Dear Friends and Relatives
**UPDATE** to text is below as I have now returned from China. Photographs (see left) have also been updated.
I can hardly believe that life has led me to this point: traveling half way around the world (I've never left Europe before, let alone had a visa!), using walking muscles I didn't know I had and sleeping under canvas in a land where I don't know the language. How did this all begin?
My own story begins long ago, in China in 1904 (see photos, left). My great-grandparents, based in Shanghai for work reasons, awaited eagerly the birth of their second child, whom, to their delight, was a girl (they already had an older boy). They named her Joyce, celebrating their joy at her birth. But their joy turned to anxiety as the child became critically ill. Western doctors could not assist and the parents became frantic with worry. In desperation, her father decided to contact a Chinese doctor. This was unheard of at the time and strongly disapproved of by the expatriate community. But her father was insistent and went ahead despite this opposition. The Chinese doctor came and, through what we believe to be a form of traditional Chinese medicine involving herbs, crushed pearls and a gold ring (yes, really!), the child then started to get better. Had it not been for this Chinese doctor, in 1904 Shanghai, I would not be with you today. (Incidentally, the ring is still in my family and has been inherited by my brother!).
So I've explained the personal reasons for feeling a link with China. Why am I undertaking this particular challenge? Well, this dates back to another rather 'old' event. I was brought up in a loving Christian home and surrounded by an extended family who was also Christian, but everything 'clicked' for me on a Christian summer camp in August 1979. Since then I have been involved in a variety of churches as I have moved around the country with my work and studies, but am now happily settled in Bristol where I attend Christchurch, Clifton. Christchurch kindly sponsored me to attend a Christian workshop on using British Sign Language in church last summer (August 2008), where I met Joy Hill who told me about Release International's campaign for those persecuted for their faith. I signed up for their email links and .... well, the rest is history! Happily, Joy is also a challenge participant and you can visit her and her husband's page at www.justgiving.com/joyandroyhill
**UPDATE** China was amazing! I was initially fearful of being in a country so far away from home, but Beijing was reassuringly western and I was proud that I managed to buy a tube ticket and go to a supermarket without assistance! Being in an organized group really helped, as events such as meals in restaurants were organized and paid for in advance, which saved a lot of time. Our tour guides were also very good at informing us about the historical facts behind our activities - we learnt about the history of the Wall, agriculture today, filial piety (the tradition of the eldest son supporting the family), traditional religion and burial customs, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. It was also a great privilege to be able to meet rural Chinese people who assisted us on our way and invited us into their homes on our route along the Wall.
So why am I asking you to consider sponsoring me for this event? Well, I believe strongly in justice and the ability to express one's faith. Those who are persecuted often suffer terribly in ways that we in the West can scarcely believe still happen. You may or may not share my own particular faith, but you may well share my desire for justice and compassion for all who suffer.
But isn't asking for sponsorship just a way of getting you to pay for my holiday? No! I have paid all costs including flight, accommodation, food etc, so ALL the money you give will go direct to the Charity (NB Justgiving takes 5% for administration; some donors prefer to give offline to avoid this).
Finally, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to my employers, the University of Bristol, who have very graciously allowed me to take annual leave at the start of the academic year. Thanks also to my sister Magda, for her patient encouragement and organizational flair, and to all my friends - some long-distance but not forgotten! - and family who have donated. Special thanks goes to my friends from France (Bernadette and Claude) and Germany (Petra and Ulli) who have successfully braved the UK internet site to make donations, and to Winnie for her assistance with translation into Chinese and providing me with practical information about China.
I will update this message when I can; I do hope that you can share with me in this exciting and worthwhile opportunity to help suffering peoples.
**UPDATE** I am now back from China! The team successfully completed its walk of the Wall with no injuries or illness, for which we are thankful. We were also able to spend some time in Beijing itself before flying back to the UK. Being in China was an unforgettable experience which will take some time to process - it was a great privilege, and very humbling.
Below is some information about how to use this page.
God bless
Alison
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
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AND FINALLY....
If you are interested in viewing other pages by members of China team 2009, take a look at:
http://www.justgiving.com/joyandroyhill/
http://www.justgiving.com/ESavell/
http://www.justgiving.com/John-Myring
http://www.justgiving.com/Janewade/
http://www.justgiving.com/jezdupuy/
http://www.justgiving.com/SarahFarquhar/
