In
1988 our youngest child Eric graduated from college and informed us that he
wished to travel and do some Christian service before he settled into a 9
to 5 job. During his search, a former member of our church recommended that
Eric contact Educational Services International (ESI). Five days later Eric
was enrolled in five weeks of training in preparation to teach for a year
in China. His mother was a little nervous!
After two years in China, Eric was committed to a life of service. He worked
with Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong and then taught at a school for deaf
Chinese children in Macao. Today, he is employed with World Vision. Eric's
commitment to serve and the growth in his faith has humbled us as parents.
By 1990, after over thirty-three years as a teacher and then as a special
administrator in a large high school district, I was feeling frustrated and
burnt out. Declining enrollments, reduced financial support and discontent
among teachers and communities had taken its toll. I talked of change but
strongly felt I needed to go "to" something rather than "from" something.
Jokingly, I talked of China…
That summer, Eric was home for a visit from Hong Kong. In our conversation
he mentioned ESI's Summer Institute of English. After some family discussion
and prayer, I called the director of the program and set up an interview.
The day of the interview, I had to petition the school board for benefits
under an early retirement plan. That afternoon, I met with the director of
the ESI program and shared my experience and interest in the program. I was
offered the opportunity and it was sealed with a handshake. Then, I informed
the school of my resignation in a letter which would be read 400 miles away
in less than three hours.
What an experience! The Chinese students, all English teachers, were the most
loving, appreciative people that anyone could encounter-they touched my heart.
I retired June 6th, was in training June 9th, and was in Beijing by
June 25th. That summer, I taught in Wuhan. What an experience! The Chinese
students, all English teachers, were the most loving, appreciative people
that anyone could encounter-they touched my heart.
Was it all wonderful? No, it was HOT! 100 degrees Fahrenheit and humid.
But we had air-conditioned apartments, refrigerators, color-TV, short wave
radio, and we only taught in the morning. I was hooked. I returned to Wuhan
as the Team Administrator the next year. (Yes, my wife was nervous when I
left too.)
The next year I chose to teach in Pushkin, a suburb of St. Petersburg, Russia.
My teammate and I were the only two ESI representatives that summer. With
the break-up of the Soviet Union, it was necessary to work with each separate
country. We had a rewarding summer and sight-seeing in St. Petersburg was
outstanding!
When I returned that fall, I agreed to volunteer as the director of the program
and to seek new assignments of 10 each for three years. We placed 11 teachers
in 1994, 23 in 1995, and about 30 in 1996. The need for teachers increases
every year-Are there any interested parties out there???
As you can see, ESI has provided opportunities for service and some life-changing
events in our family. I thank the Lord for this opportunity. My wife is often
able to join me for vacations in relation to my travels, Hong Kong, Russia,
Norway, etc. It is a good fit for our whole family!
I would urge recently retired people (and couples) to consider this great
opportunity for service and witness. Teaching experience is not necessary.
A caring, people-oriented person soon picks up the activities that best help
people work on their conversation. The classes are small, the fulfillment
ten-fold!
