I used to define a holiday or trip abroad by a certain category. Eg. the buzz from participating in well-organized itinerary, the magnitude of the breath-taking scenery or even the company/fellowship with bossom buddies whom I undertake the journey with.
The least to say, the past 2 weeks had been inspirational, and got me questioning about my personal aspirations for the future, mine versus God's. It was not just another missionary trip to China, not just another trip to help the poor and under-privileged and not just another opportunity to gawk at the dedication of these overseas missionaries. After all the hair-raising adrenalin pumping thrill-seeking moments in Australia, this trip was perhaps just the respite I needed.
We met several (if not too many) memorable folk along our travels who struck a chord within us, unwittingly without this knowledge.
Sammy and Dadai. The missionary couple from the Philippines who taught us that language is never a barrier even it comes to evangelism. Living in a remote village far away in the mountains, they get by everyday by communicating with the local villagers using a few sentences of chinese dialect which even I don't understand. It puts a Singaporean-born chinese girl like me to shame really. For all the 4 rigorous years of chinese tuition I've had, their spoken mandarin beats me, hands down. The family of 4 live on the timely donations to support their financial needs, depending so much on God's grace and daily provision.
Dr Warren Choi (Bottom photo, furthest left), an American-korean missionary (Ding Ding Ding!!) who taught us that it needed much reliance on God, faith and perseverance for the sake of others to become a missionary. He entered medical school at the age 41 after deciding that being a public epidemiologist just wasn't practical enough to reach out to the people in terms of improving the local healthcare. Respect.
The disabled teenagers from Wazhu tribe, Cangyuan, who taught me that although Life deals you with an unfair card, you can still be happy and contented with who you are.
Mr Xu An Biao, a victim of a gas explosion, who enlightened us that the most direspectful thing you could do to a disabled person, was to offer them help without letting them help themselves.
Miss Zhang Ching, a young lady who overwhelmed us with her gentleness and meekness from within, despite her disfigured face. (Which was corroded by acid, due to an unfortunate incident inflicted by her sister's boyfriend, who was sent behind the bars for 3 months. And you're probably thinking: 3 months?!?!)
Dr Tan Laiyong and family who inspired us to be little missionaries no matter where we are.
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