Bobby and Ryan in Xi

For the third year, Virginia Baptist college students have led English activities for Xi'an YMCA. This year, Bobby and Ryan are the leaders of two classes, one for primary school children and one for teenagers. The classes meet each morning for three weeks and focus on oral English through skits, games, songs, and discussions. Usually, each day focuses on a topic, such as family, friends, school, etc.

The opening day was July 25, and will continue until August 19.

Chinese college students were enlisted by the YMCA as volunteers to assist in the classes and, in the afternoons and on weekends, to be friends and guides for the Americans. The young people do their planning together (photo lower left) and help each other during the class periods. YMCA administrators confer during the opening ceremony (photo lower right)

Xi’an is a major city in China, from several standpoints. First, it is the city of the first emperor or a unified China, hence the terracotta soldiers, which were built to guard the emperor’s tomb. Xi’an continued to be the nation’s capital through several dynasties, for a total of 13 emperors and well over 1,000 years. As such, it is a major tourist city. Surely the population of urban Xi’an must reach at least six to eight million not counting other millions in the rural areas associated with the city. In addition, the population surges several more millions during holidays and over the summer. The ancient buildings are interspersed among the new buildings built to accommodate a rising business and financial hub, maybe like Rome or Athens, though I have not visited those cities. It is a major urban center for central China, generating a lot of influence on the economy of the area. Like most major cities, Xi’an has its share of homeless persons and beggars, and because of its prominence as a tourist city, I think it has an even larger number of such persons. At least, they are more visible. On the street near the YMCA, more than one homeless person and in one case, an entire family, just lies down on the edge of the sidewalk to sleep or to beg or both.

There are several churches in Xi'an, but this one is only a block from the YMCA. They have three worship services on Sunday morning, and as soon as one service lets out, they begin practicing the singing for the next service. Each service is packed. (for more on the church, see: Xi'an/Church in this website)

Ryan participated in the YMCA English activities camp in 2004, along with other young people from Virginia Baptist churches, who would later attend the Baptist World Alliance Youth Conference in Hong Kong. He made some close friends and no doubt he will strengthen old friendships and, along with Bobby, make new ones in 2005. These young men have served with excellence and dedication.