November 2007

Hello from China.

The weather is starting to cool, and the anticipation for the holiday season builds. I am finished with more than half of the fall semester, so there is plenty to look back upon.

Kyle with fiance Megan Hunt. They plan to marry in the summer of 2008.

The most exciting thing that has happened over the last few months is my engagement to another Amity teacher here in China. I met Megan during our training program in Vermont before our two years in China, and we have been together ever since. Although we do not live in the same city, we were blessed to be in the same region of China. At times I grumble during the seven-hour trips to visit, but it is great having this as an option. We will be getting married at the end of this summer in her home state of Michigan.

In other news, life here at the college is going well. Since this is my second year teaching I have enjoyed being able to use the experiences gained the first year to my benefit. I have often heard that your first year of teaching is the hardest, and I can attest to this. After learning from all of my mistakes last year I can now teach more confidently and with greater ease. This year I am teaching all oral English classes once again. This means that my mission inside the classroom is to get all 35 of my often shy students to use the English that they have learned. Topics that we have done recently have included: how to give a presentation, how to properly introduce yourself, American holidays, and small talk.

Grandfather taking two children home from school.

My favorite part of being a teacher here is the chance to meet the students and hear their stories. Most come from poor farming families, and they are the first ones to go to college. With so many students coming from such hard circumstances I hear a variety of uplifting stories in addition to a few heart breaking ones. One that I have recently heard is of a student who has excellent English and would be able to get a good job working in business in a developed city. Yet, they have chosen to go back to their hometown and work as a teacher, since there is such a high demand for qualified teachers. It is great to see a student like that setting aside a high-paying, prestigious position to serve their community instead.

This year I also have a new teaching partner, Tom. Amity sends teachers in pairs so that you can be encouraged and helped in often discouraging situations. My partner from last year has returned home to the Philippines, and replacing him is a new teacher from America. It has been a lot of fun getting to know him and being able to explore the city together. We are the only two English-speaking foreigners in our city. This carries many positives and negatives with it. On the plus side, people are always happy to see us and we are often greeted by “Hello” from children and grandparents alike. On the downside, however, is that it is hard, if not impossible, to blend in and simply be average. When you are shopping for groceries it can be hard to take having a group of people following you around the store since they are so curious to see what a foreigner looks like. I am glad to have someone else here with me to go through all of these strange and sometimes funny situations together.

Until next time, Zai Jian

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 244