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Hello Everyone, This is the second time I'm typing this since this particular blog site had a server crash last week. I guess you get what you pay for; a free blog site is just that. I had just completed adding this blog when it lost all that I'd typed, so it will be hard to recreate- but I feel I'd like to try. We've been back slightly over one week and I'm sure the group is already back into the grind of life. It's so easy to fall back into the status quo once you return, but I suppose it validates the heart changes that occurred as a result of the trip. I find the usual reasons that people feel differently is because they got a chance to stretch themselves, both physically and spiritually. By ... read more

Hello All! We made it through our last day of class with an ocean of tears but not one tear was a waste. The students showed up to see us off to the airport with over 20 students crowding the streets outside of our guesthouse. While talking to the guesthouse owner I indicated my surprise of the large number that showed up. He told me that in the local culture it was incredibly rare for students to exhibit such respect to people they'd only known for 2 weeks; so it clearly indicated the impact our teachers had made with them. It's what we hope and pray for but the success isn't ours to claim, it's for He who sent us. The One who called each of these wonderful team members is the same who carried out ... read more

So, by now you're probably wondering if we've dropped off the face of the Earth; but we haven't! While keeping our blog updated was important to us, it didn't supercede the importance of the kids and spending time with them. That may or may not seem like a good reason, but it's the truth and we're sticking to it. Each day has been filled with our usualy classroom time, but also each evening with additional activities with the students. Everything from roller skating to movie watching, card playing and of course the Kentucky and China favorite...BASKETBALL. When we've had a free moment we spent it seeing a few of the local sites as well as accepting the many dinner invites we always seem to receive. Tommorow marks the last day of class and is sure ... read more

Herrrrro America! Hopefully every one is well back state-side. We are doing very good over here in China. It feels so good to be back here teaching English. At first before we came here I was a little nevous because this is the first time I've been in front of a class as the main teacher. As soon as i stepped out in front of the class I just switched into teacher mode and everything started to come to me naturally. I feel as if one of the resons for me being on this trip has been revealed to me already. I can now see myself teaching for a long time. Everytime I come on one of these trips, Dad reveals different things to me that will help me in my walk with him. I want ... read more

Yesterday, I was able to meet with a representative from the China Education Bureau. It was an interesting conversation and I was able to ask many questions about education in China and especially in the Yunnan region. There were some distinct similarities and some distinct differences. The Chinese government oversees the education at the national level. Children begin preschool and kindergarten between the ages of 3 and 5. Primary school is the 1st to the 6th grade. Individual communities have their own primary school. High school is divided into junior high and senior high. In the area that surrounds Shangri-la, there are 3 high schools. These are very similar to boarding schools. Students come and stay for the semester in the school along with their teachers who also reside on the school grounds. We talked about ... read more

What a true blessing it is to get to know and love my students and their families. Yet again, I find myself in awe of the amazing opportunities that English Camp gives me to connect with people on the other side of the world who I otherwise would have NEVER met! Late last night after my students and I went on a skating adventure, as I sat in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant eating shao quo (sp?) for the first time (they were kind enough to order me banana on a stick instead of a meat product!) playing cards with five beautiful 11-15 years olds as the rain poured outside, I must admit...I had a "moment." I wanted time to freeze. I wanted to savor every laugh, smile, attempt at Chinese, attempt at English, kind gesture, hug, sank ... read more

Hello Everyone!!! I'm keeping it short as most of the team want to share some of their stories later today. Be sure to check back when possible to see their entries. I simply wanted to say thank you for all of your prayers and comments. They've been a huge encouragement to the team and on days that are extra tough, are what carry us through. It's one thing to sit and write down what's happening and hope that someone reads it; but all of you have been so faithful in letting us know that you're here with us in story although not in body. I know the team misses all of their friends and family but be in peace knowing they are doing a GREAT job with the kids. I was so looking forward to working ... read more

WOW, it seems there are many people reading our blog...THAT'S GREAT! I suspect you've been wondering when our next entry was coming since they were daily during the first few days. I apologize for the delay but there's so much going on and so many of the local people wishing to show us around that we've been running out of time in the evenings. Things are going great with the school and with the team. With the exception of a few days of altitude related illness the team seems healthy. Sure there are occasional sniffles due to the cool nights and occasional rain, but nothing is keeping the teachers from being with their students. The students seem to be having a great time and that's the reason we do what we do. This year the ... read more

At long last, we have settled down into our quarters in Zhongdian/Shangrila/Xiangelila. As of this writing it is 6:08 pm , local time, or 6:08 am in Kentucky. We are tired, but in good spirits. There have already seen several "snags", but to God's glory, it has all worked out. For example, our first flight out of Lexington was cancelled, which of course threw off all of our other flights and delayed us by a day. As we later found out, this was a blessing in disguise. Had we left on schedule, we would have reached Tokyo about the time a typhoon did. Not the best scenario. God had our backs on that for sure. Our 'hotel' is more like rental cabins you might see at Pidgeon Forge, or some place like that. Not the ... read more