Aug. 28, 2007

Dear Friends,

Ten new Amity teachers and three new Young Adult Volunteers completed their three week training in Yangzhou on August 24th.  The orientation program included many elements--a course introducing all of the aspects of living and working in China that these new colleagues would encounter during their time of service in China; a broad introduction to all of the work of the Amity Foundation; a teaching workshop introducing information and useful materials for teaching here in China; a  practice teaching experience for each new teacher; some survival Chinese learning through a basic Chinese course and tutoring; optional cultural workshops with exposure to Chinese cooking, music, calligraphy, etc.; an introduction to the church in China; and opportunities to worship in the local church and opportunities to worship together as an Amity teacher group. I was one of seven leaders for this program, with major responsibility in helping the new teachers learn about the local church, helping them connect with the local church, organizing and leading our morning devotions and Sunday evening in-house worship services, as well as providing pastoral care as needed. 
 
On August 24th the new teachers and orientation leaders headed for Nanjing where a short three-and-a-half-day conference was held for all of the continuing and new Amity teachers together. We heard about Women in the Church in China as shared by Professor Cathy Zhang (Zhang Jing) from Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.  We learned about some of Amity's new efforts to develop some additional local financial support for some of its projects.  We visited the Amity Printing Press where Bibles are printed and the new, larger printing facility that is currently being built to expand the printing company's capability.  We attended the English worship service of St. Paul's church, one of the local Chinese churches which began this additional English ministry three years ago and reaches out to many who are interested in English.  We had a workshop on psychological issues that our students face in dealing with various relationships and pressures in their lives.  A psychology professor and four university students opened windows on this subject through their sharing.  On August 27th we had a moving closing worship service together. 
 
On August 28th all 37 Amity teachers and the 3 Young Adult Volunteers headed for the schools where they will be teaching.  These teachers come from 11 different countries and are now starting their teaching in many different schools spread throughout five different provinces (Gansu Province, Guangxi Province, Jiangsi Province, Anhui Province and Jiangsu Province).  The majority of the Amity teachers will be helping English teaching majors improve their English speaking and writing.  Some will also be teaching British and American Culture or Literature or other language related subjects.  The Amity Young Adult Volunteers will be helping Chinese secondary students at a school in a small town to improve their English skills as well. 
 
My teaching responsibilities are unique to Amity as I will be the only Amity teacher teaching at the seminary in Nanjing.  For seminary students the term will begin with a chapel service on Monday morning, September 3rd.  The classes I will be teaching begin on Tuesday, the 4th. 
 
Please pray for all of the Amity teachers as they begin their responsibilities in this new term.  Pray that the new teachers will adjust very quickly to life in their new towns and schools.  Pray that they will very quickly establish the network of support to help with all of their needs.  Pray that all of the Amity teachers will have a good start to the fall term.  Pray that lesson planning and that the in-class activities planned will go smoothly and will generate student interest and meet student needs.  Pray that relationships may develop and grow in meaningful ways.  Pray that opportunities for discussion of significant issues of meaning and depth may present themselves. Pray that each teacher may provide a Christ-like witness of Love in Action. Pray that students may make good progress in the development of their English skills and in their learning about life.  Pray that all may remain healthy in body, mind and spirit.  

Peace,
Judy Sutterlin