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Fiona writes from East Asia:
25 June 2008
My time here is starting to come to an end now! After nearly 5 months here,
I can look back and see many things I've learnt, many people I've met, and
many things to be thankful for. Our Father has been so gracious in providing
for me more than I asked or expected, sustaining me through His strength
every day, and placing people alongside me to walk with me through the ups
and downs of my time here.
This week was my birthday, and I had the chance to invite my MC friends and
some of my students to have a special lunch with me to celebrate. During the
meal, as birthday traditions here go, they each said a little something to
me, as a sort of birthday wish. I was so touched by what they said, and saw
at that moment, that Father really has used me here to bless, and encourage
others even when I didn't realise it.
My teaching finished a couple of weeks ago, and I was partly relieved to
have finished after 3 months of teaching with no break! But it was also sad
saying goodbye to my students, and I realised how much I'd enjoyed teaching
them, and getting to know them. The semester finished with an exam which I
had to write, and then to mark all the papers by the following day! I was
quite daunted by the task of writing a paper which needed to test the
students enough, yet not be so difficult that none could pass (the pass mark
is 60%!) and I also really wanted the good students who'd attended most of
the classes to gain a high score. Thanks to Father, the exam managed to do
this, and a good number passed, including some very high scores from the
star pupils!
Although the classes finished a couple of weeks ago, I've still been able to
meet up with some of the students that I've built friendships with. One of
the girls invited a few of us to her family home. It was lovely to meet her
parents, and to have lunch together - home-cooked by her grandma :) I said
goodbye to some of them at my birthday meal, but as they will be starting to
study in England this summer, we were able to say 'See you in the UK!' - so
I'm really excited for them, that they will be in England this year too, and
I hope that we can stay in touch, especially during their first few weeks of
settling in. Please think of them as they prepare to go, and that their time
in England would be a time when they can meet other 'family members' and
come to know Him. That the tiny seeds I've sown here, would bear fruit!
So, now I have just over two weeks left here. It's a real blessing to have
the time to do things I haven't been able to while I was teaching - to visit
some places I haven't seen yet, have the opportunity to see different
'ministries' of the other members of my team, and meet up again with
individuals who I've met along the way. I will also continue with our weekly
team training, home group, ladies prayer group and bible study with 2 girls
g & f....Then, in the first week of July, my two lovely sisters, Cat and
Hannah, will arrive to join me here! I'm so looking forward to seeing them,
and being able to show them where I've been living, and we will travel south
for a couple of weeks along with my flatmate Y :) Please think of them as
they apply for visas, for safe travel, and that our time together would be
special time of catching up & growing our friendship with one another, and
building each other up in Him.
As things begin to wind down, and one by one the team members are leaving or
going back home for the summer holidays, please ask that I would continue to
enjoy my time here and make the most of opportunities He gives me. I'm so
glad for all that He's been doing during the last 5 months, and I know that
He has many more things in store for me in the coming year.
Although I will be sad to leave the places and the people that have become
part of my life here, I am really looking forward to coming back and
starting on the next stage. I'm excited about learning to become a maths
teacher, and being a witness for Him in that environment, and know that He
will continue to stand by me as I face the new joys and challenges that will
inevitably come with secondary school teaching!
Thank you for your continued love & thoughts,
With Love, Fiona
May 2008
I'm ok! I did actually feel the earthquake very slightly on Monday, The impact in the place where it is has been huge, so people here have been a little shaken by it even if not literally. So thoughts for the country in general would be appreciated especially for the people in province most affected. I have been able to have a weekend away in the mountains recently, and greatly appreciated the break. Fresh air and mountain walks are so welcome when normal life is in a busy and polluted city.
Sadly a public holiday on the Friday meant that I had to teach on the Sunday, but that is how things are! Several issues which are coming up over the next few weeks: - Set end of term exams very soon. This is something new for me to do, and it is critical that the students pass it - a matter of loss of face if they don't. - This also means that there are not many lessons left to teach the students. I need wisdom to set work for these last few weeks, and to prepare revision sessions. All fine for an experienced teacher, but harder if this is your first time! - Term finishes during June. I will then have more free time, but need to be clear how to use it, and when to come home. She had planned to stay longer, but visa extensions are hard to get.
Also remember that as the heat and humidity increase, life becomes more difficult and energy levels dwindle. I need grace and strength to keep going. As ever, many thanks for your continued support. I am so aware of being 'kept' on a daily basis.
Mar 2008
'Last Sunday at the centre was good - I had to introduce myself as one
of the 'new people' - there were quite a few of us. Met some new people
too - lots of Americans there! Went to 'the bridge' in the afternoon -
the student returnee group. There was a talk from the book in the local language!
and then discussion groups. I was really encouraged by what we looked at
- it was the second book - first few chapters - although I couldn't
follow the talk, I read it in English, and really related to the main
character - he was feeling weak, and couldn't speak, but was given the
strength to do it! It was good to meet the local people there.
I may have an opportunity to help out with a group for 'International
students' - like I did in Bath last year - with some people from the team. I'm going to one of their planning meetings to discuss some ideas for events this term -
as they heard I was involved with student stuff last year, so
thought I may have some good input!
Last night the team met in the afternoon for our first 'training
session' which we will do every Thursday, on cross-cultural stuff. It
was really good, and helped me to think about how English and local
cultures, are different, in particular, our world-views, and how best to
relate to local friends here, and share my life with them. We then
went out for a meal, followed by book-reading and thinking time.
Things with Y are still going really well. She's a great flat-mate - we
try to have breakfast and meals together as much as poss, and often end
up chatting quite late! I've also been able to help her with her
English, even just from the fact that she has to always to talk to me in
English! We're hoping we will also be able to read the book together, at
least once a week.
She leads a girls group on Tuesday evenings at our house, and they spoke
in English this time. It was great to meet her friends, and be able
to chat to some of them about the things we have in common. Some of the
girls in the group are sisters, some are very young, and some
are seeking - is so exciting - Y seems to naturally bring people to know
her dad, but she is also amazing at wanting to care for and nurture each
of the girls, and see them grow up and mature, and is taking time in her
week to meet up with them and encourage them. It has so inspired me,
and I am learning lots from her love towards others.
The first day of teaching went really well!! Better than expected! I
enjoyed meeting the students - their English is quite good (not
excellent, but good enough) so they seemed to understand me. I also
started actually teaching some maths! I love teaching maths, though I
realised they are quite good! Father was truly amazing and gave me such
peace in the days leading up to, and during the classes - and gave me
strength to teach four lessons in a row without much break! Also, a
bonus, is that I managed to keep to time - quite an achievement for me!'
The second lessons went well, and she was able to have lunch with a
couple of the girls and talk to others afterwards. She found out that
all of her students want to study in England. and some already have
places in universities there. Most of them want to study business
management or finance, and some media. Their abilities vary a lot, so it
is hard to know what level to teach at. Their biggest need is for
English, and preparation for uni and life in England.
'At the moment, most of my spare time is taken up planning my lessons!
but as this gets less, I hope I can do other things too. I am
realising, and being told by quite a few people, that the biggest need
here is for people to look after young sheep - as the community is
growing at a very fast rate, but not many mature ones (a distinct lack
of leaders and older ones). New ones can't grow v easily without the
care of someone 'older'...and so it is easy for them to drift away. I
hope I can find one or two that I can spend time with and invest in and
help them to flourish, to trust in their father, and then to be able to
help others themselves.'
Things to think about:
- Give thanks to father for his grace and love in all that has
happened so far!
- For help with teaching preparation, so that I have plenty of 'free'
time
- For continued help with teaching. I'm learning as I go, and the
need to be very flexible for the different abilities in the class.
Important skills which come with experience!
- That I will know how best to spend my time when not
teaching........
- And know which 'young sheep' to meet with, and how best to
encourage them during the time I'm here
- For wisdom to do all that is possible, but keeping within the limits
of what is allowable.
Thank you all for your support. Please keep praying!
Feb 2008:
"I'm here!! Our train journey was very long (39 hours!) It was quite fun though - four of us were travelling back together, and sleeping on bunk beds on the train for two nights.
It was so good in K…... The weather was mainly freezing cold, but it got better near the end, and our last full day was so nice that we were able to go rock-climbing. I'm so glad I decided to join them all in K….., as it was a nice holiday - both relaxing and active at the same time. They're all really nice, and being on holiday together meant I got to know them in a shorter space of time than I could have done here. Father is so kind and generous, and I am continually thankful for him helping me find these friends so soon.
I met my new flatmate, Y, today! A's apartment is just across the road from ours, and on the floor below A's flat is J & M's flat (who were both in Thailand). It's really sunny outside, and surprisingly warm (around 9 degrees - which is v warm for here!) - apparently today is especially warm, and up till now it has been freezing.
Mine & Y's flat is really cute - I have a nice room which Y has decorated, and lots of people have given us their spare things, which is so kind. I was prepared to go out and buy some things, but it has all been provided for! We have fruit and veg stalls in the street right next to our flat, cafes/shops round the corner, and the university opposite!
- so convenient, and we can get a bus or taxi to other places very easily too :)
It is has been such a nice day so far, and I am feeling quite excited, though obviously there is all this new stuff too! I think it helps that the others were all really looking forward to coming back, and see it as their home - so that helped me to know that it's possible to get used to living here, even though it's so different to England.
Please give thanks for:
-Really great time in Thailand and K….., getting to know the team and making new friends.
-Arriving safely in here, meeting Y and being well looked after already :)
Please think of:
-Settling in, and adjusting to my new home:)
-Being able to get around, find places, and learn simple language to buy things from shops/ use taxis etc
-Meeting W (probably Friday) to find out about teaching - I really hope I can find out what I will be doing, and have an actual syllabus, or at least know which books I could get to use. I have been warned that people can be very last minute and let you know plans/timetables very late. I know that father wants me here, and will help me have all
the skills and knowledge that I need to do my job.
Also coming up:
Thursday - Meeting in the evening to read the book, and chat together.
Sunday - First time at the international centre on Sunday morning - I
can go with others in the team, as Y obviously cannot come too - she
goes to a different place just for local people, at someone's home.
Next week - preparing for teaching which I think starts on the following
Monday (tbc)
Fi.
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