'When I think of them, I thank my God'

Lutheran, The, Aug 2001 by Mueller, Jeanne

Short-term volunteer work opened American and Chinese hearts

It's just a little hit further now, "our driver said, making a 180-degree turn in the middle of a cred market in Nanping, China. "Let's hurry, "he said, herding us out athe wr and up three flights of stairs to Nanping Gospel Church.

We were quickly ushered to a front pew, the only space left. People filled the courtyard and balconies. Those who couldn't squeeze inside listened through windows. As a robed choir processed into the sanctuary, a bell rang and more than 1,500 worshipers jumped to their feet.

China's united Protestant church body was formed about 10 years before the Cultural Revolution (19661979) when religious activity was outlawed. After losing all their property to the state-church buildings, schools and hospitals-the previous denominations realized anew their unity wasn't in the accumulation of resources but in one Lord, one faith and one baptism. Now members worship and study the Bible openly and church property continues to be returned.

A bank marketer by trade, I was volunteering in China through the ELCA Global Educator's Network and Amity Foundation, teaching oral English for five weeks at Nanping Teachers College.

Before I left Wisconsin, friends warned that I wouldn't find many Christians in China; that Christianity was forbidden there; and to be careful of what I said-I wouldn't want to get into trouble. Joined by 11 other ELCA volunteers, I went anyway because I wanted to see China. Once there I thought, "I can do some good here." I became a real teacher and left China a better Christian.

Each volunteer taught one subject or skill to four classes of 20 teachers from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. In the afternoon, we team-taught groups of 80 to 120 students, introducing them to American life through subjects such as holidays, families or entertainment.

I had been told early on not to assign homework because some students would stay up all night studying just to please me. Instead, I announced on the first day that there would be weekly tests. My students freaked. Tests have a heavy importance in China, where national exams determine which students can attend top schools-their best chance for success. So most students study hard for an entire year, learning answers by rote. As volunteers, we hoped to improve teacher education so more students would do well on placement tests.

At first, my students were quiet. They didn't want to make mistakes, which in some Chinese schools are punished with written assignments or standing in front of the class. Given grace to make mistakes, they began to speak out when asked questions. They also promised to make their classrooms safe for students to make mistakes.

One of the volunteers, Mark Sigmon, a college student who recently moved to Atlanta, felt we could debunk some students' preconceived notions that Americans are greedy and violent and that religious people are fools. We didn't proselytize during our volunteer time, but many of us could talk about being a Christian in terms of family traditions and rituals.

Five students asked to accompany volunteer Diane Kerr, a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Coon Rapids, Minn., to worship. "They wanted to hear Bible stories," she said. "They wanted to know all about our religious festivals. Their intense questions indicated to us that they were hungry."

Volunteer Cathy Brechtlesbauer's students gave her a beautiful Chinese name: Bai Ge, or white dove. She, in turn, gave Chinese students names of members from her congregation, St. Mark Lutheran, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Surrounded by the love of our students, we learned many lessons about kindness and generosity. When I think of them, I thank my God. "We want to be your friends," one student said. "We want to work with you to help our nations live in peace together... please, when you go home, tell other Americans to visit China so that they, too, will understand we are people just like them."

One of my students, 26-year-old English teacher Tan Xinqing, sent me this letter:

"I have sat down and gathered up my courage to drop you a line. I hope you will like it and never mind the errors I have made. ... I was still limited in speaking and listening [in English] because I was ashamed to speak and afraid of making mistakes. I often dreamed of having an opportunity to improve my English. It came true this summer. ... You gave me much help. I send you everlasting feelings of gratefulness and thankfulness. You have been a great teacher and an even better friend."

Mueller is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedarburg, Wis.