Two of our language partners came on the hospital trip with us. They were just standing by themselves at one point when we were taking a break, and I thought, there's an opportunity, go talk to the students! The only downside with my chatting with the Chinese students in a group setting is that, once they realize that I speak Chinese, they just start talking to me in Chinese even though they can speak some English. I try to get them to speak English so that other people from our group can be included in the conversation but it doesn't always work unless they're English majors. It's interesting because as I started meeting and talking to the students, I realized that it was an advantage that I was traveling with foreigners because otherwise, I'd just blend in with the college kids. It was easier for me to stand out as the 'Chinese girl with a bunch of foreigners' since I didn't have the advantage of looking like a foreigner. Their first impression of me is usually that I am a student at the school and I'm acting as translator for this group of foreigners. So when they realize that I'm actually from America but that I can speak Chinese, and that I am *way* older than they think I am, they're really surprised and it sparks some curiosity and helps to start conversations!
Cleaning the OR
So by the end of the hospital trip, I had a few opportunities to chat with Kevin and James, our new friends, and we invited them to hang out with us at the track after dinner, along with some other students that our high school kids had met the night before out on the track. What's really cool is that not only did Kevin and James show up, but they brought a few of their friends too! A bunch of us headed to the recreation room and played ping pong, pool, cards and just hung out together. I got to meet Alice and we chatted for awhile that evening. I mentioned that we were visiting an orphanage the next day and she seemed excited about it, so I invited her to come along. It was really a fun couple of hours of bonding between us and the students. Bethany even got to share the Word with one of the students she met the night before! At that point in time, I think a lot of us were desiring to have that opportunity and felt a bit disappointed that we were 'just' hanging out with the students. But in reality, as some people said the next morning during our meeting, we are all part of the same body and we all have a different part to play. Bethany believed that although she was the one directly sharing, the rest of us created a safe environment for her to open her Bible without drawing any attention. It's not a competition amongst believers, when one of us does something for the kingdom, the rest of us share in the reward!
Hanging out in the rec room
Kevin and Ming (the only other Chinese person on the trip) playing ping pong. Why is every Chinese person except me good at ping pong?
Playing cards and chatting with our new friends
As it was getting close to 10:30, we made our way back to our dorm across campus. I was so excited that we were getting to spend time with the students. A bunch of us stayed up and hung out in the hallway for awhile. By this time, a few of our guys had gotten to know some of the Chinese guys on our floor. Unexpectedly, one of our guys called me over to him and the student he's talking to. He needed my help to translate something he was trying to say, and so even without taking the uncomfortable initiative to walk over and introducing myself, I began to meet some of the Chinese students on the floor cuz our guys needed help with the language barrier. I assume that since the students in our building are athletes and PE majors, they don't take as many or as intensive English courses. It showed me that when we make ourselves available, God will find a way to use us!
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