Paisley Internationals

Closing Comments ...

2011-02-03T04:48:00.000-08:00

Sooooooooooooooo many people have contacted me to say "Please update the BLOG" ... so here I finally am.

If you're a student who has studied at UWS in Paisley I would really enjoy hearing from you and being kept up-to-date with what you're doing these days.

I guess I should start really by saying SORRY for letting this blog get so out of date. There are various reasons for this but most of them aren't worth going into right now. For those of you who don't know my Mum, who was also my very best friend, died quite suddenly at the end of June 2010. As you can imagine this has made for a difficult time for me and one in which I've needed to concentrate on family and personal stuff. I have pasted here two of my favourite photos of my Mum and I. The first was taken in 1984 at the Los Angeles Olympics; the second is slightly more recent and was taken by my Dad on one of our many holidays together.

The one thing I have been so grateful for in all of this has been my faith in Jesus Christ. I can honestly say that I have not one ounce of doubt that my Mum is now in heaven and is free from all sickness and pain. I look forward to seeing her again one day!

In the midst of all this I have been faced with other changes too and many of you will already know that after living in Paisley for 14 years and developing the work amongst international students there ... I have just moved to Gillingham, Kent (England) to work with St Marks Church doing something very similar. I trust that my experiences over the past seven years will stand me in good stead as I seek to pioneer and develop work with students at the Medway Universities.

If you want to make contact my email address hasn't changed and I'd love to hear from you. I've been blessed with a lovely new home and the kettle is always on ... so do visit.

TABLEtalk Christmas Party

2009-12-15T09:29:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas time again!

Thirty students and twenty-three helpers & hosts came along to our TABLEtalk party.

TABLEtalk - Games Night

2009-12-08T23:00:00.000-08:00

The Hula Hoop Challenge
is ALWAYS
a big hit at
Games Nights!!

Christmas Past & Present @ Stirling Castle

2009-12-06T20:00:00.000-08:00

A number of us went to this Historic Scotland day at Stirling Castle. Entitled 'Christmas Past & Present' the day took us on a light-hearted journey through the history and evolution of Christmas.

Pagan Beginnings ... many of the traditions of Christmas started much later than you would have expected, but some much earlier. Learn more about Christmas from an unexpected source, as this druid explains ...

Food fit for a Queen ... What would one of Scotland's most famous monarchs have eaten at Christmas time?

What? No Christmas?! ... Were you aware that during the time of Oliver Cromwell Christmas and all its festivities were banned!!

Auld Lang Syne ... Almost all of us have either heards or sung Scotland's most famous song, written by Robert Burns, which brings in the New Year.

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS ... A large proportion of the tales and traditions of Christmas - Christmas cards, Christmas crackers and Boxing Day - came about as recently as the Victorian period. Here Charles Dickens explains more ... And finally ... the year is 1974 ... Lava lamps are the height of sophistication, and children escape with chopper bikes and the Bay City Rollers. In a difficult period of strikes and power cuts people still managed to enjoy Christmas!

TABLEtalk - Scottish Night

2009-11-24T23:30:00.000-08:00

Our annual Scottish night at TABLEtalk, timed to coincide with St Andrews Night, is always great fun. It's an evening of Scottish food and song and dance; and here Jack helps Samuel out with our Scottish Quiz ...

Faeghe & Gloria

Derek & Razvan

Is this a kilt demonstration?? Or is Sugu doing an impression of Gandhi??

International Weekend @ Ratagan

2009-11-08T22:00:00.000-08:00

For the second time I joined together with my colleagues from Friends International Dundee for an international student weekend away. This time students from Dundee and St Andrews and Paisley came together for a fabulous weekend in the highlands.

Our Paisley group consisted of (from left to right) Jason, Faeghe, Joe, Xiafei, Phoebe and Sophia.

We left Paisley at 10am for a leisurely drive up the west coast to Ratagan ... taking our time to admire the scenery along the way!

With a stop at one of my favourite places 'The Green Welly' in Tyndrum for a spot of refuelling - and I don't mean the petrol tank.

We also stopped at Fort William for lunch.

On arrival at the Ratagan Youth Hostel on the edge of Loch Duich we made preparation for others to arrive. This included making several vats of chilli.

Everyone arrived safely and although the weather on route up hadn't been so great we woke to a gloriously sunny day on the Saturday.

During the weekend our guest speaker, Dick Dowsett, gave several short talks entitled 'Seeing Jesus close-up'. These talks were entirely optional for the students, though a good number attended.

Saturday held several options for the students. A number of us chose to go to the Isle of Skye - who knows when we'll next be this far north again. One route we stopped at Eilean Donan Castle which, although it was closed for the winter, was good for a few kodak moments ...

On Skye we stopped at the Aros Centre for refreshments ... before exploring the picturesque town of Portree.

Other students chose the far more energetic option of a coastal walk. Some were not so well equipped with proper walking shoes, etc but everyone stayed safe.

This is our whole group braving the rain in preparation for the journey back home.

Our route home took a slight detour to Loch Ness.

And finally ... we make a very lucky escape after spotting the Loch Ness Monster!!

Fireworks & Hot Chocolate

2009-11-05T23:00:00.000-08:00

This year the council decided to hold the November 5th Fireworks night in the town centre. On a positive note this meant that I didn't have the extra dilemma of organising transport for everyone (happy day). I also have to say that it was the VERY BEST fireworks display I've seen in all the years we've been taking students along.

Once again CGC (Christian Growth Centre) were kind enough to host us afterwards for food and hot chocolate and several challenges of pool or table football. All-in-all ... a great night!

Dinner @ Joe's

2009-10-14T23:00:00.000-07:00

It's always a privilege to be invited to student accommodation and to be treated to a meal - especially real Chinese dishes!

Emma, Me and Xiafei

Joe, Jason and friend

Thanks Joe - it was a great evening!!!

Sunday Lunch @ Lynne's

2009-10-11T20:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday lunch at Lynne's

Back row ...

Sugu (Malaysia), John (Nigeria), Barry (Scotland), Me

Front row ...

Joe (China), Faeghe (Iran), Emma (England), Xiafei (China), Fu Yu (China)

TABLEtalk: Getting to Know You

2009-09-29T23:30:00.000-07:00

TABLEtalk began again on Sept 15th '09. As usual one of our themes early in the academic year is simply 'getting to know you' - a series of fun activities to break through the ice and get folks talking.

International Sunday Lunch

2009-09-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

Xiafei, Phoebe and I, along with May, enjoy a wonderful meal and afternoon at the home of Scott & Audrey. Thank you!

Day Trip - Loch Lomond Highland Games

2009-07-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

Another of our annual student events is a trip to the

Loch Lomond Highland Games

in Balloch.

Time is given for students to enjoy the various events of the games, including tossing the caber, highland dancing and the pipe bands and also to explore the stalls.

After the games we spent an hour or so at Lomond Shores where Ania & Derek were brave enough to tackle the mechanical rodeo bull (much to the entertainment of those watching)
Our day was rounded off with a wonderful BBQ in Bishopton. Thank you David & Aileen for your wonderful hospitality!

Day Trip - Linlithgow Palace

2009-07-11T23:00:00.000-07:00

WHAT A BRILLIANT DAY OUT

at the Medieval Jousting event,

Linlithgow Palace

Jessica, Sarah, Chang, Sugu, Lynne, Ania & Fu Yu

Day Trip - Summerlee Heritage Park

2009-07-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

Munish, Derek, Sarah, Lynne, Anne, Cherry & her Mum, Abiola, Fu Yu, Sugu, Jessica & Chang all had a great day at the Summerlee Heritage Park and Scottish Museum of Industry.

Day Trip - Blair Drummond Safari Park

2009-06-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

Another great day out - this time to Blair Drummond Safari Park.

Here are some of us taking the boat to Monkey Island ...

Derek, Alison & Amy

Lynne, Chang & Tobi
Jessica, Sarah, Sugu & Fu Yu

Here are just some of the animals we saw ...

Lilias Day

2009-06-06T22:00:00.000-07:00

Lilias Day is a festival said to be named after Lilias Cuninghame, daughter of an 18th century laird. In the past, Lilias Day was celebrated with a cattle market and races, and then with a procession of men from different trades banging drums and waving flags. Nowadays there is a fancy dress parade through the village ending at the local park, where there will be a host of different stalls & events. This has become one of our annual events for international students

Chang, Ania, Sarah & Jessica wait for the parade which is led by the town crier ...

As always, we are grateful to Neil & Anne Pitcher for their generous hospitality, a scrumptious BBQ and some great games.

Trip to Sma' Shott Cottages, Paisley

2009-05-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

Paisley is steeped in history, mostly especially in relations to the textile & weaving industry. What better place to learn more about this than at Sma' Shott Cottages close to the centre of the town.

Our tour gide for the day was Eric Garner - he made the tour so interesting with great answers to our many, many questions

Here Eric demonstrates a whale oil lamp ...

We all very much doubt that Emmanuel would've fitted in this bed!

Our few hours ended with some refreshments in the wee coffee shop

Gloria, Emmanuel & Eric
Titi, Cindy, Lynne, Ania & Patricia

Polish Night

2009-05-01T23:00:00.000-07:00

One of the joys of hanging out with international students is the pleasure of trying new foods ... and many thanks go to Magda & Ania for hosting this fabulous Polish Night. They cooked enough food for an army!!!

This was some of the best soup I've ever tasted and virtually a meal in itself.

All who came had a great time and ate far too much ...

Misha & Lena

Alison, Derek, Ania, Sugu, Magda & Fu Yu
... I (Lynne) was there too but don't seem to have got in on any of the photos.

Progressive Meal

2009-04-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

Once every few years I organise a PROGRESSIVE MEAL at Hopehall and, in recent years, we've been able to invite a number of international students along.

It's quite a mammoth task with seven starter hosts and six main course hosts and 56 people going in different directions to different locations to enjoy different courses with a different group of people - which is why it only happens once every few years!

Then everyone comes back together at the church for some wonderful desserts and a spot of entertainment.

Our enteratinment slot included music from Hollie & Barry ...

A song Chinese song from Sarah, Jessica & Fu Yu ...

A sketch from Eric entitled 'My word, you do look queer (ill)' ...

A sketch entitled 'The Law' from Eric & Lynne ...

Plus songs from Misha and music from Jack

- if anyone has photos of these do please email them to me.

TABLEtalk - International Night

2009-04-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

Everyone looks forward to our annual INTERNATIONAL NIGHT at TABLEtalk ... and what a feast we had this year with dishes from China, Taiwan, Poland, Russia, Ghana, England, Wales and Scotland.

We don't have a set programme for the evening ... people eat and chat and eat some more!!
HOWEVER, we did have some entertainment from ...

Eric who, being from the far off land of Yorkshire, taught us some Yorkshire phrases and read a poem about Yorkshire Pudding.

Cindy sang us a popular Taiwanese song

Misha & Lena sang us a Russian and English song

We ended the evening with a few manic games to burn off some calories, including my favourite hula-hoop game :-)

Day Trip to Troon

2009-04-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

Day Trip to Troon

- a very windy day ...

I came home with half a kilo of sand in my handbag (not intentionally!!)

(left to right) ERIK (Sweden), FU YU (China), LENA (Russia), EMMANUEL (Nigeria), RAZVAN (Romania), PATRICIA (Germany), GLORIA (Ghana), JOEY & LIMING (China).

Day Trip to the LOGOS HOPE

2009-04-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

The LOGOS HOPE

- bringing 'knowledge, help and hope' to many around the world

Another great day out - 12 students joined several friends from Hopehall Church to visit the OM (Operation Mobilisation) ship Logos Hope which was docked in Edinburgh.

One group was given a tour of the ship by the tallest man onboard (6' 8")!

(from left to right) Gloria, Theo, Lynne, Wendy, Cherry, Liang, Alistair & Julia
(from left to right) Titi, tour guide, Patricia, Aileen, David, Liz, Cindy & Abiola

Easter Sunrise Service

2009-04-12T20:00:00.001-07:00

Several students were brave enough to rise early and join our inter-church Easter Sunrise service up Gleniffer Braes. It was a great time to come together and celebrate the significance of Easter.

Afterwards it was back to Lynne's flat for a cooked breakfast!

Day Trip to the Easter Play, Edinburgh

2009-04-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

THE EASTER PLAY

Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

This is the group of students who joined our annual trip to Edinburgh to watch the outdoor Easter Play.

Misha & Lena from Russia

Cindy from Taiwan and Titi from Nigeria

Gloria and her sister Theo from Ghana

Liang & Cherry from China

The play takes place in six different sites around the gardens and we, the audience, follow the actors as they unfold the story of Jesus. The play begins in a market place where we see and hear of the many miracles Jesus performed.

Here Jesus heals a sick woman

(Matthew 9:18-26)

Zacchaeus climbs a tree in order to see Jesus

(Luke 19:1-10)

Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees, comes to question Jesus.

(John 3:1-21)

Jesus speaks with his disciples at the last supper.

(Matthew 26:17-30)

Jesus is arrested after praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.

(Matthew 26:36-56)

The Roman soldiers mock and beat Jesus.

(Matthew 27:27-31)

Jesus is crucified

(Matthew 27:32-56)

But the story doesn't end there ... as he foretold, on the third day Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to many of his followers.

(Matthew 28:1-10)

The message of Christianity is a message of the empty cross - Jesus died in order to reunited us with God but He didn't remain in the grave, He rose again!!!

We were all grateful for great weather and such a moving, thought-provoking play ... after a welcome cup of coffee we headed home.

Student Comments

2009-04-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

"A great day ...

thanks for the chance to serve!"

Abiola (Nigeria)

Fundraising event

2009-04-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

COMMUNITY CAFE, CAR WASH,

SALE OF BRIC-A-BRAC

& HAND-MADE CRAFTS

Our fundraising event on Saturday, April 4th was a great success and I'm sooooooooooooo grateful to all the students and volunteers who helped to make it a great day. Everyone worked so hard!!!

Our craft stall was a big hit with many and such an encouragement after our many hours of work.

We sold cards, gift scrapbooks, bookmarks, gift boxes and fridge magnets.

Cindy, Magda & Ania worked non-stop in the cafe serving numerous bowls of soup & toasties & baked potatoes ... there were a few muddles and some really manic moments but all-in-all most people went away happy.

A BIG THANK YOU goes to Volker, Abiola, Sugu and others who washed car after car in both sunshine and drizzle ...

FINALLY ... after four hours of hard work, we all got to sit down and enjoy a toastie and tea.

Many, many thanks go to Richard, Sandra & Lorraine for their partnership and all their help.

We raised a grand total of £800 !!!

Crafts, Meal & Movie Night

2009-03-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

For several weeks students and volunteers have been working away making crafts for a TABLEtalk fundraising event ... it's always a great time and everyone gets rewarded for their hard work with a meal and a movie.

Jessica, Sarah & Lena

Mandy, Judy & Christina

Christina, Lena & Barry

(apologies for Barry's 'sweat-shop face')

Student Comments

2009-03-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

"TABLEtalk is a weekly breath to go out, meet some new people, chat, improve your English, try to think in matters that affect our society and that usually we are not concerned with. Lots of enjoyable times, a lot of people who want to help you enjoy without asking anything for that. The first time I wanted to go there, I thought that 1 1/2 hours would be so much, but then I discovered how talented Lynne is preparing that, and the time you spend there passes so quickly that you don't realise it.

Lynne, thanks for all the effort and all the time you spend for us, maybe we never say that, but we really value it, and I am very glad to assist in your activities. I know how difficult it is to carry on an event, and that people only see the final result but sometimes are not able to see how much a job it is. I really value it and encourage you to continue working."

Ramon from Spain

Jiaozi making lesson

2009-03-11T23:00:00.000-07:00

Ryan, Alison, Lynne and 'the undercover genius' Lena all enjoyed a great evening with Jessica, Sarah & Fu Yu - learning to make jaiozi (Chinese dumplings).

Whilst we all rolled and stuffed - Jessica beavered in the kitchen making a zillion other dishes ...

Oh what a great feast!!!

Thank you soooooooooo much!!!

TABLEtalk - Chilli & Chat

2009-03-10T23:00:00.000-07:00

Once or twice a year we enjoy a Chilli & Chat evening at TABLEtalk - no set discussion theme but simply the opportunity to enjoy each others company, hopefully some good chilli (hmmmm) and a variety of games.

A huge thank you goes to Fu Yu who spent the day helping me shop and cook and set up!!

TABLEtalk - Valentine's Night

2009-02-17T23:00:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Night at TABLEtalk is always a lot of fun. Below are some photos of our DATING AGENCY role play in which students need to visit a number of 'agencies' in order to try to find their soul-mate.

Meal @ Katrina's

2009-02-05T23:00:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU, KATRINA

for your invitation and for such a great evening!!

(left to right) Cloud, Tifa, Lynne, David, Aileen, Vicky, Katrina & Katie

Many thanks also to Katrina's Mum for her wonderful cooking!!

David proved to be a great student and very soon mastered the art of using chop sticks - well done!!

TABLEtalk - Games Galore!!!

2009-02-03T23:00:00.000-08:00

Games Nights are always a lot of fun!!!

Here the teams put theirs heads together for a round of 'categories' - some interesting answers were given and one or two weren't allowed.

Let me introduce the teams ...

'The Ligers' - Lena, Magda, Abiola, Cindy, Ramon & David

'The Tigers' - Teresa, Judy, Sarah, Keyur & Bastien

'The Kangaroos' - Fu Yu, Montse, Lukasz, Razvan, Emmanuel & Billy (the winning team)

'The Snakes' - Jessica, Kristina, Andrea, Ishan & Misha

Amongst other things we played a round of 'Pass the Polo' where teams competed to successfully pass 15 polos from one table to another using only toothpicks!

The Ligers are to be especially commended here for their excellent team work!!

International Student Weekend

2009-02-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

I'm so grateful to Friends International Dundee and Dundee University Christian Union for extending an invitation to their international student weekend in Pitlochry.

Misha, Lena and I joined almost 30 other students & volunteers from Dundee. We stayed in the Pitlochry Youth Hostel which was lovely and warm and welcoming on a rather cold weekend. Each day there were optional Bible times which were wonderfully led by Alisdair & Mary Morrice; and many of the students chose to come along.

Friday evening provided some opportunity for us to get to know each other and there were games & a movie to round off the evening.

Many of you who know me know that I'm generally NOT a morning person but God honoured me scraping myself out of bed for breakfast on Saturday morning by painting the most wonderful sunrise ...

Looking down on the town of Pitlochry

There were several options of activities on Saturday. The more energetic of the group chose to go on a long walk through the countryside. Others of us piled in to several cars and drove to Blair Atholl Castle and spent several hours touring the castle and learning more of its splendid history.

Saturday evening there was a ceilidh for all to enjoy. For many this was their first experience of Scottish dancing.

In the foreground of the photo below are my colleagues Ruth & Malcolm Farquhar from Friends International in Dundee.

Below is a photo of me and my weekend room-mates Nkiruka from Nigeria and Liz, one of the Dundee church volunteers.
Nkiruka was very gracious as we struggled all weekend to pronounce her name properly!!!

Our weekend was rounded off with a Christian service (optional) on the Sunday morning. Many people participated in the service through readings and songs and prayers. Then a final cuppa and a cake before packing up and heading off home.

Misha, Lena & I decided to drive home the scenic route through Crieff, Comrie, etc - stopping for a welcome drink at the Lodge in Luss. It was the most beautiful drive through snow-capped hills and passing pristine lochs.

TABLEtalk - Chinese New Year Celebration

2009-01-27T23:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Year of the Ox

What better way to begin our new semester than to welcome the new year in Chinese-style ... and all this was done with the very able and sacrifical help of Fu Yu, Jessica, Sarah, Bora, Kiwi & Rain. I am indebted to these girls for all their hard work.

THANK YOU!!!!!

They made over 300 jiaozi (Chinese dumplings) which were dutifully enjoyed by all (especially me).

This was achieved by much chopping ...

and mixing ...

and kneading ...

and rolling ...

... until we reach the finished product.

Sarah, Kiwi, Katrina and her Mum

Eric, Razvan, Emmanuel, Ian & Cathy.

In addition to all the good food, we played several games include a Chinese version of 'the word race' in which our teams of non-Chinese were competing to copy Chinese characters - points were awarded for both speed and accuracy.

Our second game caused much hilarity as teams competed to complete several rounds of Chinese Whispers using authentic phrases in Mandarin. My favourite outcome to this game was when the phrase 'sui sui ping an' (which means 'wish you safety & health every year) somehow ended up as ... 'sweet, sweet ping pong'

Fu Yu, Katrina, Kiwi, Rain, Jessica & Sarah (left to right) rounded off our evening with two beautiful Chinese songs.

Lena with all her Chinese buddies!

Burns Supper & Ceilidh @ Nazarene Church

2009-01-24T23:00:00.000-08:00

Eight students came along to the Burns Supper & Ceilidh at the Paisley Nazarene Church and everyone enjoyed the evening.

Good food ...

(left to right)
Arthur, Bora, Gloria, Lynne, Fu Yu, Misha, Lena & Magda

Great company ...

Great music and dancing ...

Many thanks to all at the Nazarene Church who made us feel so welcome!!

Student Comments

2009-01-15T03:58:00.000-08:00

My stay in Paisley was a great experience, though the initial period was bit difficult as I had a major personal set back. My primary focus was to do well in my studies. It was a difficult phase where I had lot of pain within me as I was missing my family but alongside there was enough determination to do good and be good. The first friends that I made in Paisley were at TABLEtalk. TABLEtalk gave me an opportunity to make new friends and also provided me with a warm and welcoming environment which made me feel at home away from home. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all the people behind TABLEtalk for the good work that you do. I owe a part of my little success to TABLEtalk ...

With Kind Regards,
Dharmraj (from India)

New Year's Eve

2009-01-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

On New Year's Eve Sugu & Fu Yu hosted several students who enjoyed a meal and card games 'til the wee hours of the morning ...

Thanks Chang for these photos.

Hogmanay Ceilidh

2009-01-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

A good number of international students joined the folks at Hopehall Church for their annual Hogmanay Ceilidh. Great fun was had with games and dancing and a time of cabaret ... ... I'm keen to receive any more photos that people might have from this event. Thanks!

Student Comments

2008-12-10T09:30:00.000-08:00

"I really have to thank you for everything you and the whole planning team have done all these previous weeks. It must have been really hard to organise TABLEtalk and special events like the Christmas Party every Tuesday but it is great to see how much fun everybody can have especially with such a good organiser, entertainer and friend like you. I know that it would probably not work if you had not the support of your entire team. This is why I am writing to thank you. I am sure all the internationals students would like everybody who has been involved in planning all these processes, the cooking, and realising all that by making themselves as useful as possible."

Volker from Germany

TABLEtalk - Christmas Party

2008-12-09T23:30:00.000-08:00

A great time was had by all at our

2008 TABLEtalk Christmas Party

The Hula-Hoop Game was a bit of compulsory fun before our meal was served - a BIG success!!

Jack, Magdalena, Razvan & David

Nancy, Eddie, Faith, Graeme, Belinda & Ada

Billy, Jean, Susan, Nan, Tom & Arthur

Rain, Neil, Ania, Kiwi, Anne & Hafsa

Antonio, Katrina, David, Aileen & Clara

Clemy, Titi, Roy, Cheryl & Cindy

Mary, FuYu, Eric, Vivean & Sugu

Emma, Lena, Misha, Derek, Alison & Gloria

Scott, Audrey, Volker, Sarah, Jessica & Abiola

Bora, Anne, Ingrid, Derek, Joey & Lynne

Before dessert could be served more fun was to be had with the Peg Game ...

Many, many thanks to all those who helped with various aspects of preparation - thank you especially to ERNIE LINDSAY for coming and prearing our meal for us.

International Sunday Lunch

2008-12-06T11:18:00.000-08:00

Hosting students in my home is ALWAYS a great pleasure -

here I am with (clockwise)

Belinda, Ela, Ania, Xiuli & Ada

TABLEtalk - Scottish Night

2008-11-25T23:00:00.000-08:00

At the end of November each year we organise a Scottish evening at TABLEtalk in recognition of St Andrew's Day.

Students were tested on their knowledge of Scotland and Scottish people - congratulations go to Munish & Sandra who won 1st prize and Misha & Lena only one point behind.

(please note: 'Greyfriars Bobby' was not a rabbit or a reindeer, he was a dog - next time ignore any 'helpful' actions from Eric!!)

As always it was great to invite Gordon Whyte along to help us learn some Scottish songs ...

Sugu, Fu Yu and Emma

Faith, Anna G, Volker

and Sandra

Students were also introduced to the delights
of haggis, tatties & neeps
- thanks Joey for helping to serve.

Razvan from Romania

Katrina & Ada

Our evening was completed with several ceilidh dances

- the students proved fast learners.

International Student Service

2008-11-23T18:00:00.000-08:00

On November 23rd we held our first ever

International Student Service

& Lunch at Hopehall Church.

Nineteen students joined us for the event which included a presentation by our KIDS church folk, songs from Misha (in Russian & English) and Sugu & Lena also shared a little about what Friends International activities have meant to them.

Thank you sooooooooooooo much to everyone who helped with preparation & transport, who took part in the service itself and to Alison, Sugu, Lena & Xiuli for all that they prepared towards our scrumptious 'international' lunch.

Clemy from Rwanda, Kiwi & Rain from China

Abiola from Nigeria, Volker from Germany, Ada & Susan from China and Ania from Poland.

May with Dare & Titi from Nigeria

Vivean from China and Gloria from Ghana with Alistair

Eric with Faith (from Nigeria)

Student Graduations

2008-11-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

When you've shared the lives of students for a year or more - including all the highs and lows of their studies - it is always a privilege to be invited to attend their graduation ceremony.

Here are a few folks who've become much more than students - they've become close friends!!

Sugu & Lena who both graduated with distinction!

Hafsa with Fu Yu

Me and Xiuli
Me and Tom
... even Mishka junior tried to get in on the act!!!

TABLEtalk Quiz Night

2008-11-18T23:00:00.000-08:00

Every semester we have a QUIZ NIGHT within our

TABLEtalk programme ...

here Derek, Anna S and Fu Yu are taking it all very seriously!

Student Comments

2008-11-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

"We enjoyed the night a lot! The fireworks were very good and then, in the church, it was nice. All the people were very friendly."

Ramon (Spain)

"Last night was really good! Aileen & David were very kind! Thank you for the organisation!

Coralie (France)

"It was fun to stay outside, take pictures and look for those wandering off. It was extra special fun to curl into a comfy armchair with hot chocolate and watch those bursting with laughter while playing table football and pool. It was great to be with friends ... AS USUAL! THANK YOU & BLESSINGS!"

Misha & Lena Korytovy (Russia)

Fireworks & Hot Chocolate Night

2008-11-05T23:00:00.000-08:00

Our Fireworks & Hot Chocolate Night has become an annual event now and it seems that each year gets bigger & better. It was great to have 40 students (from 12 different nationalities) along to the event. A BIG THANK YOU goes to all of those who helped with transport and to the Christian Growth Centre for their fab hospitality afterwards.

It was especially great to catch up with some students we'd not seen for a while and to also meet a bunch of new folk.

Clemy, Titi & Clara

Misha, Lena, Titi & Dare
Back at CGC much fun was had eating, drinking, chatting, playing pool, meeting new friends or catching up with old ones ...

A Farewell ...

2008-10-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

In the three months that Lukasz Kordas was back in Paisley it was great to have him as part of our young people's Bible study group. What a blessing to see the difference that knowing Jesus has made in his life. If you want to hear his story let me know and I'll put you in touch with him.

(from left to right, top to bottom)
Barry, Asha, Lukasz, Lynne, Dorothy, Ged
Hollie, Lena, Emma, Jo and Misha

Dinner & Lynne's

2008-10-11T23:00:00.000-07:00

On Nov 11th Sugu & Fu Yu wanted to hold a Malaysian/Chinese evening for several of our hosts and TABLEtalk helpers.

It was a great evening and everyone enjoyed the food.

speaking of which ...

who can identify this strange vegetable??

A challenging game of TABOO added to the evening

and it was all topped off with a giant cake

for Misha's 25th birthday!

Prize Giving

2008-10-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

Misha, Lena & myself

On October 2nd I had the privilege of being invited to a prize giving ceremony at the Business School of the the University of the West of Scotland (Paisley) to see Lena Korytova receive a medal for 'best academic achievement in post-graduate management programme.

Hopehall Church Weekend - Sept 26-28th

2008-09-28T10:34:00.000-07:00

From September 26th to 28th Hopehall Church enjoyed a fabulous weekend away in the beautiful surroundings of Blaithwaite House. Several international students also came along for the weekend and enjoyed all the teaching and times of fun that were part of our weekend programme.

It was also great to have Jan Zwart travel up from Derby to spend the weekend with us!!

Above - Cindy (from Taiwan) enjoys a contemplative moment in the courtyard of the Blaithwaite property

Below - on Saturday morning a great time was had by all who participated in the family games session

Although we had a full programme for the weekend there was still time just to sit and chat over a cuppa ...

During the Saturday evening fun time Anna was thrilled to be swept off her feet by a handsome man from Malaysia during a game of 'Knight, Horseman & Cavaliers' - only to be put out of the game !!!

Is there no justice ...

Weddings

2008-08-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

There have been a number of weddings this summer ...

On August 11th 2008 Alison & Derek Peakman, Jan Zwart, myself and Scott & Audrey McPhail had the privilege of being invited to the wedding of Csaba Salamon and Sandra Eineg at Comlongon Castle, here in Scotland.

Back in July 08 Hafsa Mahmood became Mrs Hafsa Shafiq in Pakistan

Day Trip: Loch Lomond Highland Games

2008-07-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

I was really sorry to miss out on our annual trip to

the Loch Lomond Highland Games.

Many thanks to Kathleen who helped organise

the event in my absence.

Thanks to Kathleen and Sugu for driving.

Last, but not least, a BIG thanks to

David & Aileen for the Bar-B-Que

Gradutation Ceremony

2008-07-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all of you who have recently graduated from the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley!!!

For me it's always a privilege to be invited along to the graduation ceremony - thankyou!

Ke Yang and Fu Yu outside Thomas Coats Memorial Church.

With Tobi, Chang
& Chang's Mum

With Fu Yu
and Sugu

With Chen

With Ke Yang

Country Walk @ Aberfoyle

2008-06-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

Melanie, Karen, Ania, Joyce, Chunying and Sugu all joined our country walk from the David Marshall Lodge at Aberfoyle. The weather was good, the scenery was beautiful, the company was great, and the lunch afterwards truly marvellous!!

Melanie, Nan, Janet, Ania, Joyce, Chunying & Billy

Billy, David, Sugu, Pam & Jack

Chunying tucks in to a tasty ice-cream

Student Comments

2008-04-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

"Frankly, TABLEtalk and the International Sunday Lunches are my most impressive experience during these days in Scotland. We all appreciate it very much. This programme truly provides us with a valuable opportunity to meet new friends from many countries, to communicate with them in English, and to learn about different cultures of the world. Also, to eat in a local home gives us a chance to know the local people and the lifestyle here. We benefit a lot from this and love to participate as much as possible."

Mr Zhang from China

TABLEtalk: International Night

2008-04-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous evening!

A huge thank you to everyone who brought along a dish from their nation - we had food from China, Russia, Czech Republic, Korea and UK (if I've missed your nation please let me know).

Our international feast was followed by some great entertainment and again thanks oodles to all who were brave enough to take the stage!!
Here are just a few photos ...

Eric reads a poem
(in his best Yorkshire accent)
Misha & Lena sang us several Russian songs
Gordon also sang
Tereza recites a famous Czech poem

Other took part also - Chen sang and told a great joke; several others told jokes and Lynne sang a song.

Easter Sunrise Service

2008-03-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

Misha, Lena and Bora were brave enough to rise early and join us for the sunrise service on Easter Sunday. Our reward was a great cooked breakfast !!

Easter Passion Play in Edinburgh

2008-03-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Chen, Chunying and Joyce joined Lisa and I for a day in Edinburgh to watch the Easter Passion play in Princes Street Gardens. The play was excellent (as always) but the weather was so very, very cold !! We even braved a brief hailstorm whilst waiting for the play to begin.

Jesus Teaches the crowd

The Last Supper

The Crucifixion

Following the play we had a very welcome meal at Carubbers Church - homemade soup and pizza, cakes and coffee - thank you Carubbers!!

International Bible Study group

2008-02-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

Jean and her Mum (Esther), Martin, Tereza, Karen Sos, Joyce, Arthur and Lisa

Many thanks to Jean & Esther for inviting us to their home for a wonderful meal and movie!!

TABLEtalk: Surprise! Surprise! It's party time ...

2008-02-19T23:00:00.000-08:00

I want to say a huge

THANK YOU

to all the students and helpers

that came along to my Birthday party

on Feb 19th, 2008.

For me is was a MARVELLOUS time

with friends and I thank you for making

it such a memorable evening!!!

We played some crazy games like -

Musical Chairs ...

and Pass the Parcel ...

Misha hopes that he doesn't get a forfeit!

Lynne has to sing a song!

When you're as old as I am you need

a LOT of cake to support all those candles

- a BIG THANK YOU to Alison & Peace

for making the cakes.

Ray, Sugu, Keyur, Jessica, Pavas & Savan

Munish, Misha, Tereza, Joy, Karen & Serena

Peace, Arthur, Jack, Eric, Oliwia & FuYu

Chunying, Chen, Nancy & Florent

Ania, Sos, Gloria, Lena, Billy & Bora

International Sunday Lunch

2008-02-17T22:00:00.000-08:00

When one of our hosts had to cancel at the last minute

a very impromptu Sunday Lunch was held

back at Lynne's flat ...

Lynne, Ania & Lisa

Ania, Lynne & Karen Sos

TABLEtalk - Valentine's Night

2008-02-12T23:00:00.000-08:00

During our Valentine's evening we wrote some

'Love is ...' poems together and also had

lots of laughs playing 'The Dating Game'.

Many thanks for being so willing to take part.

- o 0 o -

Here are a few extracts from some of our poems:

LOVE is sweet and bitter at the same time.

LOVE is something without which no-one can live.

LOVE is eternal.

LOVE is to serve others.

LOVE is like being in a very safe place.

LOVE is a flower - you need to take care of it carefully.

LOVE is to spend your time making others happy.

LOVE is an easy word with a billion definitions.

LOVE is an enormous force changing life for the better

- the only true way.

LOVE is when you still think he's charming, even after

he's played football and stinks like a pig!

LOVE is believing that your husband's

fat tummy is attractive.

TABLEtalk: Pancake Party

2008-02-05T23:00:00.000-08:00

Our Spring 2008 semester got off to a great start

with 17 students from eight different

nationalities coming along to our

PANCAKE PARTY ...

Thank you soooooo much to Fu Yu, Ania and Lena

for all their help in the kitchen

Peace and her pancake!

(thanks Peace for taking these great pics)

Florent offers some expert advice ...

whilst the rest of us enjoy the opportunity of

sampling the pancakes, playing games and

generally catching up with each other.

Student Comments

2008-02-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

Every participants benefits from TABLEtalk as it provides a precious opportunity for international students to improve their English and know the local culture. All the staff and volunteers are very friendly and helpful, which makes TABLEtalk feel like a big family."

Jenny (China)

"TABLEtalk is a weekly event that draws together students from different parts of the world to get to know each other and to socialise. It is an event filled with fun, laughter and instills some serious thoughts on current issues. It also provides an opportunity for the newly arrived students to the UK to meet and talk to their seniors as well as volunteers. This not only smoothes the settling-in process for many, but also forms a closely knit social group in the long run.

International Sunday Lunches and summer events have given me the chance to visit local homes. Some of these families have now become close friends who take a great interest in my welfare. I have also had the chance to taste plenty of scrumptious home cooked meals."

Sugu (Malaysia)

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T17:00:00.000-08:00

A New Year's greeting from Hafsa (Pakistan):

"May the Light of God surround you.

The love of God enfold you.

The power of God protect you and

the presence of God watch over you all year through

- and all your dreams come true.

Have a safe and blessed 2008!"

Hogmanay Extravaganza 2007

2008-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Welcoming in the New Year in taditional Scottish style.

Our Hogmanay Extravaganza consisted of dancing,

games, food and a hour of cabaret!!

(top row left to right)

Sophia, Will, Bora, Jessica, Raymond,

Jack, Misha & Lena

(bottom row left to right)

Gospel, Jenny He, Ellen, Tina, Jenny Wang,

Oliwia, Fu Yu, Lynne, David & Eric

Playing musical statues and the fish race ...

A scrumptious buffet ...

STUDENT COMMENTS:

"I just write to thank you. I really enjoyed the Hogmanay party. It was so wonderful. Last year was such a special year for me. Sometimes, I still can not believe that I am abroad now. I am so lucky that you are my friend.You are so special to me.You organised TABLEtalk and through it I have made so many friends. TABLEtalk is so helpful for me, although my English is still not so good. Thank you again for all you have done for me.Wishing you a good year." Bora (China)

Christmas Day 2007

2007-12-25T23:00:00.000-08:00

What a fabulous Christmas Day we had!!

Our day began by all attending a short Christmas Day
family service at Hopehall church.
When we got back to my flat we had drinks and snacks
whilst dinner finished cooking. Everyone wanted to help,
but I wouldn't let them all in the kitchen at the same time.
Dinner was a great success (even if I say so myself).

Bora, Heather, Lisa and Sugu

Fu Yu, Lynne and Jessica

Opening presents was great fun ...

The rest of the day was spent playing games, watching TV,
and generally enjoying the day together.

Aberfoyle Walk

2007-12-22T20:00:00.000-08:00

Munish and Kate joined us for our annual Hopehall walk

from Gartmore to Aberfoyle with a very welcome lunch and
coffee at the Wool Centre. It was a cold, icy day but the
sun shone and everyone enjoyed themselves.

TABLEtalk - Christmas Party

2007-12-11T23:00:00.000-08:00

A great time was had by everyone who came to our

2007 Christmas Party.
Twenty-six students came and were joined by more than
a dozen volunteers and hosts.

A HUGE THANK YOU goes to Ernie Lindsay who did a
fabulous job in the kitchen - it was a great meal!!
Other than eating, drinking and chatting we spent time
singing some Christmas carols and learning
'The 12 Days of Christmas'

Eric Garner performed an excellent monologue entitled
'The Innkeeper'

Jenny He (China), Graeme & Christine Clark,
Elaine (UK) and Munish (India)

Bora (China), Lynne, Tom (China), David Kennedy,
Tereza (Czech Rep) and Jessica (China)

Nan Magee, Raymond (China), Oliwia (Poland), Jack Peakman,
John Stickley, Arthur (China), Sebrina (China), and Billy Magee

Joyce (China), Ania (Poland), Anne-Martine (France),
Florent (France), Audrey & Scott McPhail

Fu Yu (China), Sugu (Malaysia), Cheryl & Roy Adair,
and Lena (Russia)

Aileen & David Clark, Pavas (India), Raj (India),
and Chang (China)

Jenny Wang (China), Tina (China), Mary & Eric Garner,
Hafsa (Pakistan), Peace (UK) and Kate (China)

Commemorative Ceremony

2007-12-07T20:00:00.000-08:00

On Friday December 7th I was thrilled to be invited to the
Commemorative Ceremony for the official name change from
Paisley University to the
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND.
This change of name better represents the university,
which has campuses not just in Paisley but also in Ayr, Dumfries
and, most recently, Hamilton

Among the four people who received honorary doctorates at
this event was ALAN JOHNSON, the BBC correspondent
who was kidnapped earlier this year in Gaza
and held for four months.
His speech was very inspiring.

TABLEtalk: St Andrew's Night

2007-11-27T23:00:00.000-08:00

I think it would be safe to say that a great time was

had by all those who came along to our

St Andrew's Night @ TABLEtalk

Many, many thanks to Gordon Whyte & Derek Peakman who provided our music for both song and dance!!!

A BIG thank you also goes to Alison Peakman who prepared a traditional feast of haggis, tatties & neeps!!!

For many of the students the ceilidh dancing was a new experience and they needed to listen intently to the instructions given ...

International Bible Study

2007-11-22T19:00:00.000-08:00

We have been meeting together since mid-October and have been enjoying studying various Bible characters together and thinking about the challenges the lives of these people can have on our own lives.

Tereza - Lynne - Bora - Jean - Arthur

A Chinese Meal

2007-11-10T23:00:00.000-08:00

A big thank you goes to Chang for coming and cooking us a fabulous Chinese meal. Thanks too to Bora and Sugu for their help.

This is us all waiting eagerly for our feast:

Alison, Derek, Lynne, Sugu, Chang & Bora

Fireworks & Hot Chocolate Night

2007-11-06T08:07:00.001-08:00

17 students joined us for our annual

Fireworks & Hot Chocolate Night

- fireworks courtesy of the local council

and hot chocolate courtesy of Christian Growth Centre!

Jenny Wang, Tina, Tereza, Munish, Sumin, Jenny He, Ellen & Arthur

Raymond, Bora, Ania, Jessica,

Oliwia & Chang

Chang, Lynne & Raymond

Jessica, Oliwia, Bora & Janet

No, honestly, it wasn't that cold ...

Back to the Christian Growth Centre for some very welcome hot chocolate, fun & games - and a bit of a chat ...

Peace the 'professional'

Polish/Scottish Night

2007-11-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

Several students came to the Church of the Nazarene in Erskine for a Polish/Scottish evening, that was part of a whole weekend of events. We all enjoyed many Scottish dances and the challenge of a Polish Polka!! There was a great buffet too with many delicacies from both nations.
Many thanks to Paul & Cathy and everyone who helped to make the evening such a great success. Thank you too for being soooooooooooooo welcoming!!!

Peace & Chang ...

Tina, Jenny & Ellen ...

John, Katrina & Bora ...

Some of these photos are a little blurry - but no-one would stand still ...

TABLEtalk - Quiz Night

2007-10-30T23:00:00.000-07:00

The GOLD Team

who were the over-all winners of our Quiz Night

Sumin (China), Arthur (China) and Eric (TT helper)

The PINK Team

Anne-Martine (France), Tereza (Czech Rep)

and Jenny Wang (China)

The RED Team

Jenny He (China), Florent (France)

and Tina (China)

The GREEN Team

Sugu (Malaysia), Jessica (China)

and Raymond (China)

The ORANGE Team

Ania (Poland) and Peace (UK)

The BLACK Team

Misha & Lena (Russia) and Munish (India)

OOPS - not sure what happened to my photo of

the BLUE Team - Raj and Pavas (India)

A Taste of Scotland

2007-10-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

Our thanks go to Steven and many others from Elim who put together an excellent 'TASTE OF SCOTLAND' evening for students from TABLEtalk and other contacts made through the WORLD CAFE run this past summer. Fabulous food, great songs - an all round fun social night!

Lynne, Tina, Ellen, Jenny Wang, Sumin & Jenny He

Pankaj, Hafsa & Peace

Bora

Bora, Joyce, Chang, Oliwia & Tom

Steven leads us all in 'Auld Lang Syne'

International Sunday Lunch

2007-10-14T22:00:00.000-07:00

Following a great meal with the Peakman family, some of the students enjoyed a trip over to Xscape.

Andrzej and Jola, from Poland, were brave enough to have a go on the robotic arm and view life from another perspective ...

Marc, Andrzej, Jola and Jessica

at the indoor ski slope

Celebration Meal

2007-09-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Sept 15th '08 a number of people came together to celebrate all that the Friends International volunteers have done over the past three years. There were nine different churches represented at the evening.

TABLEtalk and the International Sunday Lunches are now running very successfully. Over the past three years we've had contact with students from 21 different nations.

We often get good and encouraging feedback from students and many of them help us with new ideas about how we can serve them better during their time here.

Dan Dan Zhou

2007-09-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

周丹丹 Zhou Dan Dan

30 Dec 1983 – 10 Sept 2007

在丹丹的一生中，特别是在患病期间，她面对病魔时所表现出的决心和力量,给我们留下了深刻的印象。她不但在老师眼中是名成绩优异的学生，在同学中是位挚友，而且在父母心中也是个孝顺的女儿。如今，丹丹离开了我们，可是她的精神以及她的笑容将永永远远萦绕在我们脑海里。

Throughout her life, and especially through her illness, Dan Dan’s determination and strength of character were an example to many of us. She was an excellent student, a valued friend and a loving daughter. Dan Dan’s body has been taken from us but her spirit and her smile will remain with us always.

DAY TRIP: Dean Castle Country Park

2007-09-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

Several students came along to our annual Hopehall Church day out at Dean Castle Country Park. It's a beautiful park with enough things to see and do to occupy the day.

Here Magda, Fu Yu and Hafsa enjoy trying on the period costume and armour that's on show within the castle.

Unfortunately, Peace met with the sharp end of Magda's sword !!!

Charlie's Angels (alias Peace, Magda & Fu Yu)

The grounds around the castle are very beautiful. There are plenty of places to go and walk and enjoy the peaceful countryside.