us, but are quite good. The Three Gorges Dam is huge. When the water has reached its maximum depth in 2009 it will require ships to go through five locks to navigate past it. About 10% of all electricity in all of China will be generated here. The lake behind the dam will back up for about 250 miles in 2009.

We both teach Oral English, a course to help the students improve their ability to understand spoken English and to speak it more correctly. They have studied English for eight years and are very good at reading and writing it. However, most have had almost no interaction with English being spoken. Evelyn also teaches Travel English, a course intended to prepare the students to be tour guides for English speakers at famous sites in China.

In addition to our classes, we also go to the lobby of the main academic building on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and do an "English Corner." We stand in the lobby and talk with any students who want to stop and talk with us. Three nights of this is a challenge since we are there for one and a half hours each night. The students come and go at will so the new arriving students ask the same questions as the others asked earlier: "How long have you been in China?" "Do you like Chinese food?" "Where are you from?" Etc. To avoid this we have started picking a different topic each week to discuss with them. So far we have talked about families, education, travel and good manners in China and America. They are very interested to know about America. We often have more than 50 students at one time talking to us. We love this because we meet dozens of students that we would otherwise never get to know. By the way, if you can think of any possible subjects to discuss with them please email them to us. We have a few more on our list, but no where near the 36 it will take to cover the year.

The family here continues to do very well. This school term 24 more are included in it and many others visit regularly. Many students come to visit and talk with us on Wednesday night at our apartment and on Friday at Jordan's. Please keep us all in your talks with the coach!

We really have not suffered culture shock yet, but everyone tells us we will, so we are trying to be prepared. Gary says he still remembers the first time he said to himself, "What in the world have I gotten myself into?" Likely it will come on us the third bitter cold, windy night in one week that we are doing English Corner in the lobby of a giant building with no heat, but with both front and rear doors standing open (read "wind tunnel effect!). I hate bitter cold weather. That may do what turtles and frogs being chopped up in the supermarket, chickens walking around my feet as I eat at a sidewalk "café," eating almost nothing that isn't very spicy, or being starred at constantly have not done so far - make us say, "I want to go home now!" We'll get through our bout of culture shock when it comes, but so far it has not been a problem. The greatest hardship we have had to face, other than not being able to fine drinkable coffee, is sitting for an hour of terribly uncomfortable stools that were designed for little people! Not much to endure for all the blessing we are receiving.

We love our work here. We feel so blessed that so many have helped us be able to come to China. The students are extremely friendly. The university officials have been very generous in setting up our apartment. So much opportunity. So much responsibility. Exciting and frightening at the same time. We hope and pray that we can be a blessing to the students. Keep us and our friends always in your "thoughts," as we do all of you.

Ron & Evelyn McFarland