Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/92

Contributor - Henry Algera

Title - My Summer With A Purpose

Topic - Missions

Travel Taiwan! Say hello to Hong Kong! Chinese cuisine at its tastiest! Have you had your summer with a purpose?

Does this advertisement come from a tour brochure specializing in the Orient? Does it sound like the vacation of a lifetime? Such an experience is offered, not by the leading and most competitive travel agency in our local shopping mall, but rather by our church - yes, our church. The Reformed Church in America, through Adult Volunteer Services directed by Miss Char Ten Clay in Orange City, Iowa, offers many opportunities to Christians looking to serve our Lord in a different culture and setting. It is truly a life-changing and fulfilling experience for those who wish to serve by volunteering some of their time. I have been blessed, and am therefore grateful, to have had the opportunity to serve the Lord not once, but twice in such settings as Taiwan and Hong Kong.

During the summer of 1990, I was assigned to serve in Taipei, Taiwan, on the Summer English Program (SEP) sponsored by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and the RCA. Similarly, during the summer of 1991, 1 served in Hong Kong on the Summer With a Purpose program (SWAP) sponsored by the RCA and the Hong Kong Christian Council. Not only do these two programs offer a fantastic and unique opportunity to visit completely different lands, culture and people, they allow the volunteers to grow in their relationship with our Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ and fellow Christians.

The SEP program in Taiwan is a special opportunity offered to university aged students who wish to enhance their English speaking skills, along with the other necessary components in English communication of listening, comprehension, writing and reading. For four weeks these students live on a peaceful, green campus located away from the noise, traffic and confusion of modern day city life. It is an ideal setting to introduce a caring Christian atmosphere characterized by love and peace. It is here that the volunteers offer their service by showing, through words and deeds, the Christian lifestyle of knowing and loving God. This sets them apart from the secular world and it is remarkable to see how this can influence those around them.

By attending SEP the student has an opportunity to communicate with native English speakers who serve as their teachers. The typical day for me, while serving in Taiwan, consisted of teaching English skills classes such as pronunciation, listening comprehension, writing, open discussion time, drama and role plays. The class size was ideal - only eight to ten students. This allowed for amazing progress in the students' abilities because they were allowed much direct contact with their teacher. More importantly, their continued contact with the teacher after class hours enhanced their progress. This is because we all lived together on campus, sharing dormitory rooms, meal times and free time for going on outings or visiting the countryside. A special bond develops among students themselves and with their teacher/friend that kindles a desire to know more about our Christian values. What better way to share these values but through singing songs, Bible discussions, social service activities in the community and introducing the students to worship and prayer which are the staples of Christian life!

The SEP service offers a three-fold opportunity. Firstly, since 75 to 80% of the students are non-Christian, it is a remarkably effective way to introduce people to our Lord Jesus Christ. Secondly, SEP allows those students from a Christian background to grow in a non-threatening Christian atmosphere. Thirdly, SEP offers a special opportunity to volunteers to grow in their own walk with God. While it is true that there are occasions when the cross-cultural differences seem unsurmountable and that details to events are lacking, these moments encourage the volunteer to look towards God for guidance and help. I can truly say that SEP taught me to rely more on God, to trust Him and to have faith that His Will will come to fruition here on Earth, whether I am working at home in Canada visiting friends elsewhere, or travelling abroad. I may play only a small role, but it is a very important part nevertheless. While I may have helped the students improve their English skills and helped introduce them to our Saviour Jesus Christ, they also taught me many lessons. They showed me the advantages of cultural diversity, the acceptance of all into our Lord's family, and the devoted commitment to serving our Lord despite oppressing situations faced by many Taiwanese, since the Presbyterian Church is not readily accepted in this one party state.

These lessons were reinforced a year later in Hong Kong. SWAP is another fascinating program where young people are introduced to the love of our Heavenly Father. The SWAP program is similar to SEP in that the students can enhance their English skills through special contact with native English speakers. This too is done through a non-threatening, caring Christian environment. We all lived together in the New Territories for four weeks where we ate, worked, studied, played and served as a Christian community. SWAPers (as they prefer to call themselves) are introduced to Christianity through daily Faith and Life lessons taught by extremely capable Chinese counsellors. With these same counsellors, the volunteer teacher is paired to make a strong teaching team. The most noticeable difference is the age of the students. The SWAPers are between 14 and 16 years of age. The teenage years are the formative and testing years of our value systems and there is, arguably, no better time to introduce Christianity and the love of God than when teenagers are growing up physically, emotionally and spiritually. The SWAPers have a level of excitement and motivation that is challenging to work with. While at times the volunteer may feel totally exhausted (I certainly did in the regular summer heat of 33'C and in the high humidity), God gives us strength to go on and do our best.

It is fulfilling to do social service projects with the SWAPers such as working with mentally handicapped citizens or helping the elderly in a senior citizen's home. It is uplifting to see open questioning of the Christian faith so as to have a better understanding of life. Indeed, a special English assignment that the SWAPers completed was writing a letter to God. It gave me the privilege to see some special personal thoughts of young people; and some are very confused in the hectic and busy life of Hong Kong. It made me reflect upon the situation of similar students right here in Canada. This showed me that being a Christian does not end after the Sunday morning worship service, but rather continues from day to day and that we should help others by encouraging them to Jesus Christ; and that it is important to trust in God's strength which comes to you in prayer.

A second source of strength can also come from seeing God's creation and living actively in it. Both Hong Kong and Taiwan are beautiful lands of many colours, tastes and sounds. Indeed, when visitors start talking about my experiences there, the photo albums are opened and many stories are told. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to visit and photograph different countries of mountains, oceans, farms, cities and people. I am also thankful that I had an opportunity to make many new friends; hopefully these friendships will last a lifetime. I am thankful to have played a role in developing my students' English skills it's rewarding to see their progress. I am thankful for serving the Lord in a special way and in a special setting. However, I am most thankful for learning to trust Him in all situations no matter how trying they may be; and to thank Him for His endless blessings that He showers upon us. He truly gave me two summers with a purpose.

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