China Missions 2008 - Aside on Food

So at the school we basically ate the same thing everyday. It was buffet style, semi-Chinese, semi-Western style food. For breakfast we'd have eggs, sometimes hard boiled, sometimes scrambled, sometimes fried; oil sticks 油條 but they were soft instead of crunchy; ham; bread; this asian hot pocket thing. For lunch and dinner, we'd have some combination of cauliflower, mashed potatoes, meat and our favorite, fries. The funniest thing is that the lighting in the cafeteria was so bad that we couldn't see what was being served in the buffet line. I was okay with the food but a lot of people really did not like it. And they were especially not used to eating Chinese food every day. I never really thought about it, but Americans eat different cuisines every day because there is no 'American' cuisine, perhaps except hamburgers and steaks. But since I'd grown up eating Chinese every day, it wasn't so bad for me. Oh, and I've noticed that at the school, and everywhere else I went in China, watermelon was served in almost every meal. Chinese people love their watermelons! We started eating less at the meals as we realized that the food was the same every day, and we began to fill up on our favorite ice cream bars, Magnum! I think we ate up the store's entire inventory of Magnum bars by the time we left. The *most* interesting thing I came across food-related in China is probably corn juice. You'd expect it to be cold since it's juice and it comes in a glass, but nope, it's warm and tastes like sweet corn soup. Very strange.

The buffet line for breakfast

















This was the best meal here at the school, we actually got steak instead of the buffet stuff! It doesn't look as appetizing in the picture, but we were *very* satisfied.

















We sat at 3 of these long tables for most of our meals at the school.

China Missions 2008 - Hospital Trip

On Day 5 we spent the day at a nearby hospital founded by a Christian couple from America to provide free care to orphans. They had just opened the previous week and still needed a lot of help cleaning and setting things up. Some of our guys helped with cabinets and furniture. Another group of us were cleaning in the OR. Our medical professionals went to see the babies and toddlers. I was pulled out from the OR to help translate care instructions to the doctor and attendants for each child. The kids were taken from various orphanages to either get operated on or regain their strength at the hospital. It was such a sad but eye opening experience. We see so many pictures of malnourished and disabled children that I feel like I am jaded to these things, but seeing the babies in person and watching their expressions, looking into their eyes as people were caring for them, it's a different experience. Just thinking about the fact that they will grow up with no parents and with these disabilities, some very severe, I felt ashamed of how spoiled and ungrateful I am and that I take so many things for granted. But it was truly a blessing to see that there are people who have the compassion and love to care for these children.

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!

China Missions 2008 - Laundry Day

On Day 4 Bethany and I volunteered to do laundry. I didn't really need to take the language class anyway, and figured doing laundry for 20 people would be an interesting experience. What's ironic is that I don't even do laundry at home, haha! I actually really enjoyed the day with Bethany. We had some great conversations. And at such a young age, she already knows her calling to be a missionary in Asia, it's so awesome to see young people walking out their faith.

Bethany and I doing laundry.

















We took a break and got some bubble tea and watched the guys play soccer.



















































It was around this time that I started craving alone time. I'm not used to being around people all the time for so many days, and having such a packed schedule. Like I just wanted to go for a walk by myself. I knew I wasn't spending enough time with God. But while I didn't like what I was feeling, at least I knew that I desired the quiet time with Him. I never want to get to a point again where I get so used to being busy that I don't even notice that I'm not spending enough time with Him.

After dinner that night, a few of the 'older' people were going out to get ice cream together and I went along. We were mostly just joking around and laughing. Not that there was anything 'wrong' with it, but I realized that I wasn't making most of the opportunities that God presented in front of me! This wasn't a vacation, and we were there for a purpose - to share God's love with the people of China. I should be making myself available to hang out with the students whenever possible.

Yes, our 'free' time was limited because we had things on our schedule during the day, and then we have to be in our buildings by 10:30pm every night, but that still leaves a couple of hours after dinner and time to hang out 'in' our building after 10:30! The first night at the school, I was so tired from jetlag that I went straight to bed after our group meeting. Then the next couple of nights, we hung out a bit in the hallway before going to bed, playing cards and chatting. Most of the guys in our group played the guitar and so did some of the Chinese guys, so a few of our guys went to hang out with them down the hall. Since they were a bunch of guys, I didn't feel comfortable being the only girl to just walk over and introduce myself. So I asked myself, what am I doing here?

At the end of Day 4, I made the decision that I was going to make myself as available as possible to spend time with the students. After all, time was passing by very quickly, and I realized that we only had 4 days left. There is no, 'oh there will be other opportunities' or 'eh, I have tomorrow'. We needed to seize every opportunity as it was presented because most likely there won't be another chance. I basically said, okay God, I'm here and I'm open to however you want to use me, make it happen.

China Missions 2008 - Classes and Field Trips

Starting with Day 2, our schedule was packed with classes, trips and other events.

Pictures taken at our group meeting after breakfast. Angel and her daughter Gabriella. Isn't she absolutely adorable? They and Angel's husband are from Chengdu and are good friends with the pastor.



















































A really cool building across from the cafeteria we eat at.























Benches where we'd hang out before and after meals.


















We took a language, Chinese culture, tai-chi and painting class on Day 2, and visited the birthplace of the first emperor in the afternoon. A few of the language partners were able to make it on the field trip, and I got to meet Rita, whom I ended up hanging out with some during the rest of our stay at the school.

Me and Rita. I look like such a bum. As you will notice, I basically wore the same exact shirt the entire trip, just different colors. I'm an efficient packer.

















Brett was invited to play at their open mic event that night, so a bunch of us went to show our support. It was really fun to hear some popular Chinese music and the students enjoyed being entertained by the American :)

















They sang a really beautiful duet.

















Sweet Home Alabama

















On Day 3, we went to Kaifeng and visited the Dragon Pavilion Park and the Millennium City of Northern Song Dynasty (both beautiful parks), and did some shopping in the city.

We played Assassin on the bus ride to Kaifeng. It's a fun game, never played it before.





















































































Pastors George and Suzanne dressed in emperor and empress clothing! Don't they look great?

















Me and my roommate Elizabeth.



































We ate lunch in separate private rooms and I sat at the 'kids' table, haha! They're really fun and sweet. Makes me feel young and old at the same time.




































































We found this really cool (and difficult) jungle gym. I did not even attempt any of it.

















I just wanted a picture with the camel, not sure how Gene got in there, haha!

















This was such an awesome picture. Who would have thought? Posing on top of vegetables?!

















While these two days were a lot of fun, I think many of us were starting to feel a bit discouraged and felt like we weren't 'doing' anything. The classes and field trips took up most of our days and we weren't meeting many students given our time constraints. We knew it was necessary as part of the 'cultural exchange group' experience, but most of us didn't expect the time with students to be so limited and unstructured. It was helpful when one of the guys shared that we need to humble ourselves under the hand of God instead of trying to do things our own way, casting all our care upon Him. We tend to have a 'works' mentality, where if nothing seems to be happening, we start feeling like we need to take matters into our own hands and do 'something'. We should just be faithful with what He gives us, rather than worried about how much we accomplish.

Looking back on everything, I think it was helpful that we had the time to ourselves the first few days. Because after that, we started to split up into smaller groups and hang out with the students that we had met. We needed to feel comfortable with our own group before we can start working together to reach out to the students. Our group dynamic is really pretty amazing. We have a very wide range in age (the youngest is a 9-year old girl, but she is more mature than most 18 year old boys, haha) and very different gifts and personalities, but we were there with the same purpose. Because we didn't have any structured format to meet the students, we really had to be creative, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide our steps and words and taking opportunities that He places in front of us. We started noticing that many of the students hung out on the track and field right outside of our dorm after dinner. Some of our high school and college students decided to go out there to hang out and meet students one night, and it became a regular 'meeting place' after dinner when we had free time.

China Missions 2008 - Travel and Rest Days

How do you sum up an amazing three weeks in China in a few blog posts? You can't, it's impossible. When I look back on this trip, there are so many things that I want to share, so many stories to tell, so many lessons that I want to remember. Although the past three weeks turned out very different from what I had expected, it has been full of blessings, encouragements and convictions. God's ways are always above and beyond our expectations, and I am thankful for everything that He showed me and blessed me with. It's difficult to put everything in one coherent post, so I'll do my best to share what we did, what I saw and learned in some kind of chronological order.

The day before my flight to Shanghai, I felt really anxious and nervous for some reason. I think a lot of it was my fear of flying, traveling alone and the unknown. It made me realize that in the natural, this trip was not easy for me. But praise God, and thanks to everyone's prayers, all the anxiety went away on my way to the airport. During the flight, I was very calm and at peace, and surprisingly enjoyed my time on the plane. I even slept some, and I almost never sleep on planes! I started getting really excited about this awesome adventure and journey with God! I found it humorous that while I was sitting in my seat, occasionally I would feel this soft nudge on my arm. I thought I was just being paranoid, until I looked at the armrest and saw this.



















LOL, apparently the person behind me was getting a bit too comfortable, his (or her) foot would somehow creep onto my armrest once in awhile. I thought it was funny. Who does that?!

After I landed in Shanghai, I met up with the group from Florida, there were about 40 of us altogether. It was a bit overwhelming meeting such a large group of new people, but I found out later that a lot of them didn't know everyone either since there are multiple services at church. Everyone was really open and friendly, and I liked that I wasn't part of a clique at the start of the trip so that I could get to hang out with as many people as possible.

I was very quickly put to work as the group translator, as most of the people we came into contact with couldn't speak very much English, and I was glad that my parents spoke to me in Chinese growing up so that I could be helpful in these situations. I also learned to enjoy having guys around when traveling in a group. The guys took care of all the luggage while the girls stayed out of their way, and they really made sure that we were taken care of. I tend to be fairly independent so I am not used to it, but it's still kind of nice. After a late lunch, we flew to Zhengzhou and got to the college campus around midnight. There's only hot water a few hours a day on campus, so our only option was a cold shower if we wanted to be clean after traveling for 36 hours. The dorm we stayed in was for male athletes, so that was um, interesting. We each had one roommate and two rooms shared a bathroom. There are many things I miss about China, the bathrooms are definitely not one of them. First of all, most of the 'toilets' are squatty-potties, and as much as I try to not complain, squatting to use the bathroom is just unpleasant on so many levels. And the water pressure is so random in this dorm. Sometimes, the water in the shower would come out in spurts, almost like it's spitting on you. Oh, and I'm not sure what it is, but with the exception of the hotel, most other bathrooms smell bad in varying degrees, I think partly because of the lack of ventilation. So for future reference, unless you're staying in a hotel, I'd highly recommend bringing candles to put in the bathroom and tissues that smell nice to put over your nose when you have to use public restrooms. Sorry, I guess that's an aside on the bathrooms in China.

After the pseudo-shower, where I used a wash cloth of cold water rather than stand under the running water (yes, I know I'm a big baby), I was so looking forward to my sleep in a nice comfy bed. Thank God I didn't jump into bed, or I would have broken a few bones. Needless to say, the bed was anything but nice and comfy, it was like sleeping on a box spring, with a pillow that was the antithesis of fluffy. But after a couple of days, I got used to it and was able to sleep fairly well. I felt like such a slacker compared to my roommate, who was up around 5am every morning and she'd wake me up around 6:30am.

Our first day at the school was a fairly restful day. After breakfast and dinner each day, we'd meet for worship, prayer, devotions and group updates. These meetings were so essential for this trip, especially since we were such a large group and needed to make sure that we were on the same page and encourage and lift each other up in prayer. In this first meeting, we were told to be very careful when making calls or sending emails home, and that we needed to be careful even when talking amongst ourselves on campus. I guess I didn't expect there to be so many restrictions on a missions trip. It makes it a bit more difficult to share the gospel when we couldn't be open with why we were there. Basically, our only avenue of talking to the students about faith was in very small group settings in 'casual' conversations. So it was essential that we spend as much time with them as possible.

We took a tour of the campus during the day and had some time to unpack. I thought it was interesting that when I travel by myself or with family in Asia, I blend in very easily and don't draw any attention. But since I was with a large group of non-Asians, I was able to experience what the non-Asians experience in China, because we drew a lot of attention wherever we went. We met a few of our language partners during the tour, they are very sweet and those who are majoring in English speak really well!

My room and roommate. The sun rises at around 5:30am and the sun is really bright here, I don't know how I continue sleeping when the sun is up!

















Italian Square. The campus is beautiful and very European.



















































The track and field outside our dorm

















The dorm we stayed in. Ah, good times.



































Where the couples on campus like to take midnight strolls (well, not really midnight since the curfew is 10:30pm). Yea, we had to be back in our buildings by 10:30 or otherwise we'd get locked out.


















Hanging out outside the cafe, where Brett was invited to play at an event the next evening.

















After dinner, a couple of people shared their testimonies and thoughts that really spoke to me. So many people say that 'someday' down the road, they'll rededicate their lives to God, but there is so much that God has for us that it's not worth it to 'waste' time on things that will perish. Do we really want to look back on our lives and realize that we didn't reach the potential that our Father had for us? We were also advised to get out of our comfort zone. Within 24 hours, we had already started sitting in the same spots at meals and hanging out with the people we know. It's so strange how we are such creatures of comfort. But we need to make an effort to not get so comfortable that we miss out on opportunities that God wants us to experience!