Monday, June 20, 2016

Today we visited a high school of 3500 students and 400 teachers in Xiangshui.  The school day began with calisthenics on the soccer field.  It was absolutely stunning to see 3500 students choreograph exercises in perfect synchronicity.  I sent Sue a video of the dancing and she is going to put it up on my Facebook page.  I will see if it can get transferred to this blog. 

Mid-morning I was assigned to speak to a class of 35 10th grade students.  They call them Grade 1 in China. Juniors are grade 2 and seniors are grade 3.  These kids were in an English class, and I talked about Unity, my family and their school with them.  They were so full of smiles and respect.  It was amazing.  I talked about our school and how we are a Christian school so we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

The school runs on a 15 period schedule, with study hall sessions running until 10pm each night.  The school day begins before 7am. School runs 6 1/2 days a week, with a Christmas break of one month and summer break of just under 2 months. Their educational program is solely focused on the mind.  I shared how we focus on the mind, body and the soul at our Christian school.  The students sit in un-air conditioned rooms at large tables facing each other. 

The school has a 10 floor administrative building and the campus resembles a college campus and then some.  Xiangshui High School is an elite high school and many consider it a privilege for their children to attend it.

We ended the day in a friendly basketball game of our group versus the faculty of Xiangshui school.  They love their basketball and are very good! We on the other hand looked our age.  Wished we had Cliff Warner here.  Some of the only American words they can exchange are Steph Curry and Lebron James.  We enjoyed competing in a friendly game with them.  In World Cup soccer fashion we exchanged t-shirts with the other team.  They were gracious hosts allowing us to erase a 30 point deficit and almost winning the game.  

Again, I am blown away with the Chinese people and their hospitality.  What great people. 

Tuesday is a travel day. We head to Nanching.

Wayne