Surviving or Thriving

Three weeks.  I have been in China for THREE WEEKS.  YIKES.  In some ways it feels as if I have been here forever, yet, I can't believe I have been here this long.  Most of my time has been spent on preparing for school.  We have had 6 days of school so far, and it has been so good and so challenging.  I feel like I mess it up every day, but it is getting better and I am learning...slowly, but I am learning.  I am being stretched to the max, but I know that God is refining and shaping me to not only be a better teacher, but to become more like Him.  When you are taken out of your comfort zone, in every way, it brings out the best and unfortunately, the worst, but God is faithful.

The view from my apartment balcony, at a rare moment when the sky is blue and not grey!

Rice for days....

two of my students- sweethearts- blessed to teach them.  they have my heart already.

Each day has its own little trials, whether it be as little as not being able to figure out how to make a meal, or getting stuck somewhere because you tried to go one place and ended up another, or that one student that refuses to listen and distracts the whole class.... each day it is some kind of challenge, but God's grace has been and will continue to be sufficient, and my little trials pale in comparison to the glory that is to be revealed.  

Week 1 of teaching was in total survival mode.  It was crazy and exhausting.  I don't want to just survive here though, that's not what I'm called to- I want to thrive in this position, I want to give these students all that I have, and I want to be used of God.  I pray that each day I have a passionate desire to impact these children's lives for eternity and not just complete a task.  And I pray for the strength to give them my all.  

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Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.  I'm realizing more and more how much I need  it from fellow brothers and sisters, and how any strength I have is truly from Christ.