It Goes Down Thursday
So we’ve been here over 2 weeks, and we’re finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Training ends on Wednesday … and after a final banquet that evening, we’ll all pack our stuff up and move out of the hotel. On Thursday, a representative from my school will arrive in Changsha to take me to Loudi!
Once there, I’ll have a few days to move into my apartment, open a bank account, register for my Foreign Expert Visa, get a cell phone (probably), find my way around the town, and meet all the who’s-who of Loudi. I’ll probably get to visit my school and see what kind of facilities it has, and I’ll be able to ask my liaison (the person who’s paid to help me throughout the year) questions about the town and school. Then, next week, school starts!
I’ll be isolated, 2 hours from the nearest big city, so there will be many challenges. I still know very little of the language, so I’ll have to dive in headfirst to literally learn how to survive. I won’t have access to many conveniences and items that can be found in a bigger city like Changsha, and I’ll be probably teaching over 1,000 students every week in a totally strange and potentially intimidating environment. And the culture itself is quite unusual and, in many ways, unfriendly to foreigners. But I’ll talk about that last thing later.
Even so, I’m very excited … though it should be a little intimidating moving out on my own, into a town where I’ll likely be the only foreigner, I’m ready for it. Life should be a little slower, a little simpler. I’ll have my own space, so I won’t live out of a suitcase. And I’ll be able to concentrate on the language a little more, utilizing lessons and tutorials that I’ve been gathering for the past couple of months. I should also be able to communicate with home a lot easier (hopefully), and I’ll be able to make friends that will last all year in my hometown.
So yeah … here we go!
August 21st, 2006 at 2:40 am EST
heck yeah Lance! I am so excited for you after reading that entry. Wow. It’s going to blow your mind away sometimes.
I hope you can pick up the language quickly and get some friends to help.
Looking forward to hearing more
August 21st, 2006 at 3:43 am EST
I’m praying for you brother…it makes me smile so much!!!!
You better put your seat belt on, it’s going to be a way cool, hard, and even jerky ride at times…but one, at the end of it all, you will say “that was worth the long line”. But please Lance, keep your arms and legs inside the car…oh, and no standing up while the vehicle is in motion. Thank you, enjoy your journey.
August 21st, 2006 at 9:30 pm EST
exciting!! if you do get a new phone you’ll have to send me the number so i can properly stalk you
oooor just because you’re missed
August 22nd, 2006 at 7:52 pm EST
well, good luck my friend. i’ll be sure to remember you in my prayers. china does not seem like it would be an easy place to live, but God will be with you. stay strong, and continue to walk with the Lord. in the mean time, good luck settling in. i hope to stop by and comment at least every now and then to say hey. and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
August 22nd, 2006 at 8:49 pm EST
Oh, c’mon, Kat … you know that I always ride with my hands high in the air!
Angie, I’ll post my phone information once I get it, and thanks for the note, Tim.
August 22nd, 2006 at 10:00 pm EST
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Wow Lance! It sounds like you have had one adventure after another with more to come! But remember … don’t anticipate, participate!
China sounds like it is a challenging and box-stretching culture to adapt to … so I know you aren’t disappointed!
I have been back at school for almost a week now. This last week and the next are in preparation for the rest of students and incoming freshmen. I don’t know if you remember or not but I am in charge of planning and running all hall activities for my dorm. More than enough to kept me busy and already overwhelmed without classes! However, I am encouraged and affirmed every day that this is where and how I am to be used right now by the awesome staff that surround me!
Anyway, I pray that your travel and settlement into your “home china town” will go smoothly. I also pray that you will continue to be stretched and used completely as you serve children!
I’ll keep praying for you and checking in on the China happening!
Dios le Bendiga … opps … wrong dialect! Later Lance “Awesome” Webel
~jules!
August 23rd, 2006 at 5:59 pm EST
Lance, Remember what G’ma Webel often said. “You come! ” That’s the Stuff all Webel’s are made of! They can survive in any circumstance! PAPER CLIPS N’ ICE CREAM and all! YOU HAVE A GOOD CONSTITUTION!!!!! MOM
August 23rd, 2006 at 10:52 pm EST
Take care while you are away and know that all of your colleagues at CHCA are proud of you and the work you are doing. We are praying for you!!
August 24th, 2006 at 3:06 am EST
enjoy life in Loudi, Lance. you will get friends there, Chinese people are warm and friendly, have any question just feel free to ask me
August 27th, 2006 at 7:31 am EST
Thanks, everybody … you guys are so amazing!