Mission Trip: LRS Camp 2017 Our Final Day

This was written by Emily Kam, an Agape Fish high school intern. View the original post.

​One of the camp counselors, Xiao Wen, was actually a heart surgery patient (you can read his story on this blog here). When he first arrived I recognized him immediately, even though I had only seen his picture. He now finished his third year in college and is studying business! It’s amazing to see how blessings can come full circle, as LRS supported Xiao Wen and now Xiao Wen is serving at their camp for others like himself.

Our last day with the children was a half-day at the Natural History Museum in Lanzhou. The day before we had gone to visit a girl who Beth supported through her craft camps. The girl lived up in the rural areas of Gansu, far away from the camp, so we spent the entire day there and went back to the city after to find a place to sleep.

I was so excited to see the children again! I had missed them, even though only 24 hours had passed.

The children greeted us joyfully, many of them rushing to give us hugs. While waiting to enter the museum, they all began to play the hand game we taught them a few days ago. I was so glad to see them enjoying themselves and playing the game not only with us but the other counselors and with each other.

We explored the museum, looking at ancient pottery and tiny statues of Buddha. All too soon, it was time for us to say goodbye.

It was a flurry of hugs and tears and some people looked at us curiously as they passed by, but it didn’t matter. We took a group picture at the end.

​Whenever you leave anyone you love, it’s important not to look back as you walk away. You might cry and make everything all the more heartbreaking, for both parties involved.

When we were reunited with the campers earlier, they were singing the song I taught them. I hope they keep singing “Flowers of the Field” in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

​After I left, I quickly wrote a note for the children and gave it to the English teacher, who had accompanied us on our way to the bus stop. As the bus pulled away, the last line of my letter drifted through my thoughts:

“Language is a barrier, but a smile is a bridge.”

-Emily