Helping a Dream Come True

I write again, with too much time since my last post. I put way too many expectations on myself of how frequently I will have time to write. Therefore, I have decided to free myself of those expectations, and write when I can.

As you know, or have probably found out, Justin and I decided to spend the Summer in Shanghai in exchange for going home at Christmas. We have a very limited income during the Summer, because I am not working regularly and Shanghai empties of students needing tutoring during the Summer months. It has been an interesting time for us, because most Ex-Pats are gone and everything slows to a crawl. For a little while, it is a nice change of pace, but then, it becomes rather boring.

To help counter this phenomena that I will call the "Summer Exodus," Justin and I set up some personal goals for ourselves to complete during the Summer. One of those was for me to find some work, to generate income this Summer. So, for two weeks in July, I worked at a Summer Musical Theater Camp called "StarZone Dream." You think that I would have learned by now, that in China, nothing is EVER as it seems. I went into this job with a list of expectations as follows:

1. I will be working with children who have experience with singing and dancing.
2. I will be working with children ages 10 and up.
3. I will be working with children who speak English and are mostly foreigners.
4. I will be working in an established studio with everything I need in it.

I had been warned that we would have varying degrees of experience and levels, and to have an easier version of my Choreography, just in case. Therefore, I planned choreography for two dances ahead of time and then had to wait on three dances until I met the children. The first day, we started with a song from Oliver! titled "Consider Yourself." I had choreographed a routine that I thought was fairly easy, because I could sing along with it, while I danced (I never really did musical theater). I quickly learned the following:

1. The students could sing a bit, but many looked like they had NEVER learned a dance routine in their lives.
2. Half of the 23 students were under the age of 10.
3. Most of the students knew little to no English.
4. The studio had one working toilet and poor A/C.
5. AND, they did not hire a pianist for the afternoons, when I was teaching, so I HAD to sing the songs while I taught... because the children could only learn steps on the words and not on the counts.

The first day ended up being a HUGE struggle for me and I had to re-choreograph the whole dance on the spot. I thought, "There is NO WAY these kids are going to learn all of this in two weeks!" After that, I went home and revamped everything I had planned and took a deep breath. Thankfully, to my surprise and despite my terror, the children came out with a great product by the end of the two weeks.

The experience of putting on a show in a theater in China was a whole different beast, and I am glad that I only had a minor role in that portion. The sound could have been better and the level of professionalism during dress rehearsal and the performance could improve, but overall it was a learning and growing experience for me.

Our Program

Pre-show pep-talk

Into The Woods

Be Back Soon

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Consider Yourself

Follow The Yellow Brick Road

The Merry Ole Land of Oz

Do, Re, Mi

Do, Re, Mi

Do, Re, Mi,

Any Dream Will Do

Any Dream Will Do

The whole point of the camp was to educate kids on the process of an artistic performance. The vision was to see the children learn and grow through the experience, and maybe pursue a career in the arts on their own. The point of our final performance was to raise funds for a charity. Our sponsors donated 20,000 RMB and the guests of the event added to that number.

I made some new international friends and also got to work with some Hip-Hop students from the studio. They performed at the end of the show with a routine choreographed by their teacher, and then learned a routine from me to "Let It Go" while the students of the camp. I was slightly embarrassed by that final routine, because they only had two hours to learn it, and it was not Hip-Hop. When I was asked to prepare the routine, I was under the impression that the students had experience in other styles of dance. They did a great job picking it up and tried hard, but it was way out of their comfort zone.

Full Cast and Crew

Hip-Hop Instructor, Director, and I (bad-quality)

Rest of the studio staff added

Beautiful sunflowers from one of the students, May. She found out they were my favorite :)

Needless to say, it was another experience for the books! I even travelled by 3 subway lines everyday to get there. Oh the things that I have seen and the heat that I have experienced. Until next time, whenever that may be...

Greenhouse walkway from Line 3 to Line 9.... spent more time walking from line to line than on the metro. I calculated!

The Laowai Conundrum

Today, I am home sick, but I can't sleep because I feel so yucky. I decided to write something to try to convey what I experience daily. I have found that I, as a Laowai (foreigner), seem to be quite a conundrum for the Chinese who live in my community.

I live in a Chinese compound with maybe ten other foreigners. Justin and I drive a scooter, and we do not have a car or driver. Our scooter is second-hand and is pretty beat up. Yesterday, as I was traveling, I noticed a lot of people staring at me, which is not uncommon. Here is what happened...

I left home to go to dance rehearsal and it was raining. I grabbed a towel to wipe off my scooter seat and a raincoat. I then began to drive to practice. As I was driving, I heard those passing by me making comments about me driving in the rain on my scooter. I arrived at my destination and was fine.

Later, Justin and I were riding home from youth, in the rain, and we decided to grab a pizza to take home. We went to the pizza place to make an order, and they reminded me that they deliver. I got my rather large pizza box and rode on the back of the scooter with Justin driving. As we were driving home, we realized the scooter was nearly dead, so I would have to walk the rest of the way.

As we stopped and I got off, there was more staring and comments by people passing by. Justin then drove the rest of the way home, and I walked in the rain back home with the pizza box. I felt like, in that moment, that I was the center of everyone's attention as I walked. There was not one person I passed that did not take a long hard look at me. I was thankful when I returned home to the privacy of my apartment.

So, here is why this story is part of the "Laowai Conundrum." There is a general perception in China that every foreigner has tons of money. This is not really the case, because most foreigners who live here have their HUGE homes and drivers paid for by their companies. Therefore, it is all just a misunderstanding. Don't get me wrong, most foreigners here are well off, but they are not as rich as is perceived.

We clearly do not have a lot of money, which is confusing in its self for the community we live in. Most people do not understand why we live in the apartment that we do, why we drive a scooter, and why we live average lifestyles. All of the comments about me driving in my scooter in the rain generate from the fact that it is very uncommon to see a foreigner on a scooter in the rain. Generally, they would take a taxi, or have a driver.

It is also very odd that we do not take advantage of delivery services, because even a lot of Chinese have food delivered. It just seems completely odd that we would pick up our food and take it home ourselves. Also, for some reason, it is rare that a scooter battery dies on someone. I NEVER see anyone pushing their scooter because it died. Because these things are even uncommon for an average Chinese person, we look more different in these circumstances.

With all this being said, it is REALLY strange to see a foreigner on foot, in the rain, carrying a box of pizza home...

I tell you all of this to just give you an image of how different life is for us here. We love China and we have great friends here. The culture is just very different, and there are some huge misconceptions about foreigners. I hope that in my time here, I can help my friends in China to see that we are a lot the same, and not so different.

From House to Home

Hello All,

The month of March was quite eventful for us. At the beginning of the month, we moved out of our old apartment following the Chinese New Year holiday. We moved with our friends John and Megan, to an apartment in the same compound, but one building over. Though it was not a huge change in location, it was a huge change in our living situation.

Our new apartment has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (we have a room dedicated to all of the studio equipment!!). It has been fully remodeled and has all new appliances. The kitchen is all new and beautiful. We have a nice balcony and a space for laundry, which sure beats a porch flooded by the washing machine. It is truly a step up for us and has helped relieve some of the stress of living in a different country. We have truly been blessed by God to have this opportunity of a new and wonderful home.

Our new Living Room with some decor.

Our bedroom, with one yellow wall painted and a TV, and our bathroom.

Red Kitchen, Studio Room, Second Bathroom (I did not photo John and Megan's room)

In the midst of moving here in Shanghai, we were also searching for new tenants for our house in the US. We were very behind on payments and were in a bad situation, and desperately needed to take steps to improve our circumstances. After a few weeks of screening tenants and getting our house cleaned up, our parents helped hold an Open House for us. With their guidance and discernment, we were able to find a new tenant.

The most awesome part of it all is that she is a Christian and is very excited about the work we are doing here. She has already shown great care and concern for our home and has even helped us with having the carpet replaced. We feel confident that she is the right person to live in our home and that she will take care of it for us.

We are so thankful for all of God's blessings as we have persevered through trials of our own. We are thankful for all of your prayers and support as we live so far and communicate quite infrequently. We are grateful for how we have grown through all of our experiences and excited about what lies ahead.

With Love,
The Ures

The shadow proves the sunshine...

Justin and I decided to watch a documentary titled "Fading West" by Switchfoot last weekend. It was a really inspiring story and made me think a lot. I actually have been in a contemplative state for a little while, and I am now taking the time to sit down and write out a bit of our story over the last few months and where we are in this journey we are on.

When I was browsing alone on YouTube watching surfing videos (strange, I know, but a slight obsession of mine), I came across this video advertising for the "Fading West" documentary. I was reminded of the song "The Shadow Proves The Sunshine" by Switchfoot, and I thought about how the lyrics were so appropriate for the journey Justin and I have been on together since we got married.

Sunshine, won't you be my mother?

Sunshine, come and help me sing

My heart is darker than these oceans

My heart is frozen underneath

We Are

Dry eyes in the pouring rain while

The shadow proves the sunshine

Two scared little runaways

Hold fast till the break of daylight when

The shadow proves the sunshine

Crooked souls trying to stay up straight

Oh Lord, why did you forsake me?

Oh Lord, don't be far away (away)

Storm clouds gathering beside me

Please Lord, don't look the other way

We Are

Crooked souls trying to stay up straight

Dry eyes in the pouring rain while

The shadow proves the sunshine

Two scared little runaways

Hold fast till the break of daylight when

The shadow proves the sunshine

When we embarked on this adventure of marriage, we really had NO idea what we were getting into. Justin was happy with me doing missions on my own short term, while he pursued his dreams of studio success. We tried to buy a house before our wedding, but were unable to. We were helping with a church plant in Brandon while we were engaged and then decided to help with another one just before our wedding in New Port Richey. We wanted so badly to live close to our church, but we were unable to because of work and because we could not find a house. We settled for an apartment in Tampa, and made treks in all directions to make our lives work.

In the spring after we got married, I stopped working with the missions organization I was with because of finances. Then, in the summer, we began the house search again after moving in with Justin's parents. After a long struggle, we got a house and were getting ready to move in. Then, everything changed, we were suddenly given the opportunity to come to China in the new year, to try something for six months. We moved into our house, lived there for three months, found tenants, and moved to China.

We were not met without opposition, because no one understood why we would make such a rash decision. For both of us, it was a perfect solution. Justin could still do his studio work while I pursued my dreams of doing work in another country. We were happy to quit dead end jobs without meaning and run to greater horizons. We could not answer the questions: What will you be doing there? Are you going to be working? Where will you live? How will you communicate?

We just did not have the answers. We still do not have all the answers.

This is where the shadow comes in. Everything here is much different than we ever pictured. I did not get a job at an international school. It is very difficult to get a teaching job here without a teaching degree and many years of experience. Justin did not get huge opportunities to work in the music industry. It just does not work like that here.

Our situation with our house dramatically deteriorated as well. We are currently in the process of evicting tenants and are looking for new ones. We are behind on mortgage payments. We have thankfully been able to make payments on everything else at home. We have literally had to wait on the Lord for every penny. Which is a constant battle within my control freak soul.

We have questioned God on what our purpose is: Why did you bring us to China? What do you want us to do? Do you really want us here? Why is all of this happening?

His answer to us... "Just trust me."

So, here comes the sunshine!

Justin and I have an awesome church community here. We are both in discipleship groups and are actively participating in a community of believers that come along side us, support us, and encourage us. We are both able to serve in multiple areas of our church and work within our areas of strength. We have grown together as a couple in Christ so much. We study scripture together and pray together. We have no choice but to lean on God and take each step alongside him. We have gained so much perspective on our purpose as a couple and what God desires of us.

At home, in our crazy lives, in our comfort zones, this would have NEVER happened. God got our attention!

We are so thankful for the support of our parents in this insane journey. We are thankful to our faithful friends, John and Megan, who put up with us in insanely small quarters (we are upgrading soon!). We are thankful for our church in the US and here in China for being such awesome brothers and sisters in Christ.

We ask that you PLEASE pray for us. For our work here. For our journey in our relationship with Christ. For our house and how to move forward.

We would love to set up a communication through email with those of you who would like it. My email is blythe.ure@gmail.com.

We are also needing some physical support. We need to take care of our house and need help moving forward. We need to find tenants, so if you have any advice or know of someone needing a home, please contact me. Also, if you are able to make a financial donation on our behalf to help with our US home, please contact me.

We love you all so much, and miss our US family and friends!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our First Christmas in China

Hello Everyone!

I know you are thinking, isn't it a little late to be talking about Christmas? To be honest, it is. However, Justin and I had a feeling this year that Christmas came and went, and we missed it. With that being said, our Christmas time was very special and we spent it in a way we never have before. We went to Sancun, Yunnan to help with a documentary about the work being done there.

We flew into Kunming, stayed the night, and took a 7 hour drive into the mountains to Sancun. We stayed in a hotel room with a bed, t.v., and bathroom. It was a unique experience for us, because neither Justin or I had stayed in a room with a squatty potty and only a shower head above it to shower with. We also had no heat or hot water in very cold weather. We learned to adapt quickly, but not without difficulty.

Our Hotel the Ritz Carlton (it was really called that!)

Our Bathroom

The cute pig next to our hotel

The main job of the team with us was to go help at the school in Yizu Village. It was previously a rundown building with only a few classes. In the last year, they have built a three story building and have taken on a lot more students. The kids all come from farming families and live pretty tough lives. They have very little hope, because they do not think that they will ever leave their hometown. For the children, the team had planned a couple of days of classes, a special Christmas carnival involving games, prizes, and some new clothes, and a Christmas performance.

School from above

Our welcoming committee (the whole school sang to us)

The new building

Justin and I helped with a production team that was recording a documentary about the area and the work being done there. Justin was recording all of the sound and I helped with various jobs, especially taking pictures. We had an awesome time seeing the whole team work together and love on the community. We really enjoyed making some new Chinese friends, too, named Qi, Bing Jie, and Lynn, who were on the production team. We will continue to meet up with them in Shanghai now.

Justin ans Qi taking a break

One day, we went to a nursing home in the area where we were working. I have never been comfortable in that setting, but it was nice, because we did a program for the elderly outside. It was awesome because some of the kids from the school came along to help lead songs for the elderly. For just a moment, I was reminded of my grandmother and how much I missed her. My sadness was quickly wiped away though by the silliest image. I encountered the largest pig I have ever seen. It's head came up past Justin's waist.

The largest pig I have EVER seen

The ladies at the home playing a game

We also had the privilege of visiting a village WAY up in the mountains. It took quite a while to get there, but the view was beautiful and the time of day was perfect to see everything. I have to say, that the conditions were not as bad as I have seen in the past, because the houses were structurally sound and their was a system of drainage. I found out, though, that the government has done a lot of projects to help build up villages and the roads leading to them.

They were cornered...

Overall, our Christmas trip was incredible. Justin and I decided to go about a week before the trip, and were blessed by a friend of ours who paid our expenses. We really were hesitant about going because we just wanted to celebrate Christmas like usual. Nevertheless, we were very happy that we decided to go, because it helped us refocus, remember our purpose, and embrace the challenges ahead.

I have so much more to share with you. My silence has been a result of lots of learning through challenges. I hope to have time and the words to share it all with you soon.

P.S.: If you want to see all of the pics from my trip look here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96566563@N03/sets/72157639431915103/