from an email to Elaine Bent in Texas.
E: I am glad you have met and are involved with some theatre people - both Chinese and American. You need to have that involvement to feed the special talents God gave you. Are the people in your class Chinese, Americans, or mixture?
K: All Singaporean Chinese. They speak English, but don't have the breadth of vocabulary we use. They've all learned a lot, and so have I. Expectations were a little high. No emerging playwrites out of the bunch, but every person grew creatively, and in their understanding of plays, and were glad to have taken the class. We'll see what develops in the future.
E: They are so lucky to have you to teach them script writing. I wish I could be there for that class, too. When you "go off" to write, do you have something special already in mind?
K: Usually some seed of something...theme, issue, conflict, circumstance. A few times we did helpful "flash writing" exercises. One we did was just like acting improvs. Everyone submitted character ideas, conflict, place, and positive and negative character qualities. Then they drew these slips and had to write a scene. It just got them writing about something. Which was the hardest for them to do - just START.
E: I can't believe BOTH of your boys are in school! They do grow up so quickly. Do they go to schools which are taught in Chinese? (I am assuming that Singaporean use Chinese for their national language. Am I correct? I really don't know.) Do you have to do some teaching of your own at home?
K: My boys schools are in English - and that is the National Language! (The English isn't always completely STANDARD English, but pretty good, just a strong accent, especially their classmates). They each have an hour+ of Chinese each day as part of the curriculum. All children must take Mother Tongue (one of three languages offered in the schools). Tyler says, can't I just call English my Mother Tongue and forget about Chinese? He and Cameron are both doing well. Their verbal skills are better than many of their classmates, and Tyler regularly scores in the high 80's on his exams (many of his classmates fail! - can you imagein faling a subject in 1st and 2nd grade?)
E: Do have a TV?
K: We have cable which offers a few extra stations. Cartoon network, National Geographic, etc. We're pretty well off in what we can get here. I have my mom tape The West Wing for me when she can. We are starved for intelligent conversation and bright friends with bigger vocabulary than most here, so we get our stimulation from having vicarious relationships with this TV President and his liberal staffers.
1/14/2002
Letter: 2 Working moms San Pedro CA and Singapore write...
How I have thought and prayed over your letter these last couple of weeks! I was so sorry to hear about how the economy has affected your financial stability, dreams, and not the least important your faith in God's goodness...
You said,
I LOOK AT PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT SEEM SO STRONG IN THE LORD AND SO DEVOTED TO HIS PURPOSE AND THEN HAVE TO ASK MYSELF IF MY PROBLEMS ARE BECAUSE I AM TOO CAUGHT UP IN THE WORLD'S VALUES? LIVING IN PALOS VERDES AND BEING SURROUNDED WITH PEOPLE THAT SEEMINGLY HAVE MONEY TO SPARE AND MOMS THAT GET TO STAY HOME WITH THEIR KIDS AND TAKE TENNIS LESSONS.....I HONESTLY STRUGGLE WITH THE SIN OF ENVY AND JEALOUSY.
You are right to say that I don't know you well, but I do know you well enough to observe that you've faithfully been making lemonade for as long as I've known you.
And it doesn't help to live where you do, and have all the tennis moms and PV Homes and school district etc etc to compare yourself too, and what with the Big PRAYER OF JABEZ being all the rage last year...how can you not get depressed when you feel you've been faithful to the Lord, and ask for fish, and get what seems like stones instead...YES! I do understand that.
I knew before we came back on our last visit to USA "home" in June that it would be was the first time I would wrestle with the green-eyed monster.I'd be seeing the lifestyles of my peers, and old friends, and what assortment of things their kids are involved in. I knew because I was experiencing such dissatistfaction with my own circumstances, I knew that the grass of PV would be MUCH greener!
Sitting here at home this month, reading through Christmas newsletters, gives me some of those feelings and doubts again...WHY are we investing our lives like this, when we could have had THIS???? And I revisit with the Lord what is important to HIM, and I feel confirmed in my life's decisions....and then I start wrestling with being judgmental!!! So, see, I'm not such a saint!!
I'm not going to be quick to say "Oh NO you're not too caught up in the world's values!" because I don't know what God's purposes are in bringing you two through this current valley. But I do know that an antidote is to get your eyes and heart off those who (seem to) have more, turn off the TV (with the ads), even go media free for a week or so, so that you don't get bombarded with what you don't have, or aren't like...and it that isn't weird or extreme enough, dedicate yourselves to praying this month for the poor, the destitute, the oppressed, the persecuted.God will use it to bring perspective to your current situation! In those years at RHCC as our friends nearly all bought houses, and we stayed in our apartment/condo, it always helped me to have friends and connections with people who had much less than I did!
There are so many more of these kinds of humans in this world than there are the kind who live in the neighborhoods just above you on the hill...that's such a minute percentage of these "haves" in the world. AND God's promises and love is just as profound and real to the rest of the world's population as it is to Americans, even the blessed welfare recipients in the USA who at least know there will be SOME money coming in. I feel like I'm lucky to have a relationship with the peasant mother of our babysitter in China; she rarely have more that potatoes to eat all year long (if that) and RADIATES the love of Christ, and is confident (most of the time) in his goodness to her. It is SUCH a matter of perspective isn't it? Ah, now I'm rambling... Bless you and keep faithful as you wrestle with these things.
You said,
I LOOK AT PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT SEEM SO STRONG IN THE LORD AND SO DEVOTED TO HIS PURPOSE AND THEN HAVE TO ASK MYSELF IF MY PROBLEMS ARE BECAUSE I AM TOO CAUGHT UP IN THE WORLD'S VALUES? LIVING IN PALOS VERDES AND BEING SURROUNDED WITH PEOPLE THAT SEEMINGLY HAVE MONEY TO SPARE AND MOMS THAT GET TO STAY HOME WITH THEIR KIDS AND TAKE TENNIS LESSONS.....I HONESTLY STRUGGLE WITH THE SIN OF ENVY AND JEALOUSY.
You are right to say that I don't know you well, but I do know you well enough to observe that you've faithfully been making lemonade for as long as I've known you.
And it doesn't help to live where you do, and have all the tennis moms and PV Homes and school district etc etc to compare yourself too, and what with the Big PRAYER OF JABEZ being all the rage last year...how can you not get depressed when you feel you've been faithful to the Lord, and ask for fish, and get what seems like stones instead...YES! I do understand that.
I knew before we came back on our last visit to USA "home" in June that it would be was the first time I would wrestle with the green-eyed monster.I'd be seeing the lifestyles of my peers, and old friends, and what assortment of things their kids are involved in. I knew because I was experiencing such dissatistfaction with my own circumstances, I knew that the grass of PV would be MUCH greener!
Sitting here at home this month, reading through Christmas newsletters, gives me some of those feelings and doubts again...WHY are we investing our lives like this, when we could have had THIS???? And I revisit with the Lord what is important to HIM, and I feel confirmed in my life's decisions....and then I start wrestling with being judgmental!!! So, see, I'm not such a saint!!
I'm not going to be quick to say "Oh NO you're not too caught up in the world's values!" because I don't know what God's purposes are in bringing you two through this current valley. But I do know that an antidote is to get your eyes and heart off those who (seem to) have more, turn off the TV (with the ads), even go media free for a week or so, so that you don't get bombarded with what you don't have, or aren't like...and it that isn't weird or extreme enough, dedicate yourselves to praying this month for the poor, the destitute, the oppressed, the persecuted.God will use it to bring perspective to your current situation! In those years at RHCC as our friends nearly all bought houses, and we stayed in our apartment/condo, it always helped me to have friends and connections with people who had much less than I did!
There are so many more of these kinds of humans in this world than there are the kind who live in the neighborhoods just above you on the hill...that's such a minute percentage of these "haves" in the world. AND God's promises and love is just as profound and real to the rest of the world's population as it is to Americans, even the blessed welfare recipients in the USA who at least know there will be SOME money coming in. I feel like I'm lucky to have a relationship with the peasant mother of our babysitter in China; she rarely have more that potatoes to eat all year long (if that) and RADIATES the love of Christ, and is confident (most of the time) in his goodness to her. It is SUCH a matter of perspective isn't it? Ah, now I'm rambling... Bless you and keep faithful as you wrestle with these things.
12/19/2001
Merriest of Christmas Celebrations in China
Returning to our home from 1997-1999:
Kunming, China
The weather was beautifully cool and comfortable.
Old friends were warm and welcoming.
Every desire "To do," "To see," or "To eat" while in China, was happily checked off the list.
In addition to old favourites, we also have some new friends, new experiences, and new things to love about our old city.
Our kids love China, too. Its a place where young boys can be BOYS (read: less civilized than what we work on in other places!). They got really dirty, ate sloppily, played rowdily and noisily, and ran around in public to the approval of the onlooking adults! Again They both got so much astonished affirmation for their Chinese language ability. We pray that this will buoy them through their Chinese studies in Singapore.
Jim had great meetings with in-country workers, good follow-up to the meetings he'd coordinated this fall.
There are growing signs of Plastic Christmas. Big blow up Santas. Little stuffed Santas. Tape-on-the-wall Santas. Gaudy tinsel garlands. Fake Christmas trees. Tacky ornaments, and "Merry Christmas" banners hung, sprayed or painted on lots of store windows. Commercial Christmas is catching on in a big way. And yet there was NO public sign of the star of Bethlehem, shepherds, wise men, or a baby in a manger.
For 3 weeks I'd carried in my purse some pretty little pages with the "Story of Christmas" in Mandarin Chinese. But in the entire time there I hadn't found any appropriate opportunity to give even one away.
Our last night we attended the 7th annual Christmas program for the International School (Primary through High School). This year it was held in a large hall at the Yunnan Arts Institute. The place was packed by the time we arrived, and I could only find seats at the back of the standing-room-only large auditorium. In the last row, I struck up a conversation with a number Chinese girls seated behind me. They were dance majors and had seen me the day before when I visited their campus. Behind them were 30 or more students from the Arts Institute who had also heard about the free program. The concert was lovely, and with the kindergarteners acting out the traditional Pageant, it very clearly told the Christmas story...in English. The students behind me were amazed at seeing a stage full of foreign kids singing, and portraying, and believing, this ancient story. When at the end, the audience of a few hundred, lifted the roof with harmonized Carols proclaiming the birth of Christ I knew it was mystifying to these young observers. Yet they didn't understand the words. "We don't know this story, but our English is too poor." They said to me. I reached in my bag and handed them the tracts. "I've got the story in Chinese here if you want it. You can give the rest to your friends in the back." They were so suprised, and thankful; and I passed them back with a prayer that continues for those little seeds planted.
Kunming, China
The weather was beautifully cool and comfortable.
Old friends were warm and welcoming.
Every desire "To do," "To see," or "To eat" while in China, was happily checked off the list.
In addition to old favourites, we also have some new friends, new experiences, and new things to love about our old city.
Our kids love China, too. Its a place where young boys can be BOYS (read: less civilized than what we work on in other places!). They got really dirty, ate sloppily, played rowdily and noisily, and ran around in public to the approval of the onlooking adults! Again They both got so much astonished affirmation for their Chinese language ability. We pray that this will buoy them through their Chinese studies in Singapore.
Jim had great meetings with in-country workers, good follow-up to the meetings he'd coordinated this fall.
There are growing signs of Plastic Christmas. Big blow up Santas. Little stuffed Santas. Tape-on-the-wall Santas. Gaudy tinsel garlands. Fake Christmas trees. Tacky ornaments, and "Merry Christmas" banners hung, sprayed or painted on lots of store windows. Commercial Christmas is catching on in a big way. And yet there was NO public sign of the star of Bethlehem, shepherds, wise men, or a baby in a manger.
For 3 weeks I'd carried in my purse some pretty little pages with the "Story of Christmas" in Mandarin Chinese. But in the entire time there I hadn't found any appropriate opportunity to give even one away.
Our last night we attended the 7th annual Christmas program for the International School (Primary through High School). This year it was held in a large hall at the Yunnan Arts Institute. The place was packed by the time we arrived, and I could only find seats at the back of the standing-room-only large auditorium. In the last row, I struck up a conversation with a number Chinese girls seated behind me. They were dance majors and had seen me the day before when I visited their campus. Behind them were 30 or more students from the Arts Institute who had also heard about the free program. The concert was lovely, and with the kindergarteners acting out the traditional Pageant, it very clearly told the Christmas story...in English. The students behind me were amazed at seeing a stage full of foreign kids singing, and portraying, and believing, this ancient story. When at the end, the audience of a few hundred, lifted the roof with harmonized Carols proclaiming the birth of Christ I knew it was mystifying to these young observers. Yet they didn't understand the words. "We don't know this story, but our English is too poor." They said to me. I reached in my bag and handed them the tracts. "I've got the story in Chinese here if you want it. You can give the rest to your friends in the back." They were so suprised, and thankful; and I passed them back with a prayer that continues for those little seeds planted.
11/30/2001
Letter to a Friend - at the end of our 2nd year in Singapore
FINDING SOME OLD CORRESPONDENCE ON MY COMPUTER:
Your letter arrived last week when my folks were here for 2 weeks around Thanksgiving. Mom and dad came right after the boys finished their school year. They are great travelers, and good sports. The weather was nice (I'd say even "cool" but I know they wouldn't!). What a whirlwind! Jim tried to keep business as usual with ministry appointments and teaching. Jim’s had quite a bit of traveling this fall. I’m really happy to see him succeeding at what he does well. Language study in China, and getting started here had its place in humbling both of us, but it’s nice when in ministry to feel you are making a visible & significant contribution to Kingdom work!
Compared to your responsibilities, I don’t have a plateful, and avoid using the word “busy,” but I had a meeting last night starting at 9:30PM (about ideas for an Easter musical -- this guy writes for TV, but doesn't write well for stage, and the drama leader asked me to meet with the two of them to help them brainstorm) It was fun to meet, and be creative, but can you believe that time?
We sent my folks to the airport at 4:30 AM yesterday, Lili went home for a month to Indonesia on the 6:30AM boat (first time since living with us and first time home after giving her life to the Lord). It was a LONG day catching up, and regrouping! Then, Jim and the boys left for China this morning at 6:30! I stayed behind for 4 days and will meet up with them on Wednesday. We’re all excited about spending the Christmas season in China again. Our Chinese connections there are such an open slate for understanding the real meaning of Christmas, and this window of naivite and openness will only last so long! As much as I miss being in Christmas pageants, nothing beats teaching Christmas carols to English language students in a Communist country. And being in a place that so resembles the political and economic culture that Jesus was born in is profoundly worshipful for me. Who’d’ve thought I’d change my Christmas decorating tastes so drastically?
It is SO weird to think that I am the ONLY person in the house right now…what a treat! Going to try to catch up on administrivia (we both hate it so it piles up, especially when some of it is having to re-do because of computer problems). Having the time alone will more than make up for the tasks on my to do list.
I was sad to read the tone in your letter about this “season” of your marriage. You are often in my thoughts and prayers not just because you’re my friend, but because you’re my friend who has no small amount of responsibilities (even if your partner were pitching in more, it would still be HUGE). I hope that the art class works, or you find some way to be connecting and enjoying just the two of you. And putting some fun in your life!
I do remember to pray for you regarding your struggle with your weight. I must have written something insensitive and I’m sorry for that. Really. When I think about how you describe the daily struggles and being robbed of your joy, and wanting to be a victor for the right reasons. I naively want to argue with you, and tell you to take it easy on yourself! You must be being too hard on yourself! …and then I stop and think that I trust your judgments about me, so why can’t I trust your own judgment on yourself? I do hope you are not walking this path alone and that there is an encouraging trustworthy friend, or a program, or group… in addition to your prayers and your understanding of God’s grace on those days when you aren’t “victorious.” I just hate to think of you unhappy.
For us, God has given gracious clear windows these last few weeks, in giving us specific guidance, and answers to prayer, even in small details. Confirming we are in the center of his will – even about plunking down that wad of cash for a car – which caused more than a little flinching on our part as you can imagine! It still is so mind boggling and scary… I’m a bit paranoid about getting in an accident. I was in a monsoon-ish rainstorm today and pulled over for more than an hour to let it pass.
Our lease was up last month. We didn’t find a suitable/affordable place to move more centrally, and felt that after buying a car, then next priority was finding a school where Tyler could be in morning session (almost all schools have 1, 3 & 5th go to school in the afternoon). The school which was our 2nd choice originally has now gone to single session and has approved a transfer for Tyler (which is amazing to me – there are only about a dozen schools in the whole city who have only morning session…and we just “happened” to be on campus, looking around, when Tyler’s previous principal called the new principal about his transfer…turns out they are friends, and now the new principal knows that we had a good relationship with the previous school…You know Chinese and the guanxi system…it does help to be a friend of a friend!)
We had thought about holding Cameron back this year. But his teacher gave me some very reasonable reasons for keeping him on track (even though he is the youngest in his class with a cutoff date only 16 days past his birthday). He’s developing really well, and has matured a lot as he approaches 5.
Tyler did exceptionally well on his exams and his attitude about homework has improved. This is a comforting relief, since we have NOT followed the local culture in giving the boys extra “tuition” classes (tutors), with the hopes that they will still stay up with the others. That Tyler and Cameron feel successful in school while still having some semblance of a life where they can play, and be children…that is a BIG relief. We still have not found another American family who has put their children in the local school system, so you can imagine the self-doubts that can creep in!
My playwriting students are loving the course, but NO ONE has had the time to actually start writing anything!!! I'm giving them December off to catch up...while I go to China (and try to do some writing myself!). It's been enough of an outlet for this “ministry” of mine to re-ignite my passion and keep mommy happier at home (to have creative challenges besides what's for dinner, making Chinese lanterns out of recycled materials, and using crazy voices while reading storybooks). A few theatre acquaintances have turned into real friends for me in the last few months...and that has been a great answer to prayer. It was specifically what Jim said was my main problem the last 4 years: no weird friends.
Jim has been in a 4 year relational desert too (but isn’t this typical of all men?). He hasn't found any guys he enjoys and can see on a regular basis, though he's working on it. Outside of the group of pastors he’s mentoring, and his involvement with some missions leaders, he meets once a week with one Singaporean who's a bit older, but has never been discipled or grown much in his walk. We’ve come to realize that for emotional health, we need to cultivate some friendships with some other Americans. There is a family we know who has a 9 year old son. The husband is a New Testament professor, and the wife is the American School librarian & music teacher. They’ve been here 12 years (sent out from Byron McD’s former church in Yucaipa). As we’ve gotten to know them (through baseball last year) we respect and like them, though they are pretty straight arrow Conservative Baptist types (if you know what I mean, and I know you do from your AWANA circle!). We're also praying about starting a group for mentoring recently married couples who are also connected with theatre somehow. We have about 3 potential couples in their early 30’s who have expressed an interest…or have hinted about wanting that…and I know of 2 other potentials.
P.S. (Added the next evening when I turned on the computer to write something new)
AH! WOW! The new Microsoft Office has a great feature: It recovered what I was working on last night…so it isn’t lost after all. I may call you later anyway, to hear your most recent news. This goes in the mail tomorrow! -K
11/12/2001
At Least Singapore is Cleaner than China
Jim’s hobnobbing with SW People’s advocates out-of-country this week in Chiang Mai… I think they were smart to ask him to facilitate the planning of it this year. It is SO up his alley in networking. Yeah JIM!
Kids are still in Singaporean school and this week will finish their second full year: K1, and P2. Tyler still complains about the Chinese writing but gets lots of kudos around town everyday for his verbal skills, so that helps (though I CRINGE at his Guandong accent!!). We have made a few friends in the neighborhood and actually found some little boys to play with, in our building, who converse at home in Mandarin, AND are about the same age. Never mind that they are physically & verbally abusive of their poor mother, and only like to play Nintendo, watch Digimon, or eat junk food. When Tyler and Cameron go up to those kids house (not super often thank goodness) I am on my knees!
I’ve found a few theatre friends, which has helped my outlook on everything else! They needed me as much as I needed them and I’m regaining some of my dormant passion. I was starting to worry that those kinds of “go for it” feelings were going to end up only in the history of my youth and young adulthood. I’ve been teaching a class on Playwriting. I agreed if they would call me a facilitator instead. I DON’T do lectures. 30 adult believers from a number of clubs here in town…and they are learning a lot (So am I – Having people “write from what they know, about values or issues important to them gives great insight into the culture!). They are really hungry to have a creative outlet! But they have a LONG way to go!
Still plugging away at learning Chinese – trying to keep up with Tyler’s P2 studies. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that we’d come back to live in the motherland someday. But for now we’ll just have to visit, and keep our hearts open and vision clear. We’ve sure missed the adventure of China. Singapore is stifling!
Kids are still in Singaporean school and this week will finish their second full year: K1, and P2. Tyler still complains about the Chinese writing but gets lots of kudos around town everyday for his verbal skills, so that helps (though I CRINGE at his Guandong accent!!). We have made a few friends in the neighborhood and actually found some little boys to play with, in our building, who converse at home in Mandarin, AND are about the same age. Never mind that they are physically & verbally abusive of their poor mother, and only like to play Nintendo, watch Digimon, or eat junk food. When Tyler and Cameron go up to those kids house (not super often thank goodness) I am on my knees!
I’ve found a few theatre friends, which has helped my outlook on everything else! They needed me as much as I needed them and I’m regaining some of my dormant passion. I was starting to worry that those kinds of “go for it” feelings were going to end up only in the history of my youth and young adulthood. I’ve been teaching a class on Playwriting. I agreed if they would call me a facilitator instead. I DON’T do lectures. 30 adult believers from a number of clubs here in town…and they are learning a lot (So am I – Having people “write from what they know, about values or issues important to them gives great insight into the culture!). They are really hungry to have a creative outlet! But they have a LONG way to go!
Still plugging away at learning Chinese – trying to keep up with Tyler’s P2 studies. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that we’d come back to live in the motherland someday. But for now we’ll just have to visit, and keep our hearts open and vision clear. We’ve sure missed the adventure of China. Singapore is stifling!
11/01/2001
Letter to Cameron's Birthmother 2001
1 November 2001
Dear Crystal,
We so often think of you and hope you are doing well. It is nearly a month before Cameron turns 5 and you will be so pleased to hear that he is growing into such a fine little boy. I wish I had time right now to make a picture review of his year, like I did last year, but it’s been a busy season, and I’ve had some computer problems…so, I’ll get this written now, and find the right pictures to catch you up on your most beautiful creation.
He is still the MOST delightful little boy I’ve ever known. His kindergarten teacher says that he starts her day every morning by telling her how wonderful and beautiful she is. Though he is the youngest in his class, in a bi-lingual school, he is not just keeping up, but doing as well as any of the other kids. He is now reading very simple books – has learned how to sound out English words, and he recognizes many Chinese characters too. He’s learning a little Malay/Indonesian too! He can write (even has spelling tests!) in both Chinese and English. He also loves memorizing verses (see the list of those he’s committed to memory – he’s quite amazing!) We have a chin up bar at home and he’s learning to pull up on it to build his muscles. He wears one of his 3 Superman costumes almost every day.
Like a typical little brother, he follows what big brother likes and so we have a lot of talk in our house about Digimon and Pokemon (cartoons) and Dinosaurs. This year Cameron is now old enough to play together with Tyler and since they have similar interests, they are very cute when they are getting along (they bicker quite a bit, but that’s pretty normal. They love each other a lot too!). We spend a lot of play time building forts out of mattresses and sheets, and dressing up in costumes.
We had a great time this summer in California – Disneyland, Legoland, California Adventure, a trip up the coast, to the mountains, on a boat, on the train…It was a perfect 6 weeks, crammed full of adventure and love from Grandmas and Grandpas, Uncle and Aunt, cousin (Cade now 2), and loads of friends who wanted to spoil the children!
We’re looking forward to a visit over Thanksgiving from my parents. We’re counting the days until they come! This year we will go to China in December, Indonesia & Malaysia in January, and to Venezuela in June next year. Hope to fit a trip to Cambodia in there too as the boys have some missionary friends who live in there. So he’s going to need new pages in his passport soon! Tyler has begun doing some commercial work for the Disney channel (the satellite in Singapore serves all of Asia, Middle East and Australia, so Tyler has been in some ads for Australian market), Cameron is so photogenic, but is a bit camera shy. He’s wowed the directors, but still doesn’t want to cooperate in camera. I bet this year he’ll get some work too – he’s so adorable when he puts on the charm!
He still loves puzzles. He has started to play some educational computer games. Luke is still his best friend, but he often talks of a girl named Vanessa in his class…he
says he likes her because she’s fat! His best friend in school is a little boy from Hong Kong. So, Cameron is learning to speak English with a Singaporean accent too.
We have a maid who lives with us (common in this part of the world!) and she loves the boys, and Cameron LOVES her too. She didn’t get passed 1st grade in Indonesia, so she likes learning things with him.
If you saw him you’d probably see things about his personality that are a lot like you! Since we didn’t know you very well, we wouldn’t see these things, but you would. They are surely there. He has the cutest way of praying, and running, and the positions he is in when he sleeps. He’s completely hopeless right now when it comes to eating neatly, but he is so polite, and sensitive. He is not easily offended, can be a great actor (when it comes to crying, or being punished, or caught doing something naughty), makes the funniest faces…
I imagine sometime this year he will begin to understand that a woman named Crystal Cooper brought him into this world, and gave us the precious privilege of raising him and having another son. He notices, but still doesn’t make an issue of why his skin is brown (beautiful, perfect skin, by the way!). He is surrounded by so many races, that he doesn’t feel different, and it hasn’t been an issue. He sometimes hears us use the word “adopted,” when people ask why he looks so different – but e often find that Asians don’t even consider this…they just think he doesn’t look as much like us as Tyler does! I am so glad for the very sweet letter you wrote to him, and the pictures you passed on. They will mean so much to him as he gets older.
You are, as always in our prayers with thankfulness.
These are the verses Cameron has memorized (New International Version)
Psalm 119:105 1 Chronicles 16:34
Mark 10:43 1 Peter 5:7&8
John 14:15 Matthew 6:9-13
Genesis 1:1 Psalm 119:11
Ephesians 6:1 Mark 10:27
Psalm 56:3 Psalm 100
Proverbs 3:5-6 Philippians 4:11b
Ephesians 4:32 Galatians 5:22
Proverbs 15:1 1 Chronicles 4:10
John 3:16 Isaiah 41:10
Ephesians 6:10-11 Deuteronomy 6:5
Philippians 4:13 Psalm 133:1
Romans 5:8 Romans 3:23
Matthew 7:12
Dear Crystal,
We so often think of you and hope you are doing well. It is nearly a month before Cameron turns 5 and you will be so pleased to hear that he is growing into such a fine little boy. I wish I had time right now to make a picture review of his year, like I did last year, but it’s been a busy season, and I’ve had some computer problems…so, I’ll get this written now, and find the right pictures to catch you up on your most beautiful creation.
He is still the MOST delightful little boy I’ve ever known. His kindergarten teacher says that he starts her day every morning by telling her how wonderful and beautiful she is. Though he is the youngest in his class, in a bi-lingual school, he is not just keeping up, but doing as well as any of the other kids. He is now reading very simple books – has learned how to sound out English words, and he recognizes many Chinese characters too. He’s learning a little Malay/Indonesian too! He can write (even has spelling tests!) in both Chinese and English. He also loves memorizing verses (see the list of those he’s committed to memory – he’s quite amazing!) We have a chin up bar at home and he’s learning to pull up on it to build his muscles. He wears one of his 3 Superman costumes almost every day.
Like a typical little brother, he follows what big brother likes and so we have a lot of talk in our house about Digimon and Pokemon (cartoons) and Dinosaurs. This year Cameron is now old enough to play together with Tyler and since they have similar interests, they are very cute when they are getting along (they bicker quite a bit, but that’s pretty normal. They love each other a lot too!). We spend a lot of play time building forts out of mattresses and sheets, and dressing up in costumes.
We had a great time this summer in California – Disneyland, Legoland, California Adventure, a trip up the coast, to the mountains, on a boat, on the train…It was a perfect 6 weeks, crammed full of adventure and love from Grandmas and Grandpas, Uncle and Aunt, cousin (Cade now 2), and loads of friends who wanted to spoil the children!
We’re looking forward to a visit over Thanksgiving from my parents. We’re counting the days until they come! This year we will go to China in December, Indonesia & Malaysia in January, and to Venezuela in June next year. Hope to fit a trip to Cambodia in there too as the boys have some missionary friends who live in there. So he’s going to need new pages in his passport soon! Tyler has begun doing some commercial work for the Disney channel (the satellite in Singapore serves all of Asia, Middle East and Australia, so Tyler has been in some ads for Australian market), Cameron is so photogenic, but is a bit camera shy. He’s wowed the directors, but still doesn’t want to cooperate in camera. I bet this year he’ll get some work too – he’s so adorable when he puts on the charm!
He still loves puzzles. He has started to play some educational computer games. Luke is still his best friend, but he often talks of a girl named Vanessa in his class…he
says he likes her because she’s fat! His best friend in school is a little boy from Hong Kong. So, Cameron is learning to speak English with a Singaporean accent too.
We have a maid who lives with us (common in this part of the world!) and she loves the boys, and Cameron LOVES her too. She didn’t get passed 1st grade in Indonesia, so she likes learning things with him.
If you saw him you’d probably see things about his personality that are a lot like you! Since we didn’t know you very well, we wouldn’t see these things, but you would. They are surely there. He has the cutest way of praying, and running, and the positions he is in when he sleeps. He’s completely hopeless right now when it comes to eating neatly, but he is so polite, and sensitive. He is not easily offended, can be a great actor (when it comes to crying, or being punished, or caught doing something naughty), makes the funniest faces…
I imagine sometime this year he will begin to understand that a woman named Crystal Cooper brought him into this world, and gave us the precious privilege of raising him and having another son. He notices, but still doesn’t make an issue of why his skin is brown (beautiful, perfect skin, by the way!). He is surrounded by so many races, that he doesn’t feel different, and it hasn’t been an issue. He sometimes hears us use the word “adopted,” when people ask why he looks so different – but e often find that Asians don’t even consider this…they just think he doesn’t look as much like us as Tyler does! I am so glad for the very sweet letter you wrote to him, and the pictures you passed on. They will mean so much to him as he gets older.
You are, as always in our prayers with thankfulness.
These are the verses Cameron has memorized (New International Version)
Psalm 119:105 1 Chronicles 16:34
Mark 10:43 1 Peter 5:7&8
John 14:15 Matthew 6:9-13
Genesis 1:1 Psalm 119:11
Ephesians 6:1 Mark 10:27
Psalm 56:3 Psalm 100
Proverbs 3:5-6 Philippians 4:11b
Ephesians 4:32 Galatians 5:22
Proverbs 15:1 1 Chronicles 4:10
John 3:16 Isaiah 41:10
Ephesians 6:10-11 Deuteronomy 6:5
Philippians 4:13 Psalm 133:1
Romans 5:8 Romans 3:23
Matthew 7:12
9/28/1997
Packing for China (email to Lynn)
Subj: Late night musings
Date: 97-09-3013351101 EDT
To: (Howard & Lynn Hankins)
Dear Lynn,
Here's my first email to you!!!
Last night l took some time to write out some things l was thinking about...
My sister in law Kelly sat on the floor. Between us was a pile of paraphernalia that l was sorting and packing for our two year move to China. We leave Thursday morning. It seems as if all of my earthly possessions are in various piles strewn about her house, waiting to find their place in one of my 11 pieces of luggage. Since Jim and I started staying at their place about a week ago Kelly's done a lot of confounded head wagging. "You seem so calm. Are you really? I mean, I just get overwhelmed watching you pack."
Funny, I did feel pretty "calm." i had been working hard, making decisions, taking care of personal business, trying to think through what must be ordered, communicated, or deposited, etc. before we get on a jet that will take us to a land of aggravating inefficiency. And yet I'm more than calm. I'm even "eager" at this point. i think often about the fact that for all
My careful planning, I‘m going to forget something important...but it doesn't bother me to even imagine myself dealing with the oversight once we get there. And it's not like I can just let my fingers do the walking.
Jim last week, and the first night he was gone, my tough little Cameron and I got very little sleep, if any. He was a baby in pain. With 6 days to go 1 spent the afternoon at Kaiser and we were prescribed some antibiotics for a double ear infection. Wouldn‘t you know it? And, as I have confessed often, it is the children's health has been my greatest fear about moving to a place where there may not be any Western doctors or medicine.
"People must be praying." I answered. It's the only possible reason...well, that, and I've been high on adrenaline for weeks. BUT, since I'm doing this well under the circumstances, I hope they don't stop praying once we get to China and the adrenaline wears off.
As I was out on an errand that evening, musing about this "calmness" I have, i started thinking about an old gospel song. "Power in the blood."
I really couldn‘t get it out of my head. As I sang it to myself, I enjoyed thinking about the fact that it truly is the power of Christ‘s blood, that sacrifice which provided a way for me to be God's child, with all the rights and privileges, AND POWER, as his heir. Power that gives us strength to rise above our life's circumstances with unexplainable peace and joy.
THIS is exactly what the Chinese are dying to hear about. This is the "good news" that Christlans have to share with those who l'm under oppression. Chinese people are not Interested m hearing about "escaping hell." They live in a kind of hell already. The "afterlife" is not even something they think about.
But, expose them to a powerful way to have hope & Joy in what seems to be a poweriess and hopeless life, and then we'll have gotten their ear, and then, Lord willing their souls will follow.
"There is power, power,
WONDER WORKING power
In the blood
Of the Lamb
There is power. power. wonder working power In the precious blood of the Lamb "
I pray you all also expenence the same power in llfe today.
Rising above,
Kimberly
(PS My hymnbook is packed, hidlng, under a lot of non-religious items. Do you remember any of the verses?)
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