China Wrap-Up

(Note: most blog entries have been written by co-leader Connie Morgan; this one is written by her husband Garry, aka “Dr. Morgan.”)

Farewell to conversations with Chinese university students, crowded subways and Costa Coffee. Saying “goodbye” is hard, and learning to leave well is an important skill the internship tries to develop. We were surprised at how hard it can be even after just two weeks.

We spent our last full day in China on a bus outing to the cities of Yangzhou and Zhenjiang. The first is where Hudson Taylor and his team settled in 1862. The house they lived in is still standing, although it is in very poor condition. Did Taylor and his colleagues have any idea of the legacy they would leave behind? Probably not, at the time. But because they persevered through tremendous difficulties a tree was planted that continues to bear fruit. With historical hindsight it was moving to reflect on what took place in that building. We stand on broad shoulders.

Zhenjiang was the childhood home of Pearl Buck, born to missionary parents and the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature (in 1938). The house is well-maintained as a museum and contains most of the original furniture. Zhenjiang is also where Hudson Taylor is buried. As we stood in front of his tombstone, the ELIC (English Language Institute – China) country director told us that there are over 100 Chinese universities on a waiting list for ELIC teachers (three in Nanjing alone), but they don’t have enough personnel to meet the demand. He reminded us that Jesus did not command his followers to pray for finances or opportunities, but rather to pray for laborers. Truly, the harvest is plentiful and the need for workers is great.

Friday morning we flew from Nanjing to Guangzhou (historically, Canton). Then after a four-hour flight delay, on to Bangkok. More on Thailand to come soon.

Hudson Taylor's Home in Yangchou, China

Three Self Church (Government Approved)

Solemnly Commemorating Confucius

Team at Hudson Taylor's Home