Time with new Chinese students and Brothers from previous trips.

Dear Family and Friends

 

China has been totally amazing and more than we expected.

 

Yesterday, we traveled on the bus to the university. There met up with a smaller junior class and hung out with them all day. They spoke much better English than the students yesterday, which led to more productive conversations where we could really get to know them. We visited one structured English class in the morning and then went back to the coffee shop on campus to eat more frozen yogurt with the Chinese students. Most of our time with them is just open conversation where we can share about ourselves and our families. The photo albums that we brought are great conversation starters. While we talk with all the students, our goal is to find a few that we really connect with and focus on building a good relationship with them.

 

At the coffee shop, we sat with the students that we were focusing on, ate snacks with them, and had good conversation. Throughout our trip, we have noticed a large amount of interest in the NBA and basketball as a whole (they always ask if we know Yao Ming). There are always pickup games going on when we walk through the old campus. A few of us walked over to 'indoor' basketball courts on the new campus with some of the students and had a really great time playing with them. Even the girls at the university have taken an interest in basketball, maybe more so than the guys. Things like playing basketball have been great tools to grow closer with some of the students, while having fun at the same time.

 

When it's time to leave, all the students gather around the bus and wave goodbye to us. We went back to the old campus across from our hotel to eat dinner as we do every night.  After that we talked and spent time with our Chinese Brothers, Bruce, Gary, and Davie.  The girls also spent time with a new friend Jemi. 

 

This morning, we woke up early and did a walk around the campus at 6 am thinking of the students we will meet today and for our conversations. We thought of the hearts of the students that we come into contact with and that we would have the right words to say to them. After that we have our normal meeting at 7 am, breakfast at 8 am, and then board the bus at 9 am and head to the new campus which is about 1 hour away.  We usually stay there until 4 or 5 pm meeting with students. Supper is always at 6 pm and we invite anybody we meet to have dinner with us. Dinner time has been an awesome time of bonding for the team.

 

Much Love from China,

 

Sarah and Hunter