Jeanna

East Asia

September 18, 2007

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all doing well.

These past few weeks have been interesting to say the least. We have now begun teaching our night class for the Continuing Education department here at YUST. Tonight was the start of our second week. Unfortunately, my class has been very difficult. It is not at all like my summer class and this is going to take much getting use to. My students are very different. They are people from the town and they are not used to interacting with foreigners like the students here are. I think that both the students and myself are experiencing some intense culture shock. For example, the second night I taught I brought up the idea of watching a movie with my class, this idea came from other professors here that have done that a lot in their classes and the students have really enjoyed it and it has greatly helped improve their English. Well as I was ending class that night I said goodbye and told my students I would see them tomorrow. Instead of packing up their bags and leaving class my students just sat there awkwardly looking at me. I thought maybe they hadn’t understood me so I told them again, goodnight I’ll see you tomorrow. The silence continued until finally an older man spoke up and began to tell me that he had a suggestion for me. I said, “Ok, what’s that?” He began telling me that he thought watching a movie was a bad idea, that he didn’t want to do that and if he did he would be better off staying at home watching it and not even bother coming to class. Suddenly the whole class began agreeing with him adamantly and telling me what a terrible idea it was and they just wanted to speak in class, etc. I was completely shocked and not to mention mortified by my class’ behavior. This went against everything I have learned thus far since I have been learning about how students treat their teaches. Teachers are supposed to be revered and never questioned. No student would ever dream of saying anything negative to a teacher nonetheless tell them their idea for teaching was bad and basically that they refused to do it. To add to this, I also had noticed those first couple of nights that my students refused to ask me any questions. I saw that many of them were asking one particular male student all kinds of questions about the material but as soon as I approached them to ask them if they needed any help they would simply say that they were asking HIM, not ME! I couldn’t believe it! I was extremely stressed about all of this and hadn’t the slightest clue as to what to do about it, so I discussed the problem with my supervisor, who has been teaching for many many years, and she told me that she also had this same problem when teaching students from the town. She said that I had to earn their respect, one, because I am young and they automatically will have little respect for me because of that, and two because I am a foreigner and they have no idea how to relate to me or what to expect from me. So, I have been pr*ying A LOT and asking the L*rd for much wisdom as to how to earn their respect and show them that I love them. So far, the L*rd has been faithful in answering these pr*yers! The last few nights have been much better and my students have actually been asking me questions! I have been greatly encouraged by this but know that I will have to continue to be patient with them and daily depend on the L*rd’s guidance in earning their respect. Please be pr*ying with me in this as well!

As for other news, I turned 22 last week! It was interesting having a birthday here. My supervisor threw me a small party, just Me, Joanna, and LouJean and made me steak! It was amazing! We had sweet tea, steak and perhaps the best chocolate cake I have ever had! It was wonderful, a little slice of home!

Language study has continued to be a challenge. We actually attended a class here last week upon hearing that one was available. However, no one mentioned the fact that it was going to be taught in Korean! Needless to say, the class didn’t quite work out. So we are now searching for a new tutor. We are trying to find a few students who will tutor us on different days of the week so that we can study everyday and it won’t be too overwhelming for any one student. So far we have found a couple. In the meantime we have been learning from a CD Joanna’s father sent with us I think I have actually learned more from the CD than anything else so far. But please be pr*ying for us as we continue discerning the best way to learn.

Well, this has become quite long. I love and miss you all! I am thankful for your pr*yers! They are greatly needed! This has been the hardest month for me so far. But I know that the L*rd is with me, and He will never give me anything that I cannot handle. He is always faithful in equipping us for the tasks that He sets before us. It is so easy to get discouraged, especially when you are over here and often feel alone. But He is good to us and strengthens us when we need it the most. Hope to hear from you soon!

Jeanna