Return to Beulah

As I visited Beulah Home for the fourth time in the past few years, I again realized how privileged I am to get to know the kids at this children's home at a deeper level. This is what motivates me to return to India year after year: I believe these kids need to see volunteer visitors more than once in their lifetime. Obviously it isn't always possible for volunteers to make return visits, but when it is, a lot can happen including relationships taking root and the kids recognizing others are willing to sacrifice for them.

The kids at the Home experience so many volunteers coming in and out of their lives that I am amazed they remember most all of them. In fact, often they will ask where a person is who visited them years ago, remembering not only their name but detailed memories! And it is difficult to tell the kids that I don't know where they are or why they don't come back.

Not only do the kids value consistent time with us, but it is prime opportunity to be part of a long-term solution. Don't get me wrong, short-term visits are wonderful to give the aunties (those who take care of the kids throughout the year) a break and put the kids at the center of our attention. But whenever possible, it's so important for volunteers to invest in the kids, show them we're in it for the long-haul, and figure ways we can help them throughout the year.

One of the obvious benefits of return visits is that you don't have to get to know the kids and workers from scratch but have memories to build upon. Some of these memories are profound and spiritual, such as times of sharing and prayer when we encourage one another to look to the Lord and trust Him despite the circumstances. And then there are moments when we just participate in life at the Home and enjoy times of laughter as I experienced again on this trip...

I will not forget when 8 year old Aliba sat in our ESL class not knowing the answer to a question on a handout and he wrote, "Go to Jeme"... hey, why not go to the one who would know? =) Or having monkeys eye us as Ginny and I ate lunch on the upstairs patio or the kids showing us the various fruit trees on the property or the youngest of kids trying to keep up with the older kids playing relay games involving a volleyball.

One day the boys were particularly interested in my stubble when I didn’t shave and curious how and when I shave. Nothing like an object lesson, so I brought out my shaving cream and razor (without blade of course). Aliba jumped as I squirted shaving cream in my hand and, after calming his nerves, we proceeded with the lesson. Using pencils, fingers and suckers from their Christmas grab-bag, the boys practiced shaving for the first time!

Needless to say, there is never a dull moment at the Beulah Home and kids and volunteers become thankful for each one.

If you're interested in reading more on my time at Beulah Home, please check out a video and write-ups under April and December 2009. And if you're interested in being involved personally, either through visits or activities such as our Yard Sale Fundraiser, please let me know via the contact info listed on this blog.

White Men Can't Dance

Webster's online dictionary defines dance: to move or seem to move up and down or about in a quick or lively manner. Well, according to this definition one can say that I danced, technically, because of my seeming movement up or down in a lively manner =)

It is an understatement to say that the kids in India LOVE to dance; after all, it's so much a part of their culture and who they are. So when Aliba and Barat wanted to teach me some of their dance moves, they soon realized that not all people are called with the same gift. Keep this in mind when watching this 21 second video of a ‘white boy’ trying to fit in...

Back at the Books

Some might ask, "What, again?" You bet! After 20-some years working in the field of technology I felt led this past year to focus less on debates over technology and become more in tune with the lives of students in schools here and overseas. Undoubtedly, I will continue to be involved in technology in some way regardless of my official job title, but the Masters of Education degree I am now working on will provide the needed insights into many areas of the educational environment and the tools to counsel students when personal and career-related issues come up.

It's been awhile since I was on this side of education.  As one who has instructed students, inside and outside of the classroom, it's easy to forget exactly what it's like to be one.  Well, the mystery is solved because I just completed my first set of online courses toward a Masters of Education with School Counseling focus and it was no easy task.

Between all the weekly readings and assignments due every Sunday midnight, life was spoken for this last eight weeks.  Don't get me wrong -- I enjoyed just about every moment of this opportunity to learn, I just had to relearn how to say, "I'm sorry I can't get together because I have to study."

The look of education sure has changed since I was a student last, for it is now possible to take courses completely online via the Internet.  From participating in discussions with fellow students to completing assignments to taking tests, it can now be done on the computer without having to say a word to anyone in my class.  Admittedly, the first couple weeks were difficult because I had to get my student-legs working again, but now that I'm in a rhythm things are going swimmingly. In fact, I survived my first round of 8-week courses and am gearing up for the next round which will be done before Christmas.

Even though it may require more time-management and administrative skills to do studies online, this arrangement allows me to stay in my preferred study environment.  Right now, this means I can live at the cottage while doing these courses, avoiding the costs of room & board on campus in Virginia.  Then in the coming years, when I look forward to being employed at an international school again, this online forum will allow me opportunity to pursue professional development courses while working... provided the country where I'm living has hi-speed.

 

One reason I'm glad I can study here is to enjoy life outside the city again.  Even though I've been hermit-like at times while studying, I've been able to venture outdoors on occasion to do the cottagey-type things one would expect: collect and split wood for the fireplace, rake leaves, go for walks through the countryside and simply enjoy the fresh air.  Granted, I know I wouldn't want to be here long term but I am so grateful to be able to take a break and do this now.

Since I would like to be in the international school scene as long as the good Lord allows, I am glad for this learning opportunity.  My resume has a lot of study & work experience in technology and business, so these courses will provide good insight into Education and the Counseling professions.  I am thrilled to learn what can be used in schools, whether in the classroom, counseling office or continuing to work with teachers integrating technology in their curriculum.  Whatever job awaits me in whatever country, I look forward to having some formal EE (Education education) behind me.

Signficance of 60

When you search for the significance of the number 60, you find all sorts of interesting facts. Besides the obvious marking of time (60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour), did you know that Isaac was 60 when Jacob and Esau were born, or that it's the international calling code for Malaysia, or that it's the number of years my parents have been married this year?  I'm sure my parent's diamond wedding anniversary isn't listed in the Book of Facts but it was sure a highlight for our family!

If you were alive in the 1950s, how much do you remember about the decade?  At the time my parents were married gasoline cost 18 cents a gallon for a car that cost (on average) $1500, Dad could buy a wool suit for $30, milk was delivered to the back door, the first credit card was introduced, Sputnik was launched by the Russians, and this decade saw the invention of items such as the transistor radio, television and frozen french fries.  A lot has happened in 60 years!

I am so glad to be in Ontario this year for a host of reasons, and attending my parent's 60th anniversary celebration is one of them. Since my parents had a large celebration on their 50th, they wanted a small intimate dinner with immediate family and their siblings. And what a wonderful time it was getting together and reflecting back on all the good years we had as a family and celebrating what my parents started 60 years ago.

God has indeed blessed my parents and our family in so many ways over the years. Not only has God seen to our daily living needs but, more importantly, He has blessed us with life itself and opportunity to enjoy a relationship with Him... and for that we will be eternally grateful!  I think David said it best in the book of Psalms when he wrote,

How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

             (Psalm 116:12-14)

Uber Nusht

Hard to believe July 1st is here again and Canada is celebrating another birthday. This year marks 143 years since the day of Confederation from Britain in 1867. The need for a distinct Canadian flag emerged after Confederation because early colonists wanted to designate its independence and discontinue using the English Union Jack flag. Hence, the first Canadian flag was born, the Flag of the Governor General of Canada, a Royal Union Flag with a shield in the center bearing the quartered arms of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

I don't remember when the Canadian flag was changed to the current version in 1967, but I do remember when we used to call this holiday Dominion Day until it was changed to Canada Day in 1982. Regardless of the holiday name and Canadian flag that's flying, I am so appreciative of this country's history and the freedoms we enjoy today.

This year friends and I ventured to Columbia Lake in Waterloo Ontario to enjoy the Canada Day celebrations. Knowing the fireworks wouldn't start till dusk (around 10 pm), we had a bit of a wait so we passed the time by playing Nusht or what some call Farkel. I'm not sure which name sounds better =)

It's an exciting dice game where one can claim the ultimate title of Uber Nusht when rolling all six dice without acquiring any points. Obviously this is not what one hopes but yours truly gained this title of honor when I rolled and went down 1400 points in my score. Not pretty.  But the fireworks were...

Notwithstanding my Nusht score, it was a great evening of celebrations.

Denver Stopover

So what's an extra 2 hour flight to Denver on my way back to Toronto? Hard to argue against such logic since I knew I would be in travel-mode with a 14 hour flight from Korea anyway. Even though my time in Denver would be short, I anticipated a good break visiting with a few friends while drinking-in the Colorado countryside. Amazing how fast time flies: many of these friends and old haunts I haven't seen on a regular basis since moving from Denver in 2002.

On the to-do list was a trip to Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs for a visit down memory lane and a taste of their deep-dish pizza.  It didn't take long to find friends willing and ready to go with me! 

Idaho Springs is such a great little mountain town not far from Denver, typical of many small settlements in the state with a flavor reminiscent of the old west.

Many thanks to my good friend Terry who put me up (or should I say put up with me) during my stay. It was not only good to catch up with Terry in person but his place acted as a perfect centralized launching pad for me when meeting other friends. Although I didn't get to see everyone I had hoped or visit all my favorite spots, I was able to reacquaint myself with the city and catch the mountains in all their splendor.

You might say I got to experience all weather conditions and several seasons in one visit: hot, cold, fog, clear, cloudy, sun, dry, rain.  The further up the mountain on our Sunday drive to Echo Lake, the more it appeared as the dead of winter. Coming down from the higher elevations toward Estes Park brought spring and then summer again as we drove into Denver. I forgot how the weather changes so frequently in Colorado; a common saying by the locals:

If you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes.