Students Going to America!?!?
During this time of year, we usually meet with school officials to host teams from America and plan their cross-cultural experience. However, this past week we have done the opposite. We have had a pivotal moment in the history of our 10+ year relationship with this university by creating a program to send our SE Asia university students to Texas to make it a true “cross-cultural” experience for everyone.
Our week was full of meetings with school officials to work out the logistics of this new pilot program as well as interviews with interested students for four open positions. The overall goal is for these students to spend time in America to practice their English with native speakers, learn about a different culture and history, and most importantly spend utmost quality time with their host family. Living “real life” with these families is key to their experience.
With the week kicking off to a great start, the only way to keep this up was by meeting our oldest, dearest friend, his family, and some other close friends for dinner. We went to our favorite teahouse and enjoyed a wonderful hot pot. It was a long night of reconnecting, laughter, toasting, and overall a great time to talk about everyone’s holiday.
To cap off the week, we went on a ride into the surrounding hills and villages to explore. We have found a great crag (our climbing spot) where we have discovered some bones and teeth. It has been a lot of fun admiring Father’s creation outdoors. We came across an active Buddhist nunnery temple… not sure what the formal name is for a temple full of Buddhist nuns, or bhikkuni as they are called; and yes the term “nun” is applicable to many females in religious communities.
While at the temple, we watched these women perform their daily rituals of singing prayers from their books while ringing bells and gongs. Our hearts were heavily burdened for these women as we observed how entrenched they were into darkness. We pryed over the compound/grounds and asked Father to move in a mighty way. We plan on revisiting this temple again in hopes to do more pryer walking.
We are thankful for everyone who continues to Pr for us and His work. Here is what we are thankful for and some answered Pr's:
- A break from the hot weather... it has been in the 90's. We are finally getting rain, and temps in the 60's
- Acceptance for students to go to America for a cultural exchange
- Host families have already volunteered to be parents to the students
- For Father’s provision for this month’s needs!
As for this coming week, here is our agenda and Pr Requests:
- Our village cell trainings will resume. We are excited to see S3 and our translator after a long holiday!
- We will be shopping for the requested supplies from the orphanage/nursing home in preparation to deliver in a couple of weeks!
- Meetings with school officials in preparation to host our Extreme Team of American college students this summer. Working on visa logistics and schedules for their time in our country.
- Focused time on building a schedule for the students going to America
- Starting back with our weekly student dinners
- Diving back into language classes
- Pr Request: We are planning to meet with our teaching translator this week to discuss the impact of translation for one of our minority groups. We ask for guidance and peace as we seek the Father for His wisdom and direction.
- Pr Request: For Chris to overcome a minor sinus infection and stomach bug
- Pr Request: For Becky to get over an infection
- Pr Request: For Chris and Becky as they continue to meet with school officials about summer teams
