Finally after rounds of editing, here comes my thoughts about my STST 2008. Other team members already shared their stories many of the trip details so I won't repeat the details like where we stayed, what did we eat etc. Instead I focused more on what impacts this trip had for me. Since this is blog is public, I intentionally modified some names for security purpose.
To give those who have never been to SizChuan a brief introduction, we first flew from SZ to ChengDu on the first day and we took a bus straight from the airport to 錦陽. After getting some supplies from WalMart (yes, in China!) we headed off to AC which is where we stayed most of the time during the trip.
Many asked me what did we do in that area. Basically we brought supplies (oil, milk, christmas gifts etc.) to the villagers, helped out the christmas programme, visited the villagers, and just being there to support the field workers. To me, I'd long desired to visit house church in China and to get to know 內地同工 after watching the video "十字架，耶穌在中國". And of coz we were all concerned about the survivors from the earthquake and wished we could be available to them if they need support and encouragement.
So most of the time we spent in a 板房 village "XY". It is one of those village that the Chinese government built to accommodate temporarily survivors from the earthquake. They are much better than tents and have common areas for cooking and there is a public restroom and a library. Just like other areas in China, it is very dusty ... and smelly. Most of the young adults are not in the village. They are probably out in the cities and what are left in the village are children, woman and the elderly. Most of the time they speak SiChuan dialogue though they might understand Mandarin. We are not the only Christian team serving there. There are other teams from HK, Beijing and ChengDu. Some of them are long term and some are short term. A house church is already established and they have meetings on Wed, Fri and Sunday nite.
Apart from 板房, we also visited people living in the mountain (frankly the air is much better in the mountain!) and other villages without 板房. Living conditions are very different but one thing in common is those children seems to be joyful and care free (at least at the time when we visited them) though they don't have much materially.
Different from last year, language is big barrier to me in EZ. Simply because I don't speak any SC language and there could be some misunderstandings from guessing and body languages. Personally I like SC more because it is more cultural and people are nicer than those in CD. And actually I didn't get too sick this time is a great blessing! The temperature is low though, between 1 to 10 degree Celsius. Many many 迦南詩歌 came to me while we are traveling between villages. I suddenly understand the background for those songs - they are so vividly in front of me!
Besides SC language, I am with a team from US (oh, I am from HK!) - which means you got to speak English or Mandarin - different from last year I didn't speak much Cantonese!!
I didn't expect too much from this trip. Simply because I was ill prepared, tired from work, was disconnected from my teammates for a few months (actually I didn't know them much before the trip) and I am still adjusting to life in HK and suddenly I was transferred to a place completely new to me ... but beyond my expectation (超過我們所想所求), I am so glad that I did join this trip. Frankly I want to visit that area again while I am in HK. And from time to time I keep thinking of those teachers and workers who are faithfully serving the people and God amidst of difficulties in financial situations, unity among co-workers, government policies, corruptions ... and many many more.
Okey, there are different chapters for my sharing - I hope what God spoke to us could be some sort of encouragement to you and as we are traveling together on earth, let us 彼此勉勵, 作神忠心的管家.
