Concordia college students journey to and serve in Hong Kong and China :: Concordia University, Nebraska

During July and August, a bunch of Concordia University, Nebraska college students participated in a visit to China and Hong Kong. The college students have been led by Professor of Education and Director of the TESOL, ESL and Modern Language Programs, Dr. Vicki Anderson. The group departed July 3 and returned August 18 after visiting Hong Kong and town of Shenzhen, China.

The group spent three weeks in Hong Kong working with The Lutheran Church – Hong Kong Synod and their companions to run morning and afternoon Vacation Bible School classes for kids ages 6-14. The college students labored at 13 totally different church college areas and served over 1,800 children. Through Pastor Simon Kwon, head of the Social Services division for The Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod, LCMS Pastor Joel Schiewe of Church of All Nations and WELS Pastor Anthony Bartels, the scholars have been capable of achieve a deeper understanding of how training and mission outreach works in Hong Kong. They discovered about variations in methods, together with ones based mostly on location and outreach demographics. They additionally discovered in regards to the plans of The Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod for continued enlargement of their mission outreach by means of Vacation Bible School. 

Dr. Anderson says, “While it is true that our efforts during three weeks of VBS were sometimes about planting seeds of the Gospel—a very large percentage (maybe even 90%) of the children we served in Hong Kong are not Christian, even if they do attend Lutheran or Anglican schools—more often, we realized, our efforts were about watering seeds that others have planted. Some of this watering is for children who know about Jesus but have not believed in him, but some of it also was for children with a genuine faith but so many questions!…we were able to be part of that struggle to understand for many, many kids, and to build relationships with and work to communicate God’s love to them all!”

The group was additionally capable of do some sightseeing and took part in English-language church providers. They visited locations like Victoria Harbor, Avenue of the Stars, the Art Museum, the Space Museum and the road markets.

“Traveling and working in big cities like Shenzhen and Hong Kong help students build professional skills in teaching and working with people whose first language is not English, but it also helps in the development of confidence and understanding of other cultures. Plus, it gives us all the opportunity to see how God is building His kingdom among His people around the world!”

The group witnessed a number of situations of severe weather throughout their time in Hong Kong. They skilled sign stage three and sign stage 10 typhoons, a “black rainstorm” interval and “impromptu waterfalls.” Due to the inclement climate the group missed out on just a few days of labor and among the outside points of interest they’d been planning on seeing.

In Shenzhen, the scholars labored in a Bridging Program for college students in Nanshan Chinese International College, Hong Kong Studies Division (NCIC—HK), a faculty partially run by the Lutheran Church-Hong Kong Synod. The college students ran lessons for grades 1-10 in Oral English, Vocabulary, Art, Music and PE. They additionally acted as instructor aides in lessons for Science, English Language Arts, Robotics and Math. This program goals to assist college students enhance their English in order that they’re prepared for the start of college in September, because the medium of instruction at NCIC—HK is English. Since China may be very strict about evangelism, particularly to minors, the group talked about American holidays, particularly Christmas and Easter. This gave the scholars a possibility to elucidate who Jesus is and what the celebrations imply. 

Trips like this are very useful for Concordia college students. Dr. Anderson, says, “Traveling and working in big cities like Shenzhen and Hong Kong help students build professional skills in teaching and working with people whose first language is not English, but it also helps in the development of confidence and understanding of other cultures. Plus, it gives us all the opportunity to see how God is building His kingdom among His people around the world!”

Students who participated within the journey embody:

Caroline Beck, Guthrie, Okla.

Abbey Kudrna, Omaha, Neb.

Jaelynne Kosmos, Beatrice, Neb.

Grace Weber, Sidney, Neb.

Caden Korell, Blair, Neb.

Matthew Guilford, Lincoln, Neb.

Aidan McKinnon, Grand Island, Neb.

Karson Sherman, Glenvil, Neb.

In protecting with their mission, Concordia Nebraska affords all kinds of alternatives overseas to advertise your mental, emotional and religious progress. The broader and richer your experiences, the more practical you’ll be as a servant-leader. Learn extra about international alternatives at Concordia right here.