On Tuesday, June 27th, we wanted to get our car ready to be picked up from the new buyers. We were taking our car, a 1991 Nissan Sentra, through Air Care in Chilliwack. Air Care is a system around Vancouver where you need to have the emissions of your exhaust checked before you are able to buy insurance for your car. If your car fails, especially if it is an older one, it is very difficult to insure and therefore to sell your car.
When our car went through Air Care in Chilliwack it failed (Chilliwack is the neighbouring city to Abbotsford where we work). Not knowing what to do, we thought that we would have to end up scrapping the car. But later in the afternoon, I (Garth) decided to take the car into the Air Care station in Abbotsford where we live. After many prayers while they were testing the vehicle, the car ended up passing. I am sure this is not the first or last Air Care story similar to this one. By the way, Air Care is being phased out in 2014.
The new owner picked it up the next day and proudly drove it off.
Here are the things I want to see and do in Malaysia: 1. See how God works like maybe a miracle. 2. See other religions. 3. See new animals and new places and new foods. (like Papua New Guinea) 4. Help teach new people about God. 5. See how Malaysia is different than Canada. 6. Try new things like clubs. (eg swimming)
These are the things that I'm going to say for why I am excited to go to malaysai 1. join a soccer club 2. see new things like malls,monkeys,elephants,zebras 3. find new friends 4. try a new school 5. see what peoples lives are like 6. help at an orphanage 7. try new foods 8. see what the prime minister is like The thing that I Really want to do is ninja clubs!
Hannah's list of things to do in Malaysia;) 1. Try new activities, like clubs 2. Whether to go to a Christian or Public School 3. Meet new people 4. Eat Seafood
Garth's hopes for overseas, in order of priority (May 2012) 1. Ministry at Dalat International School 2. Decide about his future as a teacher: Canadian or international teacher, Christian or secular school teacher 3. Travel to Thailand, China, Singapore, Australia, and Indonesia 4. Ministry in the Penang community 5. Try new foods
Eileen's hopes for overseas, in order of priority (May 2012) 1. Serve in ministry in Malaysia, probably Penang 2. See how God works in our family there, in Christian community, and in other cultures 3. Travel to Thailand, Africa, and India 4. Live minimally 5. Teach in a Christian school, especially with our children going to the same school
There are currently about 500 students, 50% are expat. 50% are Christians and the rest are mostly Hindu and Buddhist. About 70 students are boarded and about 420 come from the community.
There are 28 nations represented at the school, but mostly Chinese, Indian, and Malay. There are “loads of Canadians”.
The school is on eight acres, right on the ocean. It is completely gated with three entry points, and guards at each entry.
The school day is from 8am to 4pm; school hours are 8:20 to 3:05. Teachers' kids play after school; it is safe as the school grounds are walled and gated with three guards.
Teachers who have children (“staff kids”) in the school have opportunities to see their children a lot, eg at lunch, visit their child’s class if there is something special happening (another staff member would cover the teacher’s class for a short time).
There are Kids Interest Clubs - about 20 of them on three days of the week ranging from athletic, origami, chess, tennis, soccer (very big), art, gardening, choir, board games, swimming (competitive), track, basketball, Scouts (Wednesdays). These clubs are from 3:10 to 3:45, and teachers are expected to take one on for one day a week.
I (Eileen) will teach 5 Core subjects: L.A., History, Bible, Science, Math. The “Specials” (students usually leave to go to another class - except Malay where the teacher comes to the classroom) are Music, P.E., Art, Computers, Malay, Library, Chapel. The Specials are 45 minutes a week, except Malay which is 30 minutes two times a week, and P.E. which is two times a week.
Garth is the Middle and High School Special Services (Learning Assistance) teacher.
Science is very hands-on. Last fall, someone killed an 11 foot python that was on campus, the high school students dissected it and discovered there was a whole goose inside. “The campus came to a halt” and classes were brought through to see the python (and the goose).
Every subject is taught from a Biblical world view. This is very emphasized.
The kids are accelerated in their academic ability; most are close to a grade level ahead. It was emphasized that a challenge for teachers is finding ways to challenge the students.
There is a maximum of 18 students per class at the Grade 1 and 2 level.
The Grade Two class hosts a Refugee School once a year. It is an illegal, underground school of Muslim children. The students at Dalat fund raise eg by having a bake sale (and thus learn about money). They plan games and purchase school supplies eg by going to the local mall and deciding what to buy, finding the best bargain.
There is “loads of time off” eg depending on when Chinese New Year is, you can have from 4 - 6 weeks off at Christmas. Lots of holidays are celebrated, eg Indian, Christian, Chinese, Hindu. There is at least one long weekend in each month. The school year is 36 weeks long.
Sometimes there is reference to the ‘Dalat bubble’, ie an exclusive community. The comment is often made that the best thing about Dalat is ‘community’ and the worst thing about Dalat is ‘community’.
Sunday, May 27, 2012: We felt so encouraged and loved when the interim pastor at our church, Dr. Bruce Gordon, prayed for us regarding our move to Malaysia. Others, from the Sunday School department, surrounded our family.
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