Anhui

My anhui mission trip was too short. I only spent 10 days in Hanshan, Anhui. On the very first day, i was very nervous. As i walked down the rows in the assembly room, i can see their smiles and i smiled back and all my worries vanished. :) Over the next few days, i bonded with most of the students and during each lunch time, Auntie Lily, Francis, and I would take a few students out to eat lunch with them. Because China is still picky about evangelism, our only way to really reach out to the students were to spend time outside of school with them and share illegally. We had lunch at UES for the next few days and yea it was very boring eating at the same place over and over again, but it was all worth it. While other classes were getting some "fishes", Francis and I had students that would never ask in depth about our lives in the church. It was very discouraging knowing that we lost our chance. As the trip went on, i told my mother how the students werent responding the way i wanted them to. She told me that it is okay, atleast we planted seeds in them, and one day when it is time, God will work through them. So finally after praying and praying, on the last day i had 8 students from my class accept Christ. 3 of them were from my table where Rachel and i shared the Gospel in broken Chinese. Peter, Claudia, and Harry entered our family by the end of lunch. Over at Francis's table, 5 students accepted Christ. I learned that it is all in God's power to do all this, and when it is time, He will lead these students. Our trip in Hanshan ended too soon. Right when i was getting to know these students on a deeper level, we had to all leave. The last day, many students came to the hotel to send us off. It was very heart breaking to see them cry and not knowing when is the next time you can see them or even write an email to them. My eyes were uber puffy from crying and i couldnt bear to look at their tear stained faces as the bus pulled away from the city. Some of the students even ran after our bus to wave goodbye. Even till now, i still wish i was in Hanshan. A piece of me will forever remain in that little suburban city.