Dear Friends and Family,

Yesterday was a “break” day—most of the teachers went to see the terra cotta soldiers and then the old city of Xi’an with its wall and then some shopping.  A few of us who have been to see the terra cotta soldiers already stayed back.  (I have seen them three times.)  The team had a great day but of course it was very tiring for them. We had dinner at a very popular Chinese restaurant with “hot pot.”  They make a type of boiling broth that is flavored with vegetables and some meat, then we cook different meats, noodles, and vegetables in the boiling broth and take them out to eat.  It’s a real experience—sort of like our fondue—but they also have a man who handpulls the wheat noodles before they go in the broth.  He swings the long string of dough all around like a whip—over his head and lashing around his body.

After the team returned from dinner we had our service.  We sang praises. Many shared what He is teaching them and then Dale brought a message and we closed with thoughts. A very encouraging time as He has given us so much in many ways here.

Today is our seventh day and the team is back to teaching.  We took class pictures this morning.  I think you will see many of these on the BTW website eventually!

Before I blogged today, Lucy showed me more family and paper cut pictures—I had asked to see more as I love pictures and again we had a chance to talk about spiritual things.  She truly believes that we, as Confucious said, should not consider death—just put it out of our minds—since we do not really know what will happen.  I am thankful for the opportunity to continue our conversation very naturally.

Sophia requested that we move our evening activity to this afternoon since it may get dark before we complete the digital camera hunt and it also is a bit difficult for some students to get back and forth to the camp readily after darkness. It should be fun!  I hope to put together a PowerPoint with pictures from each class to show the students. Who doesn’t love seeing a funny picture of themselves?

Thank you for your continued support.  More later . . .

See some messages below from a few team members.

Love,

Becky

From Dale and Louise: Hello Everyone!  Happy birthday Bunny, Great and big one-year old Ben!  WE are well and enjoying teaching and sharing with our students. Catching a taxi on the busy, crowded streets four times a day is a hoot!

Love, Dale, Louise and Andy

From Kathy:  Hi Grace! Happy birthday and I love you!  I’m doing well!  —Kathy