No, we're not forcing them to do anything.
On Friday night we had a banquet where we met the FORCE Students --- this year's freshman who have been selected for a very special scholarship.
Some businesman, a like-minded guy from Hong Kong, decided that he wanted to reach out to needy college students in mainland China. He founded a scholarship program to benefit students who have financial need and leadership potential.
He asked our company if we could identify the recipients through an application and interview process. The stories are devastating. You would never know that this girl grew up in an orphanage, or that guy's family has no money because of his dad's medical bills.
The students, ten at our university, each have a sponsor who puts them through college. The sponsors (also like-minded people) encourage the students by keeping in touch. Each student develops his/her leadership skills through community service. We keep special office hours just for the FORCE students, so they can come in to talk or get help with English homework.
It was a blessing to meet these incredible young people, so polite and mature. So burdened by their circumstances but determined to overcome! We're looking forward to spending time with them.
- Drew, Rachel, Titus & baby
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Down by The River
Last weekend we had visitors, and we took them for a walk along our lovely Xiang Jiang River (Sweet-smelling River). The name is a misnomer, but the weather couldn't have been better! October 30th, I think, and we were all in shorts and t-shirts, even Titus.
Just the Little Guy
The pictures you see here are from our new favorite place to play, the basketball courts and abandoned volleyball courts behind our apartment. We had a cold snap this week, so Titus got to sport his adorable winter hat.
Some special moments from this week:
I taught Titus that it's nice to kiss Daddy. We were all playing around on the floor one morning. I demonstrated how the kisser presses their lips on the kissed person's lips. Titus watched carefully and then planted his non-puckered lips squarely on Daddy's. We took turns kissing Drew like two times and then Titus lost interest. I guess he thought kissing wasn't that great. But it was sweet.
Titus likes climbing and descending steps and benches. It's pretty cute: when he wants to go down some steps, he scuttles over to the nearest grown-up, grabs her hand, and leads her over to the steps so she can help him down. Cute and smart.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wonder
This afternoon I (Rachel) went to the Alpha-course-like meeting at the local Chinese fellowship. In our small group discussion, I met a new friend. She had such kind words of wisdom and truth to speak in response to the questions and challenges posed in our group. Her sweet spirit put me at ease. Tonight she called me and we agreed, we'd like to become friends.
It has been my dream to have a good friend and sister here. I think I could learn a lot from her. I'm really peaceful and hopeful tonight, and in wonder of the one.
Actually, at that meeting today I was completely in awe thinking about how many years Drew & I have been lifting and preparing to be here. Thinking about all the people who have uplifted us, encouraged us, and financially supported us. Thinking about all those back in the US and other places of the world who have been uplifting China for hundreds of years.
And today I got to sit right in the middle of a meeting that evidences how those requests are being answered. He was there today, moving.
We really cannot imagine the ways he works, and we don't even know it. Yesterday a China-experienced couple came to visit and encourage us in our marriage and family. The wife was telling me that back when they lived in southern China, she often visited the poor peasants, bringing them food. She couldn't speak a word of their countryside dialect. Later on she had a chance to bring a translator and she planned to share the word of hope with them. But they already knew. The peasants said that every time she came to visit, there were two people. The other person was him.
He is moving through you and me in ways that we don't know. And our lifting is effectual.
Goodnight,
Rachel
It has been my dream to have a good friend and sister here. I think I could learn a lot from her. I'm really peaceful and hopeful tonight, and in wonder of the one.
Actually, at that meeting today I was completely in awe thinking about how many years Drew & I have been lifting and preparing to be here. Thinking about all the people who have uplifted us, encouraged us, and financially supported us. Thinking about all those back in the US and other places of the world who have been uplifting China for hundreds of years.
And today I got to sit right in the middle of a meeting that evidences how those requests are being answered. He was there today, moving.
We really cannot imagine the ways he works, and we don't even know it. Yesterday a China-experienced couple came to visit and encourage us in our marriage and family. The wife was telling me that back when they lived in southern China, she often visited the poor peasants, bringing them food. She couldn't speak a word of their countryside dialect. Later on she had a chance to bring a translator and she planned to share the word of hope with them. But they already knew. The peasants said that every time she came to visit, there were two people. The other person was him.
He is moving through you and me in ways that we don't know. And our lifting is effectual.
Goodnight,
Rachel
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