Report_2005

Going to China: One of the Best Experiences in My Life
Jonathan Weng

Going to China has probably been one of the best experiences in my life. I reluctantly went on the trip since it would take ten days away from my Christmas break; however I left China with greater understanding of what was going on outside of the world of Cupertino, California.
Upon arriving in China, I had no idea what to expect, I knew we were going to visit and check up on schools in the rural areas of China, but I had no idea what I was about to encounter. The most memorable moment was when I met the student I sponsored for two years, Wei You Lin. I was blessed with this opportunity to meet someone whose life I was able to change. He is the same age as me, and I started sponsoring him two years ago, it was encouraging to see him trying so hard in school because at that point during the school year, I was beginning to wear down and become tired. Only now as I look back upon this experience do I fully realize the extent to which I have changed someone’s life. Back then I thought it would be cool to just “help” someone out, but it was only until now that I am able to look back and reflect on what I have done for him. I am thankful that I was given such an opportunity to help out someone much less fortunate than I am, it is too often that I get discontent at what I have, yet someone like him can be so happy with what little he has. His gratefulness motivated me to change the way I look at life- to be more content with what I have. Wei You Lin’s example of satisfaction with what little he has was magnified over and over again throughout the rest of my trip in China.
I came to China not knowing what to expect, but left with a greater love for my own people and a new perspective on life.