In case you haven't heard...

...I'm heading to China!

It's Noon on Saturday, Feb. 4, and I've finally finished typing, editing, and re-editing my support letter. If you're reading this blog, chances are you'll get one in the mail soon or have already gotten one. If you haven't or don't, let me know and I can definitely get you one!

I included the web address to this blog in that letter, but I've also decided to include the web-friendly content of that letter here. So, if you haven't received a letter yet.. here it is!


Dear Friends and Family,

I’m honored to share with you about an exciting opportunity that I have been provided with for this upcoming summer. I have received the opportunity to teach conversational English during July 2012!

This summer, I will serve as one of those teachers! My teaching schedule is as follows:
o June 28th – Depart North America for Hong Kong
o July 9th – Conversational English Camps in Hong Kong Begins!
o July 27th – Final Day of English Camps in Hong Kong
o July 29th – Travel to Mongolia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, or China
o August 6th – Return to North America

Following a week of training, I will spend three weeks leading my own class of 15-20 Chinese students in English lessons for three hours each morning. During the afternoons, my team and I will teach American culture to the students, and in the evenings, we will have the opportunity to engage in our students’ lives as they teach us the Chinese culture!

For the final week of the trip, I will have the opportunity to observe long-term teachers in another country in Asia. In a future letter, I will let you know of my placement.  As of May 23, it's Cambodia!

Through this trip, it is my hope that I may be able to share of my own heart and life with my own students in order to impact them positively, also.

Because I'm working through a non-profit organization, teachers are required to raise all of their own support. For my program, I must raise $3,580. Of this amount, about $2500 is due by May 1st, and the rest is due on June 1st. Please prayerfully consider being part of this wonderful service opportunity with me through financial and spiritual support. If you wish to partner with me, I have enclosed a donation card and envelope that may be sent to the organization. (Obviously I have no way to enclose those on my blog, so if you'd like a donor card and business-reply envelope, let me know!)

Please feel free to contact me with any further questions. Also, please be praying for me as I continue the process of raising funds and preparing for my service in China during Summer 2012.

Kristin


Since I've spent the majority of my morning working on details of my upcoming China trip, I'm spending the rest of the day in homework before heading to the Keith and Kristyn Getty concert offered free for students on Dordt's campus tonight. I'll be volunteering to sell merchandise before and after the concert and enjoying some of the music, also.

It's February in Iowa, the sun's shining brightly, and there are only a few traces of snow on the ground. How strange, how wonderful! Enjoy your day--no matter the weather you're having there!