Hot

Here we are on the last day of August. Temps are finally cooling off and comfortable with a high of 85 today. In Changsha it's not a realistic goal to 'beat the heat' but you can 'compete with the heat'. So here's how we avoided heatstroke and dehydration without AC summer 2011.

First, cut off all your winter hair.

Second, wear short skirts.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the guys who have to wear knee-length thick shorts with another pair of boxer shorts / briefs underneath.

If you are a baby, forget that awful diaper and wear split pants!

Fourth, get yourself in water. Pool, beach, bathtub, sprinkler. You'll feel so much better.

Fifth, invest in a bamboo sleeping mat. Before bed take a cold shower and get onto your bamboo mat wet, turn on the fan and try to fall asleep while you still feel cool. If you wake up sweating and so hot you can't sleep, go rinse with cold water again and get back on the mat. (Did this many times this summer.) You can also put your sleeping garment or pillowcase in the freezer, and pull it out for hot night use.

Hot Romance Tip: Since it's impossible to snuggle with your spouse in this heat, touch just one toe with his toe to let him know you still love him.

(Here we have a manchild demonstrating improper use of the bamboo mat and sweating all over my pillows.)

Finally, eat ice cream novelties once or twice per day. Or make something a little more nutritious by chopping up a variety of very ripe fruits and stuffing the mix into popsicle molds. It tastes delish and it's so simple: 100% fruit!

Window

Guest Post by Louise

Half way between the fifth and sixth floors of Drew and Rachel’s apartment building is a landing, where you can stop with me to rest and look out the window. Then we can walk up the last 10 stairs to their front door and we’ll be home.

Eyes to see the world…

Focus not on the window frame, the broken glass, or the old straw broom in the corner.

Focus not on the dirt, the heat, or the peeling paint.

See the people….

But don’t only look through the window –

Walk down the stairs and enter the world.

Know the people that live in your world.

Serve them, talk with them, walk with them, love them.

All because you love Him, and that is what He would do.

Now we are ready to make it up the last flight of stairs. You’ll love being with Drew and Rachel in their home, and seeing this wonderful apartment, so miraculously provided. Here is some of what you’ll see as you sit on the Chinese wooden furniture.

• Blue living room walls and Tuscan orange dining area walls, contrasting white crown molding
• Shiny wood floors
• Boys’ room with a tree painted on the wall and clocks in three time zones
• Squatty potty and shower bathroom
• Tiny kitchen full of good smells from Rachel’s wok cooking
• Stand-up computer station in the corner of the living room, where emails are checked and blogs are written
• Drew and Rachel’s lavender and yellow bedroom with old window frames on the walls

Don’t get too comfortable, because soon we’ll be heading down the stairs again and out the front gate. Want to come?

- Louise

Hugs for Garcias

How bout some captions. Clockwise:

"Preschool student & Grad student"

"Classic front-step 1st day of school photo - We have 98 front steps"

"Preschool ID badge"

"Thanks Drewbs for taking our pic!"

Done with captions. Check out the school:

Preschool began on Thursday. Just like last spring, 艾泰德＊ is in class 8am - 11:30am Monday through Friday. He eats (2nd) breakfast and lunch at school. It takes us about ten minutes to walk there from our home. Today he did fine! 艾泰德's class has 37 students and three, sometimes four, teachers. The school is excellent; I am so impressed. No wonder it's pretty expensive. Gah. But the TREES! Isn't the schoolyard incredible?

Anyway, If I ever move back to the States, I'm going to HUG all the non-English speaking parents of students.

And why...

Two days before school started Titus, Mike and I went to a class orientation meeting. Not only was I the only guardian with two kids there, I was the only non-Chinese, the youngest mom and definitely the most confused. It's really humbling not being able to understand all that your kiddo's preschool teacher is saying, even simple instructions. We played a game resembling 'Simon says' ... wow. I made really good use of my peripheral vision, mimicking the parents and kids around me because I was clueless!

After the meeting all the guardians were asked to fill out a basic questionnaire about their child's abilities. To what extent can he use the toilet by himself? To what extend can he feed himself lunch? etc. This went ok, but when I arrived at the section "Please write a paragraph describing your child's 1) temperament and 2) hobbies" I was doomed. Then there was a behavior checklist that left me entirely bemused. The kind teacher had to read it aloud to me.
As I was saying, very humbling.

And pretty amusing!

So you can see why my mind is flashing back to high school, recalling Jose's parents cowering in the corner at school events. Mr. & Mrs. Garcia, now I understand!!!

＊艾泰德 Ai Tai-de = Titus

Not Two, Four

Guest Post by Louise

It’s a new place for Drew, Rachel, Titus and Michael - new neighborhood, buses, vegetable markets, night shopping, restaurants, parks, schools and more. But the same objective – show compassion, value individuals, embrace the culture, nurture relationships, allow hearts and Chinese words to communicate the message, love neighbors and bring them Home.

Where they walk, ride buses, and live daily- here is a sample of what happens.

#1

Walking on a side city street with lots of people out, we come across a Chinese family selling drinks and snacks out of their garage stall-like home.

Titus says (in Chinese), “I need to go to the bathroom!”

They also have little ones walking about. Rachel asks if they have a toilet and she Titus are immediately welcomed and ushered into the back of their home. Drew buys cold drinks for the rest of us, trying to reciprocate for the bathroom use, and allowing their service to provide for our need – cool drinks on a very hot summer day.

#2

Families gather at the university commons park in the evenings. Fish circle the pond, doing their laps for food. Large open grass spaces contrast with dirty, crowded streets and hot, confined rooms. Children play and run. Adults smile and watch, talking and enjoying being in community. Michael (Mai-Mai) crawls into a small stroller seat left unoccupied by a cute one year-old Chinese girl. She starts pushing Michael! All the adults laugh and snap photos!

#3

For lunch, we sample the cuisine of China’s northwestern minority – the Muslim Uighur people. The waitress’ little son Ma Wei comes to the table to meet Titus. Later, two cold treats are purchased – one for Titus and one for his friend. Outside the restaurant, Titus struggles to open the treat. Ma Wei snatches it away and runs inside. Oh wait! He’s opening it for Titus and quickly brings it back with a smile on his face! Later that day, we are night shopping with Rachel and walk into a shop next to the restaurant. Excitement! Chinese conversation! As his mother and father work hard at the restaurant, Ma Wei has wandered into this women’s clothing store.

“Where is Titus?” he asks.

Rachel explains, “He is home sleeping”.

#4

Here we are again, riding the bus across town. Bumpy, hot, noisy, full of people….Michael is sitting in his stroller, his little hand reaching out to a fellow passenger and a slow, sweet smile crossing over his face, as his eyes meet this ‘Uncle’. ‘Uncle’ smiles in return. Love is a gift that has been shared.

As the Nai-Nai (Grandma), I could share with you so many more vignettes of these small love gifts that pass from two little boys in the context of family life to each other and their Chinese neighbors, softening hearts and opening a way for Drew and Rachel, and what they have to share.

As you lift them up – remember four not merely two. Give thanks for precious sons, the purpose in their little lives even now and the men they will someday become. Thanks for listening to a Nai-Nai’s heart.

- Louise

Mind Convoluted

Three ladies came over for an encouragement visit last week.

Rach: There's something else, please uplift this: One of our friends is a migrant worker, only 18, and alone in Changsha. She called me to say she's pregnant and needs our help. We want to help her in an unlimited, radical way, but I get the feeling she merely wants cash for an abortion...

Lady 1: Just tell her the Good News! You have to start there!

Lady 2: Oh...tisk...18? Yeah, she has no way...that's best [get an abortion].

Lady 3: Actully, I've been thinking about adopting a baby because I can't have my own. I will take care of her baby. And here's 200 kuai, give it to her for her needs.

Not passing judgment on any response represented in the spectrum of advice here. Purely replaying a clip from life. Sometimes I get deluged in troubles. Mind convoluted, confused; spirit anxious, I have no idea how to handle these things. Lives at risk and the clock is ticking.

p.s. You caught me. I don't know how to say 'radical' in Chinese. That's what I would have said if I was able. You could say that my script was dramatized for blogspot, based on a true story, or loosely translated...

Well here it is, props to nciku.com -- radical -- 根本的 -- gen ben de. Do correct me if I'm wrong.

Trio (and Titus)

The Trio -- Dad Jon, Sister Jen and Mom Louise -- are on the plane back to the USA right now. Though we only had a short two weeks together, it was quality time.

The Trio was ready to help out with certain initiatives and hang out with our friends. Though they can't speak Chinese, have limited cultural understanding, and the time was short, I saw Dad Jon's, Sister Jen's and Mom Louise's spiritual gifts at work.

But I'd rather have them tell you about it. They don't know this yet -- since they're flying over the Pacific rim and all -- but I'm going to ask them to recount something meaningful about their time in Changsha and post it for you here. I know you'll find their perspective especially compelling. Once their jetlag wears off, check back to see if The Trio will come through on my request.

Addingtons in Asia

Gotta tell you about our week!

Started off on little Cheng Chau island with some Addingtons - Dad, Mom, Paul & Jennifer.

We were welcomed to this wonderful little home called Bethany House -- established especially for workers who don't have lots of bucks and sometimes need a little boost. Very kind and caring folks run the place.

Lovely beach. Wish we had more time for the sand, water, waves and wonderfulness.

A couple days and we were off!

Of course we patronized the famous Star Ferry, trademark of the harbour.

(Please note my British English.)

Back in Hong Kong city we stomped around some of Dad's old stompin grounds.

His formative years were lived right here!

Next week this guy (white tshirt) is moving in with my parents! (Mike & Jen)

This year they decided to host a Chinese high school student.

Hong Kong to hobby farm. Good luck, Elton!

On the way back to Changsha we stopped in Dongguan to see Drew's best buddy.

Miss him so much.

His mama was there too.

Took an overnight train back to Changsha.

Proud of Dad, Mom & Jen's willingness to try new things.

Like, sleeping in open triple bunks with strangers on an overnight train in China.

Well here we are back where we belong.

Dad, Mom & Jen in our home for the first time!!!

Sunday morning fellowshippin with the extended Family.

Playing around at home.

It's the most essential activity while we have Ye-ye, Nai-nai and Gu-gu with us.