Dear Friends and Family,

Last night (Wednesday) it really downpoured here in Xi’an.  It is cooler but also very sticky.  Today was our special day and at this moment many of the teachers are telling the good news of the E—ster story.  We had a fantastic E—ster egg hunt earlier—we put about 1,000 plastic eggs with candy in them all over the ball field and equipment.  The kids had made baskets in crafts.  They brought the baskets down to the athletic field and at a set whistle blow they scrambled for about 15 minutes getting all the eggs. The “catch” was that you could pick up only ONE egg at a time, take it back to the starting point where the basket was and then the student must speak English to the teacher—something like “I found an Easter egg!”  These responses were modeled by the teacher earlier in the first class period.  But now the really exciting news is being shared—typically after this day, particularly among the older students, many questions begin to flow!  Many conversations occur. Team members continue to go out with students to eat and shop and converse.  It is very exciting!

We had placed all the eggs on the field and when we were finished it began a gentle but steady rain. Good thing the eggs were all plastic and the candy wrapped!  It is continuing to rain right now steadily.  This is typical for Xi’an—usually we get some type of rain during our time here.

We will have class tomorrow (Friday) and actually begin week 2 on Saturday, taking a break to tour on Sunday, and finishing on Thursday. Free day in Xi’an on Friday.

Please remember encounters that the team has had in which the good news has been shared. Yesterday, after I completed my blog I was able to share with the teacher who had let me in the office to use the computer. All very natural but very pointed.

Woody, Tracey and Bailey arrived last night.  Woody and Chris will leave today after lunch.  Tracey and Bailey have jumped right in and it’s like they’ve been here the whole time!  Tracey told Chris after just one class period, “No wonder you like coming back here!  The kids are great!”

Throats are starting to “go” with all the teaching and activities and now damp weather.  I have gotten a wonderful head cold.  Please keep our health in mind as you lift.  Thank you so much for your support.

More news tomorrow . . .

Love,

Becky