July 3 - Asia #2 (edited)

Apologies, but the last update was cut off; rather than editing the previous post I thought it'd make more sense to just make a new one, since more people might read it this way (and it'll show up on google reader!). Below is the *full* body.

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It’s hard to believe it’s only been one week that we’ve been here. Life in New York seems so far away and many of us are finding life here fulfilling and exciting. This was our first full week here.

We’ve met and gotten to know our roommates better. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, we’ve had English House activities to just hang out with our roommates. This Saturday, we will have a scavenger hunt around Ya*.

I have 5 roommates, most of whom are rising sophomore English majors. There are also 2 C’s in my room, which is definitely encouraging to see. They are the upperclassmen. The policy here is not to e- to freshman, so it makes sense that only the upperclassmen are C’s. I am looking forward to meeting with each of my roommates and getting to hear their stories.

We had dinner with a professor here, and her explanation of life here struck us all in a very positive way. The professors here go out of their way to p- for and love the students. Some are pretty antagonistic, but the staff don’t give up and they keep pleading with Dad on behalf of these students. As I mentioned in my last update, the students notice the extra effort the professors make and that the atmosphere of this school is unique.

I’ve realized that people here are single-minded in their desire to serve. Every part of their days and their lives are devoted to being a servant. Academic excellence is of equal importance because the teachers here believe that that is a necessary part of the work. Meeting with students, planning lessons, encouraging other teachers—this is all part and parcel with being an M here. Life in New York can be so busy and so scattered, that even while doing G’s work, it’s hard to see what’s really important. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time and I feel like I’m always moving to the next thing on my to-do list. I’ve had so much more time here to meditate and talk to G. I’ve had to really think about what it means to love people. To be a witness in the classroom and in the way I live my life. It’s also so encouraging to be surrounded by people who are doing the same thing. We share our struggles and thoughts together and it’s really nice. Our fellow summer volunteers, as well as the other teachers here are having a lot of fun together.

Tomorrow, the two-weekers will be arriving. We’re very excited to welcome them. Please request a safe and smooth trip for them as well. Also, request that our relationships would go deeper than just fun and we would be able to share about the things that are really near to our hearts.