Global Health Engagement – Team China Chia Tai Update #4
Greetings from the Chia Tai GHE team!
For the last update we all wanted to share something special to us about China: how our hearts were changed, how we feel leaving, and what the Lord taught us.
Sitting at home I am overwhelmingly thankful for the time spent watching the students grow and learn amongst some of the best physicians in China. It was an honor to be the faculty leader for such a wonderful and diverse group of students. I will cherish this trip forever. A part of me is quite sad however. This is due, in part, to us leaving our new friends we made in Jilin. But the greatest reason is my heart hurts for one of the team members who was not able to be with us. My heart hurts for Adrian and we all miss him so dearly. A few nights ago we were all thinking and talking about what this trip would have been like if Adrian would have been able to go. While my heart mourns for him, the team and I are filled with hope and joy knowing he is with Christ. What a joy to know we will see him again someday!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
-Dr. B
Hello!
I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have been a part of this trip. I do not know where to begin with all of the small acts of kindness from the people of Chia Tai Hospital and getting to know this team of girls. This experience has left an impact on me.
Chia Tai Hospital: The hospital’s presence was that of selflessness. No matter what department we visited, patients came first. Our first taste was on our first night in Jilin City. The president, Jin Shu arrived later to dinner because she wanted to care for a young boy that came in for an emergency heart valve surgery. She periodically would check on his recovery status during dinner. It was clear her priority is caring for her patients.
Visiting each department over the past 3 weeks, every doctor was anxious to present to us what they do and answer questions. Any advice given to a patient, was given with prior experience. Any question asked was contemplated before giving an answer. They welcomed us into their world of what they do with open arms. These doctors have an evident passion for what they do and their patients.
Our translators: Woody, Mina , Jon and Judy were gifts.
These people made it hard to leave. They cared for us well. One of them texted us every morning, with “good morning!” – a small way of making sure we were awake. Time with them felt like being with old friends. They made sure we always had water in our rooms. Woody would grab us coffees if one of us yawned. They always chose unique places for us to eat and experience a new Chinese dish – Dr. B always said, “no bugs!”. They organized our itinerary for the past 3 weeks with intricate details that made each day so special. They became dear friends. Mina was anxious to learn new English words and laughed as we practiced our Chinese. Judy, oh sweet Judy – our protector and food sommelier. She would stop traffic for us to cross the street. Food is typically served family style and she always chose the perfect menu every time. Jon was a new to Chia Tai and came from England to work in Jilin. We were visiting China and England with him around! I could not imagine this trip without each of them. They are gems I will never forget.
This team of girls: Lydia, Lauren, Megan and Paulina will change the world with their future goals. I am proud to have been alongside them.
The beautiful babies were my favorite – my team could attest!
The people of Chia Tai Hospital were the most generous I have ever met.
I began as blue, visited yellow, and now leaving China as green.
– Hannah Boyer
Ni-Hao!
I cannot believe how quickly these past three weeks flew by. It seemed like it was just yesterday meeting Woody, Mina, and Judy as they welcomed us holding CBU signs when we first arrived at the airport. I have no words to describe my appreciation for the incredible opportunity to serve the people of Chai Tai International Hospital. My experience in China has left an impact on me that I will forever cherish.
I was very touched by every staff member that I had the opportunity to interact with in the hospital. Every time I walked in a room for the first time, a person’s face would always welcome me with a warm smile. Almost every morning, our housekeeper from the dormitory would stop to look at me just so she could take another picture with me, or to introduce me to another person from the hospital staff.
I enjoyed observing all the various departments of the hospital and learning about traditional Chinese medicine. It was very apparent to that the doctors and nurses cared for their patients as a whole and had passion in their work. I am also grateful for the opportunity to watch an orthopedic surgery, endoscopy, and a heart angioplasty procedure. Dr. Soon from the rehabilitation department was also a blessing to me in helping my neck pain with an acupuncture treatment!
There are several emotions that I have about leaving Jilin City. By far the most challenging is saying goodbye to the people we built the strongest connections with. I will miss the daily text messages from WeChat, learning Chinese with Mina and Judy, practicing my awful British accent with Jon, and having Judy help my nerves while crossing the busy roads. I am also thankful for how considerate Woody was of my food sensitivities. I will miss him saying, “How about another chicken wing, Lauren?”
Over these past three weeks, the Lord has tested my faith in multiple ways. Growing in patience and flexibility was one of them. It was difficult for me at times to not become frustrated when things got off schedule, or when we did not know the full details of the day. As I reflect on these challenges, I am grateful that the Lord stretched me in these areas. It allowed me in my free time to meditate on His word and have my heart prepared for meaningful conversations.
One verse that stuck with me was Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (NIV).
– Lauren Jilbert
I am very grateful to have had this chance to intern at Chia Tai International Hospital. Because we did not have many details about our trip beforehand, I was extremely anxious when we first arrived. However, everything, from our living situation to the friendliness of the hospital staff, exceeded my expectations. I was overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness presented to us from Jin Shu, Woody, Mina, and Judy. Because of their hospitality, I was able to feel at home in a foreign place.
Being able to visit every department in the hospital has made me even more eager to start my career in medicine. The doctors that we met showed great enthusiasm for their respective field in medicine. I could tell that they loved what they did and were passionate about caring for their patients. I hope to one day display that same love and enthusiasm in caring for others.
I came on this trip to learn more about the medical field. Instead, I learned more about the meaningful relationships that can spark from having conversations and the influence that selfless love can have on people, no matter where they are in the world. I will most definitely miss the city of Jilin and all the friends we have made along the way. At the same time, I am excited for the opportunities that are now open between CBU and Chia Tai International Hospital. It is truly a special place.
– Lydia Leung
My time at Chia Tai International Hospital has been absolutely beyond any expectations I could have made. The hospitality I received was warm and loving, especially from Woody, Judy, Mina, and Jin Shu. They were one of the reasons I was able to cope with my homesickness the first few days. They honestly were so loving and caring that I “adopted” them as my Chinese family. I will never forget all that they did for us and I really miss them so much!
Every day was a new adventure for me and getting to learn more about the hospital was exciting. Each department demonstrated a commitment to serve patients. It was inspiring to see doctors, nurses, and staff work with a passion and joy. It reaffirmed my desire to pursue a career in healthcare. Jilin City is truly blessed to have such a remarkable hospital and I hope to return one day to see it with even more success.
On the other hand, our fun activities after hours like visiting new restaurants, temples, our almost daily walks to RT Mart, and just overall walking around the city are moments etched into my memory forever. Just being able to have meaningful conversations with our new friends was one of the highlights of this trip. In spite of some anxiousness or uncertainty I felt, I am joyful with the relationships we established in China.
It was hard saying goodbye to everyone and I know with a certainty that I left a piece of my heart behind in Jilin. I am forever grateful to Chia Tia International Hospital! My first visit to China is one I will never forget!
– Paulina Soria
The past three weeks have been some of the most fruitful of my life. I went into this practicum so saturated in prayer, by God’s grace, and eager to dive into life in China. From the moment we met our hosts at the airport to our last night roaming the city, we were showered with generosity. Our hosts were not only generous with their resources; they were generous with their time. Our practicum experiences within the hospital were more impactful than I ever could have anticipated. I went into this trip with no interest in exercise science, but I left with a newly kindled desire to learn! I also learned a great deal about traditional Chinese medicine and how it can be used in conjunction with traditional western methods. During our time at Chia Tai International Hospital, we were fortunate to observe medical procedures in several departments. The procedure I found most interesting was the coronary angioplasty. As a public health student, and an advocate for preventative care, I enjoy learning about chronic diseases that result from lifestyle choices so that I can better understand how to prevent them.
As educational as our time in the hospital was, I found myself far more affected by the culture and the relationships we established. Food was a cultural experience every day! We loved almost everything we tried, but a few days in we were missing our light breakfasts and fresh produce. I loved how communal every meal was. They always order family-style and were so eager to introduce us to their favorite dishes. We were also able to tour a Taoist and a Buddhist temple and learn the history and effect on Chinese culture today. I was so blessed by the conversations we were able to share and by the way they welcomed us into their lives. They spent weekdays, weeknights, and weekends with us. We met their families and we shared so many laughs.
Goodbyes were emotional for me because I felt so connected to these people and to my team. I am beyond thankful for this opportunity and I hope to visit the hospital again in the future.
-Megan Drew