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