July 23
Wow! This week has already come to an end…where did the time go? It seems like yesterday that I was stepping off the plane to begin this journey here in Beijing, China.
This is my first trip to China and participating in the Vacation Language School. I am so happy that I got this opportunity to serve God in a unique way. I was glad that I was able to go on this trip because it is a combination of two things I love: God’s word and teaching. I am a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, TX majoring in Elementary Education. This opportunity has blessed my life so much and only reaffirmed that God has called me to be a teacher as my profession.
Teaching English to these students has been completely different than any other work that I have done with students in Texas. The biggest impact that I have seen is the joy/happiness that the students receive when they are told “good job” and given a pat on the back. These students have an enormous desire to be loved and to be encouraged in their studies as they further their education and knowledge. I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be a small part in these student’s lives.
The biggest obstacle that I ran into was getting the students to respond to questions or tell me their opinions. There was a lot of silence when we were a large group but when we split into smaller groups I saw the students “come out of their shell” and share ideas and feelings. When they were asked “what is important to you” I was pleased to hear a number of student’s first response be “God” or “Jesus”. Others answered with “family” or “friends”.
The most interesting aspect of the camp is to see students grow in their current knowledge or begin to wonder about Christ and what He did for us and how they can accept Him. More and more questions came with every day of the camp. It is great to be able to minister and explain things about Christ to these students and also to point them to a Chinese leader that can further the relationship after we go back to the US. I enjoyed the different ways that God’s word was presented: songs, scripture, testimonies, games, crafts, showing love through actions and words, and the curriculum.
At the end of each day and especially today, students are wanting an autograph, email address and pictures with each American. It is the cutest thing because they are so excited that we are here. This brings great joy to me to know that we have made an impact in their life. I hope that all the students sense our love for Christ and our love for them as well.
On Sunday we attended Kuanjie church and it was SUCH a blessing…even though I did not understand anything that was said during the service. It blessed my heart so much to worship with fellow believers even though they speak another language. The song part of the service was awesome because people sang so loudly and were not ashamed at all. It is very clear that they love God and love to sing praises to Him. I found a verse as I was sitting in the church service that really impacted my thoughts on the purpose why I am here: “I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declared the Sovereign Lord, when I show Myself holy through you before their eyes” Ezekiel 36:23. I thought that this verse was very influential because it says “the name YOU have profaned among them”, and I related to that because while we are here in Beijing we are declaring the name of the Lord and showing His love and compassion. Also, it says “when I show Myself holy THROUGH YOU before their eyes” and I really got excited because that explains that God is and will use me to show His greatness. *yay*
Some tourist trips that we have taken that I have enjoyed has been to the Great Wall of China, Kuanjie Church, Silk Market, Chinese Acrobats, and Forbidden City.
I thank God daily for this opportunity and for allowing me to be a servant for His kingdom. This will change my life and I will never forget this experience.
“I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples. For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth” Psalm 57:9-11
Lauren Bailey
Stonebriar Community Church
Frisco, TX
My name is Maddie and I am 14 years old. I came to America 2 1/2 years ago. I used to live in Ethiopia in Africa. My father died of HIV and my mother has HIV and is dying. I have two sisters and one brother. My mom wanted us to have a better life and sent us to orphanage. I had prayed to God when I lived in our village in Ethiopia to know who He was and He answered my prayers. When my new family was ready to adopt us we were sent to the capital city of Addis Ababa. The nannies at the care center shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with me and I became a Christian. It was the greatest gift I ever had. I then prayed for a strong Christian family. God has blessed me with parents who love Him and brothers and sisters who love God as well. I want Jesus to be the center of my life always. I am grateful to be with all my family and I pray that other kids like me - parents with HIV - will also find a Christian home. I desire to be a nurse so one day I can help my people by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ before they die.