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posted by Donald on 09/4/08

Praise the Lord.
Tomorrow we will have been here one week. It seems much more like a month because of the many new people we have met here. We are near Ping Tung city and not far from Taiwan’s southern tip.
Our team consists of Wes and Juliana; Joanna, Kara, Hannah and Sarah; Austin and I. It’s quite a smaller team than last year bit it is large enough. We already have plans for each of our English classrooms roughed out. We’ve also started to get to know the teachers here at the host school. Vanessa is our main contact person; Principle Chen and her sister are our hosts and we’ve begun to get familiar with the English and sports teachers as well as students.
It’s great to be a part of the new work here and see the spirit the Lord has granted us as a team. As different situations come up, “Yee-ha” is one of the dry-homor-reactions that I’ve heard from Wes a lot as so many things come up and changes occur. I appreciate your overcomer’s attitude brother! Today is His birthday by the way! We enjoyed teaching a test run for each class, playing basketball with the teachers afterward and talking to students.
“But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power …” (Revelation 2:25-26).

1 Comment » | posted in Family News

posted by Donald on 07/17/08

When we first began the work here, the opportunity was announced that schools in the area were looking for native speakers to teach at various public schools once a week. I decided to decline but stayed in reserves. Then one day reserves were needed and, fairly early last fall, I started another year of English teaching!
My school was She Zih Elementary School in Sinwu, near the west coast. Event though it wasn’t my primary teaching responsibility, I enjoyed every Tuesday there. It was good to revive my old TESL skills and gradually begin to get to know the students. I taught 6th, 4th, 2nd and, later, 1st grade. Altogether there were about ninety expectant young faces–each one with their own personality–teaching me as the teacher how to hone my teaching skills.
During the breaks we often had time to play basketball and talk. Lunchtime, with the staff was memorable and it was an honor to spend time each day with Director Liou and Katherine, the head English Teacher. Truly Tuesdays at She Zih Elementary School were a highlight in our week.
Then, all at once the year was over.
June 18 was graduation day for my 6th grade class. Many in the class had attended school there for six years. At supper I had the chance to meet a few people from the parent support group, then during our last walk around the school grounds God provided a beautiful sunset. But what left a most lasting impression was when the time came for recognizing faithful attendance. Four students, Stephen, Jack, Charlotte and Peter, had never missed a day of school in six years.
I should add here that, in Taiwan, not only do children come to school five days a week but many spend overtime trying to improve their education at school, with tutors, or at evening cram schools (which are incredibly popular).
It hasn’t really sunk in what it means for them to spend so much of their early life in school. As for me I could hardly believe how strong our friendship had become in only nine months, teaching only one day a week. As you may remember, being able to build a relationship with the 6th-graders was something I asked prayer for last fall. Not only was that prayer request answered but the Lord has broadened my perspective and enlarged my heart in a great way. I caught a glimpse of a student’s daily life and what a huge part of their lives can be impacted through wise teaching. Now I look back not only over the past year but over the past eight or nine years–and I suddenly have no regrets about spending a fair piece of it with young students–at school, teaching English as a second language. It has enabled me to say that I know to a small degree their feelings. That is a dear qualification. It’s a qualification I couldn’t have gotten exept through the course God designed for me.
It’s been a worthwhile year! I appreciate all the teachers and staff at She Zih, IBLP, King Car and the Taoyuan Government administration, and most of all I appreciate the Lord the Master Teacher Who is so creative and patient with me in my education.

3 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by Donald on 07/11/08

Thanks to everyone for their participation. I’m glad that I could be a part of your celebration this year even if it did come from afar and necessitate a week of suspense. After all, the role of a teacher is to raise questions before answering them right? So, the points of interest …
1. July 4 became an official national holiday in 1941. (Answer D) Of course it was celebrated before but it took till 1941 to officially become a holiday–believe it or not.
2. July 4 is the date on which new stars were added to the flag for new states that had entered the Union. (True)
3. All of the following are flag-flying days: Christmas, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. (A, B, C and D)
4. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark had the honor of celebrating the first Fourth of July west of the Mississippi. (B)
5. Almost all our fireworks (as well as American flags!) come from China. Their “pyrotechnic mixtures” date back to the 11th century.
6. In the production of fireworks, sodium is used to create green or yellow, lithium is used for red and copper actually helps make blue!
7. This year, Iowa was responsible for producing most of the United States’ hot dogs and sausages. (C)
8. Last year California produced about 75% of the country’s lettuce and a full 96% of the country’s processed tomato products which would include ketchup.
9. Yes, according to tradition, the Liberty Bell cracked when it tolled the death of Chief Justice John Marshall not long after sixty years of use. It’s first two versions were defective and would not have lasted even that long. Today the Liberty Bell is tapped rather than rung on the Fourth.
10, 11. The Bald Eagle does live only in North American and acquires it’s white head at about five years of age. (True, C)
12. Since 1776 the US population has grown from about 2.5 to 304 million. (D) “In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince” (Proverbs 14:28).
13. Virginia is called the Mother of Presidents: seven of her first twelve presidents were born there–Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Harrison, Tyler and Taylor. Woodrow Wilson also came from this state.
14. Three of our presidents passed away on July 4th, Adams and Jefferson within hours of one another on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration. As a matter of fact, Adams and Jefferson were the only signers of the Declaration that later became president.
15. According to records kept by Jefferson, the weather during July 4, 1776 was in the 70’s. (C)
16. The Declaration of Independence begins with “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another . . .” (When)
17. God alone can judge men’s hearts. Jefferson and Franklin were more outspoken in their views than most of the other signers of the Declaration (and are thus quoted more often at present) and while John Adams seemed to turn away from the God of the Bible later in life, founding father James Wilson’s faith could also be questioned. Nominal religion aside, God used them as in the case of Franklin’s bringing the Constitutional Convention to prayer in it’s deliberations, reminding them that if God cared for the least of sparrows, He would care also for the fledgling nation.
18. Reagan was one who believed that “We are a nation under God”. This quote is taken from January 201 981.
19, 20. It says something about the nature of the Republic when Britain, our former adversary, has become our 6th-closest partner in international trade. Also, from statistics for 2003, but for Japan it was also the nation which sent America the greatest number of tourists.
Last but not least (drumroll please), the frame of the Statue of Liberty was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who engineered the Eiffel Tower.

1 Comment » | posted in Historical Glimpses

posted by Donald on 07/4/08

Before reading too much further, grab a pen or pencil and some note paper. As you think back to one of history’s most climactic days, jot down your best guess for the following 20 questions. Check back next week for the answers and have a memorable Fourth!

1. July 4 became an official national holiday in what year?
A. 1641 B. 1741 C. 1841 D.1941
2. True or False: July 4 is the date on which new stars were added to the flag for new states entering the Union.
3. Which of the following are flag-flying days?
A. Christmas B. Memorial Day C. Thanksgiving D. New Year’s Day
4. Who had the honor of celebrating the first Fourth of July west of the Mississippi River?
A. Wild Bill Hitchcok B. Meriwether Lewis & William Clark C. Davy Crockett
5. Almost all the fireworks on sale for July 4 in the United States come from what country?
6. In the production of fireworks, sodium is used to create what color?
7. Which state, this year, will be responsible for producing most of the hot dogs and sausages consumed on the fourth of July?
A. Alaska B. Missouri C. Iowa D. North Carolina
8. Which state, in 2007, produced 75% of the country’s lettuce and 96% of the country’s processed tomato products including ketchup?
9. True or False: According to tradition, the Liberty Bell cracked in 1835 when it tolled the death of Chief Justice John Marshall.
10. True or False: The Bald Eagle lives only on the North American continent.
11. At what approximate age does the Bald Eagle acquire it’s “bald” white head?
A. While fledging B. At two years C. At 5 years D. At 10 years
12. Since 1776 the US population has increase from about 2.5 million to ______ million.
A. 100 B. 200 C. 300 D. Over 300
13. True or False: Seven of the first twelve presidents were born in Virginia.
14. True or False: Three of our presidents passed away on July 4th.
15. The weather during July 4, 1776 was …
A. Unseasonably cold? B. Hot and muggy? C. In the 70’s?
16. Do you know the first word in the Declaration of Independence? ((Hint: It is not ‘We’))
17. Two Founding Fathers openly denied the Christianity of the Bible. Who were they?
18. What recent president said “We are a nation under God”?
19. What nation has become our 6th-closest partner in international trade?
20. Which two nations have the most tourists in the United States?
Bonus
The iron frame of the Statue of Liberty was designed but what famous engineer?

2 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses

posted by Donald on 06/19/08

“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

This is one more reason I’ve come to appreciate the Mega International Commercial Bank. Not only have they made the classroom banking scenario here at the school as realistic as possible, but in all actuality they have been more than willing to help us, as teachers, with our banking transactions! I don’t think I’m alone in saying that their service for us, newcomers as we were, was handled both with ease and kindness.

With twenty-seven international branches and over one hundred domestic ones, the Megabank has grown to serve many around the world. Besides experience in Law, Accounting and Economy, English is one of the top skills needed to qualify for working on staff. It was also interesting for me to learn that with all Taiwan’s exports and imports some transactions take a month to process.

On a courtesy visit to the head office in Taipei, I had the opportunity to see the team working there, take some photographs in the foreign department and have a special lunch with my hosts. Thank you for sharing in our love for children and particularly the students in Taiwan who have displayed so much eagerness to learn! It’s been our honor to serve here with you this year.

4 Comments » | posted in Family News, Tidbits