The Great Wall of China was such an amazing experience. It's really showed me how small my problems were when there were such bigger things in life. It was a beautiful climb, and when I got the chance to sit down and reflect, it was one of the most relaxing 10 minutes I've had in a while. For one, the view was amazing and both days were gorgeous with perfect weather. This time on the whole made me really think about what edge meant to me, and I came up with the conclusion that it really is just the experience of a life time. We have the chance to give back to a less fortunate community and experience another world, which really changes someone. I already find myself having a different outlook on life, and not letting small things bug me when all the children at this orphanage don't let their bigger issues bug them. This is truly life changing and I am so thankful that I got to be a part of this EDGE team.

 

Sitting on the Great Wall without speaking for a period of time allowed me to contextualize the meaning of this experience. It's easy to allow yourself to become caught up in the things that only directly affect you-- for me personally, I found myself preoccupied by my plans for the future. However, when you're sitting on an 8000 km wall, surrounded by history, you can't help but think to yourself: I am only a small piece of something much greater. It becomes easy to feel as if we are the centre of the universe when we are so focused on ourselves; by not only standing in a piece of history, but also lending ourselves to the service of others, I realized that we are ensuring that we do not become self-involved. Service is an opportunity to lose oneself in the needs of others, and looking out over the rolling plains of China, I realized that there is far more to this world than my problems, my thoughts, and my issues. That there is far more than any one person can imagine, but thankfully, this trip has allowed me to broaden the scope of what I understand.

 

Standing on the Great Wall of China really put things into perspective. The sheer size of the structure makes you think about all the effort it took to build and defend the entire wall. When you think of all the effort that was put into the Wall, the struggle of putting effort to get out of bed in the morning becomes tiny in comparison. You really start to think about all the little problems you've been having and how they aren't really that big of a deal. The Great Wall is a big deal not high school drama. Looking out at the amazing view of the mountains and the tiny village below, I felt so thankful for everything that's happened so far. The fact that I'm on the trip and sitting on the GREAT WALL OF CHINA makes me appreciate life more - as deep and intense as that sounds you have to come here to try it out.

 

Steph S.
Getting a time for myself to reflect and just think for a moment in such a powerful place such as the great wall was a one of a lifetime experience. Thinking about the people that once worked so hard to build the place I was standing on at that moment was unexplainable. I just can't believe how really important people were once standing right on the place I was on. That made me realize how small I am compared to the rest of the world and to everything that has happened before me. But then again it also made me realize how important me and everyone else on this team is. Because even though we might not be part of a Chinese dynasty or we aren't building one of the Seven Wonders of the World, our actions and the hard work we've been doing in the orphanage will make a huge impact in someone else's life. These things that seem so small compared to all the great history this country and many other countries have, are actually great things we can do to contribute in a community, and that made me feel special.

 

Sitting on the wall, just thinking in silence was such an amazing, enriching experience. There are so few moments in life where you're able to just sit and reflect upon yourself. To be able to do that in such an amazing place as the Great Wall was a once in a lifetime experience that I am so grateful to have been a part of. I realized while reflecting that so often in our lives, we focus only on ourselves and those closest to us. We rarely take the time to look outside our own world and into the world of others. Being on the EDGE trip in China has taught me that when we do take the time and chance to look outside of ourselves and help others, we are subconsciously helping ourselves. By focusing on not only myself, I realized that there are so many people who need only some care and love. That is what the EDGE trip is to me. It is the opportunity to learn about yourself and help yourself through spreading the Shawnigan ideals of community, positivity and love.

 

Certain places really help people to calm down and think about things, and like the top of the mountain, the edge of the Wall tower is one of those places. It helped a lot for me to find the harmony in my heart and mind. I felt like I was a glass of water; clear, steady and peaceful, sitting in the warm, soft and unlimited morning Sunshine. Delighted to be peaceful in my heart is how I'll describe my feeling, nothing worried or glad in my mind. I just immersed myself in the peaceful moment. I asked myself, how much do I really need to find happiness in my life? Not much. After you have travelled halfway across the earth, looking, hearing and feeling everything you've met, you appreciate everything single, tiny thing in life. You cannot change the unpredictable flow of the world, but you can change the way you see the world.

 

The Great Wall of China was a majestic place where we made unforgettable memories with our team members. During the 10 minutes of silence, each member had to meditate and reflect themselves about the point of the EDGE trip. I contemplated my life, hard times if my life, and what I'm going to do for the rest of my life. When I sat down on a boulder, the beautiful view of China caught my eye. I realized how tiny I was in this world. Also, I started to think more deeply about the purpose of the EDGE trip and life.

E- Experience

D- Development

G- Gratitude

E- Engagement

Each letter has a strong meaning to it. We as a group, have to trust and help each other and commit to the program to develop our relationship to make this trip even better. Lastly, be thankful for what you have. I reflected through my past when I had hard times. And I've noticed how negative I was for the past 2 months. But I'm completely fine now. Things don't always happen as you want them to, that’s what life is about. Not only is this EDGE trip a leadership opportunity given up the students, but also it is an opportunity to think about life.

 

Reflecting on our time spent in China and our purpose here was probably one of the most enriching parts of this experience. Engagement, development, gratitude and experience are the core ideas of the EDGE trips and putting others before oneself is definitely the most sure way to embrace those values. Spending time with team members, Shepherd's Field staff and the orphans here has been one of the most significant experiences of my life thus far. The connections I've made here with everyone amaze me. In such a short time I've made surprising friendships with children and adults alike which will continue to influence me when I leave this place. The chance to engage with the culture here has allowed me to further appreciate the diversity of the world and how fortunate I am to have experienced it. Not only that, but I realize how fortunate I am to have the resources we do in Canada as well as both my home and my Shawnigan families. I think once I realized this, I was more sure of my initial purpose in going in an EDGE trip. And so was more driven than I had previously been in my efforts at the orphanage. I wouldn't say being here has allowed me to "find myself" since I don't believe that there is a defining moment where you become one thing. However, I do believe that I've developed as a person and I've strengthened my core values and maybe even acquired some new ones. Overall, I've learned a lot about myself and I feel like when it's time to go, although it will be difficult, I will leave confident that I have made a positive impact and certain that I will continue to look for similar ways to give back in the future.

 

The walk was amazing. Looking at how old it was and how well preserved it is seems to be a miracle. We have only seen a tiny part of it but looking just at that part, I can say it deserved to be one of the seven wonders. On the wall, we got to sit for 10 minutes and think about what EDGE means to us. For me, it's a way to help both the children and ourselves. We clean the building and play with the kids. This helps to open our eyes to the world. To leave our comfort zone and realize that not everyone has been as lucky as us. That we should do our best to help those less fortunate.

 

If you ask me what I’m feeling about this trip, I would say I’m really enjoying spending time with a bunch of foreigners. When we were sitting on the edge of the Great Wall, I could imagine seeing the ancient soldiers defending the Wall form northern intruders. I imagined how many soldiers died during the wars and what one man can do to another man. Meanwhile, when we were at the Forbidden City, the magnificent buildings showed us how strong the dynasties were. It is interesting that for one dynasty to rise another must fall. I’m glad that I’m a part of this EDGE team, we work together and we play together. Reliable and trustworthy are two words that come to mind. When we were doing volunteer work in the orphanage I was thankful for my wholesome body and parents. I have spent a whole week with these amazing children and I know I will miss them when I leave. Everything we have done here has been very worthwhile.

 

The EDGE trip for me is a way for kids to develop themselves. There are lots of ways for people to develop, whether it's on a sports team, in an art studio, or just in quiet reflection. The reflection on the Great Wall was very surprising for everyone who took part. Everyone discovered a little something about who they are and who they want to be, and also realized their reason behind wanting to be on the EDGE trip. I want to develop as a leader while at school and this trip is the perfect way to do just that. This trip is a great way to experience China, develop yourself, find gratitude in the things you've grown to be unappreciative of, and engage in something new.