I felt both excited and anxious when I was told I would be teaching at People's University in Beijing. Excited because it was a great privilege to be granted an opportunity to teach in China; anxious because I wondered if my Mandarin was good enough! Well, I figured it would take a miracle for my Mandarin to improve in a couple of months; but at least I could try to prepare my lectures and presentations the best I knew how.

Stepping onto the campus of the People's U was a God-moment for me. A University of high regard, built by the Communist Party for the purpose of training future leaders,… doing what seemed to be impossible – having courses on Christian studies taught right on campus. I was in awe!

I was hoping flying north might bring me some relief from the scorching heat of Hong Kong's summer season. Even though I was warned ahead of time that it could get quite hot in Beijing, I didn't realize it could be this hot! I found myself all soaked every time I finished the 20 minute walk from the guest house to the classroom, four times a day. We were given a basement classroom with no air-conditioning nor windows. Didn't take long before I quickly developed a reluctance if not phobia for fear of walking into that suffocating room. Yet every time when I struggled if I should walk through that classroom door, I was always greeted with warm smiles and can't-wait-to-start looks. I found their excitement and positive learning attitude captivating. The heat melted my body, but the students melted my heart.

The program was titled "Continuing Education for Masters in Christian Studies," a two-year modular program of intensive courses. Students, some of them pastors and church leaders, came from as far as the three provinces in the North East; Yunan in the West; and Kwong Zi in the South. My assignment was to teach on "Psychology of Religion." For six hours every day, we covered topics on Psychology and Christianity, Counseling Theories and Practices, and issues related to Counseling and application of Psychology. Students were very interested in the topics, and thoroughly enjoyed the interactive and activity-based learning approach.

On the last evening, a couple of students, who have attended CGST's Mandarin Summer School last year, invited me out for dinner. I was surprised to be greeted by a dozen people, all of whom have attended the summer school on CGST campus, who have taken time out for this reunion. I found my heart strangely warmed.

Exhausting trip all right; soaking wet all day. Yet I would describe my experience as follows: Surprised by joy; heart filled with gratitude!