Author: Jan Hazlett

This afternoon Debbie, Don and I had a special lesson for the English teachers.  We talked about the maple trees, the leaf on our flag and then explained how to tap trees and make maple syrup.  We had the teachers taste maple syrup by dipping bread into it.  Most thought it was far too sweet.  Many were surprised that we could get that sweet taste from trees.  Some were worried that it was not really edible.  It made for interesting conversation for the rest of the time in class!

Although we are experiencing some difficulty with computer compatibility, we are finding different ways to do what we had planned.  Don had a wonderful lesson today to help the teachers with the problematic “th” sound.  To say “th” the students were to achieve the sound by touching a sucker with their tongue. It made a difficult drill fun for all.  Debbie has the classes working on poems and stories.  I am leading discussions about teaching and learning English.  It is fun thinking of new games and activities to begin the classes, so that we begin on a positive note. 

There has been little rain yesterday or today, but the clouds remain, so although it is hot, it is not unbearably hot–yet. The streets are drying and our shoes are drying too.  Mosquitoes are beginning to be a nuisance, regardless of the precautions we take.  We really appreciate that we have air conditioners in the hotel, that work when we are in our rooms. But we go with fans and open windows in the classrooms. 

It is nice to begin to be able to call students by name. We have observed that most are more confident with their English after just a couple of days,which speaks to their dedication and willingness to take risks.  We are encouraged and continue to work hard to plan lessons that will continue the progress. 

Jan Hazlett,  July 14, 2010

Hello from Dangtu. As I write this there are horns sounding in the street. They use their horns to warn drivers of as a vehicle approaches from behind, so horns sound most of the time.  Also as background noise this weekend, fireworks seemed to be going off most of the time.  We have been told that it is customary to set off fireworks to celebrate…. celebrate anything, like a store opening, a wedding, a funeral etc.  We found this morning as we taught that it is hard to speak over the fire works.

Our hosts have been very attentive and helpful.  They eat meals with us and our interpreter is with us all of the time.  The food here is wonderful.  We have enjoyed many different fish and vegetable dishes. They use a lot of different kinds of hot peppers, so the food makes your mouth hum.   We have rice every meal and a lot of watermelon.  The portions are generous and we are filled to the brim each meal!

In this area there have been few foreigners, so we cause a stir wherever we go.  People stop to look at us, and many have impressed us as they have come up to us to practice their English.  One little boy looked up and us and said something that made everybody laugh.  Our interpreter told us he said we were very tall!

The classes are large.  We have found today that it will be a challenge to provide opportunities for everyone to speak in English every day, but that is our goal! After 3 hours in the morning we break for lunch and time out of the heat.  We reconvene for two more classes before the end of the day.  This afternoon we will begin with sessions to share our country and theirs.  I will be talking about the beaver as a symbol of the country.  Later this week we will talk about maple leaves and I will share the maple syrup I brought. 

Although we all have lingering coughs, the colds have come and  gone and we are in good health and eager to teach well.  It has rained here almost since we got here, so the heat is not  a big issue for us yet.

Jan Hazlett July 13, 2010

It seems hard to believe how much we have packed into these few days.  I personally have enjoyed the morning devotions, that have fed my spirit and reminded me of the reason I am here.  We have had large group sessions that taught us about Chinese culture, what we might expect in our placements and helped us to better understand Amity and NGOs in China.   We have also had smaller group sessions focused on expectations and tips for teaching.  And to round our days out we have spent some time experiencing Nanjing. 

Yesterday we went to see a part of the Nanjing wall that has sections that were built in 300 BCE.  After a brief walking tour, we boarded boats and travelled along the canal.  It was interesting to see the city from the water.  There has been so much rain that the water level has overflowed the canal structure.  Willow trees appear to be planted under water.   We learned about the history of Nanjing from a guide on the boat.  This side trip was both informative and a refreshing change from the meeting rooms. 

Today we finished our sessions, then headed out to the Amity offices for our closing worship and communion. We had time for a brief walking tour of Nanjing University Campus.  After a dinner at a local restaurant we returned to have team meetings and pack for our travel tomorrow. 

Debbie, Don and I will travel by van to our teaching site in the morning.  Then our work will begin in earnest.  We are looking forward to meeting with the teachers who will be our students, our hosts and the officials for the district.  We hope and pray that our time there will be meaningful for all.

Today we had a group picture taken in front of our hotel.  People walking by stopped and took our picture as we were having the official picture taken! 

Many of us are a under the weather, mainly with colds.  We all would appreciate your continued prayers for our health and safety as we travel.  We are blessed by the knowledge that God is with us, and God has gone before us as we travel.  I hope to update when we are settled in Dangtu which is just outside of Ma’anshan. 

Blessings, Jan Hazlett

Yesterday we registered and began our orientation.  There are 48 volunteers who will be teaching in 12 sites in China.  Since registration yesterday–we have been eating together, sharing many foods that are new to us and becoming adept at using chopsticks.  This morning we began with worship and the reading of Psalm 100 and Ezekiel 34:25-26.  We considered together how great God is and worthy of praise and how blessed we are and how we are blessed to become a blessing.

Today we learned about the Amity organization through information sessions and visiting Amity sites.  As a group as we have spent time together we have begun to share our questions and ideas about our time of teaching ahead.  The 18 returning teachers have been a blessing to those of us who are here for the first time. 

It has not been all work though.  Those of us who visited the Amity bakery project sampled the delicious baking and also had an opportunity to shop at the Amity Christian Art Centre.  We only had 15 minutes to look at the traditional crafts.  Most items would not have survive travel in China and home.   However I did purchase an embroidered silk stole.  It is beautiful and will fit in my suitcase easily. 

Tonight we spent time learning about Chinese culture and practicing some Mandarin. 

I must comment that traffic and crossing streets is chaotic at best.  It was intimidating at first, but we are getting used to watching for the bikes and motor bikes that might come from any direction at any time. 

I have been impressed by the hospitality of the Chinese people.  They have gone out of their way to be helpful and patiently attempted to understand our strange gestures.  

I also would like to express my thanks to all who are following this blog and to those of you who responded to my post.  I appreciate the encouragement and expression of support.

Jan Hazlett July 6, 2010

Having spent about 24 hours enroute, I was met in Nanjing by Robert, the local Amity Representative for the SEP program, late last night. He escorted me to the hotel and made sure I was checked in and able to get some rest.  After a good night’s sleep, I made it down to the breakfast area where I met the rest of the team, Debbie and Don Shephard.  I enjoyed “claw of phoenix” along with some more familiar foods.
This morning we also met a couple from Wisconsin who have taught in this program for a few years. They were able to answer some of our questions and share some of their experiences in the classroom with us. We look forward to the training sessions that begin tomorrow.
After breakfast we were taken to an English worship service. The service structure was familiar and the pews were full.  I was surprised by the number of Chinese people who were at the English service.  I learned that  many come to the service  to practice their English. What a privilege it was to share in worship together! As we read together the lectionary passages for this week, I was newly aware of the connection lectionary can provide with others around the world encountering the same scripture at the same time.
Debbie, Don and I then did some sight seeing in the city. It was a good team building in anticipation of the coming weeks when we will be work as a team,  teaching in a smaller city about 90 minutes from Nanjing.  Altogether it has been a busy but fulfilling day!
I am grateful to my congregation and family, for the support and prayers on which I depend.   I will try to make regular updates.  Blessings, Jan  Hazlett