Students Camp in Yunnan Province, China
In May 2005, a group of six teachers and volunteers conducted an English Camp for a secondary school in a county south of Yunnan Province, China. Below is a report by the visiting lecturer, who is in charge of this Camp.
REPORT FROM
MISS Elaine F
PB ENGLISH PROGRAM : 2-6 MAY 2005
We’ll walk the land with hearts on fire …
From the towers that reach the skyline of Hong Kong to the mountainous regions that stretches across China … no matter where we are - we are called to worship and praise our Living God – who created the heavens and earth! We stand in awe of His majestic power and beauty as we gaze around us and there within us there is a stirring in our hearts … …
“O Lord, our Lord
How majestic is your name in all the earth”
Psalm 8:9 (NIV)
China is definitely a land of contrast and color! A land filled with beauty – not only in the awesomeness of its vast and seemingly ever-changing landscape as we traveled, but the beauty of the people captivated our hearts.
Across the land … Hearts are waiting …
In early May a small group from HK, UK and NZ traveled to Yunnan Province to run an English Program for 70 students. This program was sponsored by Asian Outreach - ActionLove ( China) Ltd. After traveling down the rugged roads and into the countryside for nearly 9.5 hours from the Province’s capital by mini-van, we were pleased when we finally arrived at the village. Roaming pigs greeted us on the street, and stares of curiosity from the village people, as we rolled out of the van. The village is located in a region, where most of the people belong to one of the Miao Ethnic Minority Groups (also known as the Hmong Daw). For them, it was the first time they had seen any westerners, so the three on our team were a novelty. For us, it was a wonderful privilege to spend and experience one week of observing their colorful village lifestyle. A lifestyle so vast and so different to ours!
Every Thursday is considered ‘Market Day,’ where many from the mountains come down to the village to buy goods, stocks and food for the week. The people came by the truckloads, they traveled by mule, ox and cart from the early hours of the morning … to buy and exchange their goods and stocks. On Friday the entire village was deserted – a day of rest after the busyness of their trading day!
The co-worker working with us informed us there are no known churches in the area. Pray for the work that they are doing in this region, it is never easy.
“… because you know that your labor
in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Cor 15:58 (NIV)
Upon my return home to HK, I read in ‘Operation China’ that there is a traditional Hmong rhyme that says … “Over the western mountains of ten thousand cloud-capped crags and over the cliff, will be a paradise; over the peaks will be flourishing life.”
Indeed hidden among the mountains and valleys sits this tiny village! A village with people who enjoy the simplicity of life around them! A people who’s hearts are waiting, longing and aching … Pray that the people will indeed come to know and experience the Living Water of Life!
Speak out for love … to save the children
We praise God for the time we had with the students. Upon arrival applause and the smiling faces of many students that attend the school greeted us. The school has a roll of 1,200 students – many from the mountains, where they stay and live in dormitory rooms with up to 10-12 people. The teachers told me that for most of the students, the reality in life for them is to continue to work on the farmlands once they leave school. There would only be a handful of students that share a dream – a dream to leave their farmlands and to study at a university in a city – to be a Journalist or to be an English Teacher!
I was asked upon my return to HK, whether it was worth our time to run an English Program for the students in the village! For us in the West, we have a lot of privileges that are taken for granted in front of us. We never see the benefits or values of it!
The week at the school, we created a fun environment for the students to be exposed to learning English in a creative way – through a variety of games, activities and songs. Importantly though, we were reminded that we are God’s instruments – bearing His light, expressing His love to the students and to the teachers. As one teacher commented to us, “You are always happy and I can see that you have a love for our students”. Another teacher actually asked us if we were Christians and he said that ”Only Christians would come all this way to do a program for their students.” I was very touched by what they said!
“I have made you known to them, and will
continue to make you known in order
that the love you have for me may be in them and
that I myself may be in them.”
John 17:26 (NIV)
 It is always a challenge when running these programs/camps, regardless in the Mainland or in Hong Kong! There are always its moments, its frustrations, its disappointments … but I am always reminded that if we manage to touch one heart, one life, then we have made a difference – for Him! We are all called to be salt and light of this world. What we do is all for Him and about Him. It’s never about ourselves – doing it in our own strength, in our own way, or what we want to achieve!
Therefore, in answering the question … “Is it worth our time to run an English Program for the students in the village?” I would answer YES. These students will never have the opportunity to be exposed to speaking English, or to learn about other countries and culture. So through our actions – we trust that we were indeed Jesus’ hands, His feet … bearing His light and love to the students and teachers. This is what ActionLove is about – expressing His ‘love’ through our ‘actions’.
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