First Full Week of Classes

Hey Everyone!
Last week I had my first full week of classes and I am exhausted. Learning Chinese is very difficult and will take a lot of practice (especially writing). It is hard to make time to study when there is so much I want to see in this huge city. But, besides school, my week was great. 

It is still very cold in Shanghai, so cold my roommate's sox froze. Earlier this week my roommate took me to see a Shanghai Shark CBA basketball game. It was a lot of fun, but very different from a traditional NBA game. The players of course are not as good and they allowed smoking in the building. It was a great game and the Sharks won after trailing most of the game.

I have found myself playing a lot of basketball with the locals on the courts by the school. It is very nice being the tallest person on a basketball court for once. They gave me the nickname "Lebron James" because I wear a headband when I play. It is a lot of fun and the more I interact with them the more similar I find we are. 

I am still having a fantastic time (maybe even too good of a time) and still can't believe I am in China. I have been reading through Luke this week and chapter 14 (the cost of being a disciple) at the end stuck out to me when Jesus says, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” It has been on my mind a lot especially as I play basketball and interact with the Chinese. I have been thinking a lot about how I can let them hear without speaking. And it hit me as I was going home from church that my actions are a way to speak universally. A smile is the simplest way to show love to someone and the Chinese need it.

Here are some pictures of my teacher, the basketball game and some of the friends I have made. 

Sincerely,
Weston
(Wang Wei Di - king of the underground)