August 29, 2005

Dear Friends,

Well, for my first newsletter, I’m not really sure that I have that much wisdom to share. No groundbreaking insights have occured to me, nor do I feel that I have had any particularly amusing or enlightening experiences in my brief time here in China. Rather, I feel I have had what might be described as a “gradual learning experience.” I have not had any big epiphanies, but I certainly feel that I have learned a few things in these last four weeks.

One of the most interesting things about my Amity training experience was the challenge of intercultural communication. For one thing, I have learned to communicate what I need twice. I don’t assume the other person understands the first time, so I say things twice, asking the other person to paraphrase what I said. I use this technique not only with native Chinese speakers, but with native English speakers as well. It is easier to become frustrated with another English speaker than with a Chinese person. I expect a non-English speaker not to understand my way of thinking. It is harder to remember that other English speakers may be from different cultures as well—or have different expectations from co-workers, roommates, or friends.
Attitudes among us native English-speakers towards our jobs as teachers, our expectations from our schools, and our ideas of what worship should be were very different, and exploring the differences occasionally led to conflict. Most of the time, though, it gave way to a deeper understanding of how we viewed ourselves as teachers and as children of God. I walked away from my Amity training not only full of new and different teaching ideas, but also grateful to have made so many new friends from different backgrounds. Not only do I know that I am able to call on them when I need support, but that they will most likely see any problems that I have from a different angle, and offer solutions I would never think to try. The diversity of the teachers and staff involved in this program offers a few challenges to intercultural communication, but once the battier is broken, what a rich experience it is! I am hopeful that a similar barrier can be broken with my Chinese students and collegues over time, and I am anxious to see the results of that labor.

Of course, it is not only with other people that barriers can be broken. I am discovering new aspects of my personality, some I like, some I don’t. I have discovered that I can be easily satisfied by small things: a good bowl of noodles, finding a store that sells something I need, or a short dinner conversation with a young boy in Chinese that I can understand. Such simple pleasures are often enough to perk me up for a few hours at a time. In contrast, I often worry about money, whether I will be a good teacher, and whether I will ever be able to understand Chinese well enough to be considered fluent. Then the words of Jesus come back to me: “Therefore do not worry, saying ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousnes, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6: 31-33).

With as much kindness and patience as I have been shown by the Chinese people, and as well as things have turned out so far, you might think I would have learned to trust a little better, but the answer is no. I still get nervous and anxious, and so thank goodness that God is always here, reminding me gently from the Bible at my bedside table that I am now, and always have been, His precious child. My needs are provided before I even ask. Perhaps one day on this journey, that worry will be another barrier that can be knocked down for good. Whether it comes down or not, I will always have the Word beside my bed, ready to remind me not to worry about the barriers in my life here on this earth, the barriers between myself and others, or even the barriers between myself and God. I am to strive first for the His kingdom, and allow my words and actions wherever I am to be the communication across the cultural divides. May God continue to bless me and the people I encounter here, and may God bless you all back home who pray for us here.

Sincerely,

Rae