HYC China: God Transformed My Life In a New Way

It's amazing what a two week HOPE Youth Corps can do for your heart. HYC China was absolutely incredible! This trip was a lot of firsts for me - first time in Asia, first time teaching a language I've known my whole life, first time co-leading as an intern, first time eating pig ear, etc.

This was not, however, my first HYC. I have been blessed enough to go on a HYC for the past six summers, and each time, I feel like God transforms my life in a new way. We travelled to Gansu and taught English for a week at the #5 high school in that province.

One day, we were even able to travel deeper into the villages and meet the families of the students who are supported financially by HOPE worldwide (Hong Kong). That day had a tremendous impact on all of us, as we were able to see how these families lived day to day. Their generosity and hospitality blew me away. Even though we had to communicate through translators, they genuinely wanted to get to know us.

After spending just one week with the students in Gansu, they had completely captured my heart. It was incredible to see how God used the HYC and the other volunteers to encourage the students and help them grow in their confidence in speaking English. It was a very humbling two weeks, feeling frustrated for not being able to communicate how I wanted to, or feeling like we weren't doing enough. But in those moments is when God truly moved the most.

After a tearful goodbye, and the exchange of all of our contact information, we had to leave Gansu and head back to Beijing. Through the wonders of technology and social media, I'm still in touch with many of the students that I got close to, and I am just overwhelmed with gratitude that I could know them, and be their friend on the other side of the world. HYC continually helps re-inspire me about the full ministry of Jesus, and I'm looking forward to bringing this deep conviction back to my home ministry.