Lingua-cultural exchange or cultural fraud?

Xinjiang, China: July 7 August 16

April 2008 Dear Friends, I am writing to let you know about an exciting opportunity God has given me for this summer. I will be returning to Intervarsitys Global Project in Xinjiang, China as a staff member (I went as a student in 2006. Link to a slideshow from that trip: http://www.table4photography.com/xjgp/xjshow/). Students and staff from different parts of the States will make up our team of 22. In China, we will each be living with a Han Chinese or Turkish-Muslim counterpart who is studying English at the college level. A typical day will start with learning Chinese traditions, culture and language or tutoring our roommates in English. Afternoons will be free for spending time with our roommates or exploring the city. The evenings will be more structured with activities and cultural adventures. Our team hopes that in living and sharing our lives with Chinese students that we would: (1) grow in our ability to cross cultural barriers and to share Gods unconditional love (2) build a kingdom model marked by servant love (3) grow in our understanding of Gods global mission for the world. As staff, I will help students anticipate and prepare for challenges on this project. For some of them, it will be the first time theyve traveled internationally or not have the kinds of comforts they are used to (friends, family, foods, etc). For all of us, it will be a time where we will be challenged culturally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually and we will be left with our raw selves. But what a fantastic way to lean on God and learn to listen to His voice! When offered the opportunity to staff this project, I was immediately drawn to the idea of returning to the desert-lands of Xinjiang. In 2006, God had shown me His intense love for the minority people of China. The majority of these people have never heard of the Bible or who Jesus is and God wants so much to have a relationship with them. But our God is big, and He moves even in the far corners of the earth! Since that first summer, I have been keeping up with like-minded Christians who are in that region long term. There is much need for healing in Western China. One of these issues is racial reconciliation. Many minorities are discriminated against and there is marked tension between the minorities and the Han Chinese. In past projects, we have seen students reconcile with each other and as a Han Chinese, I want to be a part of that reconciliation process and Gods movement in Western China. I would like to invite you to be a partner in this summer project to China. I will need many people to partner with me through prayer. You can also help by giving financially to the Global Project in my name. I am responsible for raising $3,900 to cover expenses such as transportation, food, room and board by the time I leave on July 7. Please prayerfully consider whether you could commit to partnership in either or both of these areas. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Stephanie Chiang schiang@mit.edu
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. - Isaiah 43:19

Please fill out and check off the section(s) that applies to you and return this to me by ~June 22. Name:_______________________________________ Email:____________________________________

I would like to partner by: ___ prayer. Please send me prayer requests. ___financial support. Amount enclosed_____________. Please make checks out to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship with Stephanie Chiang, Xinjiang GP in the memo area. All donations are tax-deductible. Please mail or drop off: Stephanie Chiang 320 Memorial cultural fraud? Lingua-cultural exchange or Drive (McCormick Hall) Cambridge, MA 02139

Lingua-cultural exchange or cultural fraud?