What an amazing time we have been having with our guests from Qingdao! Sandy, the group's chaperone, has done a marvelous job helping us each day with our student activities. The students have proven to be exceptional ambassadors and have set a high standard for future groups to live up to. They are extremely cooperative, friendly and have a great sense of humor. You can't help but have fun when you are with them! It is also our hope that they have enjoyed the activities, but more importantly, have learned much about our American way of life, our colleges and universities and the special place we hold in our hearts for our Chinese friends. We look forward to a long and meaningful relationship between our communities!
Wishing you blessings and prosperity,
David Ladines, President
Pacific Rim Exchange Services

Following the unfortunate auto break-in at Manito Park and theft of 2 backpacks, the Spangle Community Church is spearheading a collection to help replace the boys' loss.

The backpacks belonged to our 2 oldest students, Han Miao and Jack Wang, who were also carrying spending money and electronic devices on behalf of some of the younger students. Over $1100 was stolen, as well as cell phones and other items such as electronic dictionaries.

It is our goal not only to help out two sad students financially, but, more importantly to make a symbolic outpouring of our caring and support. So please consider joining us in sending a card of encouragement and sympathy to our boys, c/o Pastor David Ladines, Spangle Community Church, PO Box 239, Spangle Washington 99031. Also, if you would be able to reach out a helping hand financially, please call Pastor Ladines at 879-0820 or 245-3977.

Many thanks to all of those in the community who have already gathered around alongside of Han and Jack to let them know they are not alone in bearing this piece of bad news! The memory that they will take home with them to China will be one of caring hearts and compassionate people.

How to Learn More About our Students: We are busy building this website to reflect our students' activities during this language-immersion/cultural tour of the Pacific Northwest. Click on each student's picture to go to his page. Once you are there, you can click on "My Blog" or "My Pictures." We hope you enjoy seeing what our students are learning and doing as their blogs and picture journals unfold.

Come back often to see what they have been doing recently!

Early Bird Special!!! We have three trips planned for the summer of 2009, and, good news!! We have been able to reduce the price of the tour to only $4,000! This $4000 includes everything. Arriving in Seattle and seeing the grand sights - the Space Needle, the harbor, Microsoft and so much more! Then on to Eastern Washington for horseback rides, tractor pulls, college tours, airfare & transportation, home-cooked meals and family homestays . . . and all of it flavored with the heartfelt friendliness of small-town America. Do you think you might be interested, but you are not sure if you can come? No problem! You can still qualify for the special discount. Just let us know you might be interested by telling us your name and email HERE
Type in "sp09r400" when it asks you for a special discount code (then, IF you do come, that code is worth $400 off the cost of the trip and if you do not come, that is OK - you are not making a committment at this time!).

Hurry! This discount code is only valid until September 15th, 2008.

To see one of our brochures, click here: http://www.pacificrimexchangeservices.org