by Robert and Jean Langdon

 

          With excitement, Jean, my wife and I joined a group of twelve that traveled to China and Tibet in April of 2011.  The group, led by Kevin Porter, a representative from the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, began its information gathering stage of the mission trip in Shanghai, China.  While there we learned about the work of the China Christian Council that serves the 23 million Christians in 55,000 churches and preaching points in China.  Joining us in Shanghai was American Baptist missionary Judy Sutterlin.  She teaches English at the Nanjing Theological Seminary and works with Chinese Christians in providing ministries in rural China. 

 

          With Judy as our guide, we traveled to Nanjing to visit the Amity Foundation, Amity Press, and Nanjing Theological Seminary.  Meeting with some of the seminary students was a highlight of this part of our trip.  Each participant shared one on one with a student during dinner.  We shared about our Christian faith, our churches, our families and we learned about them and their studies at the seminary.  Jean and I have sent and received emails from the students with whom we shared.  From Nanjing we traveled to Chengdu with just enough time for a delightful visit to the Panda preserve. 

 

          From Chengdu we traveled to Lhasa, Tibet and began our adjustment to the high altitude of over 11,000 ft.  During our stay in Lhasa we visited several Buddhist temples and monasteries.  Our guide provided a vast amount of information about the history of the various buildings and about the history, beliefs, and practices of Tibetan Buddhism.  We experienced a great deal of culture shock.  We observed the stark contrast between the importance of the physical and visual aspects of our two faiths.  However, we grew to respect their strong devotion, knowing that many of the pilgrims, mostly very poor, had made painful sacrifices in order to travel to Lhasa to show their reverence to Tibet’s holy places and the gods of Buddhism.

 

          Nestled in the midst of the large city of Lhasa is the Jatson Chumig Special Welfare School, founded in 1990 by Headmaster/Director, Jampa Tsundhup.  His daughter, Tenzin Choedon, the assistant director, served as our guide and interpreter.  The school has about 150 students, all who are orphans or who could not be cared for by their families.  The school meets the physical and educational needs of every child.  One third of the students have physical disabilities.  Physical therapy is offered for them.  Physically challenged graduates work in a craft shop so they can learn skills that help them become productive and earn a living.  The school also produces medicinal incense, hand made paper products, and traditional Tibetan crafts to meet some of the expenses of the school.

         

          We spent several hours for four days interacting with the students at the school.  Jean and I helped fourth grade students improve their English skills.  Jean, who is a retired second grade teacher, felt right at home with the students.  Together we utilized a number of teaching methods to improve their English skills.  The students were so eager to learn and were amazingly cooperative.  They wore jackets in the cool classroom (no electricity or heat) and were attentive to our instructions and directions.  We also spent time with the students during recess.  They had so much fun utilizing the very primitive playground equipment. 

 

          A genuine spirit of joy and happiness pervaded the entire student population.  Their faces radiated with warm smiles.  We noticed that the older children took time to work with and help the younger ones.  They seemed like a loving, caring family. 

 

          We saw the girls’ two story dormitory damaged by the earthquake in 2008.  Since it could no longer be used, many of the girls have had to sleep two, three and even four in one bed in another dorm.  It has since been torn down and a new three story dormitory is nearing completion.  However, funds are still needed to complete the construction and to furnish it.        

         

          Mission causes abound in our world today.  Many are very deserving of support.  The students of the Jatson Chumig School need your support.  They are part of a caring community that has become their family.  Will you consider making a contribution to help them?  Will you use some of God’s blessings that have come to you to demonstrate your love for Christ and for those children?  There are a few ways you can contribute to this project. 

ð      First, you could contribute to your American Baptist Church and indicate that this contribution is through the World Mission Offering and that it is designated for the “Tibet Dorm Project”.  

ð      You can use the internet to donate to this Tibet Dorm Project on the ABC USA International Ministries “Give” page.  Click here.

ð      You could send a check to TABCOM, 167 Prescott St., Groton, MA 01450 and designate in the Memo field that it is for the “Tibet Dorm Project”

 

          It was difficult for us to say goodbye to the children we met, worked with and grew to love at the school.  We are so grateful for the chance we had to share with them the love of God in visible, tangible and personal ways.  Doors of opportunity for service, understanding and cooperation have begun to open for Christians in this far away place in our world.  It is our prayer that these children will develop positive attitudes, life skills and an appreciation for all who love them and want the very best for them. 

 

Robert & Jean Langdon

Columbus, Indiana