Rewind.

Due to a lack of internet and general busy-ness at training all week, I didn't have a chance to post much until tonight.  Here are a few highlights to catch you up on what's happening in Asia, but you'll have to wait until I return if you want to get the full story!

TRAINING

This happened on Lantau Island, one of HK's islands.  Hong Kong is part of China, technically, but still has its own government, I believe.  I think it's in the process of switching over to be completely under China's rule in the next years or so or something like that.  Anyways, we stayed at a YWCA surrounded by gorgeous mountains.  We spent most days in a big hall learning everything from team love languages to a few Cantonese phrases and lots and lots of Hong Kong culture.  Learning how to use the teaching curriculum provided for us was another big part of training.

Teammate Michelle and I SO EXCITED for another afternoon of curriculum!

HOUSING

Our team was packed into pretty small rooms for all six of us at the YWCA, but it made for plenty of bonding time.  Also, mattresses in Asia are THIN and HARD. I think my back's finally getting used to that one.  "Only in Asia..." is a common phrase we ELIC-ers are using, and I think it fits in perfectly with the bed situation.  Also, I'm not complaining about the small room thing.. only thankful I won't be moving into an apartment this small at Dordt in the fall!

Our team's room at training.

JESSICA

My good friend Jessica Glenn and I the morning we left Lantau for Hong Kong.  We didn't know each other until this summer, but we met up in LA and explored the city a little together.

LOVE ME SOME CHINESE FOOD

Needless to say, we'll be eating quite a bit of rice this summer. Actually, we already have.  Not a day at training went by without sticky rice.  I'm becoming a chopsticks pro, and this delicious (and leaky) soy sauce made the rice at training just that much better!

JULY 4TH AT THE BEACH

Even though we were in China, we still celebrated July 4th at the beach!  All 100 some of us college student English teachers swam in the ocean, played ultimate frisbee and sand volleyball on the beach, and worshiped once the sun set.  Here are Rick, Joy, (teammates) and I enjoying dinner with the rest of the students on the beach!

Have I mentioned how BEAUTIFUL this place was? Gorgeous.  Here's a view of the YWCA from above... oceans and mountains only minutes away.  

...oceans and mountains. LOVE. What a wonderful Creator we serve!