Shenyang Trip

Shenyang Immersion Trip

Hi, its been a long time since I've last post, almost two weeks already! Maybe some updates would do fine, yeah? Well, about the trip, I really didn't know what to expect from it and after it I don't exactly know if I've done enough of what I needed to do there, but I thank God for it nonetheless. The trip was actually much more pleasant and enjoyable than I expected it to be, at first. I feel I've gained much experience and insights about this place called China. And the warm hospitality demostrated by every single chinese we came across has impressed upon my heart very deeply. I can hardly forget their kindness and am very grateful to them.

Okay so, about 23 students and 2 teachers went on an exchange programme with Liaoning Shen Shiyan High School in Shenyang, China from the 31st October to 9th November. The one thing I dread about Shenyang was the weather- cos it was really freezingly cold- and I was very much unprepared for that kind of weather. The clothes I brought were suitable for maybe sub 10 degrees temperature, but apparently the temperature dropped 10 degrees in just one day. It gave me a bad cold and I ended up in bed for about 2 days of the trip. Haha, and being sick in China is no pleasant an experience. The medical facilities of China are certainly not too good, so they only have public hospitals and no private clinics. The only thing the doctors know how to do is to send you for a blood test, for x-ray and put you on drip even though you may just be having a flu. Haha. My friend almost kana that when he went to the hospital. But I wisely refused to visit the hospital even though I was kinda suffering in bed. So it was quite scary, especially if you fell badly ill, there aint many options available. But twice I fell ill, first when I arrived, second when I was about to leave, the Lord has been faithful and God really healed me speedily. I certainly can testify of that, cos it really was quite real.

Oh. Anyway, we spent most of our time during the day in the chinese classrooms, listening to their lessons. (More to share on this later) During the night, which apparently starts at about 5-6pm when the sky becomes totally dark, we supposedly have our own freetime. There was a few places we went for sightseeing, the places that impressed me most were the 918 memorial hall, Da Shuai Fu. Most of the tourist attractions of the place had to do with the Japanese occupation as Japan occupied the Northeastern parts of China for about 14 years during world war II. There were two days we put up in our hosts family's house as they brought us to tour Shenyang for the two days.

During the 2 day homestay the reason I felt their hospitality was warm was because their whole family was rather enthusiastic in welcoming me into their home. Their parents treated me much like their own son and they certainly did a great job in making sure I was well fed- cos I really ate alot those two days. Converesly, I reflected on how indifferent I was towards the china guest sometime earlier this year and I felt rather ashamed. Forgive me for making a bold generalisation, but I feel singaporeans are too puffed up, sometimes to the point of looking down on other people. And yes, as Darrell shared yesteday at bible study, humility is what Christians could be identified with. One thing I am thankful for was that God has really taken care of me in the midst of a foreign and strange land, and has kept me in good hands through this stay. Also when I was ill, the people whom God sent in my way to minister to me were many and I felt so blessed.

Honestly, there's nothing to shop for at shenyang, so pardon me if I didn't get anything for you people. Especially during the winter season. I barely spent about 200 yuan there and most of it went to food. So I didnt manage to buy anything there. Haha, suprisingly.

In the classes, we spent a great deal of time listening to their lessons but just a little time for interaction. But on the last night before we are going to leave, they held a farewell party for us. It was really sweet and kinda miss those faces that we've stared at for the past week (esp when we can't understand what they're teaching during lessons) Oh, the best part was that 3 of us had to sing a few songs for the whole class. Guess how embarassed I was. Thankfully the choice of songs were those singapore songs so it wasnt that bad. And.. guess they really treasure "international friendship" as some call it, cos I'm still receiving emails from them even now! Haha. Anyway, through the class and homestay, think I've left much contacts and made many new friends in china. Oh, the guy who partner-ed me during lessons was this Korean guy who came to china to study. He was quite charming as he looked really like a korean. Haha. I think I would love to visit them again, but prefably not in the cold weather. Heh.

Think the fruits of this trip didn't come in a physical sense but rather, me having a whole new perspective towards China and its people. True, I've witnessed a side of China which still strongly advocates for nationalistic and communist ideologies. With strong propaganda being the very means of tuning the minds of their youths into nationalistic, hardworking chinese. Through interactions, I've realised the chinese believe greatly in hardwork and dilligence, which is good, but in order that they can become a strong nation that will not be looked down by others. One example was that my host mentioned that the chinese advanced quickly in science and technology so that they would not be looked down or humiliated by the Japanese as in the world war II. Think theres alot of pride and identity that the chinese have towards their "Homeland", which perhaphs the government is afraid would be watered down by the spread of Christianity. I used to have this impression that the chinese were mainly superstitious and mainly buddhist or taoists, but now, they self-profess themselves to be atheist who have little time for religion because they spend their whole life working hard and striving for more and more achievements. "If one doesnt excel in his studies, he will be looked down by everyone" A quote from my host, haha. But its clearly reflected in a mondays to friday schooldays starting from 730am to 920pm. The chinese certainly didn't have time for anything except studying! With this generation of chinese become like the self-sufficient people we see all around the world today who reject Christ because they pride themselves in all they do? Will the desire for eternal treasures of life in Christ be able to overcome the earthly desires they have? Yet praise God, I've also witnessed a side of the chinese of such love, care and kindness that makes me question why would these people be lost to eternity? The Lord burden our hearts for the souls of the chinese.

The trip has certainly left a deep impression in my heart. The importance of the chinese language cannot be neglected just as China cannot be neglected.