2010 4-A Friends Sports Health Week

The 4-A Friends Team came from Memphis, TN, in the USA. It was a basketball team. They spent several days interacting with students and athletes from the High School in Ling Hai. The boys were good on the court and they carried themselves in a very mature way with an eye for sharing, fun and adventure. This outreach is designed to provide interaction based on sports and friendly competition as well as interaction on a cultural and heart to heart level.

The program generally lasts about five days. Usually there is one day set aside for sightseeing together with the Chinese students. There are normally two games a day plus some other activities. Every day before or after playing a sport, there is a time of discussion of good character traits. The head of the foreign team introduces each trait and the students discuss them, sharing what they are taught and what their friends do or what their school requires. There is usually one night when the Chinese students stay late to eat dinner with the foreign students. On this trip the American and Chinese students made dumplings together and then ate them for supper. It was much fun for everyone. The whole trip was a great opportunity for the students from Memphis to experience China and for the Chinese students to get a taste of America through knowing their new friends.

The week was just amazing! All the boys had a great time and I witnessed changes in each of them. The Seeds of friendship and sharing have been planted. Many of those on the American team hope they have an opportunity to return.

This project is all about making friends from the platform of sports. Friends for eternity!

Letters from participants of 4a friend project

By Dan

My expectations of the trip was for my son and I to have some fun, travel and experience a different culture. While we met all of our expectation, I was really moved by the people. Smiles, kindness, generosity and other traits we observed all the time. Grace was seen by all (team members, students, and the Chinese people) and has truly impacted my life. To see the happiness in a community that has extreme poverty touched my heart. Furthermore, I never saw anyone angry at the ‘outsiders’, which showed their understanding and compassion. All of these gifts are traits that other nations should improve on (including own country).
The staff from SHIC was perfect and did a wonderful job communicating with the group, school and community. They kept us busy but had personal time as well. Kudos! To all you stand for and represent.

By James

This week has been amazing.. Words can not express the joy I experienced on this trip. The young men and women of Ling Hai were very welcoming. I could feel their love for us and I hope they felt our love. Your staff is amazing. They are a dynamic group who all bring some thing positive and great things to the table. They are a blessed group of individuals. My boys had a great time and I witnessed changes in them. Not everything is now but the seeds have been planted. Relationships were strengthened between me and the boys. It is my duty to see that this continues back home. I will continue to support what SHIC does. It is a true gift to the people of China. One of my greatest moments was when the Chinese coach gave me a wedding gift and told me that in my love and relationship, every move we made must be made with deep thought and care. I could feel his love and compassion. This trip has truly moved me.
Thank you so much

By Andrew
My experience in LingHai was amazing. We started on the first day by playing the basketball team that we had no idea we would play and we had the wrong shoes on. The kids were so nice and wanted to get pictures with us and wanted our signatures. I was so humbled that they thought that much of us. We would meet every day with the kids about Character First in the school. When we went to the mountain, we got to share our hearts on different aspects and it was a great moment. This experience was unforgettable and I hope I get this opportunity again.
Thank you

By Matthew

My experience in China has been great. Seeing all the children and adults has been a wonderful experience. The best moment for me was when we got to the school for the first time, all the kids came out and greeted us. They are all so friendly and giving. It really showed me how blessed I am and how much I have been given. I hope I get to come back to China later in life, because it really it opened my eyes to see things differently.

By Royce
China has been an adventure. When it started, no one had any idea of what was in store. A group, once only individuals, soon become a team. Through not only the games played, but through the travel, the culture, and interactions with others we grew. Beginning the trip with three lengthy flights, our traveling means transformed from buses, to trains, to taxis, to boats. Travel provided new experiences for all, as none of us had ever ridden in tiny carts through pouring rain and feet of water. The culture was the biggest shock, seeing that it was much more different than expected. Overall, the Chinese were much more friendly than we expected. This came as a pleasant surprise. When it came time for the culture exchange, my heart was touched by the amount of love that came from the students who had no idea who we were. And how curious they were about us as foreigners. It was different being the ones looked at instead of looking at other people. From my experiences and observations during this trip I found a greater appreciation for my country than I ever realized I had. It was interesting to see what they do for fun as it is completely different than what I am accustomed to. And because of that I have learned to love the fun side of Chinese culture.

Out of all the new and different things, the food was what I most enjoyed. At first frustrated with using chopsticks and eating unusual dishes. I came to appreciate the Chinese food as an eating experience. What they would serve next, we never knew. Still we were always eager to try new things. My only regret is that the Chinese food isn’t as diverse and flavorful in America as it is here. Something got lost in the Chinese restaurants we find in America.

All in all I, along with my friends, regard our trip to China as a positive experience. In learning so much about another culture I have learned to appreciate mine as well. China provides an experience, different from many others because its traditions are rooted in ancient history. A nation that has withstood the test of time as long as China, few can claim. And for that I am grateful for having the opportunity to experience China.