Taiwan Update *email*

Dear family and friends ~

I heard today from my brother that my grandma passed today; I actually don't have much else to say, it's just a part of life now that sin is a part of this world. Actually, you know, we weren't made to experience grief, which is why it's so difficult to adjust to; death wasn't God's will for us, but I am so thankful that He knew the future, knew we'd sin, and provided the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter! I don't know how people live life without Him, His love and His Peace.
Below is the parargraph from the paper about my grandma; thank you all for your prayers!

Thelma I. Armentrout November 15, 1932 ~ October 25, 2011On Tuesday, October 25th, our Mom went home to be with The Lord. God gave the world a special gift when He created our Mom and she honored Him by giving of herself tirelessly and shining His light and showing His love in everything she did. What a privilage it is to have been loved by her.To those who were able to attend the party, to those who came by to visit, and to those who are far away who sent cards and prayers - we thank you from the very bottom of our hearts. I cannot even describe how Mom's spirits were lifted by this and the sunshine in her heart during these last 3 weeks. What a blessing to have such wonderful friends and family - holding us up with hugs and prayers.We love you Mom.

Update from Taiwan *email*

Hello all!

I know it's been so long since I left, but it seems only a short time to me, we've been doing so much. This is only our third week of actual teaching; the rest of the time has been spent preparing and training - all going well, by the way. So, to let everyone know some of the basics of our situation ~

A map of Taiwan!






I am in Yunlin, the brighter of the two teal-colored counties.
The team consists of 3 English teachers, all from the US and professing Christians, and 8 Taiwanese teachers, one of which is a professing Christian. We are all teachers at HTC Foundation's Character English Institute. The chairman of the foundation, Mr. HT Cho, has a vision to reach out to all of the children of Taiwan, endeavoring to improve their personal futures as well as the whole of Taiwan, using the CEIs to train them about good character and what that looks like with real-life examples and practical application opportunities.
There are 3 CEIs currently, in the counties of Hulaien, Yunlin and Chiayi, and it's the children of that particular county's schools that are invited to attend the camp-style institute. The students stay in our institute for 5 days, 4 nights; upon completing the week of training, each student is awarded a Good Character Certificate, which they commit to practice every day. But sometimes (like this week) you have a student (or several) in whom you don't see any improvement during their stay with you; these are the difficult ones to say goodbye to, the ones I really think about for weeks afterwards. And what makes it even more difficult is when you don't know the reason that blocks them from improving; this week I've been blessed to be able to identify all the root issues in the problem kids, even though not all are changing as they learn and we encourage their practice. But we know the seeds have been planted. And a special blessing about the last few weeks' kids: they regularly attend the elementary school upon whose grounds is our institute! So we'll be seeing them all year!

I think the team is melding well; we're still learning about each other, and learning how to love each other well. We each really desire to be one tool that God can use to fulfill His goals here in Yunlin, and are learning about the others' strengths and weaknesses. It has been different recently as another team has been living with us, learning the ropes so as to soon open a new CEI. That team will leave this Saturday to go to their new location, so the atmosphere will be changing even more. I have been encouraging every teacher to view every change as an opportunity to not only become closer to God and each other, but also to be a dent in Satan's plans! When we feel challenged with personal, work or interrelations issues, we want to meet them head on as a team, to conquer them to the glory of God! At the very least, this approach has allowed me to feel exhilarated instead of stressed when encountering an issue.

There are some opportunities that have opened up to share the vision of training students in good character; some of these we are preparing for right now, some we're considering. Even while we are actively teaching character qualities to children, I see that the real discrepancy in their lives is the lack of parental involvement. In fact, as we prepare to receive the new students each week, it's the teacher who provides most of the information about them, and with whom we converse if there is an issue with a student during their stay. Also, it is the teacher who is praised for the good behavior of the students, or complained about if their behavior isn't as it should be. I some to the same root problem (other than the lack of Jesus Christ in their lives) with nearly every major issue that I've encountered: the family structure in Taiwan is deteriorating, and is almost completely deteriorated. But I have many friends who have also seen this - many pastors, teachers, laymen; they are and have been preparing to counter attack Satan in this area. I am now trying to learn more myself; about ways I can fight, how to do that most effectively, and lovingly, also. Oh - and while teaching every day! :) Sometimes I have to remind myself of what God's priorities are for me, and that I can't get involved in everything at once!

So I'll close this email with a personal update~
I'm actually coming back to the States next week, to see my grandma who's health is not good. She recently decided to go off all her medications, and thus was moved to Hospice, a care system for those who will be passing soon. I want to come and see her as soon as possible; we're working on those details now. I was encouraged to hear from my mom that she and my aunt are confident of my grandma's salvation; this was something I have never really been sure about before.
Here's a simple list of things you can pray for:
~ That I'll be able to get a timely ticket; meaning, if I leave at a particular time as opposed to another, I will or won't have jet lag - I don't want to have jet lag!! There's not enough time to get over it before I have to return!
~ The salvation of all the Taiwanese teachers on our team!
~ Grace for each English teacher for the others as we continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
~For us to have wisdom in knowing how to effectively reach out and help the children here, even as the system is unbiblical.
~For the salvation of the chairman, Mr. HT! When asked, he responds he is 50% Christian ~ I hope this year he'll be all in, never looking back!

Thank you all for praying for me/us! I also pray for you ~ more in a general term usually, while asking God to use those prayers in the areas He knows they're needed. Actually, I am learning to pray Scripture for others; it has been great! This is the what I pray for you all:

Psalm 20
1The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 2Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; 3Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. 4Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel. 5We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions.
6Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. 9Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

God bless you all ~

Bethany Jo Armentrout

Five Days of Character .... they do make a diff.

I currently teach at a 5-day character camp in beautiful Yunlin County, Taiwan. Every week has its memorable moments. A recent moment occurred towards the end of the week of that particular camp, and it had been a loooong beginning, middle - and the end still seemed forever in the future; so this was an encouraging 60 seconds.


Every week, a teacher shows the class the Pixar short "For the Birds"; it's a great clip that provides fantastic discussion material regarding respecting others. Portrayed in the short by a dozen or so small birds, they first reject and make fun of a larger, strange bird, bullying him, the short finishing with the small birds getting their just recompense, and that from their own actions. We talk about it with the students, asking them to identify differences in the two kinds of birds; throughout the whole ordeal, the big bird maintains a friendly, inviting countenance, and positive attitude and a helpful spirit. The last question put to the children is this: "Which you do you want to be: a small bird, or a big bird?" Only once have I ever heard a child respond "Small bird!" and he was a mischievous little dude. On the whole, it's unanimous: the big bird is the role model the children choose. So, the recent 'moment' was in the making because of these circumstances: one student was laughing at another, not in a 'let's have fun together' way; the student being laughed at had some minor mental hindrances, but still understood what was going on - was on his way over to the other table to do some communication with his fists, but I steeped. After getting him back to his desk, I went over to the student who had laughed - he'd been behaving thus most of the week, but we'd seen improvement. The conversation went like this:

"Why are you laughing at him?"

"Because he's fun to laugh at."

"Do you remember learning about the small birds and the big bird yesterday?"

He nods.

"So is laughing at him being a small bird or a big bird?"

Eyes drop. "Small bird." Looking up at me, quickly adding, "I want to be a big bird."

"Yes! I knew you were smart! You definitely can!"

I guess I should have had him apologize to the other student; I didn't, but I was encouraged - he got the point, and now knew what it looked like in his own life. Hopefully it'll not soon be forgotten, but evolves in his life.

'Til Next Type~

God's Peace

The future seems uncertain;
Decisions yet to make;
Turn your eyes to Jesus:
He will show the path to take.

When those around discourage,
Turn to Almighty God;
He will wrap his arms around you,
and He'll say, "My child, walk on."

God gives Peace for the asking;
God gives Peace that makes the trouble seem like joy.
God gives Peace to the lacking:
When you feel you can't go further -
the jump: to big a hurdle -
God gives Peace that overcomes.

Orange Cream ~

I didn't take any pictures today, but thought I'd update the story on the stuffed orange....

I sent it home with a friend, who put it in the fruitbowl on his family's counter. His mother tossed it, not knowing what it truly was. She was quickly informed and recruited to the plan.
Later, another son gave the fruit to a friend who was over, causing the mother distress, but not to the extent to rescue the victim (Yay!! You rock, Mrs D.!!!)
The guest plunged her thumb into the orange; the cream reacted splendidly, spurting out and creating the effect we'd hoped for!!! Success: the fruit monsters victorious!

Apples, Oranges, & ......Sour Cream

Looks like a normal apple, yes? Ah, but take a bite and you'll find it's no ordinary piece of fruit!






And here is why:
I cut the top off, hallowed out the body and super-glued it back on, after filling it with the cream! The cut lines are slightly visible, but no one will notice it if it placed right-side up. Now I just wait in anticipation for the unlucky fellow!!!

I also did an orange - and, by the way, this was a collaboration of myself and some family members and friends, so I can't take all the credit, unfortunately.
Anyways, the orange worked much better as its skin forgives much more than that of an apple. I believe the effects will be greater as well, as it was difficult to get a lot of cream into the apple, but the whole orange is filled. All someone has to do is plunge their thumb into it, as though to peel it, and it shall ooz forth creamy globs!

Word to the wise: carefully inspect all your fruit - you may not get what you expect!

Shot of the Moment

This is definitely the cutest moment of the day!!!!