Final Trip Reflections

With everyone now back at home and wrapped up in their winter woolies, these are some final reflections on our time away that were not included in the earlier blogs. I am so grateful to the whole team for their co-operation and care throughout the trip. We are now looking forward to planning for our 2015 Service Trip.

Alex: The most valuable part of the trip has definitely been talking to people (students) that I would have never have thought to speak to, such as those in younger grades.

Sarah: The best thing about this service trip is being able to talk to and meet new people from different grades and different ages that we see everyday at school but never think twice about talking to.

Stuart: The most significant thing that has happened to me was after the service we did. I went and spoke with Able (a Crossroads volunteer) and when he told me his story it was inspiring and told me so much about God and why service is good.

Lachlan (Mac): The service trip has been a great success in the sense that everyone has participated in all the activities and has done so with excitement and enthusiasm. The participation from the students has been phenomenal and is a product of the teachers great encouragement to get involved. All up, the service trip has exceeded my expectations in the amount of fun that has been had and the impact we have made on the lives of the less fortunate.

Daniel E and Nick W: So far in the service trip we have had a lot of fun meeting the Crossroads people and having the chance to help them out with different things. It has been a good experience to learn more about the challenges that people in this world face day to day, especially through the simulations run by Crossroads such as the blind experience. It has also been exciting visiting the markets and trying to bargain with the stall owners for random souvenirs.

Zoe: Looking back on our time at Crossroads I have found that the simulations we did had the most affect on me.  Through them we experienced blindness, aids, poverty and explored Fair Trade. The reason these had such an effect on me is because the stories and issues became real through them, I got to see what the people we are helping go through on a day to day basis. I also realised how glad I was to live in Australia and not to experience any of these situations. 

Lachlan Mo: On the service trip, one of the important activities we did was the poverty experience at Crossroads. In the activity we had a full on simulation of what it's like to be in the poverty cycle. It meant a lot to me as I tend to not realise what I have and am often ungrateful for the things I am able to do because of my parents hard work. It was a great experience.

Josh: During my time in China and Hong Kong so far I have found it really exciting to be embraced in the culture. I have really enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone to try new foods and new experiences while I've been here. It's not every day you get to go on a trip like this so for me, it's really exciting to be in a place like this. To be more specific, I really enjoy the food because it's not just individual meals for each person but there is a variety of foods that we all share. It's really new to me and is an amazing experience.

Steph: I found that the experience at Crossroads, Hong Kong, impacted me in a number of ways. Personally, I found the real sense of community at Crossroads so encouraging and inviting and I loved the fact that I felt a part of the community, even after only being there for a couple of hours. The other aspect of Crossroads that has been particularly important to me was the service that I was able to partake in. I had the opportunity (with the rest of the team) to pack containers full of furniture and clothes which would then be sent of to third-world countries, such as Zambia, and benefit those in need. It is so humbling and brings such joy to know that what I am doing is going to help so many people that are less-fortunate than myself. 

Anonymous: The reason I came to crossroads was to help people who have less than me and, while that's not a bad reason, I didn't fully understand what they needed. It's not money or sympathy, it's education, empathy and understanding. After this trip I have a deeper desire to help anyone who is in need, no matter the problem or how long it might take to fix, I have seen the effect that I can have and the effect that many people can have on such a complicated issue as poverty. Before this trip I didn't think that I believed in God, but after seeing the compassion, empathy and willingness of the volunteers at Crossroads, to give anything and everything for people who they don't know, it's hard not to think that there is someone working through these people to make the world balanced and fair.

Ben: Visiting the Xian International Boarding School in China, we listened to an interpreter talk about the history of the school and how it developed over time. Mr Fowler took part in a traditional Chinese gift exchange with the principal of the school which was a very exciting experience for me as it shows how nice the people are to their guests and how much respect everyone has for each other seeing as they treasure what they do have and how they are willing to share their personal items with others.

Lachlan Mat: I was shocked in Hong Kong while I was testing electronics for Crossroads, because even though we were in the trade and technology capital of Asia, there was still very primitive technology there for us to be testing for local use. It really made me realise how lucky we are in Australia, as we can easily and cheaply get the latest gadgets, without the help of others. 

Sam: The Terracotta Warriors were the most interesting for me because of my love for Ancient History and for the fact that the warriors were made by real people centuries ago and most of them are still intact today.

Nick B: Throughout this trip there have been ups and downs but what stood out most for me was the care and compassion that each of my fellow trip members had to the people who cared for us, the people we worked with and the people around the world we were helping. The blind experience at Crossroads really changed how I feel about people in need and how we should help them and I would urge anyone who wants to help others around the world to come on the service trip 2015.

Day Twelve

Our final day commenced at a leisurely pace as our group worked out how we were going to manage our bags. Following our final devotion with Mr Conoulty, we were off for an early lunch for our final banquet meal.

Then off to the airport. After some farewells to our guides George and Tom, we went through for a very thorough security check. A bit of time for last minute shopping and disposing of any left over Yuan and then we were off for our DragonAir Flight to Hong Kong.

We are now in Hong Kong Airport, awaiting our final flight to Sydney and several of the group are craving western food! We are looking forward to seeing our families at the airport in the morning.

It has been a great trip, and we are really looking forward to telling you of our adventures.

Day Eleven: Our last full day in Beijing

Our group were allowed a sleep in today. The wake up call came at 7.30am and we were off to Tai Chi lessons at the Temple of Heaven. Firstly our group were given a lesson by the Tai Chi Master and his class, then we were split into groups and taken through the movements. We all discovered that Tai Chi is a lot harder than it looks and requires enormous self-control, inner strength and smooth movements. There were many recreational pursuits, mainly for older people in the parklands around the Temple of Heaven and some of our students participated in hakky sak with older gentlemen. One of our more reserved students, Connor,  also danced some salsa with a local as well. 

The artistry and architecture of the Temple of Heaven were magnificent. Our guides, Tom and George, explained that many couples come to the Temple of Heaven for their wedding photos. 

Following lunch, we visited what the locals call the "fake-fake" markets. This could be best described as Parklea Markets on steroids. Our group had a great time bargaining with the very determined dealers and buying "brand name" products for extraordinarily cheap prices. It now becomes a challenge for many to work out how they are going to fit their purchases within their luggage. 

Our next stop was a church in the centre of Beijing. This was a Catholic Church that was first constructed in 1640 and still conducts services today. We then went for a walk around the retail zone in the centre of Beijing and also to a food market where they offered some delightful specialities including scorpions on a skewer, beetles on a skewer, larvae on a skewer, squid on a skewer and even snake on a skewer. Needless to say, these were for our viewing only. 

The next scheduled activity was an amazing acrobatics show, which included contortionists, bicycle tricks, unusual forms of juggling and motorbikes in a spherical cage. The show was extraordinary and had all of us on the edge of our seats. Our final dinner was to include the local specialty, Beijing Duck, known in Sydney as Peking Duck. We greatly enjoyed this meal as a special time to thank and celebrate with our guides, George and Tom. Shalea has learnt how to count in Mandarin and counted our group back onto the bus using her new language skills - very impressive! 

Our students have returned to their rooms to repack their bags in readiness for our departure from the hotel at lunchtime tomorrow.

We have included some further student reflections from our time at Crossroads and other parts of our trip:

Connor: During the Hong Kong and service leg of the trip I have learnt that the struggles of having AIDS, living in poverty and even blindness are very real, and that we cannot let people go unthought of and uncared for. I have enjoyed the being able to help practically because through sweat, hard work and a lot of fun we have made changes for the benefit of others. I would be very happy to do more work like this either with Crossroads or any other similar charity.

Shalea: During our visit in Hong Kong, we stayed at Crossroads where we met lovely people, saw new and different things and challenged ourselves, whether that was eating new and different foods or pushing through the heat. I liked all of the activities but the two that really stood out to me the most would have to be the Blind experience and packing the shipping container for the less fortunate people in Zambia. These opportunities made me realise how hard people have it when they're blind and gave me the chance to help poor people in Zambia.

Casey:  What stood out for me in China was The Great Wall of China on 4th July.

We walked about 2.5km and over one thousand stairs in about forty five minutes, we also took a shuttle bus then a chair lift up and then started walking and enjoying the amazing view, then when we finished and all merged up again we each rode a toboggan down the mountain.

Day Ten: And another bucket list item bites the dust .... The GreatWall of China

Some would say it was an audacious plan to have teenagers ready to leave at 7am but it was impressive to see that all were able to achieve it! The students have worked really well over the last ten days and continue to do so.

 

It is a two hour journey to the Great Wall but our guides had plenty of knowledge (and jokes) to share along the way and keep (some of) the students alert. We can now say with certainty that the purpose of the wall was not to keep the Mongolian rabbits  out of China.

 

After a short cable car ride and walk up the mountain you are greeted by this magnificent structure that is the Great Wall of China. The sheer scale and undulating pathway leaves you wondering in amazement how something such as this was created. To walk the wall it can take hours so we did what we could in the time trying to take in the natural beauty of the mountains along with the craftsmanship of the guard towers and stone paving. Simply awesome. Our visit ended with a race down the mountain on Tabogons before we headed off to our next stop.

Following our amazing, yet exhausting time on The Great Wall, we were back on our coach and on our way to lunch which was provided in a restaurant attached to a government owned jade factory. Following our lunch, we were taken on a short tour, to provide us with a background on jade and to gain an understanding of the manufacturing process. We were then shown through to the showroom, where many of our group made various purchases.

After the Jade Factory, we were off to the Ice Cube and the Birdsnest, the Olympic sites from the 2008 Beijing Games. We were taken on a short tour of both sites, marvelling at the spectacular architecture of these structures. 

We were then off to the Summer Palace, the summer residence of various emperors, particularly the Empress Dowager, also known as the Dragon Lady. Some of the features of the Summer Palace were: the man made lake, which compares in size to Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin; the worlds longest corridor (in the form of an outdoor covered walkway) which included incredibly detailed artwork; and, the marble boat with a similar design to a paddle wheeler, built to impress visitors to the Palace, though does not float because it is made from marble! 

What a day! Quick dinner and then back to the hotel for a shower and bed! 

I have included below an email received today from the team at Crossroads in response to our visit to them in Hong Kong:

Hi Peter,

 

Just wanted to say a HUGE “Thank You” to you and the team.  We were so blessed by your time here, and I continue to hear great things about the team, their work, and your visit in general.

 

Greene, Abel and Julie were saying that Saturday was a record for finishing early with the container loading, which was a real blessing for them. They were so impressed by how hard everyone worked despite the heat.

 

Your team pitched in whole-heartedly, served with humility, engaged with sincerity and were a real blessing to the team here, as well as those we serve!  The way the students acted was also a testament to the leadership of your team, so be blessed and encouraged. We’ll be “chatting” that the rest of your time away goes smoothly, particularly as tiredness sets in, and that you are able to finish up well.

 

Looking forward to seeing you next time!

We have also included below a couple more student reflections on their time at Crossroads.

Student Reflections:

Ben: Something that has really stood out for me over the last couple of days has been the love, enthusiasm and encouraging attitude that has been shown by both the team and the Crossroads staff. It has been so awesome to work with such a fantastic group of people who are so passionate about changing the issue that is poverty. 

Kathryn: People in Africa become blind from insects in the river, girls get kidnapped into sex slavery, and AIDS kills off mothers, fathers, sons or wives just because of faulty or contaminated blood transfusions. This trip has showed how many flaws there  are in our world, but until we learn to work together and be generous, grateful, and compassionate, we will never be able to see a world without these flaws.

Day Nine: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Hutong Village

After getting accustomed to the breakfast arrangements at our Beijing hotel, we were on the bus to join the city peak hour traffic on our way to Tiananmen Square. While most Australians would know Tiananmen Square because of the student riots where hundreds of students were killed, we heard none of this while we were on the square. Instead, we heard that it is the largest city square in the world and can accommodate one million people. We observed many Chinese nationals queuing to enter Chairman Moa's mausoleum. The Square was a hive of activity with hundreds upon hundreds of tour groups visiting at the same time.

From Tiananmen Square we proceeded through to the Forbidden City, home to the emperors of China since the time that Beijing was established as the capital city. The Forbidden City would be familiar to those who remember the movie, "The Last Emperor". Again, we battled amazing crowds to weave our way through this fascinating city area that contained 999 rooms across many buildings. Nine is a perfect number that is reserved for the Emperor and many features of the Forbidden City reflect the number nine. We were on our feet for three hours from the time that we entered Tiananmen Square to the time that we left on the bus for lunch.

We left the Forbidden City with some tired feet and we'd worked up an appetite so it was a good time for lunch. We were fortunate enough to be eating in a small local restaurant which was run from the owner's home, better still was the family name, Mr and Mrs Fun. As we ate some delicious food we also enjoyed the very cosy seating and met their pet Grasshopper.

After lunch we were treated to a lesson in Kite making and Calligraphy. The Kite lesson was given a really friendly man who didn't speak a word of English so some translation was necessary. He helped us make and decorate our own small triangular kites that could actually fly. Among the named creations we had 'Con-air' (Connor Wares) and "Gerald" (Travis Heather). The Calligraphy lesson was given by the 'Master' who also doubled as the chef of the restaurant. He showed us the main brush strokes along with how to write Beijing and Sydney.

 

As we left we were stormed by a group of street sellers trying to sell us their chop sticks and $40 Rolex watches. We quickly made our way to the Rickshaws which were taking us to our next destination. We wound our way through back streets past small homes and corner stores that gave us an insight into how some people live in Beijing, and it was an eye opener for what we consider to be a well developed city.

 

After a rest at the hotel we were off to dinner and a Kung Fu show. The show was quite impressive, showcasing the strength and agility of some very talented martial artists. The show finished with an opportunity for photos with the cast which a few of us took up.

We can't believe it's getting close to the end but we're getting the most of out of each day.

Day Eight: Terracotta Warriors and Banpo Village

Our day started with an early breakfast and check out from our amazing hotel, then we were on our way to see the Terracotta Warriors - now known as the eighth wonder of the ancient world. Firstly, we visited a centre where we were able to watch people making terracotta warriors, both life size and gift size, using the same techniques as those used during in Qin Dynasty 2200 years ago. We also had the opportunity to make some purchases of replica warriors.

Then it was on to the warriors themselves. They are located some 1.5kms from the actual tomb of the Emperor, and act as guards to his tomb. There are three halls where the entombed warriors are located, the first of which is the size of a football stadium. The face of each warrior is unique. Each warrior also had to be reconstructed from the smashed pieces that have been recovered by archaeologists, as they were destroyed by soldiers during the Han Dynasty. We visited each of the three halls and also visited a shop where we were able purchase a book on the warriors which was signed for us by one of the four farmers who discovered the warriors in the 1970s. We also enjoyed a very nice lunch at one of the restaurants at the site of the Terracotta Warriors.

Our last site for Xian was to be a Neolithic village called Banpo. One of the particularly unique characteristics of this 6000yr old village (that the girls were very excited to learn) was governed as a matriarchal society. They learned this from the finding that the women of the village had been buried together with clay pots and the men thrown into a ditch. We were able to see the remains of some of these bodies along with their tools and a reconstruction of parts of the actual village.

It was time now to say goodbye to one of our Xian guides, Nancy, as we head off to Beijing. Our flight went by quite quickly and we were landing in Beijing by 7:30pm to meet our new local guide, Tong. Having lived in Beijing for 8 years he has a lot of experience and knowledge about the city which he's already sharing through interesting personal life stories. He's also recounted some of the grand history that we are about to see for ourselves, but first we were to stop for dinner. Our dinner is worth noting because unlike the restaurants we have typically been to, tonight's meal was a 'stronger' experience into the joy that the Chinese seem to have for making food spicy... and I REALLY do mean spicy!

We then headed off to our hotel and we are now getting rest for the first day of sightseeing in Beijing.

Day Seven: Xian - Ancient Capital of the Great Chinese Dynasties

Our trip to date has been full of incredible insights and experiences that have opened the eyes of each member of our group. Over the next few blogs, we will be sharing some of the insights and reflections that students have submitted for the blog. 

Crossroads Reflections (Day 1-4)
Erik: In the past few days I've experienced something completely surreal as I helped pack the container that will be sent to Zambia. It didn't feel like a chore, it felt like a privilege that I was part of this experience that would impact the lives of countless people. Overall my stay at Crossroads has been one that I will remember forever.

Travis: When we were working it was good because we were doing something helpful for others and it wasn't something we had to do, it was something we wanted to do.

Shari: The highlight of the service trip so far would have to be working with other people from different grades to serve others and volunteer our time together to help those who really need it the most. 

Day 7 - Xian (Today's adventure through the eyes of students)

Stop #1-International School: Kaitlyn Smith
I really valued attending the Bodi International School because I was able to experience real life in China, not just it's ancient history or it's tourist attractions, but real people living their everyday life.

When we arrived at the school, we were greeted by the school principal and his translator, Iris. After an interesting speech about the schools' history and achievements, we were given the chance to attend a Year 9 English class. The RHAC students tested the knowledge of the international school students and Ben Razey and I had a conversation with some of them in front of the class. I met two girls, Zhou Jing and Wang Ziwei. They taught me some Chinese words and characters and I taught them some Australian slang and animals. These girls had been learning English for five years, so they really enjoyed being able to teach me about their own language. When our time was up, we exchanged contact details and gifts from our respective countries. Finally, we received a short tour of the school and played ping pong in their table tennis training academy.

Stop #2- Wild Goose Pagoda: Meg Brown
Peculiar in name yet able to be a spiritual connection. The origin of the pagoda is derived from legend of a monk who was to travel from India to China delivering highly sought after Buddhist relics. Passing through the desert he came across a goose, which in his time of desperation offered its blood for his famished state and flesh to consume, only requesting that the monk fulfils his quest in delivering the sacred relics. So, on his return to Xian, he named the pagoda after the wild goose as he believed it's offering was a sign of Buddha's spiritual presence in a time of need.

It is such a belief as this that has allowed individuals to overcome barriers such as language to join in the meaning behind its existence. The pagoda itself offers Buddhist statues and temples available for exploration in the extravagance of gold and jade. It was a sight all were absorbed within, allowing individuals to give their respect. With famous figures such as Confucius, the Jade Emperor and Buddha, fortune, future and truth are all aspects of a belief with the capability of blessing and further insight for all, with observation of other religions allowing insight to an altered ideology to a culture stereotypically classified and misconceived. From mental to physical, this was an experience and exposure to a site uncommon from the home of our own.

Stop #3- Shaanxi Museum: Benjamin Razey
This afternoon we also visited the Shaanxi Museum. The museum aimed to highlight the significant differences and similarities between each of China's major dynasties and also highlight major events/major practices that occurred within each dynasty. The museum was split into three large sections/dynasties: Qin, Han and Tang. Of all of the sections within the museum, I found the most interesting to be the Tang Dynasty as it had a large replica of a Grotto with a large Buddha statue in the centre, highlighting the religious background of the Chinese culture.

Overall, today was completely and utterly exhausting, but was also so interesting and fascinating. Not only has this trip been an amazing opportunity to serve and help those less fortunate than ourselves, but it has also been an incredible opportunity to learn and immerse ourselves in different cultures.

Day Six: Hong Kong to Xian

We had an early wake time today, to allow time for a quick breakfast and cleaning of our apartments at Crossroads before our departure for the airport. Before our bus arrived, we had a debrief session with Sarah from Crossroads. We were all able to reflect on how valuable our experience at Crossroads was and Sarah expressed deep appreciation for the efforts of our school. The Crossroads team were particularly impressed with our willingness to serve and our humility in service.

After a very efficient check in process at Hong Kong International Airport, we had some time to spend our last Hong Kong Dollars or have them converted to Chinese Yuan.

We were greeted at Xian airport by our wonderful guides from Wendy Wu Tours - George and Nancy. They have both been spectacular guides. Our first stop was the ancient city wall of Xian. The wall was first constructed 1000 years ago and then rebuilt 600 years ago. It is the oldest and largest continuous walled city in China, extending for 42kms. An exciting part of our visit to the wall was bike riding on the wall. Some of our students managed to circumnavigate the wall within the 40 minute timeframe that we had for this part of he the tour.

The best part of the day had been saved until last as we were treated to an authentic Chinese cooking lesson, dinner and live show. As we separated into groups a chef came and showed each group the intricate method of rolling and folding the Chinese delicacy of Dumplings. Most of us came up with something reasonable but there were a couple of natural chefs among us. Following on from this we were treated to an 18 course dumpling dinner which included such a unique and wide selection of flavours from pork and shrimp to fungi and walnut. We were also introduced to the 'spicy' side of Chinese cuisine. It was nice to then sit back and enjoy a creative performance of music and dance that highlighted the prosperous years of the Tang Dynasty, a very popular period of time for the Chinese people. 

We've settled down now in the Embassador hotel with some incredibly nice rooms - ritzy is a word that has been used - and everyone has been encouraged to get some rest because tomorrow is another day packed with activities. 

Day Five: Hong Kong Explorer

#HKCST14

Awakening to day 5 of the service trip we were greeted with the familiar warmth that is Hong Kong weather and the first whole day in which we were able to head off and explore this great city. In an odd turn of events the students found a usable washing machine and proved to us that all the rumours of their limited domestication are false, so with any luck when they return they'll bring these life skills home.

Our day together started at 9:30am as we gathered for a morning devotion in which Mr Conoulty reminded us that we are faced with the opportunity to develop our character through finding the good, the excellent, and praise worthy things to dwell on despite the tired bodies and sore limbs that are being felt (along with some cases of sleep deprivation) Phil 4:4-9.

At this time the heavens, appropriately, opened up and we were able to experience the cooler side of Hong Kong. So as we ventured off to catch the bus. I think everyone was just pleased to be walking around and getting wet from something other than sweat.

Our first destination was the Victoria Peak Heritage Tram Ride. Upon having caterpillared our way through the queue of tourists and locals we rode an old tram up the side of a mountain from which we were able gain an amazing view of Hong Kong, upon arriving at the top we had some additional views into shop windows.

After lunch we headed to our next destination, Stanley Markets, which involved an exceedingly turbulent and speedy bus ride down the mountain. The markets were a lively destination and although they weren't overly large, they contained a range of goods. You will be pleased to know that while there, some students selected presents for their family and friends back home - and not just fridge magnets either!

Our third and final destination was Hong Kong itself where we had the plan to see, with much anticipation, the city light show. We made sure everyone was well fed and rehydrated before we headed up to the observation deck and saw the city brought to life in a new way. Between the laser lights, changing colours and images projected onto the side of the buildings, we had an array of elements to take in.

As we journey home from a massive day out exploring China the students are sharing good stories from the day and they continue to make this trip a lot of fun and beneficial for all.

Day Four: Crossroads Container Packing

We chose one of the hottest, sunniest and most humid days of the year for our container packing exercise! At least it was not raining! 

Our day commenced with one hour of CHAOS. This is a Crossroads Team activity where members assist each other with various cleaning, tidying and minor maintenance activities. Our team were divided into small groups to assist with a vast array of tasks from folding clothes to shifting bedding. 

Following CHAOS, we moved on to the container loading. We first learnt a little about the container loading exercise - it is a bit like the game of tetras as you need to be able to fill in every space in the container. Our container is going to Zambia to a project that has asked for additional assistance. We packed all manner of items into the container with everything from school textbooks, desks, chairs, clothing, furniture, electrical goods and computers. 

Our group was a little large, so some people were sent to other projects so that there were no idle hands through the day. 

All team members were able to be involved in some aspects of the container loading which was a highly satisfying activity, knowing that these goods will soon be arriving in Zambia to assist with much needed projects. 

After a long day of hard work, showers, a visit to the shops across the road for dinner and then an early night to bed were the final orders of the day.  

Day Three: Crossroads Volunteer Program

We woke up to another warm and sunny day and started with a devotion time with the Crossroads team before being split up into different volunteer groups, working at various locations around the site. Some were fortunate enough to be located inside and with air conditioning. Others found themselves inside without air con and the very brave worked outside in the sun. Many water breaks were required. Volunteer activities included: electrical goods stock control (cleaning, testing and cataloging electrical goods); book stock control (sorting and cataloging books); painting and decorating of a toilet block; clothing accessories stock control (belts); and stock control of a large shipment of flat packed bunk bedding stored in containers in readiness for shipping.

Our team of staff and students worked remarkably well, many coping admirably with the very tough conditions of heat and humidity. The Crossroads team were very impressed with our commitment and energy.

Lunch was an opportunity to sit and replenish. The afternoon session included two simulations, the Blind Experience and the AIDS Experience. Both of these sessions challenged participants to walk in the feet of those who experience AIDS or blindness (river blindness) while also living in poverty. This was quite a sobering experience. 

After a busy day and some showers, our group ventured off in a double-decker bus to the Ladies Market, a night market in Kowloon. This is a general market place where we were able to enjoy dinner at a variety of eateries and some shopping, which included the challenge of bargaining for a good price. 

Our team are travelling remarkably well. The staff have been very impressed with their attitude of helpfulness, respect and care for each other. We are really looking forward to what the upcoming days are going to bring us, particularly tomorrow's challenge of packing a container of supplies to be sent to Zambia. 

Day Two: Crossroads International Centre

After an interesting nights sleep working out the appropriate balance of air conditioning and fans within our rooms, our groups prepared their own breakfasts and then we set off to an introduction to Crossroads with DJ Begbie, one of the sons of the founders of Crossroads. DJ told the compelling story about how his family were confronted with need in various parts other world, but did not have the ability and knowledge of how they could really help. Crossroads was founded after a phone call from someone in China saying that they needed blankets and clothing for two million people who were displaced by flooding and who would die in there Chinese winter without these essential items. The Begbie family were understandably left thinking "I wish we could help but, what can we do?". Following this phone call a stream of miraculous events took place, from meeting people wanting to donate clothes to retail stores having unused stock and they were able to then meet the need of the Chinese people. From this more calls started to come in from communities and organisations that needed help and the Begbie family, in the midst of seeing these needs met started to wonder surely there was an organisation that would be able to start connecting the needs of the people with others who had the necessary resources. They were looking for the 'eBay' for global community need. They were to find out it didn't exist but from a conversation with the United Nations (UN) they were to learn there was a need for it and from this the dream of Crossroads was born.

With great passion and beautiful stories, DJ painted the picture for us of just how far reaching the hand of Crossroads is and more so that in our experience here, the reason we get out of bed in the morning "is not because of the work you will do, but because of the people that the work will serve". 

The days activities took us through a range of experiences which took us out of our comfort zones and into the world of families living in poverty through the 'Poverty Experience' where we were put into groups with other schools and as a 'Family' worked to literally make paper bags from newspapers, which we needed to then sell to shop keepers in order to make a measly wage. We were all challenged but it was incredible to see students start to see that the effect of poverty is not just a matter of no money but you start to realise that the things we call 'necessities', like medicine, sanitation, and education, are a just not options for people in these curcumstances. 

After lunch we went on a tour of CrossRoads in which we were able to see elements of the operations they have here in China and also hear some stories of the needs that are being met around the world.

Following on form this we went to the 'Fairtrade Experience' in which everyone looked at the way fair trade works and in industries such as coffee where it's not all fair trade how much different people in the supply chain earn. Students were left negotiating what they though their work deserved as farmers, or exporters and roasters which in the end turned out to be far less than anyone expected. Students left with a greater appreciation of the value in fair trade and how it leads to more equality for all people involved in the production of goods they enjoy every day, such as chocolate.

We visited a local beach, and appreciated how clean and spectacular our Australian beaches are. Dinner at the local shopping centre rounded off a busy day. Overall, day two has been incredible and only excited us all to the experiences we will have tomorrow!

Day One: Sydney to Hong Kong

After a very early start, and despite closures of the Lane Cove Tunnel and the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, our group of 35 intrepid travellers embarked upon the first leg of our 2014 Service Trip. Students and staff enjoyed catching up on some inflight movies, games and some managed a nap as well. Meals on the flight were interesting, particularly a grey and rubbery form of scrambled eggs - delightful!

On arrival in Hong Kong, our group was invited to inspect the cockpit of the Airbus 330, which was a real treat. The weather in Hong Kong is humid and damp. 

We were warmly greeted by the staff at Crossroads on arrival at their centre. Following a brief introduction, we were sent to our apartments, and most quickly found the switches for the air conditioning for their bedrooms. 

We then joined the site team at Crossroads for their weekly team dinner, where were able to meet several of the team volunteers and talk about why they are working at Crossroads. As we cater for our own breakfasts, we took the group for a walk across to the local shopping centre where our students had their first experience of grocery shopping working with Hong Kong currency. The exchange rate is approximately 1 Australian Dollar = 7 HK Dollars. Their memory of their seven times tables got a work out!

After a long day, we returned to our apartments to hopefully enjoy a good nights sleep.

Hong Kong and China Countdown

A group of 35 travellers are counting down the days to departure for the 2014 Service Trip. We will be leaving on Wednesday 25th June and travelling to Hong Kong where we will be commencing work with Crossroads Foundation.

Why are we going?

Our hope as a College is to develop our students in a corporate sense where they will recognise the needs of others and more importantly, respond to and serve those needs. Engaging our students in a program which aims to educate about the need in our global community, as well as providing with an opportunity to respond with practical service is an important part of our focus.

As a Christian College, it is our desire to demonstrate the practical outworking of our faith and model service to our students and College community. In the book of James, we are reminded that 'faith without works is dead' and that 'we should not love with just words or speech but with actions and in truth'. We aim to provide an education that prepares our students to become successful, contributing members and leaders of the community.

Crossroads Foundation

Crossroads Foundation is a Hong Kong based, non-profit organisation serving global need. They seek to provide a link between those who are in need with those who can provide help. They offer four global crossroad services:

Global Distribution: this distributes Hong Kong's excess goods as needed, internationally and locally. 

Global Village: this offers simulated experiences of global need.

Global Handicrafts: this sells fair trade goods from people in poverty, providing them with a fair income.

Global Hand: this provides a matching website for public-private partnerships.

Our students and staff will be involved in an array of volunteer tasks at Crossroads. It is expected that we will also be packing a shipping container of goods that will be sent to one of the many international organisations that they support. 

Please pray for our group as they travel, that we will be kept safe in our travels, that we will learn much about how we can provide practical support and service to those in need and that we will enjoy the history and cultural experiences of travel in a different part of the world.