2011- A Year of Saying Goodbye to Good Friends
This past year it seemed like one of the unfortunate things I had to do too often was say goodbye to friends who were moving away. Not just moving to another city moving away. They moved back to their home countries moving away as in moving to a different continent moving away. When we had going away parties, they were times to celebrate friendships and honor the person or people who meant so much to us.
me with Isis at her graduation from her Master's program
Isis moved back to Brazil in March. I had a lot of memorable moments with Isis and her husband Eduardo. Isis and I studied together for her TOEFL test. Her graduation was a highlight for me being able to see her walk across the stage to receive her diploma after all of her hard work. We had a lot of fun together such a meals at their apartment, fun day trips such as going to Nebraska City with a group, and spending Christmas Eve together in 2010. Isis and I used to have fun discussing who was more of a geek and of course it was her 
Tingting
Tingting and Johnny are the only ones who moved to another city. She moved to Buffalo New York to work on her Master’s Degree in July. I met Tingting her first night in America when I greeted her at the airport. I mostly saw her on Sundays during the school year in my Sunday morning class. We also had some fun together such as dinners at Mongolian Grill with a group of friends from China or special activities at church. Of course Tingting moving away meant that Johnny was sure to follow
Tingting and Johnny at China Night
Johnny transferred to the University of Buffalo in August. Now he can live where Tingting is living
Jochen, Julia and Ben
Jochen, Julia and Ben moved back to Germany in August. I first met Julia when I was substitute teaching a morning Advanced ESL class. Jochen and Julia graciously hosted my groups at their house for barbecues and for Christmas parties. They went to the Omaha Zoo with me and several young people from China and Vietnam. I enjoyed our conversations and fun times together such as a Nebraska City trip to see Arbor Lodge. I did not see them as much during their last year in Lincoln because they had a very welcomed new addition to their family, Ben their baby boy. He was the star attraction at their going away party
Thiago and Gabriela with their baby girl Giovana at Thiago's Phd graduation
Thiago, Gabriela and Giovanna moved back to Brazil in August. I first met them at a birthday party for mutual friends from Korea. We stood outside on a cool afternoon and talked for a long time about our mutual faith in Jesus. They were the ones who invited me to several Brazilian parties. One mutual friend from Brazil shared with me that when he and his wife were new to Lincoln, Thiago and Gabriela were their best friends. That sentiment was shared by many people from Brazil and other countries. Giovanna was born in Lincoln, so she is learning a new culture at a young age
"Uncle Yoshio" with his many "nieces"
Yoshio moved back to Japan in November. My young friends in my groups called him Uncle Yoshio which always made him smile. Yoshio was a great helper for our friends. he would drive them places or help if they needed help. He also helped in anonymous ways that only he and I know about. We had many fun moments such as days trips to numerous places like the Omaha Zoo. At his going away lunch I told the server at the restaurant that it was his birthday. It was actually a few weeks early, but I wasn’t going to be able to see him on his actual birthday. The server brought over some balloons and lollipops for Yoshio and we all sang happy birthday to him. Several people came to the airport to say goodbye to him.
So I now have friends spread out across the globe, in Brazil, Germany, Japan and New York. Such is the nature of friendships with internationals. We have meaningful friendships while they are here. I know when I meet them that I will some day say goodbye, but knowing that in a small way I could be of help while they are here makes it worthwhile. Having great friends and interesting experiences with them makes it even more worthwhile. If I ever have the money, perhaps someday I will take a long trip around the world to see my friends who have moved back to their countries over the years
Christmas’s Past- Sharing a Living Nativity with Friends
My home church used to have an event for Christmas called Once Upon a Village which included Bethlehem shops and a Living Nativity. One year stands out in my memory because it was a year that friends from Brazil, Belgium, China, Germany, Japan, Peru and Vietnam joined me for the Living Nativity. It was a blessing to spend time with my friends and to share the Living Nativity with them. For some of them it was the first time they had experienced a Living Nativity while others were happy to be able to experience one here in Lincoln too.
The Bethlehem village area included some animals such as sheep and goats. We walked through the village which had people dressed as shopkeepers and Roman soldiers. Then shepherds came in and announced what they had heard from the angels and how they had seen the baby Jesus. Then we walked to the Living Nativity.
After out time at the Living Nativity, we went to another church that was having a concert. Once Upon a Village and the concert at New Covenant Church were part of a collaboration called Christmas on 84th Street. The concert included some brief dramas, Christmas music, and readings from the bible about the birth of Jesus.
After the concert, we were invited to go to the home of our friends from Germany, Jochen and Julia. We enjoyed some good food and great company. It was a great way to cap off the evening.
This Christmas memory is special to me because it illustrates to me what Christmas is all about,which is a time to remember God gift to us the first Christmas – His Son Jesus- and spending time with friends and family. May you have a truly blessed Christmas this year and experience the love of God in your lives.
Thanksgiving Day with Friends from China
Alex, Nancy and Huiyuan
I celebrated Thanksgiving Day with my friends from China, Alex, Nancy and Huiyuan. I told them I would prepare dinner for them and bring with me. The preparation consisted of buying the food from HyVee Deli. I promised them a taste of an American Thanksgiving, so we had Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing and Pumpkin Pie.
Thanksgiving is an American Holiday, so it does not have emotional attachments for my international friends. For them it is nice to have time off from classes or work depending on their situation in life. Alex, Nancy and Huiyuan were glad to have time off from classes at the University of Nebraska. They have holidays that are important times to be with family and friends in China such as Chinese New Year’s or Fall Moon Festival, but Thanksgiving is mostly time to relax or travel for international students. Some may feel lonely if they are stuck in their dorm rooms with no one around. Many travel to see the USA.
Nancy getting her food
They were curious about why we eat certain foods for Thanksgiving, so we talked about the first Thanksgiving and what the Pilgrims ate such as Turkey, Cranberries, Pumpkin etc. We also talked about why Thanksgiving is a Holiday and the meaning behind it.
Huiyuan getting her food
In a way it was a fitting way for me to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. The first Thanksgiving the Pilgrims, who were new to America, had a celebration dinner with the Americans living here who were the Native Americans. Likewise I was the American having dinner with newcomers to America. The difference was that I prepared the food for them. Another difference would be the fact that there were no Delis to buy food from at the first Thanksgiving. The main similarity was that I had a chance to share with my friends and show my appreciation for their friendship
Goodbye Week for Uncle Yoshio- Moved Back to Japan
Goodbye Lunch
After 6 years in Lincoln Yoshio returned to Japan last Saturday. He leaves having made many friends here from many countries. His nickname with the young people was Uncle Yoshio. Some of them would call him when they needed help to go shopping. He was always willing to help with driving people to activities or class. His goodbye lunch had people from America, China and Vietnam. At the airport he was greeted by people from America, Belgium, China, Japan and Vietnam.
at the airport with Thuy's family
Thuy came with her family. Thuy and Yoshio were together in a class of mine about 5 years ago. Yoshio worked with Thuy’s husband. They were like a family away from home for Yoshio.
with Brigitte at the airport
I went out to the airport to say goodbye Yoshio. He was the last of a a fun group. The others have moved back to their countries. It speaks well of him that people from diverse places wanted to say goodbye.
When I meet a new friend from another country who is here working or on a student visa, I know the time will come we say goodbye. The times between initially meeting someone and saying goodbye make it all worthwhile though. Our friends had a lot of fun with Yoshio such as trips to the Omaha Zoo, Mahoney State Park and for lunches. I am sure Yoshio will make new friends in his new city in Japan.
Sunday Fun- Daniel and His Birthday Cake
Yesterday in class we celebrated Daniel’s birthday with some cake. He is 22 but for fun I wrote on the board Happy 30th Birthday Daniel. I appreciate his sense of humor in class, so it seemed fitting to have some fun. We have interesting conversations each week in my van as we drive to class and back to his dorm at the University. He is studying here far from his family, so it is great to help him celebrate his birthday.
I took some fun pictures of Daniel enjoying his birthday cake with friends in class. For instance the picture below shows him preparing to eat two pieces of cake. He must really like cake
with 2 pieces of cake
In this next picture he doesn’t seem to be sharing his cake, but rather showing off with his friends.
with his friend Rex and Pat
I didn’t notice two of our friends getting a piece of cake. Maybe he didn’t share with them.
He did share some with Yoshio though.
Ok so this was just one last bit of fun. Truth be told- he did share cake with everyone. Everyone had fun. After class he was a big help translating for an American mother in church who adopted a girl from China. He studies hard and is doing quite well. I know he puts in numerous hours with his studies and he lives far from family, so I am glad to help him have a little fun. Happy Birthday Daniel
Weekend Fun- Birthday Brunch at Valentino’s
On Sunday we celebrated Mindy’s birthday after class by going to Valentino’s for brunch. It was great to have time to catch up on things with my busy friends Mindy, Alex and Daniel. They are all University students with a full load of courses. The best was being able to wish Mindy a Happy birthday. International students live far from home and family, so occasions like birthdays are times I try to keep track of to help them feel
Mindy with her Happy Birthday lollipops
A lighthearted moment was when Mindy made me promise not to tell them it was her birthday because she did not want the servers to come sing to her. When our server came over, Yoshio told the server it was Mindy’s birthday. I was off the hook and we managed to embarrass her for her birthday anyway
Mindy with Yoshio
I had my camera ready for some fun photos such as friends at the buffet area and at the table.
Alex giving me the what are you doing look
It capped off a great morning with my friends in class and after. It was then on to be with my friends at Ministerio Manatial de Vida where I began a new adventure of teaching the youth bible class. Now I have 2 Sunday classes to look forward to each week.
End of an Era- Uncle Yoshio Will Move Back to Japan
In my Sunday morning class Yoshio my friend from Japan shared that he will move back to Japan in November. Yoshio has been working here in Lincoln for a Japanese company that has a production facility here. His nickname is Uncle Yoshio which he was given by the young people who come to my Saturday and Sunday groups. The nickname began on a cool Saturday morning when a group of us were waiting for Yoshio for an Omaha Zoo trip in the late Spring 2009. I suggested the young people yell “Uncle Yoshio” when he got out of his van. When Yoshio arrived, our young friends yelled “Uncle Yoshio” as soon as he got out of his van.
me with Yoshio
The nickname is fitting because Yoshio has a big heart and enjoys doing things to help our young friends. He has anonymously helped when I asked him to, helped drive our group on fun excursions such as the Omaha Zoo or Mahoney State Park, and treated people to lunch. He has stored boxes and other items for International Students over the summer while they are back home. The way I would say it is that if Japan would send more people like Yoshio to work here, it would be wonderful. In many small ways he has been a great Ambassador of his culture. I also know he has done a lot to help Japanese students living in Lincoln.
Yoshio at lunch with friends from China, Russia and Vietnam
Yoshio moving away represents the end of another era. There was a stretch of time that my weekend groups had friends from Belgium, Brazil Congo, Germany, Japan, and Korea. All of my weekend friends then were either Graduate Students or Post Doctoral from UNL or were working here. That era came to end when Isis moved back to Brazil in March and Jochen and Julia moved back to Germany in early August. Yoshio was the first one in that group and will be the last one to leave.
me with Yoshio, Brigitte from Belgum and Julia and Jochen from Germany
The one constant in life is change. Transitions come and we can choose to embrace them. Yoshio embraced the change of the makeup of my weekend groups as friends moved away and younger friends from China and Vietnam started coming. He has helped them to feel welcome and has been a good “Uncle”. Yoshio- thank you for being a good friend
Yoshio with his young friends from China
Yoshio with some young friends from Vietnam
Sunday Friends- Tingting’s New Adventure
me with Tingting
There are special people who come into our lives that leave lasting impressions and memories. Tingting is one of those people. I met her when she first came to Lincoln from China to study at the University of Nebraska. I met her at the airport along with a group of students from China. We became friends that night and it has been a fun adventure since then.
Tingting and Johnny
Tingting is a highly motivated student who has been coming to my Sunday morning class since January 2009. We have had a lot of fun such as a trip to the Omaha Zoo, Christmas Programs at church, lunches at Mongolian Grill, and many class parties. I watched as Tingting had her crazy busy semester when she took 27 credit hours in one semester and got all A’s. We have had numerous light-hearted moments and laughter. She also introduced me to many of her friends from China.
my Sunday class this morning
Tingting will return to China this week to visit family for a month and when she returns to America in August it will be to go to Buffalo New York to work on her MBA. I am confident she will thrive and succeed in her MBA program and beyond because she is not only very intelligent but also dedicated and determined. We said goodbye today which was not easy for either of us. She has made life more interesting the past few years and I appreciate her friendship. She will bring her spark of joy to others in Buffalo and everywhere she goes.
outside of church
Godspeed Tingting and best wishes for your future. I do not need to say good luck because you are capable of many things and will make your own “good luck”. Actually God’s Providence will be with you as you embark on your new adventure. Come back soon for a visit
Mongolian Grille with Friends on Memorial Day
On Memorial Day after going to the cemetery to remember my father, I joined some of my friends for lunch at Mongolian Grille. It was a belated lunch to celebrate TIngting graduating from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. It may also have been the last opportunity for me to have lunch with the group since Tingting will move to Buffalo New York for her MBA program. Summer travels will happen too as my friends return to China at different times this summer to visit family.
Next fall our group will be minus Tingting who has been a spark among us. However I look forward to having my friends Alex, Huiyuan, Johnny, Kevin and Nancy around. It is great to be a small part of their lives while they are here working on their degrees. Mongolian Grille has become a spot for us to enjoy some food together while we celebrate for various reasons such as the beginning of a new semester, the end of a semester, birthdays etc., so it was fitting to go there yesterday.
They had a lively conversation in Chinese, so for a while I sat back and enjoyed listening to them speak in a language I don’t know. While they did so, I also took some fun pictures.
One picture that captured the reason for the lunch and reminds me of why my work is so rewarding is one I took of Tingting. In the group she was the first one I met that night in the Lincoln Airport in January 2009. She has come a long way since then and thrived at UNL. I am confident she will continue to thrive everywhere she goes.
Tingting
Celebrations with my International Friends- Tingting’s University Graduation
Tingting entering for her graduation ceremony
This morning I had the opportunity to share in a celebration with my friend Tingting and her friends. Tingting graduated from the University of Nebraska this morning with her Bachelor’s in Business Administration. It is an impressive accomplishment not only because she studied in her second language, English, but also how she did it. She accelerated her graduation by taking 27 credit hours one semester while excelling in all of her courses.
Tingting with her Diploma
It seems like only yesterday that I first met Tingting in the Lincoln airport after she got off the plane when she first arrived here. It has been a wonderful two and half years of friendship with her. We have shared a lot of fun times with our friends whether at Mongolian Grille, picnics, trips to places like the Omaha Zoo, or in my Sunday class. There were times she came to my Sunday class barely able to keep her eyes open because of a long week of classes and studies. She is very dedicated in her studies and I am certain she will be highly successful in her pursuit of a Master’s degree and throughout life. I am so proud of her.
me with Tingting
There are people who come into to our lives and we have a special connection right away. Tingting has been one of those people in my life. I have learned more about China and Chinese culture from her. I have met many new friends from China through her. That night in the airport when I first met here, I knew we would have a special friendship. She calls me Matt Dad. Today I felt like a proud father when I saw here get her diploma. I am sure her parents are proud of her. They could not be here for the ceremony, so I am glad I could be there with her. She has been a bright cheerful person in my life. I will always remember how Tingting and some of our Chinese friends we there for me when my father died. There are many reasons I could list of why she is a special person. I am sure her boyfriend will attest to that When I saw here outside after the ceremony, I gave her a big fatherly hug and told her how proud I am of her.
She will move to Buffalo New York later this summer to work on her MBA. After that perhaps a PHD. I hope to road trip to New York to see her graduate from her MBA program. One thing I am convinced of is that she will be a huge success where ever she goes and whatever she does. Congratulations Tingting!!!
About
I teach English Second Language and have a ministry for internationals at my home church First Evangelical Free church in Lincoln Nebraska. I have had the pleasure of traveling in Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Mexico, Romania and Switzerland. My hobby is to learn words and phrases from other languages. I have learned how to greet people in 30 languages.
My blog is about my experiences with international friends, my travels, and people I meet along the way. My international friends’ stories are fascinating to me. Experiencing other cultures makes life rich for me.
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