This Weeks Highlights

This week was super crazy although pretty fun as well. Here are some highlights!

Sleepover: 

I’ve really connected with the 3rd floor in a totally new way these last few weeks. Tian and Esther have been super busy with their German friends, and Mirjam with her work. I did feel lonely at first but then I found something I love. The 3rd floor has stopped being surprised at me coming unannounced at any time of day or night and has come to expect it by asking me if I’m coming up. I think they love it as much as I do! Even after working on the 7th floor from 3 to 7, I’d go right to the 3rd floor right afterwards to hang out with them, staying until probably 9, when the residents went to bed. On weekends I’d come in the afternoon, have dinner and be with them late until the evening. One time I was up there until 11 pm, just talking with Wang Laoshi, my favourite teacher. She was showing me photos from years ago, which were so fun to see. Another time, Wang Laoshi mentioned several times to me I should just sleep on the 3rd floor with the residents since Tian and Esther were both gone and I would be in the Bai Gong by myself. I didn’t think she was actually serious until she told the residents one night that I was going to, and so I did. Thankfully she was also sleeping there since the night teacher had a day off, so it wasn’t that awkward. It was very funny because I slept on the one foldout bed, and Wang Laoshi slept on the hard floor!! Apparently she likes it this way. I got up at 7 am with the residents and started work at 8 am, a whole hour earlier than normal. I was tired, but honestly it was a fun memory to have.

Kinda weird being up there when all the residents have gone to bed but I was looking at pictures on the computer since Wang Laoshi knows I love to do that.

A Party: 

The 4th floor was putting on a party and invited all of us to attend. It was quite the event, and we had lots of food to eat! They were celebrating the arrival of two new teachers, the birthdays of two of their residents, and, thank you to us, the volunteers. They were so sweet and had a gift for me because it’s my birthday this week!

All different kinds of pizza! Most of them you wouldn’t find in Canada lol

Cakes, salad, sandwiches, fruit etc… you name it!

A Special Guest:

Although my time is coming to an end, I was able to share my experience here at Bethesda with one of the most important and special people in my life: my mom. :) She arrived Thursday night, the 24th. It’s been so nice having her here and introducing her to the people and place I’ve grown to really love! I’m also excited that she’s here because I think now that she’s been here, she’ll be more comfortable with me coming back one day! A quick shout-out to my dad, who’s at home working hard and looking after our dogs! I hope you’ll be able to come to visit one day too. I’ve been able to spend some time with my mom, which has been nice. We walked to the ocean, and on Sunday (27th), I took her out for breakfast, and we biked into the city to go shopping and had a papaya milk drink, and then we watched a movie with Mirjam.

Picking my mom, and another friend, up at the train station!

Reunited after 2 and 1/2 months :)

Out for fresh fruit drinks.

Out for a special breakfast.

70th Anniversary:

After 2 months of very hard work by the teachers, residents, volunteers, and staff, we were able to celebrate Bethesda’s 70th anniversary and perform in front of a whole bunch of guests. It went very well and smoothly despite some last-minute changes, such as one of the guy teachers hurting his foot and being unable to dance. There were different kinds of dances, two songs (I was a part of both), and many speeches by special guests who attended. After it was all said and done, I came to realize what an absolutely amazing group I have been blessed to be a part of these last 3 months. God has greatly blessed this ministry, and may He continue to do so!

Singing with the teachers, it sounded so nice :)

A beautiful photo :)

In the entrance there were big bouquets of flowers like this to greet the guest as they came in.

In the coffee shop they set up an art gallery displaying the art of the residents that people could purchase!

After the 2 hour celebration we were invited to go out to eat and got treated to a big lunch consisting of many delicious dishes.

Seafood salad.

The Chinese version of a hamburger. It’s different for sure but very good.

A sweet and sour pork ribs. These were delicious and had a hit of orange flavour.

A colourful variety of fruit. The best kind of dessert.

A Note From My Mom:

Arriving at Bethesda, a home for mentally and physically handicapped people, I was very curious to come and see for myself this place that Hosanna loved so much. She’s been here for almost 3 months, and I wondered what it was that she loved about it. I had always been okay with being around people with disabilities, but as Hosanna took me on her daily routine, I observed her through new eyes. She was not just here to help out, make things run smoothly, and be an extra pair of hands in a world of disabilities. She was here for the residents, to be their friend, someone who was enthusiastically interested in their lives. Our normally quiet daughter greeted people with high fives, big hugs, and lots of joy and laughter, and they responded; those who could walk came up to her, wanting to hold her hand, hug her, and stand with her.   Some that couldn’t get to her physically called out, often with slurred speech, so happy that she had come. It was the same response every time they saw her. Sunshine had come into their space, and her name was Hosanna. Hosanna too has a new spring in her step; the residents here love her, there are no expectations or judgments; she loves them, and they love her. She feels wanted, motivated, and a part of their lives. I decided to participate as best I could and follow her good example, and to my surprise, I encountered something wonderful—acceptance! What a gift the disabled bring to us, something we seldom encounter in our day-to-day lives. They want us, and they value us, no strings attached; they need us, and I did not realize how much we need them. Thank you, Lord, for helping me see the beautiful you see.

My mom with my 3rd floor group :)

Soli Deo Gloria!

Hosanna