Spring in Taiwan

Springtime - a celebration of new life!

Beauty – flowers beginning to bloom

 These were taken in Taitung on Saturday, April 5 – the air smelled sweet from all the flowers.

Here is a picture taken of a palm tree – while I was on a hike in Jiaosi.

 I have enjoyed working with my new classes this semester.  Because I am coming up with my own curriculum, it requires more preparation, but that is fine.   We started out with “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”, and a review of the alphabet.  I have an alphabet chart with pictures, so I am teaching the vocabulary for the pictures, too.  I also made up Alphabet Books for each of them using the picture for each letter, and making sentences using the most frequently used words from the Dolch list. 

Our next thing was to work with colors, so I used Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?  I introduced the colors and the color words, as well as the names of the animals in the book.  I made up a book for each student so they could read along with me.  This last week, we were reviewing the colors, words, as well some of the vocabulary in the book.  If the students could find the answer correctly (even with help), they got some bear snacks!  That worked well in getting even the reluctant students to speak up and participate. 

Early in the month, the school had a vocal music competition for the students.  Many of these students have incredible voices.  They enjoy singing and dancing so much.  It was very enjoyable to watch the students get up in front of the student body and sing – some got too nervous, but others really surprised me at their ability.  As the judges were tallying up the scores, they needed some fill – so the principal asked if I would sing.  One of my co-teachers and I got up and sang Beautiful Sunday.  We had sung that with the students before, so they sang along with us! 

Many of the students in the school here are aboriginal.  Some of the students were in a dance competition, dressed in their traditional dress.  Here is a picture of some of the girls.

This semester I have seen the students reading more – and it seems as though they understand!!  This last week, one student translated back into Chinese the reading selection I had read to the class.  These students have been amazing me even more! 

Some of the foreign teachers here in Taiwan took a trip together to visit an island that is part of Taiwan, but is very close to mainland China.  We were never able to see the mainland because it was too foggy.  Two teachers on Kinmen, for their second year, were our tour guides.  It was so good to see everyone again, and such a special visit.   We were able to see a beach that is still off limits because there are still some land mines buried there.  As you will notice, it was a very windy day (that picture was taken by Edi Campbell, one of the teachers on the trip).  We also went into a tunnel that had been used by the military there.  That island is still used for military training – we saw many soldiers there on our visit. 

We visited the workshop of a man who makes knives from old bullet casings.  He did a demonstration for us – the knife he is holding is what he was working on in the first picture. 

We strolled through a small village built like a Chinese village.  The houses were simple, with subtle differences, such as the type of roof design.  Certain designs denoted social status in the community.  Even through there was not much grass, they still had many flowers around the village, including some bonsai plants. 

One of the special things we saw was a memorial to the first United States military person killed in action ono Kinmen.  He was from Michigan, which is where I grew up, so that made it very special to me.   

Here in Taiwan, there is a national holiday called Tomb Sweeping Day.  The families go to the cemetery and clean them up, and place flowers on the grave. The picture is of a Catholic cemetery with families together at the grave sites.   One of my co-workers told me that some people actually go to worship their ancestors on that day, and they leave some food on the graves for them.  My hope is that someday more of these people will come to see and understand why Jesus came – to give life, a life of meaning and purpose here, and an assurance that we can have life forever with Him in heaven. 

Just one more picture of flowers, and I’ll be done for this time.  This was taken early in the month, before there were many blossoms on the trees.  This is one of the early cherry blossoms.  This island still has a lot of Japanese influence here.  As your springtime comes, I sure hope you take time to enjoy the changes this season brings.  Remember, springtime is a celebration of new life!