Reflection: Jennifer Sum-STM

My first impression of the missions trip was that it would be lots of fun playing with the kids, singing, dancing, and teach—all of which I love to do. Also, I was expecting for this trip to have an impact on my spiritual life. Before coming to Taiwan, my spiritual life was okay. Not bad, but not great either. After being in the camp for a week, it definitely had an impact on my life, and it was not easy at all.

When I decided to go on this trip, I thought that my mandarin would be sufficient. However, it was a lot worse than I imagined. With communication a huge factor, the missions trip became extremely difficult. Also, before the trip, I felt that this past year God has been pushing me out of my comfort zone and pushing me to do things I normally won’t do. For example, I became worship coordinator of my church/fellowship. I have stage fright so it was scary. Also, I didn’t want to go on the missions trip because I do not like traveling, especially away from my family. However, I felt that God was telling me to go since my summer was wide open.

Overall, the missions trip was not what I expected. It put a lot of stress on me and it was very very hard communicating with the students. Also, I got group 10, the highest group-the oldest kids. That made it harder. In addition, my TA was very shy and not very authoritative. I felt that God put all these difficulties in front of me in order to give me a transformation and for the kids as well, and it did. I ended up loving my kids and they loved me as well. They were so nice to write me notes and cards and so many people were there for me when I needed help and so many people prayed for me and gave me so much encouragement. I was very surprised to find that everyone around me was so encouraging. People I barely knew came up to me to talk to me, to pray with me, and would even give me little notes and gifts. I felt so much love from everyone. It even felt that instead of me trying to transform the kids, everyone was transforming me. I grew a lot during this missions trip and I felt that God used the kids and the workers to help me experience God’s love. I feel a lot stronger now and I hope to learn more Chinese in the future so that I can come back!

For more reflections from other participants of AEF 2011, head on over to http://aefmissions.wordpress.com/

Reflections from the Davis team will be uploaded here as they are uploaded to the Canaan site :)

Also some AEF slang:

STM: Short-term Missionary

TA: Teacher's assistant (Interpreter)

Home.

Hey guys,

In case you didn't hear through the grapevine, we've all been home for just about a week now. Tiff and Seaton are in Summer session 2, Jeff is chillin' (in Davis?) and getting some hangout time in before heading east, Jen is in Norcal until Friday and then will be home, and I am at home working.

I'm doing reflections in my journal, so hopefully I can get something up soon. Will try to get the others to do some reflections too! :)

A quick update on how we're all doing emotionally: I think we all really, really miss Asia, but more the people there. We're still on AEF high, if that's even possible...some 3 weeks later -.-

Tiff, Seaton and Jeff have been able to skype Nathan and Shirley, so they've been keeping in touch and are extremely happy to be able to talk to them. Nathan even met our infamous Kevin Leung!! Guest appearance on the blog :P

Prayer requests:

AEF is going to Okinawa, Japan! Actually...they're already there! So, pray for their camp with the Japanese, especially in the theme of reconciliation.

AEF Short termers are having a reunion in Norcal on Saturday. They are super excited to see each other again :) Pray that we continue these relationships and continue to build our hearts for Taiwan--allowing God to use our passion to shape our lives.

Pray for the relationships we built with the brothers and sisters in Bread of Life Nantou as well as the few students we are able to keep in touch with through facebook/email. Pray that we will also grow these relationships.

Lastly, help us begin to pray for AEF 2012. I know it's early but a great portion of this years STMers have felt a burden to go back to AEF next year. If this is the direction that God leads us next summer, we will be able to have consistency in our relationships and ministry, which would be amazing. :)

Thanks for all of your constant support and prayers. Tell us how we can pray for you too!

In Him,

Sharon (on behalf of the team)