Glory’s Journaling Thoughts in Amsterdam and Madrid Mission Trip

 

April 17, 2003

     We finally arrived in Amsterdam and I am jet lagged. Bad decision, to stay up and watch both movies on the airplane. Well, we had our first day completed today. We got to meet the people at the church in Amsterdam. They are all incredibly nice people. What is interesting is that most of them have been living in Amsterdam for 20+ years. This is surprising, I never even would have imagined Chinese people in Amsterdam. I am blown away on how nice this city looks. Its not as dirty as I had stereotyped it. Yes, there are the girls in the windows and the air smells a bit funny, but you can completely stay away from it if you wanted to. What is amazing is the architecture and the canals with boats. In a way, this city reminds me of San Francisco. The culture here is awesome. People are just relaxing on the sidewalks, in cafes, or just walking around. No one looks like they are in a hurry because they are just chilling (you can edit this out Stephen). =) So the sun goes down at 9 PM….sometimes at 11 PM. I wonder what I would be able to do with this back in LA. It amazes me how these people know nothing about the US. They don’t even know where Canada is from LA. Anyways, tomorrow we will begin our 1^st day of medical consultations although Dr. Wong saw 3 patients already today. I hope that I can take a part in it. By the way, the churches here are dead. There are a lot of beautiful church buildings but because this generation of people went to church only because of their parents, they stopped going after their parents passed away. Thus, churches here have been turned into museums and are not places of worship anymore. It is scary how America can soon be like this, unless the youth these days pick up Christianity for themselves.

April 18

            I am far from ready to be on the mission field. I never had such a hard time getting the gospel out today. Two thoughts: 1) I do not practice it enough. 2) I have not prepared myself well for this trip. I met this man name Cory who had so many questions. I was fumbling my way through the Bible. I felt like when I was put on the spot, I choked. I wonder why God uses the most unequipped people sometimes. Well, other than that, I had a good time today with Andrew and Daniel. We went to Burger King afterwards and just chatted. We had such a busy day: 9-12 medical consultation, 1-5 same. 7-9 good Friday service. I don’t really feel that I’m doing anything especially during service because all I do is film and take pictures. I am trying to assist Dr. Wong as much as possible with patient care. We saw 40 + patients today and experienced some interesting health problems. Overall, it went smoothly. People are in such a huge need for good health care here. Holland provides health care to everyone but they have bad doctors. Lots of immigrated Chinese people do not go to these doctors so they end up worsening their condition. What I pray most right now is whether or not I see this for my future. I also pray for my sanity on this trip with this whole language barrier. I completely forgot that in Holland, they spoke Dutch. I hope mother is enjoying this experience. I asked her what she thought after the first day and her reply seemed like “work” to her. I hope she is able to see ministry as much more than work, because although it is a lot of work, there is a purpose to it.

April 19

            So I have been asked to head a Sunday school class for the children and I am really excited. I was completely cool with the thought until I realized that I would have to teach in Cantonese. Now, I’m scared. I want to serve, but now I need to rely on God’s wisdom to communicate. I hope that people back home are in prayer for us, especially about what I have to do in the next day. I was able to share a little bit with some of the members at the church about my experiences in the mission field. It was nice to get my thoughts together and talk. Today’s consultations went really well. We saw 40 more people and it went a lot more smoothly. Partially, because we knew what to do and expect. I missed home a little today after looking through a tour book on California.

 

April 20

            We just finished doing some shots and it is 12:00 AM. We had a great dinner today as Alvin’s mother and father invited us over to their restaurant. I taught the Sunday school class today in Chinese. Thank you Jesus on how smoothly it went. I had fun teaching and the children were all well behaved and respectful. We had a good time fellowshipping after church today at a café near church. We all sat in a circle and just talked. Most of the married couples simply shared about how they met and their romance. Joyce is an amazing leader of the church; this church will surely get somewhere. I feel like I need a break right now. Tomorrow will be nice, I pray.

 

April 21

            I have a new friend tonight. She is the cutest one year old girl you will ever see. Too bad I did not get her name. Well, I’m tired and I didn’t really do much. We went to look at windmills and to the fisherman’s wharf today. Lots of shopping. I was not into it because I rarely enjoy doing touristy stuff. We ended up giving twenty plus shots today. It was interesting at the house where we performed these shots. Dinner ended up rolling around at 9 PM. I had a good talk with Gabby today. She is the youth group leader and is 28 years old. Can’t tell she’s that old. She is really charismatic and is having different issues with how conservative the church is. One of the church members encouraged me greatly today in telling me to go to seminary. I never thought of it but now it sure sounds very appealing. She said that what I had to say and how I said it made me sound really pastorly, something that I’m afraid to explore.

 

April 22

            I am sure going to miss this city. My heart breaks for cities like this and I am not intimidated by what it has to offer at all. This is the exact reason why I can’t do anymore of these short term trips. I get so emotionally attached to the people, and to say good-byes is so hard. So today we went to Anne Frank’s house. It was really moving. There were a lot of great quotes. I am also currently trying to figure out the passage in Romans about perseverance, character hope. Why hope last? I think Otto Frank had something going for him when he said, “the only thing I live for is to see my daughters.” Persevere through the camps, then hope comes. So I also took my first trip by myself today to get medicine back at the hotel. I think that I am beginning to get the hang of this city. I am beginning to miss the people back at home a lot. I forgot it was my senior year and I’m about to graduate. My prayers tonight are for Andrew and the stresses in his life and for Karen’s future.

 

April 24

            Spain is such a huge stretch. For the first time, I got homesick. I was carrying groceries from far away to the church. I wished I had my car because I could not physically do it anymore. I’m also homesick because I miss my school and its people. Graduating in a few days so I want to be spending time with my friends. I’m also frustrated with ministry here because it seems ineffective especially with the street fliers and such. I cannot communicate with the people here. There’s also a little bit of them and the majority of them don’t seem interested in the gospel. What is interesting about this place is that there are a lot of newly immigrated people from China that are here to work. Some will make a living, others will not. Some are here not by choice but are “sold” here. I’m shocked that stuff like that still happens today. I am really excited to see the Bran family soon, that keeps me going.

 

April 25

            So I realized that everything is a matter of perspective. Found out I passed my ATC exam and so I am really happy. I was able to have a better attitude and be a step ahead. Well, we got threatened by a knife today by some shop owner who didn’t want us around. I don’t understand how fellow Chinese people can treat each other like this. My heart is softening to the Chinese people a little more, yet still I don’t like the way we do many things. We walked through the “rough” part of town and yes, it was rough.

 

April 26

            Oh wow, what a great day! Praise the Lord! (in the words of John Tsang). I am beginning to realize what ministry is all about. Sometimes, God’s soul purpose was for me to suffer through five days so that on day 6, a new believer comes to know Christ. I had such an amazing time with the Brans. Our conversations, lunch in Alcala, hanging out with Lindsay, and having them join us for dinner and dessert all surpassed my expectations. Tia Rosie also saw Dr. Wong and had shots. If my soul reason on this trip was for that, then Praise The Lord. Tia Rosie also spoke with a sister from Barcelona and ended up leading her to Christ. If that was the reason why I’m on this trip, then Praise The Lord. Chris was also able to talk with the Spanish speaking Pastor and if that was my reason in bridging them, then Praise the Lord. Great encouragement today, thank you Jesus!!!

April 27

            Quick day today, it flew by. I got to make the best of every moment. The Brans brought a Columbian friend and we had a great time in service and making dumplings. They sang songs for us which was a real encouragement. I will surely miss them a lot. I had a good talk with Lindsay today. She opened up a lot. I pray that Jesus will be a real being in her life. Tia Rosie’s last words were for me to hang out with her sons back in LA a little more and encourage them to walk. I surely love this family a lot.

 

April 28

            I slept in late today. Yet, I am still sleepy. Last day….WOW!!! Thought I was going to hide today but no, I had lots to do. Many people came today, especially the men. That is an encouragement because the majority of the church is women. I pray the men step up around here. What will happen when Pastor Tsang leaves? These people that has come will be starting in square one again. There are still many things about the Chinese Church that bothers me. I realized today that language is a beautiful thing. I want to learn as much as possible. People around the world are so desperate for help, for love, and for companionship. One thing, seminary sounds good.

 

April 29

           Last night of the trip and we took a tour of Spain. It was nice to unwind and just process things through. Interestingly, six other people joined us to simply hang out. It was nice to have them around. We went back to Amsterdam and it felt like home because we were greeted there by several of the church people. We did more shots then off to the night life in Utrecth for the celebration of Queens Day. It was like Vegas plus swap meets and shops all rolled into one. It is incredible to realize that I am going home tomorrow. Nice!!!