PICTURES

I'LL MAKE NO EXCUSES..........BUT XANGA HAS BEEN DOWN FOR QUITE A WHILE HERE ! SOOOOOOOO ENJOY THE PICS , MAKE COMMENTS ,BLESS'NS TO ALL,THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS !!!!!!!!

CHINA!!!!!!!

WOW! WOW!! WOW!!!

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE , ONLY THRE MORE MONTHS OF SCHOOL.

FEB HAS HAS GONE BY LIKE A BLURRRRRRRRRRRRRRR NOT BURRRRRRRRRRRR LIKE YOU ARE HAVING IN THE ARTIC, I MEAN ONTARIO. I REALLY MISS THE SHOVELING, PUSHING CARS, JUMPING COLD BATTERIES, SLIPPING AND SLIDING , SCRAPING FROZEN WINDOWS NOT.THE WEATHER HERE HAS BEEN COLD BUT GOT UP TO A BALMY 22 ON SAT . ENOUGH ABOUT THE WEATHER!!!!

FEB WAS QUITE THE MONTH AS I HAD ALL OF IT OFF WITH EXCEPTION OF A WINTER CAMP IN THE MIDDLE. BACK UP A BIT . JAN 28^TH I WENT TO A INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR OF FOREIGN TEACHERS DIRECTLY FROM CHURCH. I ENTERED HIS OFFICE AND THE FIRST THING HE SAYS IS OH YOU HAVE A BIBLE WITH YOU. I TOLD HIM I JUST CAME FROM CHURCH. ANYWAYS HE BE’N CHINESE DIDN’T KNOW IF IT BOTHERED HIM , BUT SOON FELT RELAXED AS HE TOLD ME HE DEFINITELY WANTED ME TO BE APART OF THE TEACHERS FOR THE CAMP. RELIEF!!!!!!!!

I HAD A WEEK TO RELAX IN NANJING AND AFTER SOON HELP FROM FRIENDS FOUND AN ICE SKATING RINK IN FUZI MIAO SITE OF TEMPLE OF CONFUCIUS.IT COST 25YUAN AN HOUR AND FOUND OUT AFTER I COULD PURCHASE A CARD THAT WOULD GIVE ME 20 HOURS AT A SAVING OF 180 Y. GREAT DEAL!!!

THE DAY OF THE REGISTERING AT CAMP CAME QUICKLY AND I WAS TOTALLY AMAZED AT ALL THE ACTIVITY WHEN I ARRIVED. THERE WERE SIGN EVERYWHERE , STUDENTS IN SAME COLOURED JACKETS WITH MATCHING BACKPACKS. LI YANG CRAZY ENGLISH HAD INVADED OUR SCHOOL. I MET THE OTHER FOREIGN TEACHERS , ACTUALLY ONE FAMILY FROM AUSTRALIA , BUT TEACHING IN ZHENGZHOU CENTRAL CHINA. MIKE , HIS WIFE CELIA  AND DAUGHTERS TEAGEN ANFD MIKAELA 12 AND 8. THE OTHER PERSON DANA A US COLLEGE STUDENT HADN’T ARRIVED YET. WE WERE IT , WITH 1200 PLUS STUDENTS . IT LOOKS OVERWELMING , BUT NOT AS THE CAMP WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE CAMPS ; A MIDDLE SCHOOL ; B HIGH SCHOOL AND C COLLEGE AND ADULTS. FRIDAY LI YANG WAS HERE IN PERSON AND FOR YOU WHO DON’T KNOW WHO HE IS , HE’S A HERO , ICON IN CHINA BECAUSE HE SELF TAUGHT HIMSELF ENGLISH AND DEVELOPED A PROGRAM FOR ALL AGE LIMITS WHICH IS USED AND RUN THROUGHOUT CHINA. BECAUSE OF POPULARITY WE BECAME INSTANT STARS SIGNING OUR NAMES TO EVERYTHING FROM JACKETS, BACKPACK , TEXT BOOKS , YOU NAME WE SIGNED IT . I BELIEVE I MUST OF SIGNED MY NAME AT LEAST 2000 TIMES!!!!!!!! NOW I KNOW WHAT SPORT STARS, MOVIES STARS GO THROUGH. IT WAS REALLY AWESOME THOUGH BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE KIDS HAVE NEVER SINCE A FOREIGNER. ANYWAYS THE SECOND DAY A YOUNG CHINESE GIRL CAME TO THE DIRECTORS OFFICE (JOEY) AND SAID SHE WANTED TO GO HOME , SHE MISSED HER FAMILY AND WAS CRYING . WHEN HE ASKED HER IF HE COULD HELP HER SHE REPLIED ONLY JESUS COULD. HE WAS SHAKEN AS HE LATER TOLD ME. THAT NITE BEFORE EVENING SESSION HE CAME TO MY ROOM AND ASKED IF I HAD A BIBLE HE COULD BORROW. I GAVE HIM A NEW TESTAMENT AND TOLD HIM TO BEGIN READING IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. THAT NITE AFTER A MOVIE HE ASKED ME TO COME TO HIS ROOM , THAT HE HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT HE HAD READ. I THEN TOLD HIM ABOUT THE CRUCIFIXION AND THAT JESUS DIED FOR ALL MANKIND INCLUDING HIM. I ASKED JOEY IF HE WANTED TO ACCEPT JESUS INTO HIS HEART AND HE RESPONDED YES. I LED HIM TO ROMANS AND HE REPEATED THE SINNERS PRAYER. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!! CAN I GET A PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!! THE NEXT DAY HE EVEN BROUGHT THE NEW TESTAMENT ON STAGE!!!!!!! IS THAT AWESOME OR WHAT. PLEASE PRAY FOR JOEY AND HIS FIANCEE SHIRLEY.

YOU KNOW FOLKS ITS NOT OUR ABILITY THAT MATTERS ITS OUR AVAILIBITY. THIS WAS PROVEN OUT WHEN ON THE BUS TO MY APT I WAS TALK’N WITH A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO JUST RETURNED FROM ARGENTIA WHERE SHE HAD BEEN STUDYING SPANISH. YES YOU HEARD CHINESE STUDYING SPANISH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BUS STOPS AND ANOTHER YOUNG WOMAN PUSHES DOWN THE STAIRS AND ASKS ME FOR MY PHONE # AND SAYS HER HUSBAND AND HER WANT TO MEET ME. I GIVE HER MY # AND THE FOLLOWING FRINITE THEY INVITE ME OUT TO SUPPER. THE LORD DOESN’T WASTE TIME AND WAS CAUTIOUS AS TO WHAT I SAID. AFTER SUPPER I SAID I HAD A SERIOUS QUESTION ABOUT WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS AND THE HUSBAND (DAVID) TELLS ME A GOOD FRIEND OF HIS HAD GIVEN HIM A BIBLE IN COLLEGE AND THAT HE HAD READ PARTS EVEN ABOUT JESUS .I SHARED THE GOSPEL MESSAGE AND LEFT IT WITH THEM. DAVID AND MARGARET HAVEN’T RESPONDED YET SO PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THEM. WOW!JUST EXCHANGING PHONE #’SGOD IS AT WORK HERE BIGTIME.

THE NEXT WEEK I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO GO TO MY CHINESE FRIENDS HOME TOWN. YOU WILL REMEMBER , KEVIN , WINNY AND TONY FROM PREVIOUS BLOGS. WHAT AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!!!! FOOD! FOOD! AND MORE FOOD!!!!!! GOTA LOVE CHINA WITH 14-16 COURSE MEALS EVERY DAY FOR LUNCH AND SUPPER, FRIENDLY FACES ETC. BEST PART SHARED JESUS WITH TWO YOUNG MEN . THERE NAMES ARE SIMON AND CHARLIE SO PLEASE REMEMBER THEM IN PRAYER AS WELL.

MOST OF YOU KNOW JIM AND SHERRINE WHILE THE LORD SURE DOES AND I WAS IN CONTACT WITH THEM AND GUESS WHAT MY FRIENDS HOME TOWN ONLY ONE HOUR FROM SHERRINE’S. A STRANGE THING HAPPENED THOUGH, BECAUSE A DAY BEFORE I WAS TO GO THERE JIM WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH THE FLU. I TOLD SHERRINE I WOULD PRAY THAT HE WOULD RECOVER QUICKLY SINCE IT WAS SHERRINE’S MOM’S 60^TH BIRTHDAY ON  THURS THIS BE’N MONDAY. JIM RECOVERED AND WAS RELEASED WED NIGHT!!!!!!! WHEN I ARRIVED WE HAD ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE THE PARTY ,IN WHICH I GAVE GREETINGS FROM SARAH, AND SHARED ALL THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE THAT MONTH. AGAIN THE FOOD WAS SPECTACULAR!!!! THE ONLY DOWN SIDE OF SPRING FESTIVAL NO SLEEP FIREWORKS 24/7, BUT ITS AN AMAZING DISPLAY OF COLOURS , SCENERY,AND EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE.

AMAZING!!!!!!

 PRAISE THE LORD!! I’M SOOO HUMBLED TODAY BY OUR LORDS AWESOMENESS, HIS MERCY, AND GRACE. HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD OF HOSTS ISAIAH 6:3

      MANY OF YOU WILL REMEMBER SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I SHOWED JEREMY CAMPS VIDEO TO MY KOREAN STUDENTS AND GOT A GREAT REPONSE FROM THEM. WELL THROUGH MUCH PRAYER I BELIEVED THAT IF THE DOOR OPENED I WOULD GET A CHANCE TO SHOW IT TO THE CHINESE STUDENTS. AS IN EVERYTHING I DO HERE I ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION AND RECEIVED THE OK FROM BOTH DEPT HEADS OF JUNIOR 1 AND JUNIOR 2. THAT’S AMAZING IN ITS SELF. TODAY WAS THE REAL TEST BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL MY CLASS START WAS MOVED UP TO 7:40, 7:40 AM, WOW!!!!!!!!!! OF COURSE I WOKE UP EARLY NOT SLEPT IN TILL 7:15, QUICKLY GOT READY, SHAVED, BRUSHED TEETH, THANKFULLY WED IS MY DAY OF FASTING, GRABBED MY PC AND DISC, FRESH BOTTLE OF WATER, RAN MOST OF THE WAY, BUT PAUSED LONG ENOUGH TO PRAY THAT ALL WOULD GO WELL; ARRIVED WITH 5MIN TO SPARE , GOT TIM ONE OF THE BRILLIANT STUDENTS TO SET THINGS UP. AT FIRST THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMOTION AND NOISE LIKE MOST DAYS BUT THEN I JUST TOLD THEM TO SIT DOWN ; ALSO THE PRESENCE OF THERE CHINESE TEACHER MR. LUI I THINK  PLAYED A MAJOR PART. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE OTHER GUESTS FOR THIS CLASS, BUT NO ONE ELSE CAME IN. I WROTE ON THE BLACKBOARD SOME THINGS I WANTED THEM TO PICK OUT FROM THE VIDEO,THE ARTISTS NAME, THE TITLES OF THE SONGS, WORDS, INSTRUMENTS, NAMES OF PEOPLE PLAYING AND SINGING, STORY LINE FROM JEREMY’S TESTIMONY, I CALLED IT STORY LINE, AND THE STORY LINE FROM VIDEO I’LL TAKE YOU BACK. I HAD THEM WATCH THAT FIRST THEN ASKED THEM THE QUESTIONS. THE ROOM WAS VERY SILENT , THOUGHT THEY WEREN’T PAYING ATTENTION. I WROTE ON THE BOARD I’LL TAKE YOU AND TIM THANKFULLY ANSWERED, WITH BACK. I ASKED THEM THE STORY LINE , AND JANE ANSWERED SON AND FATHER, FIGHTING , SON LEAVES, WENDY THEN ADDS BUT HE CAME BACK, JANE HE LOVES HIS FATHER AND HIS FATHER LOVES HIM. IS THAT COOL OR WHAT. THEN I PUT ON THE LIVE VIDEO, PLAYED, JEREMYS STORY ABOUT HIS FIRST WIVES DEATH AND SUBSQUENT NEW WIFE , WALK BY FAITH, THEN RESTORED AND FINALLY THIS MAN. JUST BEFORE THIS MAN JEREMY INTRODUCES THE BAND MEMBERS AND WHAT THEY PLAY. AT THE END I ASKD THE STUDENTS FOR THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS WRITTEN ON THE BOARD. THEY STRUGGLED WITH TITLES, SO I WROTE PARCILE TITLES DOWN AND HAD THEM FILL IN THE BLANKS. LIKE WALK BY______ , RE________, THIS_______. THEY FIGURED OUT THE WORDS FAITH AND MAN , NOT BAD. THEN I ASKED THEM THE STORY LINE , MAX SAID HIS WIFE DIED , THIS BROUGHT A LITTLE CONFUSION BECAUSE THEY SAW HIS WIFE IN THE VIDEO(SECOND) SO I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. SO THEN I ASKED THEM ABOUT THE DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTS, WOWOWOW, HERES WHERE THEY SHINED ANSWERS WERE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE ROOM. I COULDN’T WRITE THEM QUICK ENOUGH. EVEN JAMES BLIRTED OUT WIRLLY, GUITAR, BASS GUITAR, PIANO, DRUMS, VIOLIN, NOT TO SHABBY I MUST SAY. OH I MIGHT ADD MR. LUI CAME UP AT THE END AND THANKED ME , SEE HE REALLY LIKES MUSIC.

I KNOW I KNOW HAS KONGDAO DISAPPEARED OFF THE CHINESE RADAR SCREEN AND CEASED TO EXSIST. WELL IN ANSWER TO THOSE OF YOU WHO THOUGHT THAT , HERE IS A REVIEW OF ALL THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE FINAL MONTH OF 2006.

Dec 1^st weekend NICF had the privilege to have Pastor John Mark Rene from Hong Kong , Lighthouse Ministries. He is originally from Montreal P.Q> YEAH!!!!!!!! CANADA. His testimony really showed the amazing Mercy and Grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Briefly as a teenager he was into everything illegal; drugs, alcohol, living with his young girl friend , having a child out of wedlock, crimes, eg. breaking and entering , carrying a weapon , serving time in prison as a result of these crimes. Talk about extreme makeover; from a long haired hippie to a clean cut very powerful man of God. He gave us (3) awesome messages; the first RELATIONSHIPS based on Jesus great commandment – LOVEONE ANOTHER LUKE 10:27.

John Mark called these THE PILLARS OF FELLOWSHIP

The second OVERCOME ANGER. Personally this was a follow-up to what I had experienced in the previous (3) years prior to coming to China. Briefly anger existed  from the beginning Gen 4 until the present day where alarming statistics in 1 in 7 Christian marriages show some type of physical violence. 269 times anger is described in the Bible. There are (2) forms, slow burning and exploding.

(7) STEPS HOW TO OVERCOME ANGER

      1)  treat anger as sin                               Prov 19:19

      2)  avoid contentions                              Prov 19:1,15:1 17:14,

      3)  place others on your level of importance

      4)  develop skills, speak the truth in love               Prov 16:23

      5)  repair the damage( cease from anger)               Ps 37:8                          

      6)  be quick to forgive                             Eph 4:26, 31, 32

      7)  spend time with God                            Is 26:20

      The third RESOLVING CONFLICTS  JAMES FARFIELD(5) STYLES

1)       withdraw

2)       win method

3)       yielding

4)       compromise

5)       resolve

       The highest value and toughest is resolve and Pastor Rene quoted many scriptures to back this method up.

      A few are as follows Prov14:17, 15:23,  10:19, 18:13, James 1:19,

       I believe the highlite of the weekend was when some of the leadership asked a few of us to join in Sunday morning pre-service prayer for Pastor Rene. The Spirit was so powerful some couldn’t even stay standing up. There were various prayers in tongues and we all felt light headed and agreed as we left the room that the Holy Spirit had truly visited us. This was only the beginning of what was to take place within the next 12 hours.

        As those of you who have followed my blog will remember I mentioned NICF would be one of several churches to take part in the first ever combined services in the Chinese church of Nanjing, called Mochou Lu. Also I said I had invited several people, amongst were 2 college students I had met while shopping, there names Helen and Fay and not only did they come they brought their professor and her young son. I should tell you that Mochou Lu is a very, very old and historical church without any form of heating. It’s a strange feeling sitting in church, all bundled up and seeing your breath. As I was sitting I looked around to see if any of my friends from NICF were behind us and a young woman smiled and greeted me, handed me her business card. I introduced myself and at the end of the service I introduced her to one of the young ladies from NICF, who’s name is Sue. A bit of humour goes with Sue because nobody at NICF knew where Tangshan was until she brought some photos in of my school where she had taught summer school. Anyways as I was saying I introduced Sue to this young woman who s name is Rita. Sue invited her to bible study the next week but said she would be away the following weekend. Rita said she would like to go to church the next Sunday so it left it to me to follow up. Remember she’s Chinese and can’t attend our church so Sunday came and I didn’t know if she would show; checked my text messages and sure enough she was go’n to be there. At the end of the service she told me she would like to purchase a Bible, so I introduced her to some ladies I know from St. Pauls; took her downstairs and she purchased a Chinese/English Bible. I told her to start reading in the Gospel of John and bring questions to the study the following week. She then told me that as a little girl her Grandma had read her Bible stories and told her about Jesus. When she was older and went to high school, then university she began to doubt her Grandma’s stories and stopped believing in Jesus. That night we were chatt’n on msn and a very strong conviction came over me and a voice in my conscience said this is the time don’t lose the opportunity. I said to Rita would you like to receive Jesus into your heart right now and she responded YES. I told her I would type scriptures and she could type her responses back and that Jesus would be our witness. It was totally awesome, leading her through Romans and when we came to 10:9 and she repeated the sinner’s prayer after me tears of joy flooded my soul. I asked her what she felt and she responded “I’m crying but they aren’t tears of sadness but of joy and release.” Who would of thought the net , msn to boot could be used for such an occasion as this ; but God knew. Since her conversion Rita has attended St. Pauls and even Mochou lu for a freezing Wed nite Bible study. Please continue to pray for her; she is go’n to come to our NICF Bible study next week. Can I hear a PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!

         Most of you know I’ve been teach’n my junior 1’s 3 songs for English Festival and also (12) students were learning the Christmas Story from Matt 2 :1-12. Before it can be preformed though it must pass the approval of the Head Director of the school. The date for her viewing was set for Dec 19^th 8 pm. It just so happens this would follow the day after I had the honour and privilege to kick-off English Festival.

         Back-up here a bit folks, NICF decided to go to Shanghai on the 15^th to take in the News Boys concert. I know, I know but I hadn’t seen them in 10 years and wanted to see if their witness was as powerful now as it was then. Just a few minor hurdles though as our private bus was leaving NICF at 1 pm. Fri. I don’t finish teach’n till 11:30; the school bus doesn’t leave until 12:30 . Panic right, nope , I just went into the school office and told Charlie by text I needed to be in Nanjing at PICC building for 1 pm. He put not 1 but 3 secretaries on it and within 45 min I was whisked away by private car , arriving at NICF (PICC) at 12:15; quick or what!!!!!! The concert “amazing”, leader Peter Fruller shared his personal and the bands testimonies . Ironic when you think about it; the Chinese nationalist are not allowed to attend our churches, but can attend a Christian concert.

            Monday the 18^th arrived where I had been asked to kick-off English Festival. It’s a period of little over a week where students (classes)  make posters with all writing in English.  There are English Competitions and a concluding party on the 28^th. I had to prepare a speech and address the entire teacher and student body, and Tamara would be translating it into Chinese. Oh Tamara is the other foreign teacher here, she’s quite smart, speaks English, Chinese and her native Russian; quite the challenge and a bit nerve racking as well. I wanted them to know why, what, when, and how I chose China to come too. I must say  a lot of prayer for wisdom and direction was needed. I won’t re-write my entire address, sighhhhhhhh from the masses. Highlites I wanted to break the ice so I first told them that I came from the land of ICE& SNOW C A N A D A  AT WHICH POINT I FLUNG MY COAT OPEN TO EXPOSE MY BRIGHT RED T-SHIRT WITH CANADA EMBOSSED ,it drew quite a loud response of laughter. I had asked previous to writing my speech if I could use certain words, like pray or prayer, at which I was told no problem this is a private school. I told them (students again) how it stuck in my heart when told by Rob Tucker(Teachall) that if we could teach our children to speak English we could teach Chinese children the same. I used the word pray and prayer several times, strangely Tamara didn’t have a word for it so she used ; get this “spoke to the Creator.” Is that awesome or what! She had to repeat it several times . I told them I prayed and my prayer was answered (3) years ago when I had the opportunity to go to Beijing and than to Changchun, where I sat in the class and left with the thought I can do this. Again I told them I prayed that I would get another opportunity to return to China and how (3) years later the chance came. I even told them that originally I wasn’t go’n to teach here but when I was about to fax my acceptance to another school , yup you know the rest.

          Monday evening a total of 40 students were chosen to form the choir from 60 junior 1’s. I had already picked (12) students for the story and PRAISE THE LORD all were picked for the choir. Tuesday nite arrived quickly, where the Head Director not only approved the performance but really enjoyed it , and was overly pleased that (12) students were memorizing their parts for the story TOTALLY AMAZING OR WHAT!!!!!!! Oh and to top it all off on three of the posters (3) of my students wrote the Christmas story (2) from Matt 2 and (1) from Luke 2. Oh by the way these posters are encased in glass on the outside walls of the school for all who pass by to see and read. Time is ticking away as English Festival Party draws closer and closer. Will the choir learn the songs and will the twelve memorize their parts? We only have one nite  for rehearsal Dec 26^th to iron out any flaws , get words right, choir with the music, not ahead or behind, movements finalized, parts in the right places; YIKES panic is about to sink in NOT  these kids are bright, intelligent, and enjoy challenges. They actually really surprised me in that not only had they learned all the words to the 3 songs but also the movements in the music, the cut offs, rise and fall etc.,impressive or what and as an added bonus the 12 had memorized their parts.

          BRAKES! We just went screaming past Christmas where I have to admit it was very strange, naturally because I wouldn’t be celebrating with family and friends. No snow , but you didn’t have any either; no tree NOT . I had an awesome tree, quick story, artificial of course, but really cool. You take it out of the box and the branches fall into place, NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED, then you just separate the main branches into 4-5 smaller ones. The biggest plus no lights required as the branches have different colours on their tips almost like a frosting. The base has about 20-30 holes on the top with a single light in the bottom middle which reflects the colours to the branches. Quite amazing! Then hang a few ornaments and presto you have your Christmas tree up and decorated in 25-30 minutes. The most awesome part the price. Walmart’s reg price 299y for the base, plus 152y for the tree adds to 451 right ; on sale Sat 23^rd only 100y. Is that a deal or what! Christmas Eve came back to school where I had been invited to 3 parties. My junior 1’s had separate parties while my junior 2’s combined theirs. I must say a ton of junk food was consumed, with songs , plays, skits, and games, absolute mayhem.; but it was a real blast! Christmas day wasn’t any different for me as I usually work it and no change here taught classes. At the end of my classes I was told to go to the school office that a package was there waiting for me. I had no idea what was in store for Christmas night. When I arrived at the office Charlie was there with a great big grin on his face like he had swallowed the canary. There in a bag was a suit, a bright red and shiny suit. You guessed it Santa Claus. I was told I would be Santa to over 30 classes, from Primary1- Junior 3. I probably haven’t dressed in a Santa suit since Jeremy was a baby and decided to do it up big; pillow the whole bit. You know even though its a make believe person, oh sorry you guys and dolls who still believe, it was totally amazing to see the smiles on the faces of the children when I entered each room. They mobbed me, wanting to hug, even kiss, giving Santa gifts. I must say I had and still have a large stash of candy. I can’t remember all the classes I visited but one sticks out; Primary 3 they had candles lit(not real) thank goodness, were singing songs, with Christmas music in the background. Even the Junior 3’s got a kick out of my get-up. Just in case you are wondering Primary is gr 1-6, Junior 7-9. Tuesday arrives and English Competition begins with Primary 6 (gr6) verses Junior 1(gr.7); I must say I was very impressed with the level of intelligence of the students. They competed on everything from English comprehension to Math problems. I must add here they were incredible in how fast they could solve the math questions, actually quicker then I could; but of course thats not saying much for me because I’m an English teacher. Anyways Junior 1’s pulled ahead in the last 15 minutes and won the Gold Cup.

           Finally the big day arrives Thurs 28^th English Festival Party or Celebration. I can’t remember all different acts that were on the program , but one thing for sure there is a lot of talent here. Both students and teachers performed, singing and dancing really quite incredible. A couple of the teachers got standing ovations with their awesome voices resounding in the aud./gym. Very very impressive to say the least. I would estimate they were at least 30 various programs and my choir were the lead act. The program was to start at 1:30 with everything set to run smoothly I thought until I realized I had no one to run my computer for the music since I would be up on stage directing. No problem, 12 noon , just have to put music together on a disc; panic office can’t figure it out; up steps Roger (Ram-Jet) from primary school. He has all the tools , so run to his office on the 3^rd floor, boom, bang, bam, thank you man.; then run back to the gym where they are beginning to panic with less than five minutes to show time. I stop , catch my breath, take a large gulp of water and assemble the choir on stage, quick test of the mics, cue the music, another deep breath and ahhhhhhhhh. The kids did a fantastic job, everyone said their lines right on cue, minor cliché in the music, but hey were not pros, but just imagine the entire school, teachers , directors, principals, ALL HEARD THE CHRISTMAS STORY. WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD! CAN I GET AN AMEN!!!!!! Oh and finally my choir were the only one’s in the entire performance to totally use English for their program

NOT FUNNY BUT FUNNY!

    Hey guess what I'm back ! No I didn't forget to do postings , the fact is that I couldn't ! For those of you I haven't chatted with in a week , hummmmmmmmm thats everyone . The short version all presonal computers at the school somehow got a virus and heres the funny part. I'm now totally Chinese , my computer and now my software. Some fun trying to translate everything to English. Enough on that .

     Exciting News!!!!!!! The English Dept head of the school asked me to teach my 2 junior classes Christmas songs for the up coming Christmas competitions here Dec 18th. I prayed before I went to ask him what it was all about and what I could use. I asked if it was alright to teach them a Christmas carol, along with ones most know. He said no problem, oh he's the teacher in my pic on my site page. He than told me that 2 students from each class must memorize something, so I chose The Christmas Story from The Bible Mat 2 and Luke 2 plus teach the rest Away in a Manger. Is that awesome or what!!!!!!!! Pray Pray Pray Iv'e got 3 wks comprised of only 6 & 7 classes , but the Good Lord worked thart out too. The students do homework everynight till 8:30 and Sammy gave me permission to teach them then as well. I'm excited to see what impact this will have.

    Also NICF is putting on a drama production in a large Chinese church next Sun 4-6, please pray that all who are invited lives will be changed and new souls will won to the Kingdom!!!!!!! Personally I've invited Kevin , Winny and Tonny., Charlie ,Tamara and hopefully others.

    Thats all for now , stay tuned for more exciting events in the life of Kongdao China!!!!!!!!