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Welcome to the 2010 SOTA
China Service and Study Tour
site
See our youtube channel. We are posting videos all the time! http://www.youtube.com/sotachinajournal  ___________________________________  Seed Thoughts by Monika Scheffe Seed....it is liberally scattered upon my life. Its tiny body conceals mysterious potential to transform my soul, to change the world. Simple seed. But seed is picky. It won’t just thrive in any old soil. Given hard-packed, cross your arms, don’t-even-try-me soil, it’s doomed as prey for hungry predators. One moment dropped, another moment snatched. Neither will seed thrive in soft soil, receptive on the surface, but hard and rocky just beneath...a hostile and choking environment for tender developing roots. Seed dies in the shallow, crowded heart, aware of itself and oblivious to others. Seed dropped among pushy shouting competitors may grow for a time, but will surrender to the hungry consumption of cares driven by the next “very cheaper” deal. It dies in a heart filled with needless gadgets and bling. Only deeply broken soil is receptive to fresh seed, tenderized by disappointment, failure and pain. Absent friends, failed attempts, hurtful words, selfish actions and broken promises moisten the hard heart, its sharp buried rocks dashed to pieces by the brutal pick of grief. This compost feeds the earth of the receptive heart under siege. Here, a certain harvest is guaranteed, where falling seed finds a welcome home, watered by tears of humiliation, tears of regret, tears of sorrow. Encountering China’s people and culture shed welcome light on this fallow garden of mine, a place of quiet barrenness, of things yet to be, things not yet conceived. Our experiences have repeatedly emphasized the value of a single life—an orphan, a villager, a prostitute. One rich garden, I realize, will host the seed of a glorious return. May my heart’s soil be tenderized and receptive. May each of us allow ourselves to be broken by all that we aren’t, all that we haven’t achieved, by every crushing failure—all vital nutrients for the tiny gift of falling seed, seed falling as snow all around us, about us, upon us, each day of our lives. China, America, Tacoma, me. You? _____________________________________
 Common Thread By Katie Chester I’m adopted…it may just be two words but this thought has made a huge impact throughout my eighteen years. When I found out that I was adopted, I was too young to really understand the definition of the word. But now that I’m older, there are so many questions running through the labyrinth of my mind that may never be answered. I don’t know who my parents were and maybe never will and it’s become such a powerful vein that thumps beneath my skin. I’ve even had dreams where I meet them but their faces are blurred and they accept me and then I wake up knowing that it was just a dream. I will always have the question, ‘did my mother even think about –or even consider keeping me? Or loving me?’ rattling through my mind. I even think sometimes of trying to find her but am scared to know the truth. Seeing the children in the foster home made me contemplate that they, too, are destined to be adopted to good families. But what struck me the most was that they would be abandoned with heart problems and no one to take care of them. If New Day didn’t exist, these children who have been given a second chance might never have received it. I really envy these children because they have been through so much but they stay strong and fight their battles from the inside, never giving up. They always have smiles on their faces, their eyes turning to crescents every time they see you. I felt especially attached to Regan. She is exactly like me when I was that age and we bonded easily together. 
 The Importance of
Friends
By Emily KageyI was challenged by Lamma Island. While I was in Hong Kong we went on a boat to Lamma Island, which has a small village, filled with shops and restaurants. It is an older village – very different from the big skyscrapers in downtown Hong Kong. It was an opportunity to see another kind of lifestyle in China. After arriving at the dock we walked to the village and did a little bit of shopping. Then we started a hike on a path that went over to the other side of the island. It took about 90 minutes to walk across the island. Some parts of the path were shady but mostly it was sunny and hot. The view was amazing of the water and hillsides. As we were walking, I began to feel like I was slowing down more and more. It was so hot. I have epilepsy and I started to worry that I might have a seizure. I was getting really, really hot. A lot of the path was pretty steep. My legs were getting tired. I was sweating. I started to cry because I was worried. I didn’t know what to do. Elizabeth was a little bit ahead of me. She saw that I was crying and she asked if I was okay. “I’m getting really, really hot. I don’t think I’ve been this hot before.” Elizabeth took my purse to carry and she offered me the water she had left in her bottle. Monika and Katie joined Elizabeth and they helped me find a shady place to sit and gave me more water to drink. I was still scared that I might have a seizure until my Dad came back to where I was and told me that it was okay and I probably wouldn’t have a seizure. I was really upset. I started to calm down. It was good to have my friends around to encourage me. It is good to try something new especially when your friends are around to encourage you. I made it to the other side of the island because my friends supported me. I’ve learned a lot in China about the importance of friends.
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 Making Connections By Josie Campbell It's been really interesting having all the experiences we've
had in China so far, like seeing the Forbidden City and the Temple
of Heaven. But I think that the more important things are how
we interact with the Chinese, the foster kids, and each other. I've
been thinking more about human interaction, and my own
experiences in that way since we've been here. It's
really fascinating to notice how important recognition and
appreciation are to people. It's important for the language
students to be appreciated for working so hard and studying
English so intensely, and for the foster kids to be given love and
attention, and for us to include each other and help each other in
so many different ways. I like seeing that happen in other people,
and I've noticed how important it is for me as well, to feel
included and wanted in the group. I think that helping other people
experience these feelings helps us to feel them too, and that's a
very important part of human life as a whole. It's important for us
to recognize the differences in cultures and customs, because it
can help us find answers to problems that are created from these
differences. But it is just as important for us to connect with
each other, and see beyond the differences in our lifestyles.
Sometimes noticing the differences can help us see the
similarities, and that is where the connection that is
so valuable comes from.
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 Home By Jimmi Cook What is the definition of home? According to the dictionary the definition of home is as follows: a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household. My definition of home was where my family was. So my definition and the dictionary's definition agree. Before I went to China, I felt my home was where my needs and wants were fulfilled. My home was packed full with belongings I really didn’t need, for example, clothes, IPods, video games, T.V. etc. My attachment to my belongings was a security blanket in my eyes, which seemed at the time inseparable. That soon changed when I entered the home of an elderly Chinese couple. This couple basically had nothing but each other and goats. Seeing how little they had and listening to their story was my revelation. They never left the village they live in now. That means everything they felt, learned, and did was in that tiny village. No stuff, nothing to tie them down, nothing to distract them from their emotions. Shockingly, I loved it. Seeing them free from the security of possessions was an awaking for me. I was finally able to consider a future with out the crutch of material things. My definition of home has gown as follows: A place where one can grow physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally without dependence on the security blanket of material wealth.
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 Sinking In By Ryan Norton I have met many generous and unforgettable people on this journey. Friendships here come in forms you would never find back in the states. It's amazing how fast you can bend the line between saying hello for the first time to hugging every chance you get. I feel so connected to this place, the drive of the people, and their diverse stories. The simplicity of life here has also impacted me greatly. I have become so enthralled with the necessities in life that I haven't had time to think about the trivial emergencies that come with a western lifestyle. My time has been spent helping others, and thinking about the ones close to my heart, and I have really enjoyed this new outlook. There have been a few defining moments of my trip. First, the realization of all things selfish, brought to me in the form of a story told with deep conviction and passion on the foundation of its success; the story of New Day Creations. Another moment came to me while loving on the children at the New Day foster home. I have worked with little children in the past at my mom’s alternative school, but I've always felt so awkward and disconnected with them. The dividing line tumbled down around me as I was feeding one of the kids at the foster home, and was told his story. This particular boy had a lot of medical issues and trauma, ultimately leaving him with no legs. The nannies at the foster home have had a hard time getting him to interact with people or to eat much. When I gave him attention he was so alive, his bright small eyes lit up his face and his laugh was unforgettable. He ate four dumplings and a bowl of soup that day. This trip has held many milestones for me, and each moment has come in the most unexpected of ways. I realize that searching is not always the answer. Sometimes you need to work hard and let the stones fall into place. There are many more moments like this, and each one has redefined something within me. -Ryan Norton _________________________________________________  This is Faith By Ellie Deatherage In the past few years I have been struggling with my faith. I came to the conclusion this year that I just didn’t belong to a religion and I didn’t think much more of it. In all honesty I was so sick of organized religion. The thought of how hypocritical and judgmental it was made anger well up inside my chest, the kind that comes before hot tears of frustration. In my opinion Jesus would’ve hated his followers – all they do is point fingers and preach their skewed interpretation of the “word of God”. All those big churches with no time for their suffering people who yearned for answers, just really turned me off to faith. It couldn’t be real when the fruit of its teachings were sour and spoiled. You could say I was jaded, or you could say I lost touch with God. Sometimes I would think about faith and hope- that things happen for a reason, but then family members would remind me that it all was just a big competition of how righteous you are. I would sit back and smirk while they would bat around verses and theories. It had never occurred to me that things could be different – that maybe there were other ways that Christians acted…. Then I went to New Day. It snowed which was beautiful, but I hadn’t felt a shift within me at all. Nothing was different. The third day was orientation. New Day’s coordinator talked to us about how she ended up here. I literally have been searching my vocabulary for a whole day and I can’t find the words to describe how this story made me feel. She talked about how she ended up here by chance. She was touring, just like us, really loved it and a job opportunity opened up right in front of her. She knew no Chinese but instantly felt this pull…this need…she just knew. Immediately I felt tears roll down my cheeks. This is what you see in movies – this is what I had been so jaded about – this is faith. Hers was one of many miracles to happen here at New Day; in fact, New Day itself was a miracle. She explained to us that this land was thought to be haunted. All the villagers thought so and no one would buy it. Teenagers came here to commit suicide, but an elderly village man prayed on the property everyday. He told everyone that someday foreigners would live here and prosper in whatever they did – sure enough here it is--a very successful foster home, language school, and business. All of it was built on faith. The fire was rekindled inside of me. Maybe there was a God after all…days passed and I pondered these things. I never told anyone my discovery because I myself was still trying to grasp it. Here I was studying abroad searching for life, and then suddenly it hit me. I have never felt such perfect timing. I was meant to come here. This was meant to happen. I’m not saying I am Christian, but simply that I believe. New Day was built on faith alone. They are true followers of Christ. They are helping the poor and the sick, the children and the elderly. God has rewarded them so deeply for their service, and I completely see it. I never thought I’d find faith, but how could anyone not see it here - the true beauty of faith and love. So here I am starting down a road I never thought I’d take.
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 Breaking By Alex Hart In my life I find myself constantly self-evaluating. At home, there are two questions always on my mind: Do I get the best grades I can get, and how well do I play music. Leaving the country to a place with a very diverse culture does not keep me from evaluating. Ten times I feel like my answers to these questions become how I find my identity. Already this trip has completely turned that identity on its head. I left those questions behind in America and and over the first few days here I began to develop new ones. I began focusing on what I have around me: the relationships within our team, how I treat the people surrounding me, and how I am impacted by faith. Answering these new questions has had a profound impact on me. I love playing music and it will always be a part of my life, but I don't ever want it to be the sole reflection of who I am. I will always work hard in school, but I never want grades to be a written perception of me. I have encountered so many amazing stories of faith here at new day. Each person I meet who works here has an incredible testimony of how God has provided for them during times when they have followed their faith blindly. Caroline talked about how she left a whole life behind in America in order to come here and serve those in need where she didn't even speak the language. All of these ridiculous circumstances have been so moving to me. It has opened my eyes to how shallow and materialistic my problems are at home. I hope this is a perception I will take back with me. No longer do I want to fill my life with all the 'fluff' that constantly distracts us. I see how simply people live here, and how full their hearts are. Yesterday I had the opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with Monika. We talked about some of the undercurrents that have shaped my life. Exploring some of the darker parts of my past is definitely not comfortable, but opening up has had some profound results. She brought up the parable of the farmer sowing seed and told me that in order to have good soil in your life you must be broken. I feel like I'm breaking. Both by this new experience and the way it sheds light on old ones.
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 Converting Perception by Elizabeth Burns When one travels to a foreign country one might expect to be immediately drawn into the local way of life. There are no such assumptions in China. Only now that a week has passed do I feel in motion with the Chinese. My weekends are filled with sightseeing and the weekdays are spent at New Day. I've worked with medically challenged children in the foster home and students learning English at the language school. It is with these students (ages ranging from 16-39) that I feel the most affected. English is my mother tongue and as such I did not realize how difficult a language it is to master. When in the classroom teaching them to differentiate between "author" and "other", no embarrassment or shame exists. It is just education and pronunciation. A bond forms when the communication is limited. You learn to depend on basic human ways to convey commonalities. Unlike many foreigners I find it extremely easy to communicate with the Chinese youth despite the immense language barrier. I understand them and am always engaged in a flowing conversation one on one or with a large group. Their way of life varies greatly from my own routine and I find it fascinating. Life is so simple here. There is no drama, no extra finishings. It is just your home, your village, and your education. As such much interdependence exists, everyone is family and trust is a given. They are connected to the earth in a way that we, as Americans, are not. All essentials are within walking distance and the people provide the entertainment. Love is their nature and I feel its radiating warmth when they are near. For example, the essence of a name is unique in China. In America, the meaning of a name is hardly researched before it is given. The sound and popularity are a very great influence. In this opposing Asian culture the definition is key. It is the sole reason for giving a name. For instance, Daniel's Chinese name means "smile" due to the fact that his parents wished him to live a happy life. Her husband gave Annie, a thirty-year-old native, her English name while they were dating. In China, being given an English name is an immense gift, as if a gateway to the international world where English language thrives. She wishes to name her future child with an appellation meaning "rain" because she met her husband in it. Here names are passed down by generation and you are identified by your last name first. Your kin stays with you throughout life and heritage is greatly honored. The utter and pure love that emits from these people is entirely intoxicating. I’ve begun to seek this comfort. Realistically, one cannot instantaneously rearrange life’s agenda and pursue a deeper connection with the earth. In order to start this process I’ve begun to examine elements within my life. Simplicity, I have found is crucial to life in China, and will remain essential to my life every day from now on. ______________________________________________________   One Smile By Molly Deutsch I always thought it was sort of cliché when I was told one trip could change your life forever or when asked which event really defined me as a person. Before this week I never felt I really had an answer for this. I would try and think of some big life-changing event but I always felt my answers were cheesy and I was just fumbling. But the moment I held Chloe in my arms everything really did seem to change. Chloe is a two-year-old orphan living at the New Day Foster Home in Beijing, China. She is small and cute with a mess of dark hair on her head. She has big brown eyes and a smile that makes everything in the world for that moment seem perfect. Just by looking at her you never would have known that she was born with her bladder on the outside of her body and that her hips were not aligned properly for her to walk. There were no doctors in all of China that understood her problem or were willing to operate on her. Luckily they found a doctor in Hong Kong that was capable of doing the surgery. Today Chloe is like any other toddler her age, bursting with energy. On the first morning I played with Chloe she really loved going down the slide, being tossed in the air, and being tickled. However, later that afternoon when I came back and picked her up to hold her in my arms, she would not let go. If I tried to set her down she would stare at me with her small arms outreached asking to be held. I would just pace around the room and point out the window. She seemed so content and happy with me cradling her in my arms. I was surprised that afternoon because she did not want to be tickled or go down the slide; she just wanted to stay with me the whole time. When it was time for me to leave I finally sat her down, and as soon as she realized I was really leaving, she began to scream and cry. The next morning when I walked in the room her face instantly filled with light and a smile appeared across her face. Sadly, in a few days I will have to leave and I will probably never see her again. It is strange to think about—saying goodbye to someone who has become so important in such a short time. How do you prepare yourself for something so tragic and yet inevitable? I realize that I simply have to put these thoughts out of my mind and focus on the present. I can’t really decide if this is a good way to handle my feelings or not, but I have come to realize the thing that makes me happiest is making other people smile. One smile can change a life. _____________________________________________________  OPEN ENDED By Ryan Norton Ever since I came to China, I have been relieved of all of the trivial issues that previously filled my mind at night. I have slept hard, and woken up with lots of energy. I have drive and focus, and I haven’t been able to find such a balance until now. I feel that even the way I have presented myself and carried myself in the past is not relevant, and will not be when I return. I have been in China for almost a full week. I have seen many things so far; gone to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Lamma temple, Temple of Heaven, Pearl market, and Olympic Village. All of these things were great and it was nice to experience and learn about the history of each. But now my focus is on why I really came here. Monday morning we encountered something I don’t think any of us had in the forefront of our minds, and it took us by surprise and impacted us greatly. We realized that the previous days would mean nothing to our travel and that the real experience would be followed by a series of stories about how New Day Creations was founded and achieved success. A story of people who don’t have anything. A story of people whose lives collided and changed forever. A story about hope. A story about a vision. A story about compassion. A story about a second chance. I believe in order to truly experience a culture you must surrender yourself completely in the hands of the culture, the hearts of the people, the conviction of the tradition, and the hardships of your fellow human being. I have explored the concept of erasing the line between “us and them.” How are we any different from these people? The only differences are formed by the gaps in geography, the oppression of government, hardships, celebration, and culture. Inside we are all human. I would like to leave this blog open ended because my own thoughts are still forming, and I wish for yours to, as well. Experience everything. Question everything. And live life.
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 I Walk by Lance Kagey It's cold. Cold is a relative term. I pull on my practical shoes over my fat wool socks and head out into the courtyard. I walk. Most dwellings here in the outskirts of Beijing are behind walls. Little courtyards or walled entryways lead to interior rooms in this impoverished village. Poor is a relative term as well, but a think that from what my eyes dissect, it is subsistence living for a majority of the smiling worn faces I meet in the village. The snow crunches beneath my feet. Cars don't have the same sense of caution as they do in the states. They pass me on the narrow road invading my personal space. They honk not out of frustration but just as a form of communication. My breath freezes to the scarf around my face. A lace-edged sheet of ice hangs over a stretch of the irrigation ditch beside our road. Dry corn stalks stand and bow across a field. A small huddled community of sheep stand with their shepherd, foraging. A bicycle-cart-man grinds by on his way to the market. In a grove of gray whistling trees a herd of vans and carts welcome us with crazy collections of things for sale. Things. I can't identify much of what I see - spices maybe, meat of some kind, hardware supplies, stacks of coal. Every step creates a new memory. Here I pass under an archway, a gateway made of painted metal sheeting and erector set angle iron - now rusting and tattered, sagging - its greeting less jubilant than when it once stood shiny and clean, a courteous welcome for visitors to this village. Apparently, I've walked out through the "in" door. But once I'm on the other side of this gateway there is no sense of arrival. There is a savory beauty in the rugged patina of a well-worn street scene. Hard packed dirt makes a practical surface. I walk. |