Angle

Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: On Campus

Media Credit: Rob Copenhaver Teaching in China [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Rob Copenhaver Team China [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Rob Copenhaver Team China [Click to enlarge]

In previous years, members of our student body have journeyed across the Pacific to Asia to serve in China.

Last year, the school traveled with Team China, an organization that goes into China to teach students English, which opened the door both to learn from and teach the Chinese students.

This year, however, the college helped out a different organization, Living Hope International. The goal of this year's team was to help minister to the needs of Living Hope International Orphanages by sharing with and encouraging the students and the workers.

The team included three faculty and staff members, Dr. and Mrs. Gary Smith and Dr. Craig Ralston, two alumni of Clearwater Christian College, and 25 students.

Meeting first in Clearwater for training, the team then left for Beijing, where they enjoyed two days of shopping, sightseeing, and relaxing, while jet-lag wore off. Then the team left Beijing for a four-hour ride to Vhao Xian.

The team ministered in Vhao Xian for about one week, helping out in the orphanage by painting the outside of the complex, helping out with children's clubs, playing games with the orphans and also teaching the orphans how to play some American board games.

Then the team was divided. Half of the team went to the Great Wall Training Center, about an hour outside of Beijing. They ministered played with the orphans, helped out with the children's clubs, and encouraged the workers to keep on going.

The other half of the team went to Fu Zhou, a town in the southeast coast of China, where they helped out with story-telling, played with the orphans, and enjoyed making friends with them and the orphanage leaders.

On the trip there were opportunities to share personal experiences with the Chinese people, especially the first week. The American group then communicated with their new friends as often as they could.
The second week, the team members were limited about when they could communicate individually with the people, but friendships were still made where communication might be possible in the future.

The last few days were dedicated to having fun and enjoying being in China. The team stayed in Beijing for their final days, sightseeing and shopping for souvenirs.

The team is thankful to be able to take trips such as these. Since our college is family, we can take these trips. Students interested in going on next year's trip can talk to Dr. Ralston or Dr. Smith.

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