We have different culture in America and Taiwan. First, we have rice every day but in here we eat salad and potato chips almost each meal. In our drink we don’t put so much pigment in it. But in here the drink is very colorful. It’s beautiful but I don’t want to drink it. Because it is unhealthy. Second, we use the chopsticks and in here we use fork and knife. I like tofu but many people in America don’t like it. Third, our hair color is different. Most of people in Taiwan are black and most of the American are gold. Also eye color are different. Holiday and National are different too. In winter North America have snow, in Taiwan we seldom have snow. Every country have different culture. Knowing another culture is very fun. I can see how wonderful the earth is.

I very much like to go to the park; in Taiwan sometimes I will go to the park near my home. But the parks in Taiwan are not large like America’s. It is my first time play frisbee and football, both of them are so funny, in Taiwan we don’t have the large place to play frisbee. But here is too hot in Oklahoma at night, so everytime I go to the park I am easily tired. Actually, yesterday afternoon I had little depression, but I don’t know why, but after I went to the park and had a lot excercise, I feel very good. So, I think playing sports can help my depression especially go to the large and beautiful park.

I went to the host family with Calvin yesterday. We went to Sonic first and they bought us nice drinks. We thanked them very much. After a few minutes, we arrived at their house. It was beautiful. I want to live in this kind of house. The host was Robert & his wife called Paula. They had two sons. Elliot was 2; he was the older one. We swam and played with many toys in the swimming pool with Elliot. That was really fun. And then we decided to go to the mall called Sears (maybe). Actually we had to wait for Paula’s brother who was also Peter Copu’s brother. He was 18 and quite handsome. Before we met Victor, Calvin and I went shopping. We bought lots of HOLLISTER clothes. I was so glad. It was 6 o’clock and time for dinner. Paula made beef and rice. I hadn’t eaten rice for a long time. It tastedawesome. We played a new game called “Mexican Train Dominoes.” Finally, I won the game. I was so happy. When we were on our way back to the Character Inn, we gave them our gift. Robert was so happy because Elliot has keys that he can put on the key chain I gave them. We definitely invited them to come to the musical, so we would see them again. Thank you God for giving me such an awesome experience.I really appreciate your amazing grace. Maybe I could make this kind of nice family. And be friendly to other people such as neighbors or guests. Today is one of the best days of my life.

Jimmy Fan

Team 3

This is my second time to bake the cookies. The first time I think I didn’t help a lot. I’m so happy we had a chance to make it by ourself.

And we learn many words about baking, the most special thing is our team made cookie letters of “VOICE.” That is so creative!

I think Taiwanese seldom make cookies by themselves, we often buy them from the store. The cookies also not so sweet.

We have a great time making cookies! 🙂

It’s a wonderful day for beginnings. We went to the church in the Sunday morning, and we recieved lots of messages from God. In the afternoon, we had some special things happened that we need to go with the host family by each groups. Branda and I were in the same group with one host family, but they just have two sisters in their family, called, Catherine and Naomi. I was surpised of her name was the same as mine. And both of them knew the Teacher Ruth and Joel. That’s cool, because we have more topics of conversation about them. We went to the artist market first. That was a little different from Taiwanese creative market, but it made me surprised too. Afterwards, she brought us to go to shopping. The mall were very different, before I thought that it would be like a department store. We were glad to go shopping with Catherine, who was so nice to accompany for us. At the end of our outing, they took us to a pizza restaurant. Both of us had were so full that I can’t walk more. They were kind and friendly sisters and I won’t forget them.

Naomi Su

Team 6

In the morning class sometimes, I really want to sleep. But I tell myself “don’t sleep, it’s expensive.” Dr. Bill taught me more about Authorities rules, which is useful in my life. It can help me clearly understand some rules I didn’t know. Joel’s story touched my heart very much because I did the same thing before I came to VOICE. It really hurt, but I learned that my God is bigger than human love and I have to obey my parents and my God. Because they can protect me and instruct me in the right way I need to go. I think in VOICE the morning class is the most important part because it teaches us the rules in the Bible.

I had so much fun at the Thanksgiving night. The mashed potatoes, turkey, pumpkin pie, and all the other food tasted very dilicious. And the decorations of the table and the wall looked beautiful. Every person at each table shared the three things they were thankful for, and then everyone made the pumpkins with papers which were filled with our thankfulness. I also learned many interesting customs and traditions about Thanksgiving. And the “apple game” brought much fun for everyone. After the wonderful dinner, everyone sang songs and thought about how great God is and how His grace brings so much blessing to us. It was a really thankful and happy day that I had.

Esther Chen

Team 5

I’m in team 6. Ruth is our team leader. The reason that I’m in VOICE is to get to know more about God. Ruth always has some questions for us to think about. Some of them were some questions that I have never thought of. I enjoyed the team devotions every morning, because it made me to learn more about God is, and what God means in our life. I like that team 6 always share stuff with each other. My heart always feel touched during team devotions, because we were not praying for ourselves, but also for other people we care about. Although VOICE just started a few days, but got to know God better. Being in team 6 is just like I am at home with my family. I can share anything with my teammates, I’m happy to be here. Thank you God for guiding me to VOICE.

Cindy Yen

Oklahoma is really hot, but I love here so much. Without VOICE, the best thing that I thank God for is my roommate, Lydia. She is a cute American, only 19 years old. At night, we can share deep things from our heart. Moreover, I taught her Chinese and she taught me English. I think after these two weeks, we will have a wonderful relationship. The second best thing is I have so many friends here. The friends that we can learn together, worship together, share things; moreover, because of them, we can know God more. This is my first time to come to America, I believe it will be awesome.

Uria Hsiung

Team 5

Hi everybody, Reuben Mitton here. Today we had an awesome time with the VOICE students doing a lot of really fun stuff. So I will give you a run-thru of how my day went. I got up around 6:30 and had my personal devotions, I was also able to finish some reading I needed to get done. At 9:30 all the TESOL guys had team devotions. After we finished, we joined the VOICE students for an awesome brunch. Next on the list was some free time for us TESOL students while the VOICE students took an English placement test. Then both VOICE and TESOL went to see the Oklahoma Capitol building. Many of the VOICE students described the Capitol building as “really really big.” Apparently Oklahoma’s Capitol building is relatively small in comparison to other State Capitols, but the VOICE students enjoyed the experience nonetheless.

After the Capitol we went to a restaurant/soda shop called “POPS” where you can choose from 500 different kinds of pop! Next, we all went SHOPPING!:) It was really fun because we had to buy a small gift for a White Elephant gift exchange, so everyone had a great time trying to find various odd items. After the outing we had dinner, then free time, team prayer, and then off to bed.