Damien and Oliver

As some of you may know, I’m staying with a Taiwanese family here in Taiwan, who are members of the church I’m working at. I wanted to introduce you to Damien and Oliver. They are in their last year of Elementary School and are preparing for Junior High. I don’t get to see them very much because of their demanding schedules. Yesterday I got to hang out with them for a little bit and they shared with me what a typical week looks like for them. Here is what they shared with me:

Monday:

7am-4pm — school

4:30(ish)-7(ish) — dinner & rest

7pm-11pm (sometimes midnight) — study/homework

Tuesday:

7am-4pm — school

4:30-6:30 — dinner & rest

7pm-8:30pm — piano lessons

until 11pm or midnight — study/homework

Wednesday:

7am-Noon — school

12:30-5:30 — homework/dinner/rest

6pm-9pm — extra school (called a “bushi ban”;

not required but helps students get ahead)

9:30-midnight — study/homework

Thursday:

7am-4pm — school

4:30-6:30 — dinner & rest

7pm-8:30pm — bushi ban

9pm-midnight — study/homework

Friday:

7am-4pm — school

4:30-6pm — piano lesson

6:30pm — dinner

7:30-midnight — study/homework

Saturday:

10am-6pm — bushi ban

7pm-8pm — piano lesson

8:30-10pm — study/homework

10-midnight — free time

Sunday:

10:30-Noon — church

Noon-??? — They usually get to use Sundays

to do what they enjoy doing.

For these boys, it’s usually

reading comic books or playing games.

Education if very important all across the island. These boy’s schedule is an example of what a child’s life might be like growing up in Taiwan and why it’s difficult at times to get school age kids involved in church. Damien and Oliver haven’t been able to attend our midweek activities, but have been pretty consistent with attending on Sundays. However, right now, they’ve been taking exams the past couple of Sundays, which isn’t uncommon here (to have tests on Sundays). But I’ve definitely enjoyed the time I have been able to spend with them. We had a good time the other day taking crazy pictures on my laptop. Enjoy!

March 30, 2008 | Filed Under General

 

Comments

4 Responses to “Damien and Oliver”

  1. Bethany on March 30th, 2008 7:32 pm

    Glad to see the crazy camera is still in action all the way across the world:) We think of you all the time & I am reminded of you each time I hear a song we did together for worship. Tonight it was “Everlasting God”. I am making a habit to pray for you all whenever I hear a song I have sung with you. That is pretty often. Tell Kim hi & I hope her tooth is ok!

  2. Emily on March 31st, 2008 12:33 pm

    Those pictures are great. I am glad to see that you are having a good time. Tell Kim hi for me and I hope she starts feeling better.

  3. Carl on March 31st, 2008 3:46 pm

    I thought you left jack and scot at home!!!!!

  4. Dan on April 7th, 2008 6:11 pm

    Wow Lance, it’s amazing that your head still hasn’t gotten back to normal shape after several months away from Crazy Kate’s!

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