Busy in Xi'an

Hello Family and Friends,

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. We have been having an increasingly difficult time adding new posts while being out of the country. Hopefully that will change soon, but regardless I am taking advantage of being back in the states for GTC board meetings this week.

Children with their new backpacks on.

Backpack Giveaway!!
Our friends invited us to their school in a nearby rural community and we brought blessing backpacks containing a hat, a scarf and a stuffed animal for each kindergartener. In return, they gave us bags of the most amazing apples in the province!

Isaac, Kelley and Doug with the local school leaders

Xu Xue, Translating Materials

Translation of Materials
We are excited about translation efforts which have begun. The materials being translated will be used this spring as small groups are launched in the Northeast where communities have asked for assistance. Mark W., our like-minded friend, contacted us nearly a year ago about the need for these materials in that region.  





Christmas in China!
The recognition of Christmas as a holiday has recently begun in China and there is much confusion surrounding the Christmas Holiday. The image of Santa can be seen taped to store windows, random traditions have sprung up (some including giving apples as gifts), and often you will find Christmas decorations mixed in with Halloween masks, etc... There is very little (if any) understanding of the birth of Christ as a part of it.

Chinese New Year, 2012

Non-stop fireworks for 2 weeks!

We will soon be experiencing Chunjie (Chinese New Year) which is a celebration that lasts from February 2 - 17th. This is considered the largest mass migration of people in the world as many millions on people return to their home cities to spend the holiday with their family. Most stores close during that time or have greatly reduced hours. Fireworks can be heard nonstop and often the sky is filled with smoke. We have heard that walking out side during this time is worse than smoking two packs of cigarettes a day.

Lately we have hit a string of days with poor air quality. It has hit all of us pretty hard.

The difference in air quality can be striking!

Congratulations to Isaac!
This summer he will be working as a counselor at Hidden Acres Camp in Dayton, IA.