Monday, August 16, 2010
We're Back!
So, it's been almost a month and I think we all FINALLY are back to normal. Everyone experienced jet lag, the high of the trip, and and the low of being back to reality. Being able to recuperate was easy. It's the daily grind of our lives here in the states that took awhile adjusting.
Many blessings were experienced on this trip; the joy of seeing the kids learn, the hospitality of the families, team bonding, and seeing God work through us. Not until we were there, did we realize what a need it was for us to be the tools of God. Personally, seeing a whole generation not learning character values and everyday building blocks for personal character building was heartbreaking. Something as simple as teaching English through stories and song could be so powerful.
I know I speak for everyone on the team when I say we could not have done this without you. We've said this over and over again, but we want you to hear it over and over again. Your prayers, support, and friendship has allowed us to impact the lives of children. Thank you for being a part of our journey with us.
Many blessings were experienced on this trip; the joy of seeing the kids learn, the hospitality of the families, team bonding, and seeing God work through us. Not until we were there, did we realize what a need it was for us to be the tools of God. Personally, seeing a whole generation not learning character values and everyday building blocks for personal character building was heartbreaking. Something as simple as teaching English through stories and song could be so powerful.
I know I speak for everyone on the team when I say we could not have done this without you. We've said this over and over again, but we want you to hear it over and over again. Your prayers, support, and friendship has allowed us to impact the lives of children. Thank you for being a part of our journey with us.
Monday, July 5, 2010
We're off!!
The day has finally arrived...tonight's the night we leave!! Donna, Dorothy, and I were all finishing up last minute errands, running around town, and tying up any loose ends. The hustle and bustle of it all has finally hit home that we ARE leaving! We're all packed and ready to go to LAX. The pressure and anxiety has overcome us and now all we can do is get to the airport, check in, and pray that everything goes smoothly. Hopefully, there will be no issues regarding baggage, seating, or security. The last few days we all have met with friends, talked to you, and truly felt your support. Thank you for everyone who has e-mailed us or chatted with us; know that we feel blessed in many ways by your support. We know God has a purpose and we are only humble servants being his eyes, ears, and hands on the ground. We are letting go of our our fears and going in faith knowing that all we can do is leave it up to God. Now...we Breathe.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Rolling Waves
We finalized all details of our trip as we met one last time as a complete team; sorting out itineraries, purchasing classroom materials, and finishing up the curriculum. As a final outing, we went hiking in Crystal Cove, a quiet state beach in Newport Beach. As we hiked, we observed all the beauty that God has created and began to focus on why we were going to SEA- to share God's character through the English language. We stood overlooking the ocean and its waves and took in His beauty with peace about going on our mission.
Becca and her family are already in Asia visiting people they have worked with in previous years and Dorothy is visiting her home in Maryland, as Donna and I are busy with work and family at home. As our departure date approaches, a new sense of anxiety and frustration has overcome us, no matter where we are at. Leaving responsibilities and families here at home, panic and doubt sets in. After much prayer from friends and self prayer and Donna's encouragement to all of us, God's gentle reminder of his Love is ever present. I am reminded of an old verse that I constantly took comfort in years ago:
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5&6
Though we have moments like the chaotic waves, may we have times of calm in still water knowing God is always there.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
More
As we become closer to our departure,there seems to be more to do. Deadlines and busyness surround us. As our trip approaches, we are fine tuning our curriculum, schedules, and preparation which brings forth a whirlwind of papers, research, and work. We are all efficient and organized but are all feeling the pressure. Our fears are creeping up. How do we facilitate our classrooms? How do we ensure behavior management? Will we be able to communicate efficiently? Will the kids have a good experience? These are just the surface questions that swirl around our heads.
We have more questions,more anxieties, and more things to cross out on our lists. Some of us have been having trouble sleeping, some of us experiencing more worries, and all of us overcoming the big and little stresses. Preparing such a thoughtful trip on such short notice has started sinking in. Up until now, we were on go mode. Getting things accomplished was necessary and became building blocks for the next week's goals. The reality of the trip coming up was now becoming less surreal. We pray in each meeting for God's guidance. We prayed this week to have faith. Faith in God and faith that He will protect us. We cannot be busy enough and worry enough to forget to pray and to give all control to God. So, my prayer for our team and for you our friends, is to spend more time with God and to experience more blessings than you can hope for.
We have more questions,more anxieties, and more things to cross out on our lists. Some of us have been having trouble sleeping, some of us experiencing more worries, and all of us overcoming the big and little stresses. Preparing such a thoughtful trip on such short notice has started sinking in. Up until now, we were on go mode. Getting things accomplished was necessary and became building blocks for the next week's goals. The reality of the trip coming up was now becoming less surreal. We pray in each meeting for God's guidance. We prayed this week to have faith. Faith in God and faith that He will protect us. We cannot be busy enough and worry enough to forget to pray and to give all control to God. So, my prayer for our team and for you our friends, is to spend more time with God and to experience more blessings than you can hope for.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
The ISTJs!
First, the bad news: Taty is no longer with our team. :( Taty and her husband,Leo, are missionaries from Brazil who count on their general supporters. In the last few weeks, their itineraries have changed and they must continue to attend to other projects which their supporters are aware of. However, we are all happy and blessed to have Taty still part of our prayer team! She is a creative spirit and prayer warrior who is our number one cheerleader! Love to you, Taty!
Ok, now for some good news. So, we are not the Furious Five anymore, but the ISTJs! Our team took a Myers Briggs Personality test out and of 16 possible combinations, we all discovered we were the same one! Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judger; so we're Introverted Sensing with Extraverted Thinking. We are loyal, reserved, organized, law following, artistic appreciating, family minded, responsible individuals who are not naturally in tune with other people's feelings. That's why we all work so well together. We are beyond efficient in meetings and never cared about the others emotions. So the first part is fabulous, and the second part, well, we got over real quick. Ha ha.
Being all the same personality type of course works for us. Since we are perfectionists and goal oriented, preparing for our trip has been smooth. No personality conflicts, no drama, and EVERYTHING gets done! I honestly have never been in an all female group where I didn't have to worry about communicating appropriately so another doesn't take my direct nature and get sensitive about it. It's quite freeing, I must admit. One thing we all did observe in our profile is "the tendency to take other people's efforts for granted as we take our own for granted. We need to remember to pat people on the back once in awhile." This is not to say we do not care. Once we see a need, we care compassionately and give our everything in full support. Sometimes, we need to observe deeds that we may not notice because we are on a track to keep our goal and tend to think some emotions just become draining. Like my husband says, "Honey, sometimes you need to SHOW me you love me and act like you do." After I roll my eyes, I realize that his personality is the complete antithesis of mine. I often miss opportunities with him to show I'm meeting his emotional need, because it just doesn't occur to me. This is something we as a team, do need to recognize in you too. Being our supporters and friends, please pray that we will be diligent in noticing emotional needs in you, our families, and people in SEA and following up on them. So, thank you all, sincerely, for your calls, conversations, meals, and words of encouragements. We appreciate your investment in us. Now get over yourselves, we have work to do.
Ok, now for some good news. So, we are not the Furious Five anymore, but the ISTJs! Our team took a Myers Briggs Personality test out and of 16 possible combinations, we all discovered we were the same one! Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judger; so we're Introverted Sensing with Extraverted Thinking. We are loyal, reserved, organized, law following, artistic appreciating, family minded, responsible individuals who are not naturally in tune with other people's feelings. That's why we all work so well together. We are beyond efficient in meetings and never cared about the others emotions. So the first part is fabulous, and the second part, well, we got over real quick. Ha ha.
Being all the same personality type of course works for us. Since we are perfectionists and goal oriented, preparing for our trip has been smooth. No personality conflicts, no drama, and EVERYTHING gets done! I honestly have never been in an all female group where I didn't have to worry about communicating appropriately so another doesn't take my direct nature and get sensitive about it. It's quite freeing, I must admit. One thing we all did observe in our profile is "the tendency to take other people's efforts for granted as we take our own for granted. We need to remember to pat people on the back once in awhile." This is not to say we do not care. Once we see a need, we care compassionately and give our everything in full support. Sometimes, we need to observe deeds that we may not notice because we are on a track to keep our goal and tend to think some emotions just become draining. Like my husband says, "Honey, sometimes you need to SHOW me you love me and act like you do." After I roll my eyes, I realize that his personality is the complete antithesis of mine. I often miss opportunities with him to show I'm meeting his emotional need, because it just doesn't occur to me. This is something we as a team, do need to recognize in you too. Being our supporters and friends, please pray that we will be diligent in noticing emotional needs in you, our families, and people in SEA and following up on them. So, thank you all, sincerely, for your calls, conversations, meals, and words of encouragements. We appreciate your investment in us. Now get over yourselves, we have work to do.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Beginning Obstacles
Donna, Dorothy, and I first met at Panera not really sure if going to SEA was going to happen yet. After discussing what an urgent need it was, we all decided that night, that we were all determined to go, even on such short notice.Time had become our first obstacle. The English camp had already conducted entry exams for the primary graders and their elite status parents planning and expecting a team of teachers. They have been preparing for months expecting that back in the USA, we were doing the same. Through an honest oversight here in the US, no team was preparing to go. When our liaison in SEA, Clarissa, contacted Pastor Dave and his wife, Becca from Newsong, the realization for the need of teachers was urgent.
We are going to a closed country that is culturally rich and politically sensitive. Being affiliated with a church is not something we can yell out.Thus comes our second major obstacle. This trip is both a mission and a service trip. We cannot proclaim God through name; in fact, we need to be careful of our language not to use any spiritual verbiage at all. However, can teach values of love and forgiveness while teaching the English language. For either mission based or service based trips, finances are raised through individual and organizational support alike. At the time, we had neither. We have not been together to properly raise for finances nor were we backed by a church since all funds and missions were already involved in ongoing training and preparation. Also, the school in SEA that had allocated funds toward us going were not as readily available as we thought.We were up against time and money. Yeah, no pressure.
Through Becca and Dave's talks with groups within our church,a ministry called Xealot, has supported us administratively! Through their backing, it enables our team to be able to go as an organization and for them to track our finances as they come in. The school's finances are not set, but we are confident that they will come in.
Our ongoing 3rd obstacle, is all the minor details, preparations, and complications that are constant. Meeting deadlines, having flight issues,gathering paper work regarding visas and such,and of course curriculum. Our team has been efficient and all get along great! Please pray for continuous harmony in both our work and fellowship. Not to mention our own lives. We all have work, school, families, and separate lives we all need to attend to. Please pray that we all are committed to our own responsibilities as well.
Thank you again for supporting us! Be it through prayer, finances, or friendship,we cannot be on this journey without you. This blog both serves as an account of our journey and to allow you a window to our process and update you on what's current.
We are going to a closed country that is culturally rich and politically sensitive. Being affiliated with a church is not something we can yell out.Thus comes our second major obstacle. This trip is both a mission and a service trip. We cannot proclaim God through name; in fact, we need to be careful of our language not to use any spiritual verbiage at all. However, can teach values of love and forgiveness while teaching the English language. For either mission based or service based trips, finances are raised through individual and organizational support alike. At the time, we had neither. We have not been together to properly raise for finances nor were we backed by a church since all funds and missions were already involved in ongoing training and preparation. Also, the school in SEA that had allocated funds toward us going were not as readily available as we thought.We were up against time and money. Yeah, no pressure.
Through Becca and Dave's talks with groups within our church,a ministry called Xealot, has supported us administratively! Through their backing, it enables our team to be able to go as an organization and for them to track our finances as they come in. The school's finances are not set, but we are confident that they will come in.
Our ongoing 3rd obstacle, is all the minor details, preparations, and complications that are constant. Meeting deadlines, having flight issues,gathering paper work regarding visas and such,and of course curriculum. Our team has been efficient and all get along great! Please pray for continuous harmony in both our work and fellowship. Not to mention our own lives. We all have work, school, families, and separate lives we all need to attend to. Please pray that we all are committed to our own responsibilities as well.
Thank you again for supporting us! Be it through prayer, finances, or friendship,we cannot be on this journey without you. This blog both serves as an account of our journey and to allow you a window to our process and update you on what's current.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Furious Five
Stolen from Kung Fu Panda and a gracious supporter, I think this label fits! The five of us ARE furiously working towards our trip! 5 team members, 4 meetings, 3 major obstacles, 2 flat tires, and 1 goal later, we are still standing strong, making sure our trip becomes a reality.
Here's our team!
DONNA
Donna was born and raised in MD with two younger sisters. She moved to California to attend UCLA and graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Upon graduation, she realized her passion for people [instead of machines] and started her own financial planning practice, Financially Yours Advisory Services. She's been serving her clients, primarily in LA and Orange County ever since.
Donna has been attending Newsong for the past few years. She's a member of The Vine and a volunteer at Noah's Place. She's also served on TreX (Newsong's summer short term missions) last year. Donna recently bought a home in Tustin, CA, whom she shares with her 2 sisters and their dog, Bobo.
DOROTHY
Hello fellow bloggers, it is great to meet you. Just a little about myself so you know who the team is… I am an optometry student, just finishing my first year. This summer is my one and only summer left before continuing year-round classes and clinical practice for the next three years. With this summer being my last, I wanted to make the most out of it. I originally planned to simply kick back, relax and have fun this summer with maybe a couple of trips for vacation. Instead, I stumbled upon the SEA team and after learning about it, decided that teaching English in Southeast Asia is what I want to do. I am excited about my decision and I can’t wait to see the impact I can make on the children of the English camp!
A few quick-bits about me… I enjoy new adventures, new foods, and being outdoors doing anything from hiking to soaking up the sun. I have 2 older sisters, and a lovely dog, Bobo. I love hearing different languages, so if there was one superpower I could have, it would be to learn new languages at the blink of any eye. And if there is one thing I regret, it would be not having followed through with my ice skating lessons from when I was younger. I mean, I could be at the Olympics right now! Just kidding…
TASHA
I was born and raised in Southern California and have made my home here. I am a professional artist with an art degree from CSULB. I traveled nationally to paint murals and work on Family Entertainment Centers, and worked at various art studios in both OC and LA. After a stint in teaching private art studios, I became a public HS Art Teacher. I started off paying my dues in the ghetto and now currently work at a continuation high school in OC. I have subsequently developed a love for working with at risk teens and being a child advocate.
Personally, I have been married for 11 yrs. marrying my college sweetheart, together for 15 yrs. We have 2 beautiful daughters,ages 6 and 9, a beta fish named Blueberry and our newest family member, a crayfish named Hot Sushi!I teach art privately, and also am a Yoga Booty Ballet assistant where I can use my love for dance. My main hobby is FOOD. Cooking, eating, experimenting...you can always find me grubbing somewhere.:)
BECCA
Hi All,
I'm a California transplant from Maryland who prefers the west coast weather. Since my children are older now (15-21), I enjoy traveling more with my husband and spending time with all the small groups that have become my extended family. I'm a long-time member of Newsong with about 15 yrs of Noah's Place volunteering. Visiting SEA has been on my "bucket list" for years. Ever since Clarissa and family moved there, I was looking for a good excuse to visit. Clarissa helped get an English Camp going in her hometown, and because I planned on being in Asia around the same time, it works out for me this year. I am so excited about meeting the kids at camp and seeing Clarissa and family. I'll be able to take the younger 2 of my four children with me and they will act as TA's for the teachers. We have an amazing group of women going this year with the very capable and experienced Donna leading us.
TATY
Born and raised in Brazil, Taty is in a crazy adventure with her husband Leo. Currently Leo and Taty are residents at Newsong’s 511 Creative Space. 511 is a church/community center that serves artists, kids from the community, homeless and activists in Santa Ana, CA. She has a passion and desire for real change in different communities.
"I love learning from other cultures and being around people, specially the young generation".
Here's our team!
DONNA
Donna was born and raised in MD with two younger sisters. She moved to California to attend UCLA and graduated with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Upon graduation, she realized her passion for people [instead of machines] and started her own financial planning practice, Financially Yours Advisory Services. She's been serving her clients, primarily in LA and Orange County ever since.
Donna has been attending Newsong for the past few years. She's a member of The Vine and a volunteer at Noah's Place. She's also served on TreX (Newsong's summer short term missions) last year. Donna recently bought a home in Tustin, CA, whom she shares with her 2 sisters and their dog, Bobo.
DOROTHY
Hello fellow bloggers, it is great to meet you. Just a little about myself so you know who the team is… I am an optometry student, just finishing my first year. This summer is my one and only summer left before continuing year-round classes and clinical practice for the next three years. With this summer being my last, I wanted to make the most out of it. I originally planned to simply kick back, relax and have fun this summer with maybe a couple of trips for vacation. Instead, I stumbled upon the SEA team and after learning about it, decided that teaching English in Southeast Asia is what I want to do. I am excited about my decision and I can’t wait to see the impact I can make on the children of the English camp!
A few quick-bits about me… I enjoy new adventures, new foods, and being outdoors doing anything from hiking to soaking up the sun. I have 2 older sisters, and a lovely dog, Bobo. I love hearing different languages, so if there was one superpower I could have, it would be to learn new languages at the blink of any eye. And if there is one thing I regret, it would be not having followed through with my ice skating lessons from when I was younger. I mean, I could be at the Olympics right now! Just kidding…
TASHA
I was born and raised in Southern California and have made my home here. I am a professional artist with an art degree from CSULB. I traveled nationally to paint murals and work on Family Entertainment Centers, and worked at various art studios in both OC and LA. After a stint in teaching private art studios, I became a public HS Art Teacher. I started off paying my dues in the ghetto and now currently work at a continuation high school in OC. I have subsequently developed a love for working with at risk teens and being a child advocate.
Personally, I have been married for 11 yrs. marrying my college sweetheart, together for 15 yrs. We have 2 beautiful daughters,ages 6 and 9, a beta fish named Blueberry and our newest family member, a crayfish named Hot Sushi!I teach art privately, and also am a Yoga Booty Ballet assistant where I can use my love for dance. My main hobby is FOOD. Cooking, eating, experimenting...you can always find me grubbing somewhere.:)
BECCA
Hi All,
I'm a California transplant from Maryland who prefers the west coast weather. Since my children are older now (15-21), I enjoy traveling more with my husband and spending time with all the small groups that have become my extended family. I'm a long-time member of Newsong with about 15 yrs of Noah's Place volunteering. Visiting SEA has been on my "bucket list" for years. Ever since Clarissa and family moved there, I was looking for a good excuse to visit. Clarissa helped get an English Camp going in her hometown, and because I planned on being in Asia around the same time, it works out for me this year. I am so excited about meeting the kids at camp and seeing Clarissa and family. I'll be able to take the younger 2 of my four children with me and they will act as TA's for the teachers. We have an amazing group of women going this year with the very capable and experienced Donna leading us.
TATY
Born and raised in Brazil, Taty is in a crazy adventure with her husband Leo. Currently Leo and Taty are residents at Newsong’s 511 Creative Space. 511 is a church/community center that serves artists, kids from the community, homeless and activists in Santa Ana, CA. She has a passion and desire for real change in different communities.
"I love learning from other cultures and being around people, specially the young generation".
Monday, May 24, 2010
Welcome!
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. -Lao Tzu
This quote immediately came to me as I was thinking about our trip. Our anxieties, fears, excitement, and preparation all purposed for one goal. The opportunity to teach little kids English in Southeast Asia ~SEA~ isn't one that comes around often. As with any goal you set, all you CAN do is take one step at a time in hopes that your goal becomes reality. Thank you for your support;our team, Donna, Dorothy, Becca, Taty, and myself, Tasha , THANK YOU.
This quote immediately came to me as I was thinking about our trip. Our anxieties, fears, excitement, and preparation all purposed for one goal. The opportunity to teach little kids English in Southeast Asia ~SEA~ isn't one that comes around often. As with any goal you set, all you CAN do is take one step at a time in hopes that your goal becomes reality. Thank you for your support;our team, Donna, Dorothy, Becca, Taty, and myself, Tasha , THANK YOU.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)