Praying Friends,
As I prepared to write the newsletter this week, I
realized that I skipped last week. It was very eventful, so I guess I’ll start
with last week:
On Saturday evening, I packed up to go to Chiayi for a
week. Chiayi’s camp is short English teachers right now, so Nick and I were
filling in for the week. The nice part about going to this camp in Chiayi
County, is that it is out in the country. I looked forward to lots of quiet
time away from people. Just over the weekend I went for several, enjoying
getting away with just my Bible and my Lord.
Sunday, I got a very bad headache that gave my right eye blurry
vision. Though we never did figure out why, I’m grateful God made took it away
after 36 hours.
The children arrived on Monday with great anticipation
for the coming week. Classes started off without a hitch. The leading English
teacher, Fae, had done a great job planning for the week. Her lessons were well
done, and I learned a lot from her in just the first few classes.
On Tuesday, a warning was put out in Chiayi County for a
coming typhoon. Because the camp is in a low land next to the river, it was
expected to flood anywhere from 1½ feet to 5 feet deep. Therefore, the week’s
plans changed in less than an hour. The children needed to be home so their
parents wouldn’t worry, they would stay calmer, and so that if we DID flood,
they would be safe. After a short discussion and a notification to the school,
the children were sent home right after lunch. So much for teaching this week!
All Tuesday afternoon, we were all very busy packing the
first floor, preparing for a flood of water. The English teacher dorm is on the
first floor and had to be completely gutted, as did the office, classroom, and
lunch room. It took hours. Already, the wind had picked up, and the rain had
begun to fall. When all was ready, all of us teachers “evacuated.” Nick, Fiona,
and I traveled back to Yunlin’s school. It is well out of danger of flooding.
-It was also empty. All it’s teacher’s had traveled to another camp up north
for the week, so the campus was empty.
By the time I woke up on Wednesday, the storm had hit
with all its fury. Random things flying through the air. Torrential rains.
Uprooted trees. Quite the storm! I holed up in the office, continuing work like
nothing was happening. (In Taiwan, a day off in the week, even for weather or
health purposes, will be made up another day.) I didn’t want to work Saturday,
so I just kept at it. The storm’s awesome power reminded me that God is so big.
He makes and controls the storms. They are only a dim reflection of his
almighty power.
Thursday was spent cleaning up. It amazed me the
difference between here and the States. When I looked out to see who was
cleaning the school grounds, it wasn’t a random group of people. It wasn’t the
street sweeper or a government-hired crew. It was the students! Cleaning after
a storm is just a part of life, and so the students clean it up, learning responsibility,
compassion, and loyalty at the same time. This school means it when they say
they are big into character!
Friday and Saturday turned out to be quiet, which I didn’t
mind after such an eventful couple of days. I felt blessed with lots of quiet
time to spend in God’s Word.
This week:
Another office week. Everyone else had Monday off;
something about overtime the week before, so I had the office to myself once
more. I caught up on emails, photography projects, editing TESOL paperwork for
teams next year, and so forth.
Actually, the whole week has been rather quiet and “boring.”
I don’t mind. It’s nice to take a break. We have over 45 children next week, so
I guess I’ll enjoy it while I get it. I’ve been able to get all my office
responsibilities caught up, and even do a few extra things. And I do feel
refreshed physically and spiritually for the weeks ahead.
Actually, weeks is right! Two more weeks of camp, then an
office week, then HOMEWARD BOUND! I’m so excited to go home and see family,
friends, and prayer partners! Thank you all for your support.
A fellow-servant of Christ,
Barbara 蘇以樂
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