Christmas with my Kids and Winter in Minnesota!

I just had a wonderful Christmas celebration with 4 of my 5 children (Isaac, #5, is in Xi'an with Kelley right now)!

Renee, Liza, Carly, and Nate
December 2012

Nate

Carly, Liza, Nate, Renee, and Colin (Carly's boyfriend) all met up in a beautiful setting in Wisconsin. Our friends, the Carlson's, let us take over their cabin for 2 days. We had a blast watching videos of Christmas' past and eating way too much of our favorite foods. We made the most of the time. I'm so proud of my children and blessed that we all have a great relationship. It was hard to say goodbye for another 5 or 6 months, but we are looking forward to spending more time together this coming summer.



I thought I might be able to sneak in and out of Minnesota without any of the "winter-y" stuff.

When I arrived it was in the 50's and even 60's. I thought to myself, "wow, maybe Minnesota weather isn't as bad as I have made it out to be"....... But, Minnesota had the last laugh!

A foot of snow later....
I was scraping windows and shoveling snow. It sure is beautiful though.

I head back to China today. It's always great to return to the States, we have such an amazing country. China is not an easy place to live, but Kelley, Isaac, and I have a "grace" to be there. We love our time in China and know that is right where we should be.

Exciting things are taking shape in China, so I'm anxious to get back....I'm also really missing my wife!

Lots of Progress

The Historic Bell tower in Xi'an

It has been an incredible few months in Xi'an.

Kelley has been leading women's groups and recently meet with a group of 20 young girls about important decisions they will face in life.

Kelley with young women, sharing
advice on good decision making

We have also been able to meet folks who are connected to the local business community and are excited about future possibilities.

Kelley's blonde hair tends to
draw a crowd!

We recently visited an english
teaching center for children. Parents
are also taught in another area of the facility.

Life in Xi'an is definitely not easy, but we are blessed and love our lives in China.

Preparing a salad, wash every leaf!!
--- Just another day in our life of Xi'an.

More to come!!!

Life in Full Swing in Xi'an

The meat market!

Kelley and I have been hard at work since our return to Xi'an. It has been an incredibly busy two months! We've settled in to life in China again and are moving many things forward.

Kelley buying a pillow.

Our language teachers gave us a progress test that included listening, speaking, and writing in Chinese. WE had great results. Both us and our teachers were very pleased with our language progress. For those of you interested in keeping track, Doug has the slight edge having scored 1 percentage point better than Kelley (keep in mind that Doug is writing this blog entry!).

Crazy hair day during
Spirit Week

Our son Isaac is running for student body president at his international school here in Xi'an. They narrowed the field down to him and a good friend of his. Last week they campaigned at the school and speeches are today. We're so proud of him. We'll let you know how things turn out.

Happy Birthday Renee!!
(pictured at only 4 years old...She's all grown up now!)

Back in the States, it's my daughter Renee's birthday today! We had a fun time Skyping this morning and talking about her week and our upcoming plans for Christmas time with her and her siblings. I am so blessed to have wonderful children.

There was recently a funeral in our
building complex. These are traditional
wreaths for a funeral

Here in Xi'an, Kelley and I are excited about the continued connections we are making. We regularly have opportunity to speak. Kelley has been asked to lead a women's group starting this week. Next month, we have our first public opportunity to speak in Chinese. Amazing to think we haven't even been here a year yet and already we are making presentations in Chinese.

Kelley with a Little girl that she
bought a sucker for. She was
just at the doctors office.

We are beginning to translate materials for groups in the Northeast. These materials will be used by numerous fellowships and clubs that see a need for helping those trapped in life controlling addiction.

 
We are thankful for excellent health!

Bless you all,
Doug and Kelley

Back in Xi'an

It's coming up on one month since we arrived back in Xi'an. It has been a busy first month as Isaac started 10th grade two days after arriving and we began language study and other efforts the following week.

This arrival was far different than arriving last January. This time we were returning to a familiar place instead of arriving in middle of winter with the priority of finding a place to live and a headquarters for GTC - NA. We are excited to be back! The focus is clear.... more language study, continue to build relationships, and pursue opportunities for GTC.

This year will include trainings for leaders interested in the work of GTC, purposeful travel to other areas of the region, and a regional conference for Northern Asia.

We had a wonderful summer in the United States. It was a blessing to see family, friends, and have many opportunities to speak and share our experiences and accomplishments with you. We met many new friends as well. Thank you to those who came to the gatherings in Iowa and Minnesota. If we didn't see you, let's make sure to connect this next summer. We will hold regional gatherings again and also inform you of speaking engagements in hopes that you will be able to attend one of them.

Here in Northern Asia, many opportunities are quickly emerging. Please remember us as we progress through these months. We will keep you informed.

We greatly appreciate each one of you. Thank you for supporting us in the ways that you do.

So.....
We're back in China, and everyone is healthy!!!!

Gatherings Scheduled for Iowa and Minnesota

It has been a wonderful time back in the States connecting with Family and Friends and sharing news about our first 6 months in China.

Doug was able to speak to students in the leadership institute chapel at MN Teen Challenge, and also visit with Pastor Rich Scherber (pictured below) to present a gift of thanks for MN Teen Challenge's support of GTC-Northern Asia. (The inscription on the gift read "Global Teen Challenge Northern Asia Headquarters established January 2012 in Xi'an, China").

We are so blessed to have special friends who have generously provided us housing while we have been back for these 8 weeks. Thank you Carlson's, Hildebrand's, and Taylor's!

We still have a significant amount of funds to raise before we return to China (we are currently at the halfway point of raising funds to meet our budget). The great need is for monthly supporters. Please pray about your participation in this pioneering work.

We have scheduled two gatherings and hope to see all of you there!

                        Iowa Gathering                                              Minnesota Gathering
                 Thursday, July 26th, 6-9pm                                   Saturday, July 28th, 2-4pm
                         Waverly, Iowa                                                   Redeeming Love C.
        Please call 651-280-0466 for directions                          2425 White Bear Ave. N.
                                                                                              Maplewood, MN  55109

Please plan to join us and hear what is happening in China and prayerfully consider how you might particpate in this Kingdom Work.

Bless you all!

Back in the United States!

Kelley and Isaac in Incheon, South Korea on our way back to the US

We arrived back safely in the United States in early June and have been busy reconnecting with friends and family throughout Minnesota and Iowa. 

There is no place like the United States!!!

Highlights have included Father's Day for Doug with his children in Minnesota, as well as, meeting a new niece and nephew.

 

 

 

Photos (clockwise from upper left):

Time with Renee at a pet store, Kelley with Owen, Dawn (Doug's sister) with Lindsay,

 Doug and his mom, Fishing with Nate, Doug and Kelley with Lindsay.

As soon as the plane landed in Minnesota, Isaac blended into the surroundings with his friends he had been missing. If anyone has seen him please let us know! Actually we have seen him many times, and he is having an incredible time reconnecting and sharing stories of life in China.

Our schedules have been filled with various speaking engagements as we seek to share what we have been doing in China these last 6 months and our goals for this next year. We are so blessed to have wonderful friends and family. We hope to see all of you before we return in August.

What an amazing year it has been!

Kelley's Coming Home!

Hello everyone,
I'm glad to report that Kelley was discharged yesterday (Friday) afternoon and will be flying to Xi'an today.

I don't have all the details, but they were able to determine that she had a micro organism parasite that had been attacking all throughout her digestive system and are confident that it is now under control. Some of the symptoms remain for now, but with the medications they have given her and rest, she should regain full health and strength soon.

Doctors said that her body would not have been able to fight this off on its own (which is why this has been going on for 5-6 weeks!!) and that it was good that she came to Bumingrad (International Hospital) when she did.

It has been a hectic couple of weeks. We're wrapping up some details here in Xi'an before returning to the states later this month. We would love to see you when we are there. We will post organized gatherings of where we will be, in hopes that you can come to one of them.

Bless you all, and thanks for lifting us up during this difficult time.

Doug

Kelley Update #1

(Sorry, no time to post any pictures today)

Hello everyone,

Just thought I would bring you up to speed on what is currently happening with Kelley.

Bumingrad has been great for Kelley. She arrived and stayed with her friends the first night, then went to the hospital the next morning for her scheduled appointment. She was expecting out patient care, but after meeting with the doctor for a short time, he was concerned enough that he admitted her right away. She has been there ever since.

There was concern about her kidneys, but all came back well other than they said what ever has been going on has been very hard on her kidneys. They have run many tests and have basically just been ruling things out. There is a whole team of doctors trying to figure this out. Over the last few days they have progressed from X-rays, to ultra-sound, to a CT-scan. All came back clear except the CT-scan revealed a few spots in her lungs, but doctors are not overly concerned about them (they said they are not cancer or anything like that, but they're still check them out). They are saying that her digestive system was really hit hard through all of this and is still out of whack. Even though many major possibilities have been ruled out (PTL), they are still not satisfied with the fact that her digestive system is not yet operating normally. Most likely it's just trying to heal and needs time, but the doctors aren't taking any chances and so this morning they are doing a colonoscopy and endoscopy. We are feeling good just knowing that they are being very thorough with this.

Over all her spirits are good. The friends in Bangkok have been absolutely wonderful. They have brought her flowers and spent time each evening with her. Its hard for me not to be with her right now (and at the first sign of complication I would jump on a plane), but we believe this is the right thing.


Isaac is fairly unfazed by the whole thing (is that just being 15?). He's just ready to be done with school, but of course, he does talk to his mom and ask how she is when we are Skyping.

We were originally thinking (hoping?) that she would be able to return on Friday, but we have cancelled that reservation due to doctors saying they want more time to check this out.

Please continue pr'ying for her.

I'll keep you posted.

Kelley is in Thailand

Bumringrad International Hospital
Bangkok, Thailand

The concerns with Kelley's health continues. Just yesterday we sent her (by herself) to Bangkok to the Bumringrad International Hospital for diagnosis and treatment. After the doctor met with her for a short time, he was concerned enough about her health issues that had her admitted immediately and the gastrointestinal doctor began running various tests right away.

We feel relieved that she is having tests taken and believe that a diagnosis will be made. We had exhausted every medical option we knew of in Xi'an and followed the advice of a doctor (here in Xi'an) to head to Bangkok.

Gaoxin YiYuan (Hospital)
Where we spent many late nights getting help in Xi'an

Please lift Kelley up at this time. She is really struggling with the length of this illness, and now that she is in Bangkok without Issac and me, she is feeling alone and isolated. We are so blessed to have some dear friends in Bangkok who have been supporting her in anyway possible. (Thanks, Dale and Christie, for bringing her flowers today when I couldn't).

This has really been a roller coaster of an illness. One day we sense improvement and are hopeful of the end, the next day something old returns, or worse yet, something new emerges. We know that Father has a clear plan and we are trusting Him completely. Please join with everyone in lifting up Kelley's emotional, physical, and spiritual needs... that she be strengthened and healed completely.



Despite this set back, we are thrilled to be in China and know this is exactly where we are supposed to be!

A Rough Couple of Weeks

Shaanxi Youyi Hospital

Saying it has been a rough few weeks is putting it mildly!


For the last four weeks we have been battling sickness in our home. We have gotten to know several hospitals and clinics, and have had first hand experience with the medical community in China (at least in Xi'an). Somewhere along the way we picked up some intestinal intruders (most likely under-prepared food in the nearby village). We received a warning from our friends about eating in the village during the summer, but it was a few days too late. We had already contracted something and Kelley got violently ill.
 

Emergency Room where
We sat with others to receive fluids

We took several trips to the hospital for intravenous fluid replenishment, and tests. The fluids brought her back to life, but the tests came back as only mild infection, leading the doctors to do only minimal treatment. We continued in our quest for answers and relief. We learned of a non-profit clinic in town that had an Australian Doctor who was able to help identify possible problems, but the clinic is limited in its ability to diagnose and is heavily reliant on the hospitals and medical universities. We've gotten nowhere for a true diagnosis. Kelley has been treated for E coli and the whole family is being treated for parasites. If Kelley doesn't improve in the next few days we will likely fly her to some friends in Bangkok for further tests and
treatment.

Helpful Clinic in Xi'an

Despite the hard times, we have been seeing amazing opportunities continue to unfold. The very non-profit clinic we went to for Kelley's care (after they learned of our association with TC) has asked us to assist them in HIV/Aids trainings to community leaders next year.



We appreciate your support.

Opportunities Begin to Emerge

We are beginning to have opportunity to interact and develop relationships that may result in future possibilities for us.

The teacher training was held
at an elementary school in Yangxian

In March, we joined with like-minded folks in Xi'an to travel to a nearby community called Yangxian. It's a three hour trip. The folks here in Xi'an have been working with elementary/middle school/Senior High teachers in that district to improve their English speaking skills. All students in China must learn basic English and soon, 1/3 of public work personnel must have enough skill to clearly communicate in English. It opens great opportunities for like-minded English speakers to develop relationships. (*I recently read that there are more people learning English in China, than all of the current English speakers throughout the entire world).


On this particular trip, we were able to have a special meal with the superintendent of the Yangxian school district.
He is responsible for 4,000 teachers and 60,000 students. The meal conversation allowed us to hear the challenges he faces (budget, retaining teachers....) and to hear him express his gratefulness for the team that comes to work with the teachers. While conversation did not come around to issues of drugs and alcohol in schools and the community, it did provide opportunity to meet him face to face, and perhaps open future doors to share prevention messages in the schools he is responsible for.

Going through training with teachers

Leaders addressing English teachers

Through other like-minded folks we have met, possibilities are emerging that this coming fall we may have opportunity to get certification with the Red Cross in Xian. This would bring credibility to our prevention message and allow us into other school districts. Prevention programs have proven to be a great way to develop guanxi (favor) that allows for opportunities to bring other TC works into those communities.

Here in Xi'an, one of the area superintendents recently reached out to the community of like-minded folks with a long list of ways he needed help from the English speakers in his school district. Good relationships continue to emerge.

On a broader scale, we are hearing about many regions in China that have problems with addiction. There are people in those areas who are faithfully doing the work, but they need training and support. We are taking seriously our effort to learn the language as quickly as possible as we know that it is imperative that we are able to effectively communicate.

In May, Kelley and I will be traveling to Ya'nan with a local team of folks to provide support for incoming international teams who will be working with the Ya'nan University students regarding their English speaking skills. This again provides opportunity to develop relationships with Chinese folks (Ya'nan University students) who may have a heart for those caught in addiction. We trust that Father will identify those Chinese nationals who will someday be involved in TC type work. Every opportunity to meet and converse with people opens future possibilities, so we take these opportunities seriously.

Please pray about the prevention/leadership summer camps in Fuzhou. They will take place in August. Much planning and many helpers are still needed. Of course, let us know if you would be interested in traveling to China to help! What a great opportunity to see China!
 
Bless you all!

Language and the Village

Kelley talking with men in the village

It has been several weeks now of having opportunity to learn Chinese. Kelley and I are both able to communicate some basic phrases and our vocabulary and understanding of sentence structure is constantly improving. Hardly a day goes by that we aren't finding ourselves in an opportunity to try out our new growth in language skills. If it's not cab (Chu Zu Che) drivers, or store (Chao Shi) workers, it's people in the primitive village behind where we live.

The village we live near with people living on rooftops.

 







The village is a bustling community of many young and old people. The old buildings and narrow alleyways might make you think that it is a depressed area of struggling people, but we have found that most people there are happy.


 

Children playing in the village

Playful children and unkempt street dogs run through the alleys. Its primitive in the sense that many modern conveniences are not available to them (for example the sewer system is basically small trenches that are covered with bricks to keep it hidden). But in the village is a vast network of businesses, stores, and restaurants.

Doug with boys playing a game in the village

We absolutely love these people. The children are adorable, and the older folks are so kind. Relationships are starting to flourish although conversations are still very simple. We sense that there is great interest in who these Mei Guo Ren (Americans) are who talk with them.






We've recently visited a nearby community to help with training Chinese teachers who teach English in grade schools... (I'll share more about that in the next blog entry).

Thanks for your interest and support for our being here. There is great purpose and many like minded folks we meet are very excited that we are here. 

A place to live and GTC Headquarters

Great news! We found an apartment with an office space that is perfect to start GTC headquarters. We have been very busy moving in and trying to find things needed for life here in Asia.

Language training for Kelley and starts tomorrow. We were told that we will spend a few weeks just listening to the basic sounds of Chinese. We will be dedicating 3 hours each day to language study and then venturing out to use what little we know.

While we have been looking at apartments/offices and getting acclimated to our new environment, we haven't shied away from venturing out. We will often take buses ($.08 one way!) and taxi's ($1.50) to new places. Thank goodness for GPS and Google maps to get us out of jams. There are many times when trying to communicate that we and the Chinese people who are helping us just start laughing. It never fails that someone in the room/store always knows just enough English to communicate for you to others. We have found that smiling a lot and being willing to laugh (with others) at yourself goes a long way in getting people to help you. The Chinese people are wonderful.

Now that we have an apartment, Kelley has been busy going to markets for things like fabric for sheets, blankets, and curtains.  Almost all those things have to be hand made. You bring the measurements, choose the fabric, and then they will sew it for you. It's really a neat culture, however, everything takes a little bit longer (okay sometimes quite a bit longer) than in the states, but, it teaches you to slow down a little.

Our apartment was a "fixer-upper"and so this past week I have been busy with many projects in an attempt to wrap them up before language classes start. Can you believe there is a Home Depot in Xi'an?!








We're on the 10th floor. The owner had new air conditioner/heaters installed. Check out this guy waiting to put the air conditioning unit on the little holder -- on the OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING!




Kelley and I are also getting adjusted to the very "stiff" style of Chinese beds. It's amazing what a 2-inch piece of foam can do to help you sleep better. We are told that when westerners go back to the states, they feel more comfortable sleeping on the ground rather than the ultra soft beds in the US. I'm not sure we'll have that problem....but we'll see.

Isaac is already in his third week of school. He has a bike that was given to us (and in pretty sorry shape), and just tonight he went on his own to the bike store and got the brakes fixed, a new seat, a bell (to warn pedestrians) and tuned up for just 35 Yuan (that's about $5.60). Way to go Isaac! Now he can ride bike to school.

We were excited to learn that our first care package is on the way!! We'll update the care package page soon to let you know if there is something else we could use (that we can't get in Xi'an).

Just this last weekend we learned that in the next 10-20 years there will be a mass migration from the rural areas to the urban cities. All the major cities are starting to ramp up for it. It is estimated that 300-400 million people will be moving into the cities. That's the entire population of the United States! You can only imagine the social needs that will create. We feel privileged to be here at such an important time.

Opportunity...
This summer there will be summer camps held in Fuzhou for the youth. The camps center on drug and alcohol prevention as well as aids awareness. It could be a great time for you or someone you know to come to China and be an extra set of hands to help with the camps. I'll share more info soon.

Our internet will be down for up to 10 days as we wait for our internet service to be installed. We'll let you know when we're back online!

Until then... Have a blessed week.

Feeling (more and more) at home in Xi'an

What an amazing city this is! Over 3,000 years old. More than 8 million people live here. It's an amazing mix of old (as in really old!!) and new. An example of this was brought before our eyes when we were being driven to Walmart (yes, there is Walmart in China) and we passed under a city wall (complete with Moat) that was built in 1390 AD to replace the one that was built in 194 BC. Then we went to Walmart, located in a modern looking building, which was across the street from the 14th century Bell Tower.

Big Goose Pagoda in the midst of New Years Decorations

On another outing we went to a "touristy" area of town called Dayanta, complete with modern buildings and restaurants, but again, right in the middle of this modern area is the Big Goose Pagoda which was built in 652.





Xi'an is in the center of China. It has played a significant role in the history of China, and is now moving quickly toward modernization. The new metro (subway) is opened and several more lines are under construction. It's a great time to be here.

The like-minded friends we are with in Xi'an have made us feel at home. They have allowed us to stay in a beautiful guest apartment while we find a place to settle. Almost daily we have had meals with members of the community. They have introduced us to shopping areas and have helped with visa's and technical needs like computer access and cell phones. There is even a person who is taking us around to see apartments and, when the time comes to make our selection, another member will help us negotiate the best price. All of this would have taken months to do on our own. We feel very blessed.

Isaac's First Day of School

 Being in Xi'an provides a wonderful opportunity for Isaac to go to school, and Kelley and I to learn the language while also meeting people from around the country who also have hearts like ours. In addition, it also provides a great community of like-minded folks for us to hang out with.

Muslim Quarter - near the Drum Tower

Kelley and I went on a date to the Muslim quarters which is near the center of the city. We got our Starbucks Coffee (PTL!!) across from the Bell Tower and walked toward the Drum Tower (another ancient building) and then into what felt like a movie set of an old Chinese movie. Tiny bustling streets with people pressing through to see all the shops.

No words for this one!!

It was amazing....
We saw all sorts of stuff!
Check out this hat!!



More news coming soon!

First leg of our journey... Chiang Mai, Thailand

We left Minnesota to make our way to Xi'an, China. First stop was Chiang Mai, Thailand to attend a conference with other people we will be with in Xi'an.

It was crazy and stressful the last few weeks in Minnesota as we prepared for travel, paring our lives down to six suitcases and a few carry-ons! We were absolutely exhausted when we got on the plane. After a 16 hour flight to Seoul, Korea, to transfer and fly another 8 hours, we finally landed in beautiful Chiang Mai. 

We stayed in a hotel for the conference and had a wonderful time meeting people and taking a short rest. It wasn't all restful however, during our time in Thailand we had to race through the city on tuk tuks (pictured) to get immunizations and other details squared away before heading to China.





One day, we went with some of our new friends to ride elephants. We were expecting a little carnival type experience with a few elephants taking people on rides in a circle while chained to a center pole. Boy were we wrong! This place had 71 elephants. They had a show where we watched them bathe in the river, play soccer, paint pictures, etc...





 ...  and then we took a 2-3 mile ride through the forest. It was amazing

After a week in Chiang Mai, we traveled on to Xi'an, China. We are now here in our new city! Check back to stay up to date on our new home and life in Xi'an (she--on).

Be sure to view our prayer request page.

Bless you -
The Samuelson's