Children

We continue each day to work with the kids and find that each day it becomes more difficult to think that in a week we will have to say goodbye to them. The children of the teachers that have come to China to teach English have touched our hearts and filled our days with a flurry of activity. Each of them brings their own personality to our class, which can make for some lively and entertaining conversation sometimes. Mom and I have 4 children in our class, ranging in age from 7 to 11. We call them the tweens. There is a class of preschoolers, that consists of 5 children, and then another class of 3 babies. Our team has been amazing and I have sat back many times and just watched how well they love the children. I cannot imagine what it would be like as a parent to come into a strange country and drop my children off with a group of total strangers, trusting that they will take good care of them. It would be so difficult, yet these parents are so appreciative of the work that we are doing. Every time they thank us I think to myself that I should be thanking them for trusting us and allowing us to love their children. We have had some incredible conversations within our class about the fears and excitement that each child has about being in China. So many of them really understand the purpose for which their parents are here and are eager to help them. I had one little boy tell me today that I was one of the best teachers he has ever had, mind you he is homeschooled and hasn't had many teachers. I was still so touched that he would say that to me. He reminds me so much of my Josiah and makes me a bit more homesick for my kids.
Tomorrow we head off to visit the Great Wall. I am eager to see the incredible land mark, but more excited for the toboggan that I get to take back down to the bottom of the wall. I had no idea that you could take a toboggan down to the bottom of the wall. It will make climbing all those steps completely worth it. I am sure that I will have many exciting stories about our adventure on the wall. I have been told that there are only squatty potties at the Wall, so I must remember to use the restroom before I leave. I am not a huge fan of the squatty potty.
Continue to hold us up to our Father. We are feeling the thoughts of so many saints and cannot even begin to express our gratitude. I am told to tell everyone that we miss you all and are eager to see you and share more of our story.
Lisa