Teaching the Macarena to Chinese Kids

Monday May 14

Angelica: "God blesses us!"

                Today was our last day at Sui Leun Lutheran Primary School, so why not go out with a shout?! After all an entire school assembly, with 300 students, can get pretty loud! That's right, we had to develop a lesson that was applicable to grades 1- 6... at the same time. Challenge accepted. To start out we introduced ourselves and told the kids one thing we liked with pictures of that thing on the power point. For example Louisa would say, "My name is Louisa, and can you guess what I like?" Then simultaneously 300 kids looked at the power point and shouted "BANANAS!!!!!" We all knew this was going to be a good assembly from that point on. Our theme was Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified! Do not be discouraged! For the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” We asked what courage was, and we found out that it is doing the right thing even when we are scared. But EVERYONE gets scared.For instance; some of the children were afraid of chickens, crocodiles, spiders, babies.... babies? Well its middle school folks. We shared the story of Daniel in the Lions den and why he had courage to not be afraid. Because, as a first grader Angelica puts it "God blesses us!"

Leading songs in morning assembly

                 There is now (at least) one more student at Sui Leun that knows the good news about our saving Lord! That moment is a highlight for our team. After the assembly we talked to the kids at recess and what better thing to do at recess than... that's right , we taught the macarena! Sarah Heins and Julie Marquardt started to explain the macarena but soon discovered the best way to teach is by example. Soon two became three, and three four! I'd say something those children won't easily forget, at least I wont!

                The staff at Sui Leun were very appreciative. They and some of the students taught us how to make Chinese lanterns and how to write our names in Chinese. They were very helpful and didn't laugh too hard at our American attempts at writing Chinese. They also presented us with gifts such as a Chinese hand fan. It was sad to say goodbye to our friends at Sui Leun; however, we now have the opportunity to meet even more children and Lutheran teachers! We are very excited and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us at LCK Lutheran Primary School.

God's Blessings,
the Mehl Team
-Julie Marquardt

Sunday: The day of rest! However, this Hong Kong Mission team was as busy as ever.  The nine of us set out at 10 a.m. to Sui Leun Lutheran Primary School to attend church service and teach Sunday school.  This church service held quite the experience for us English-speaking-only folk.  The service was, of course, given in Cantonese.  However, language was not a barrier in worshiping together with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  They provided accommodations for us, such as Bibles in English, and hymnals with both Cantonese and English.  They even sang a verse to one of the songs in English with us!  We also had the opportunity to commune with our new friends.  It is so exciting to know that wherever we go, no matter what we look like or sound like, we serve the same God.  We may be from entirely different cultures, but we are brought together by one purpose, to serve the One that has blessed us with all things.  We are a family in Christ, and we felt like a family with the Sui Leun congregation. 
Midway through the service children are excused for Children's Church.  We, as a team, were in charge of Children's Church for the day.  Because of Mother's Day, we based our lesson on parents.  We discussed how our parents provide for us and how we should honor them by what we say and do.  We compared our relationship with our parents to our relationship with Jesus and how we need to honor him with our actions, and this can be done by serving and honoring our parents.
Sunday School is offered in the afternoon on Sundays from 1:30-3:00.  This time very much resembles Bible School.  We taught a lesson (the same one from the morning), sang songs, and made a craft.  The craft, of course, was a present for their mothers, a key chain. 
We continue to embrace our time here in Hong Kong by taking a plunge into the local cuisine.  This evening we experience tofu, sweet and sour pork (the fav of the group), eggplant, seafood rolls, and the ever-safe fall back, fried rice.  A surprise was found on the way to the restroom: aquariums of fish awaiting their slaughter. At least we know the food was fresh!
It feels as though we have been here for weeks, but we are very excited to start a full week of teaching and service with these kids.  There are times when we worry about whether or not they are grasping and understanding what we are teaching them, but we find comfort in these words from Isaiah: "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."  Isaiah 55: 10-11. God is the one working here, and we are his messengers.  It is not up to us to change hearts.  We just have to trust in him and his words and he will work in ways far beyond what we can comprehend.  That is just pretty neat!

Hannah Uden

At the Peak

Fitting In

Hilda with fish balls

Shopping

On the Star Ferry

On the bus

More shopping

The Peaking Point

At The Peak

Day Two proved to be just as enjoyable, though drastically different, than our first day in Hong Kong. Saturday was sightseeing day! From The Peak (the highest point in Hong Kong) to traveling "under the water" (an underwater tunnel/highway between two islands), our day was full of activity! The foggy morning started us out at The Peak where we enjoyed a bit of shopping. After all, we are "9 Barbie dolls" as one student at the school yesterday told us. John and Susan's company along with our leader Hilda enhanced our trip as they knew the in's and out's of the place. And they are pretty great company to begin with.

We thought we might need a little American in our system, so we got hamburgers for lunch. Forty-nine dollar hamburgers, might I add! Of course, HK to US dollars is an 8:1 ratio, so the burger was really only $6, but still. Seeing the prices still gives me a jolt every time; I always think I am overspending.

Audrey in the Ladies' Market

The history of Hong Kong was explored at the HK History Museum, and then we got to explore the Ladies' Market. The collective big purchase of the day was US $11 Toms. All nine of us got a pair. Hong Kong culture intrigues all of us, and Hilda is a pro at answering our questions. The closest comparison I have to the culture at the Ladies Market is like New York City busyness combined with Florida humidity combined with New Orleans shopping markets. Except that we're in Asia, and it's completely different.

From souvenoirs, to food, to great company and conversation, and an even greater God, the team ends the day in thanksgiving to a bountiful Father who continues to bless the trip.

Thanks for reading,
Sarah Heins

It is just after 7 AM on Friday in Nebraska, but it is after 8 PM in Hong Kong and the day is almost over. The girls had a big day and some are already heading off to sleep.

The day started with an early breakfast and then a bus ride to the Lutheran Tsang Shing Sui Leun School to “wave hello to the students.” It sounds a little silly, but the group actually stood on the street and greeted the Chinese children as they entered school. This very simple practice shows the community that the school is connected with Lutherans in the US and have “native English speakers” with whom students can interact. This is a real enrollment booster.

During the morning assembly, the group sang and acted out the wise and foolish man. No Chinese or English necessary. There were English conversations with children during recesses three times. The second graders loved the skit of the Biblical account of the healing of the blind beggar and the songs the girls sang.

Rev. Dr. Allan Yung, the president of the Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod, visited the school to greet the foreign guests from CUNE. He was very pleased to see them and expressed an interest in recruiting them to teach in Hong Kong after they graduate. Though the girls felt at times during the day that they were flying by the seat of their pants, the principal and President Yung told them that they all appeared to have years of teaching experience.

Sushi for lunch! Louisa and Audrey ate whole octopuses and Julie at the head off, while the rest abstained. Tea was drunk from traditional clay teacups.

Hilda is “superb.” This is a direct quote. We are sure you will hear more about her!

Saturday means seeing sights in Hong Kong, including a visit to the Peak and a ride across Victoria Harbor on the Star Ferry (see photo left).

The plane hit the gate in Hong Kong at 9:22 PM and it was after 10 when everyone made it through passport control and customs and finally pulled their bags through the doors into the arrival hall. In the photo on the left you can see the 9 CUNE girls along with Sharon Owens and Hilda Ruan. Sharon and Hilda will provide orientation, be tour guides, and help during the whole trip.

Our school is in Tuen Mun. This is a part of Hong Kong that is on the peninsula at the far west side on Butterfly Bay. Orientation at the school tomorrow after everyone has a good nap tonight.

Preparation: Less Than 2 Days

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." - Philippians 4:9

Sarah Heins reminded our group of these words this morning. As we make our final preparations, our nerves may be getting high with nervousness and excitement. We may wonder exactly what it is that we've forgotten to do or need to remember. As the time of departure draws near, we wonder if we're really emotionally ready. 

Well, we're as ready as we'll ever be. 

God has been preparing us our whole lives for the readiness on this trip that will really make the difference. He's been teaching us and molding us, and He will give us that peace that passes all understanding and help us put it all into practice, not just when we get there, but every step of the way there and back and for the rest of our lives. 

Please pray for us as we make our final preparations.