美國哥哥的日記:30August4 2010
Version 4 Vol. #5 August 4th , 2010
Greeting from the Unique City of San Ming, China

Two weeks and two pay checks!!!
Finally after two weeks of working and learning new woodworking techniques my boys received their greatly anticipated reward. It was very rewarding for me to see the looks on the boy’s faces when they received their second “ever” pay check. My boys were so excited that they talked late into the night and early morning about what they were going to do with their money. One of the boys said he wants to buy a guitar, another boy wants to buy an electronic toy. One of the boys mentioned going out and eating  at a restaurant and another said we can now buy all the snack foods we can eat. These boys put effort into their work and they are rewarded for it. Now all I have to do is explain that homework and all of life is the same way.
Effort into achievements= rewards!!!
Falling asleep on the job!
One day me and the boys were painting the inside room doors on the second level. We were having fun and everything was going on smoothly. Me and the children made some jokes and were having a good time all the while complete a job. I was trying to teach the boys how to talk and work at the same time. I did not realize it is so hard for some people to work and talk at the same time. Each one of us was working on a different door in a different room when I realize one of the boys was not joining our conversation and was very quiet. So after several minutes I decided to check up on this boy to see what happened. I found this boy sprawled out on the floor sound asleep. I was very disappointed in this boy because he stays up very late at night playing games etc… and as soon as it is time to quit work for the day this same boy will go and play basketball like he never was tired during the working hours. I could have gotten angry and yelled at the boy, but I chose a more practical option. The boy takes the rest of the day off to sleep as much as he wants and his time is deducted from his pay check. When this boy received his pay check and it was smaller than the rest of the boys he learned a lesson about sleeping on the job.
Soda, Soda, and more Soda!
My boys are doing a very good job at cooking their meals within their means. My boys decided not to cook any meat because they said they are saving money to buy some bigger things, but after the meal they buy all types of sodas and snack foods. Many of my boys have spend only 2 RMB of meals per day, but some of my boys are spending 3 times this per day on soda. Oh! It is so funny to watch. Each boy has his own  cash book where he can keep track of his own spending, but many of the boys where forgetting to write down their snack foods. So this Wednesday I told the boys their totals in my records book. All the boys said no way we did not spend that much money, but when I showed them the receipts from their snack food purchases they realized that they must keep better records.
Together we are learning the lessons of life! Continual to pray for me and for my boys.

One of my boys’ almost finished projects
My sister and brother are coming to visit
On Tuesday Aug 10th I leave for Hong Kong. Because of my USA visa I must leave the country every 3 months. Hong Kong is the most practical border crossing. I am excited because while I am in Hong Kong I will pick-up my sister, brother, and a small group totaling 8 people from America. Yes I can speak more English. My sister’s group will be visiting China for about 2 weeks. They have planned a week of summer activities for the children. Pray for safety as we are traveling and pray that even though my sister’s group does not speak Chinese that they will be able to speak through the language of love.
Thanks for your prayers and Support,
Stephen Burkholder