Beijing Mission Trip 2008 - Planting Seeds
Hey all!
Right, so I'm back from the most amazing week in Beijing with Church. It was unbelievable, soo much fun, so challenging, in ways I didn't expect, And I'm still trying to digest what happened, so forgive me if I don't go into too much detail as it's going to be long enough just telling you what we did. Let alone what I learnt. Which was soooo much.
Ok. So Thursday.
We arrived late to The Care for Children Centre because our plane was delayed so we had a very late briefing and introduction. We were told we would be going to the Great Wall of China the next day. I almost burst into tears I was soo happy. It's been a dream for soo long and here it was being given to me on a plate. The Centre where we were staying was so nice, we were living in luxury to what we were expecting. we had camp beds and were sleeping in rooms of four. Some people were staying in a hotel nearby, so we had to walk for 5 mins in the cold for a shower. But who's complaining? I was expecting to smell very bad for a week.
Friday was amazing. We went to the Great Wall and it was so misty and there was still lots of snow left, so it was really atmospheric. It took my breath away. We walked along there for a while, and took lots and lots of photos. And the even more awesome thing, could it get any better... we tobogganed down from the Great Wall on like a shoot, and it wasn't even over quickly. oh my gosh, it was so much fun. That evening the Centre was hosting a Friday Night Live for the local youth where Mark Russell was speaking. He was a great speaker. We were basically serving there, I was serving drinks and many others were greeting. It was a really successful evening.
Playing Chinese Whispers!
Saturday was the Care For Children Carnival, which was so much fun. We were basically serving again, doing anything that was required, be it being a clown or Minnie Mouse or helping park, or face painting. I told you it was so much fun. In the evening we went to BCIF which is Beijing's biggest international church for a prayer meeting which was awesome. People were really filled with the Holy Spirit that evening.
Easter Sunday. The sun comes out. Back again to BCIF in a different location for another service where the Vine Band were leading worship. Was really fantastic meeting people from BCIF and sharing with them. In the afternoon most had free time but I was on the Drama team, so we rehearsed for the evening's event. Sunday night live. This was for all ages and the Vine (us) were leading it and Pastor John spoke. Was a great evening. The drama went really well. It seemed to really strike a chord with people. I was also really challenged that evening by praying for one of the guests. I really stuggle with praying out loud and would normally want to run for the hills. But I was in a situation where I felt I should just go for it. And it seemed to go well. You never know what seeds you plant and what the outcome is. That seems to be the theme of the whole mission trip.
Monday... up at 5.30 to go on a 3hr bus ride to the orphange. Unfortantely it took 4 and a half, and we had originally planned to leave at 1 because we needed to be back at the Centre for 4. Some people went back for the Jackie Pullinger event in the evening. I stayed on with most to spend more time with the children and we left at 3. We basically were playing with them and getting to know them. I won't be putting photos of the children on facebook as the orphanage specifcally asked for us not to, which is completely understandable. So unfortunately I can't show you photos of the Orphange. In the evening we went out for dinner which was yummy.
Tuesday. up again at 5.30 for another bus ride to the orphange. I got to spend a couple of hours with a baby called Siu Lo (I think, I can say it better than I can spell it) He had a cleft palette and was so adorable. I was holding him and singing to him until he fell asleep. Was so special.
Grossed out!
Then we went for lunch which was a very interesting experience. we were served dog. I was like no no I don't want to eat it, but I tried a bit. It turned my stomach. I don't recommend it. and I feel very very bad about it. In the afternoon we went back to the orphanage where as a group we sang to the orphanage. We learnt one in mandarin. They seemed to really enjoy it. Oh, the others knocked down a wall, so as a team we had to shift the bricks from one side of the courtyard to another. Was a great teamwork exercise.
Argentinian restaurant
In the evening, after another long bus ride we went to an Argentinian restaurant where lots of us ate some sheeps testicles. I had a very strange day. LOL. I felt like I was doing bush tucker trial. So guys deserve more credit.
Today, Weds. Most of us, (some stayed behind) went to Tiananmen square. Which was great. Was really great to actually to see Beijing city as the Centre was about an hour away from the city. Unfortanely by then my camera wasn't working. Then we went back for final debriefing and then it was off to the airport.
So, it's been an absolutely amazing week. It was completely different to what I expected and really changed my perception of a mission trip. We really built a great relationship with the people from Care for Children and the orphanage. Planting seeds as we all call it....
My favourite photo
Right, so I'm back from the most amazing week in Beijing with Church. It was unbelievable, soo much fun, so challenging, in ways I didn't expect, And I'm still trying to digest what happened, so forgive me if I don't go into too much detail as it's going to be long enough just telling you what we did. Let alone what I learnt. Which was soooo much.
Ok. So Thursday.
We arrived late to The Care for Children Centre because our plane was delayed so we had a very late briefing and introduction. We were told we would be going to the Great Wall of China the next day. I almost burst into tears I was soo happy. It's been a dream for soo long and here it was being given to me on a plate. The Centre where we were staying was so nice, we were living in luxury to what we were expecting. we had camp beds and were sleeping in rooms of four. Some people were staying in a hotel nearby, so we had to walk for 5 mins in the cold for a shower. But who's complaining? I was expecting to smell very bad for a week.
Friday was amazing. We went to the Great Wall and it was so misty and there was still lots of snow left, so it was really atmospheric. It took my breath away. We walked along there for a while, and took lots and lots of photos. And the even more awesome thing, could it get any better... we tobogganed down from the Great Wall on like a shoot, and it wasn't even over quickly. oh my gosh, it was so much fun. That evening the Centre was hosting a Friday Night Live for the local youth where Mark Russell was speaking. He was a great speaker. We were basically serving there, I was serving drinks and many others were greeting. It was a really successful evening.
Playing Chinese Whispers!Saturday was the Care For Children Carnival, which was so much fun. We were basically serving again, doing anything that was required, be it being a clown or Minnie Mouse or helping park, or face painting. I told you it was so much fun. In the evening we went to BCIF which is Beijing's biggest international church for a prayer meeting which was awesome. People were really filled with the Holy Spirit that evening.
Easter Sunday. The sun comes out. Back again to BCIF in a different location for another service where the Vine Band were leading worship. Was really fantastic meeting people from BCIF and sharing with them. In the afternoon most had free time but I was on the Drama team, so we rehearsed for the evening's event. Sunday night live. This was for all ages and the Vine (us) were leading it and Pastor John spoke. Was a great evening. The drama went really well. It seemed to really strike a chord with people. I was also really challenged that evening by praying for one of the guests. I really stuggle with praying out loud and would normally want to run for the hills. But I was in a situation where I felt I should just go for it. And it seemed to go well. You never know what seeds you plant and what the outcome is. That seems to be the theme of the whole mission trip.
Monday... up at 5.30 to go on a 3hr bus ride to the orphange. Unfortantely it took 4 and a half, and we had originally planned to leave at 1 because we needed to be back at the Centre for 4. Some people went back for the Jackie Pullinger event in the evening. I stayed on with most to spend more time with the children and we left at 3. We basically were playing with them and getting to know them. I won't be putting photos of the children on facebook as the orphanage specifcally asked for us not to, which is completely understandable. So unfortunately I can't show you photos of the Orphange. In the evening we went out for dinner which was yummy.
Tuesday. up again at 5.30 for another bus ride to the orphange. I got to spend a couple of hours with a baby called Siu Lo (I think, I can say it better than I can spell it) He had a cleft palette and was so adorable. I was holding him and singing to him until he fell asleep. Was so special.
Grossed out!
Argentinian restaurantIn the evening, after another long bus ride we went to an Argentinian restaurant where lots of us ate some sheeps testicles. I had a very strange day. LOL. I felt like I was doing bush tucker trial. So guys deserve more credit.
Today, Weds. Most of us, (some stayed behind) went to Tiananmen square. Which was great. Was really great to actually to see Beijing city as the Centre was about an hour away from the city. Unfortanely by then my camera wasn't working. Then we went back for final debriefing and then it was off to the airport.
So, it's been an absolutely amazing week. It was completely different to what I expected and really changed my perception of a mission trip. We really built a great relationship with the people from Care for Children and the orphanage. Planting seeds as we all call it....
My favourite photo posted by Jo Payne at
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