China 2010

Thank you to the team who stayed behind: all those who supported me!

first and foremost: why?

The purpose of a missions trip, in my opinion, is to show God’s love to the world by serving others, and a time of growth for every individual involved. This summer, I felt called by God to go to China with an organization called Teen Missions.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

Teen Missions.

Teen Missions is a unique organization that provides short term missions trip opportunities to teenagers all around the world. They began in 1970 and since then have sent over 42,000 teenagers to over 100 countries. They also have overseas bases in 25 countries that provide a similar experience for youth in those countries.

the team.

There were 20 teenagers, ages 13 to 19. We came from all over the United States, from places likes Wisconsin and Virginia and Texas, and most prominently, Florida. (I must not neglect the lone Canadian!)

the Lord’s Boot Camp.

First we met at the Lord’s Boot Camp in Merritt Island, Florida for training, maturing, bonding—preparing, as a team, for the destination: China. From the first second we stepped off the bus, we were treated not as individuals but as a team. As time went on, we learned to work and live together as that team.

Boot Camp is rugged—we sleep in tents, bathe and do laundry with buckets, and sweat 24 hours of the day. But the experience prepares American teenagers to go out into the world, a world so unlike our comfortable homes and communities. The negative influences of the secular world began to fade away. There are no iPods, no books—just worship songs every morning and evening, and our Bibles.

We attended daily classes ranging from spiritual maturity to carpentry, and everything in between. We practiced singing and puppetry in the morning, and our afternoon classes varied—we learned how to dig, lay blocks, tie steel, hammer and saw, use water levels, and mix concrete.

Every morning we ran a timed Obstacle Course, concluding with 12-foot walls: Self, Anxiety, Complaining, Fear. We lifted each other over these physical walls, and each day as we encountered opposition and struggles, we learned how to lift each other up spiritually and emotionally throughout the rest of the day. Throughout it all, we learned to look to God for strength.

Commissioning.

The final day of Boot Camp, every team is sent out on their mission—an emotional evening called “Commissioning.” This night is the climax of the two weeks. We each light purple candles signifying our decision to serve and follow Christ for the summer. This decision carries much weight, but I went out with the following words in my heart: “My past is forgiven; my present makes sense; my future is secure.”

China.

After several days of travel by airplane and bus, we arrived at the project site in the Shanxi province of China.

Our home for the next month was the Joy on the Journey English camp. This camp is part of the ministry of Evergreen, an openly Christian organization in Shanxi. It consists of several dorm rooms, a kitchen, some classrooms, and a courtyard (as well as the adjoining cheese factory). It was a dusty setting with mountains foggily visible on the horizon, surrounded by cornfields and peculiar earthen cliffs.

The first three weeks, we repaired and painted the walls of three classrooms and an office, built a pergola and picnic tables to make an eating area, and dug a small fish pond and an adjoining gravel path. Many jobs were very enjoyable, like nailing the pergola together. However, every member of the team experienced jobs they didn’t like, strengthening their character in the process. Personally, I found painting the ceiling and lifting rocks very difficult, but in those situations, perseverance is valued more than the quality of work!

Evergreen.

The last week of our stay, we had the privilege to run a week of camp, providing an all-English environment for Chinese students, as well good influences and love. Some of us were counselors—they took the campers biking and rafting, shared dorm rooms, and played games with them during free time. I and several other team members were able to teach English.

The Joy on the Journey Camp is a part of the services of Evergreen, which also include medical, agricultural, and other educational work. Evergreen operates at three locations in the province of Shanxi—the heart of communism and poverty in China.

This organization is openly Christian, but they work within the laws of the Chinese government. They have built 15 years of trust with local officials. The laws in China do not allow distribution of literature, teaching religion in a classroom environment, or foreigners preaching or sharing the gospel. Therefore, our job was to show love to kids who may not get much, and to plant the seeds of salvation, sharing the Gospel through our actions. We didn’t set out to convert the campers; we wanted to be friends with them.

The tie-in between an educational camp and the Christian faith is tricky. The curriculum (“Explore Your World”) is aimed at introducing doubts about what is taught in school and initiating curiosity about things of God. For example, studying the individuality of leaves and fingerprints contradicts the claims of evolution—the campers wonder “How could this all just happen?” The daily activities include songs written specifically for Joy on the Journey. For example, the campers sing about finding “Deeper Life.”

It was my privilege as a teacher to read daily journal entries from the students, giving a glimpse into their inner lives. The tiny, painstakingly printed words told of worth based on performance (academic and otherwise), an idea implanted by a society eager to keep up with the dynamic growth of their country. (As a fellow student, I can relate!) The curriculum emphasizes their value as a person. The teachers reinforce the uniqueness of each student, both within Creation and in relation to other students.

sightseeing and Debrief.

Early on during our stay in China, we took an overnight train to the city of Xi’an, the home of thousands of terracotta warriors. These were built for Emperor Qin, to “guard” him after his death. We also had many opportunities to shop in the local town and city. Before leaving China, we took a train to Beijing, the capital, and visited Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City. The next day we went to the Great Wall to see beautiful mountains and take an exhilarating walk on the wall.

On the morning of August 11, we packed our duffels and flew to the United States—time-travel, because after 24 hours of travel we arrived the morning of August 11! We spent three days in Florida for Debrief, relaxing, competing in memory verse competitions, and we even went to Cocoa Beach for a few hours.

communication.

Thank you to everyone who sent me mail, whether emails at Boot Camp or letters in China! I didn’t receive any mail in China until the last week, but it was such an encouragement when I finally did.

Anticipation

Looking Forward to China (April 6)
packing. (June 15)
Life-Changing (June 21)

My mom posted some of my letters on my blog while I was gone; also, my leaders emailed detailed team reports from China. Read the following:

Boot Camp

News from the Lord’s Boot Camp (June 23 – Day 1)
More news from Boot Camp (June 25 – Day 3)
Missions Conference Weekend at Boot Camp (June 27 – Day 5)
Preparing to Serve (July 1 – Day 9)
Tired but Blessed (July 4 – Day 12)

Commissioning and Traveling (July 11-13)

China

Preparing for Camp (July 17)
Visit to Terracotta Warriors (July 19)
China continues to do well (July 22)
Ni hao! (July 25)
Pergola is done! (July 29)
English camp starts. (August 2)
After-the-fact: “Laundry will be done with buckets” (August 2)
Camp winding down (August 6)
Sightseeing and traveling (August 11)

After the Trip

Lessons Learned: Self (August 11, on the way to Florida/Debrief)
Lessons Learned: Worldliness (July 24 and August 21)
Lessons Learned: Discipline (September 5)
Why No Blogging? (September 15)

resources.

• Teen Missions website.
• Evergreen website.
• Voice of the Martyrs offers a free “Pray for China” wristband – request one for yourself or a friend.