Give up enjoying the taste of cookies

【Leader of M Generation】

Interview compilation/Yang Hanjiahua

Photo provided/"Teach For Taiwan"

Liu Anting, born in 1989
The brokenness of life is to bless others.
She once likened all the dazzling achievements in the world to cookies. An Ting was like the blue Cookie Monster in Sesame Street, muttering "Cookies! Cookies!", grabbing a hand full of cookies, and stuffing them into her mouth hurriedly. , the crumbs were scattered all over the floor, but I still didn’t feel full.
Since childhood, I have received countless first-place certificates, brilliant transcripts, been admitted to the National Taiwan University, self-study for the SAT in high school, unprecedented admission to Princeton University in the United States, and won the first prize for my graduation thesis; I have already published a book at a young age Two best-selling books, "Learn to Be Strong: I Got Admitted to Princeton" and "Running Away to Go Home"... She is very good at eating biscuits one by one and loves to eat them.
After graduating from college, she easily found a high-paying job in a New York City consulting company and bought a new car of her dreams. However, in 2013, she turned on the turn signal and gave up the sweet cookies that everyone admired. She returned to Taiwan to create "U-Turn" Teach For Taiwan (TFT).

The reporter interviewed Liu Anting via Skype while she was sitting on the bus. During the clear and calm conversation, she displayed full leadership charisma and commitment, and inadvertently revealed touching simplicity and humility.

KRC: Seven or eight years ago, you were admitted to the National Taiwan University with your excellent grades at Taichung Girls' High School. Why did you go to Princeton University in the United States?

An Ting:My interests are very diverse. When I was 17 or 18 years old, I didn’t know what major I wanted to study. However, the National Taiwan University assigned majors after the academic test. It was not that easy to change majors. At that time, I longed for a major. Time and space to explore. In American universities, especially the Ivy League universities, you don’t have to choose a department during your freshman and sophomore years. I spent the second semester of my sophomore year preparing for both the academic test and the SAT.

KRC: It was not easy. You only slept two or three hours a day at that time. How did you survive?

An Ting:hehe! I don't know either? My physical strength was very good at that time. I didn’t have much hope at the time, so I applied with the intention of giving it a try. When I was accepted and received a full scholarship, I was very, very touched! With such a good opportunity and no financial worries, I went out. There were many confusions during the process. In addition to praying by myself, my parents and church friends prayed a lot every time to support me. When I was close to giving up, many words of comfort from God came in. There were no dramatic events, but I was full of hope. Grace and miracles.

KRC: During the four years of college, you have been a volunteer in Ghana, Haiti, Cambodia, the United States and other places. Please talk about the most critical turning point for your growth and transformation?

An Ting:Each experience is unforgettable, but the direction is different, but they are all equally valuable. You can first suggest what you find most impressive from a third party's perspective, and I will explain.

▲The experience of teaching in Ghana broke the stereotype of An Ting going to serve in "backward areas", and she was lucky enough to enjoy the opportunity to support each other in life. (upper left)

▲An Ting went to Ghana, Africa, during the summer vacation of her freshman year and worked as a primary school teacher for two months. The classroom was very backward, with dirt floors and blackboards painted with black paint. An Ting accompanied many squatting people with her body and mind, hoping to help them stand up and regain the dignity that God created them with. (lower left)

▲An Ting realized that teachers need to always maintain the enthusiasm for learning, teach each other, and listen to the different life stories of each child. (picture on the right)

KRC: Good! Ghana is the place you went to for the first time, and you may have the most keen sense of it, so let’s talk about your experience here!

An Ting:I was only eighteen years old when I went to Ghana, and I had the most innocent imagination. When I arrived in Ghana, the first thing I needed to do was to break the stereotype of serving in "backward areas". I might have a "savior" mentality, which is not a healthy perspective. I realized that every life, whether rich or poor, or in any situation, has the same value when it was created. In Ghana, whether it was friends or students I knew, they taught me this lesson again and again.

In fact, it is not me who teaches them, but their perspectives, wisdom, and reflections, which become the exchange of wonderful lives. I am not serving, but I am lucky enough to enjoy the opportunity to support each other in life. What I receive is far more than what I give. .

The experience in Ghana profoundly adjusted my view of what is called service and what is called teaching. In the past, especially in Taiwan, teachers instilled knowledge by giving orders in one direction and in an authoritative manner. Being a teacher for the first time at the age of 18 made me realize that teachers need to always maintain the enthusiasm for learning, teach each other, and listen to the different life stories of each child; just because I am a teacher, I cannot see many things and cannot listen to many voices. It's a pity that the meaning of being a teacher is just a job.

▲A group of core co-workers are good partners who work together to bring love to remote areas.

KRC: You actually came back for real, calling on young people to teach in remote villages, willing to choose a sparsely populated road. Why?

An Ting:Sometimes it’s hard for me to explain why I have such thoughts? Why is it so hard to forget something like this? It’s all God who “harmed” me! (Hehehe!) It’s not “harmful” either! Without God, my life choices might be simpler. I have obtained the best of the world’s mainstream values. If I didn’t have faith, I wouldn’t have to face these difficult decisions. On the other hand, if I didn’t have faith, I wouldn’t understand. These discarded "best things" are actually not the best.

Most people think that my sacrifice and dedication are very hard, but I don’t think so at all. Many times God stimulated me to make decisions that others could not understand. For example, when I went to the United States, I was very nervous when I made the decision and even complained to God. But as I walked through it step by step, God gave me feelings and gains that no one else had. And the realization of the value of my own life has become a privilege exclusively for me.

Returning to Taiwan was something I never thought about. I originally hoped to act as a consultant and support a group of people in Taiwan to establish TFT from a distance. Later, I became more and more helpless and couldn't help myself. (Hahaha!) Everyone also wanted me to come back. I couldn’t imagine that some senior senior people in Taiwan, such as President Yan Changshou, would actually agree and support me. There were also some people who were not well-known, but used their own lives to have profound conversations with me. God led me through strangers time and time again. After struggling for a year, in the end it was not me who made the decision, but submission to God’s leading. I was so scared when I came back that I gave up something that others only dreamed of, how could I be so stupid? Fortunately, I have been a Christian for a while and have a certain degree of confidence and trust in my relationship with God (Reporter’s note: An Ting entered the church at the age of twelve). I know that there will be no loss in following Him, and what He has given me will not be lost. Give me what I can give to myself.

What I say God “hurt” me is actually the grace God bestows on me! I often feel that He favors me too much. It is impossible to raise sufficient funds, gain public recognition, find schools willing to cooperate, etc. in such a short period of time. But at every juncture, human and material resources appeared inexplicably. None of them were found by my ability. I just came back and God prepared them. All of this is not my achievement, it is just a long journey. The road to abundance, participate in this abundance together.

▲TFT teachers in the classroom should give rural children a pair of powerful wings to fly in the same way as urban children.

KRC: When did you start exploring what disadvantaged children want?

An Ting:I used to be like any other teenager, with no clue about the value and meaning of life. Perhaps, what is slightly different from others is the influence from my parents. My father was originally a lawyer and my mother was a primary school teacher. By chance, when I was in junior high school, a very wealthy old friend of my parents was on the verge of terminal cancer and set up a charitable foundation with all his assets. He wanted my parents to manage and operate it. From then on, my parents’ lives took a big turn and they began to serve many disadvantaged groups and dropouts. This also enabled me to understand this group of people earlier than others, but at the time I did not feel that this was my mission.

On the road of life, heavenly and earthly things come one after another to attract my attention. What I am most grateful for when I am hesitant is that the church and many spiritual elders continue to train me on what it means to be obedient. Isn’t the truly precious thing in the eyes of God everything that is done “to the least of the brothers”? I learned to let go of myself and listen to the voice in my heart. This voice allowed me to see God’s eyes and what He wanted me to do.

Why do I care about the education of disadvantaged children? In fact, God has a deep intention for Taiwan in this regard. God is using my characteristics to prepare me step by step. No matter whether I go to Ghana, Haiti, Cambodia, etc., I don’t know what the meaning of these experiences is at the moment. Later, God opened my eyes and realized that it was no accident that He allowed me to experience so many things. Originally, separate encounters were connected and formed a series of comprehensive preparations. I don’t know why I entered this field. I just know that I should obey and experience more blessings that are impossible to obtain.

▲Leaders from the education sector and business partners gathered together to support and encourage TFT to continue its efforts in education.

KRC: What are the latest trends in "Teach for Taiwan"?

An Ting:TFT is two years old! We hope to send teachers to remote areas in Taiwan every year. This is a partnership. Those who participate in the project commit to dedicating two years to teach in primary schools. Last year (2014) there were nine teachers, and this year the school has doubled to recruit 20 teachers. The first service areas were Taitung and Tainan. This year, Pingtung and Yunlin were added, for a total of four areas.

We will first hold eight briefing sessions across the province, accept students at the same time, and then conduct intensive interviews. After announcing the admission list, we will train for five to six weeks, and start teaching in September. There were nearly thirty teachers in the first and second sessions, all of whom were selected through fierce competition. One out of ten was selected, and the threshold for selection was very high.

At the beginning, NTU Yan Ching-ling Industrial Research Center lent us a research room and helped convert it into an office for us to share with other teams. Although the space was less than ten square meters, it was a very grateful and cherished first space for the start-up organization. A cozy base.This year (2015) we have a new office, which has increased from two full-time colleagues to six, and the funding is slightly stable. Due to the rapid growth, we still need more long-term financial support. We are a 100% fundraising organization. TFT's system and structure are becoming more and more complete, and it has gradually passed through the initial pain period of non-profit organizations and entered a period of rapid growth. We look for the commitment of well-equipped people with a sense of mission.

KRC: Looking at TFT and these M-generation partners, what do you think is the dream they are pursuing?

An Ting:This is a very happy but also very hard generation. The conditions in which we grew up are much better than those of the previous generation. We have abundant material resources and a variety of life options. We are very happy. Due to the improvement of material conditions, parents do not want their children to endure hardship. The so-called young people in Taiwan with excellent academic performance have read so many books, but they have no idea why? Just to satisfy their parents, they take a comfortable path, but they don't have the opportunity and determination to fight against the odds in the previous generation. On the contrary, wealth restricts them, and they must take the narrow path of becoming doctors, engineers, lawyers, etc. In fact, many young people on the so-called road to success don’t know why? This is a very hard place.

In Taiwan's general environment, the rapid economic growth of the past generation has created many vested interests. They control power and resources, and are often disconnected from society. Young people see resource allocation, policies... and many injustices in society. Apart from taking to the streets to protest, there are few ways to change things. Under the structure of vested interest groups, many young people have no channels or methods, so they have accumulated strong complaints and are full of negative energy. It is really a pity!

This is a generation that cares about Taiwan very much. If we can exert our power in a positive direction instead of a negative direction, Taiwan will undergo a big change. Positive play is to let young people who like to complain shut their mouths, roll up their sleeves and think: "What can I do with action?" Paradoxically, many young people who like to complain are full of anger, but are afraid to step out of their comfort. lock up.

TFT responds to the dreams of young people in this era, providing opportunities and methods to go where they are most needed. It not only provides rural students with good teachers with a sense of mission, but the teachers are also honed in the process of dedication. Over time, they can become leaders. The backbone of responsibility and decision-making. They are willing to pay the price and take responsibility when they are young. I believe that one day when they ascend to an influential position, they will be responsible, high-level, and able to make the right decisions.

As the famous writer Dickens said: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." We are full of energy and are at an important turning point. Whether it is good or bad depends on whether it is placed in a positive or negative direction.

▲Teach For Taiwan Chairman Liu Anting delivered a speech at the opening ceremony in 2014. This organization is entering its second year. It is expected that at least 100 teachers will be sent out within five years, and each teacher will teach in the same school for at least two years.

KRC: Your speech at TEDxTaipei in 2013 was very exciting and inspiring, but you were attacked mercilessly by online trolls. Did their words hurt you?

An Ting:Indeed, these hurtful words gave me a huge blow at the beginning, and I couldn’t help but ask myself - why do you want to come back? Why not enjoy ten times the salary and high social status in the United States? There is no need to deal with gossip and gossip. However, looking back at the example of Jesus, even a perfect man like Him would face attacks and words that were inexplicable and inconsistent with the facts. Jesus was hurt too. How did He pick himself up when He was weak and hurt? He re-adjusted his vision and reflected on "Who is he doing it for?" and "How do you evaluate yourself in the eyes of God who sent Him? And what you do?" I returned to the original point of Jesus again and again and re-adjusted my vision. , knowing that it is not man I want to please, but my God.

Often, I don’t pray much. I just go back to God again and again and listen to Him say: “You are my daughter with whom I am well pleased. What you do today will not matter in the eyes of others, whether it is right or wrong. Glorious and incomprehensible, in my eyes, you are all my treasures!” When I deeply experience His joy and unconditional love, I have more empathy and compassion for those who cannot identify with me! . Those who hurt others must have been hurt themselves. When I think about how God loves them and values the value of their lives, I can no longer regard them as my enemies!

At first I thought, "Why do you say that to me? What have you done? What's so great about it?" Subconsciously I wanted to prove that I was better than them. But when I calm down, God doesn’t ask me to prove anything. He wants me to be humble. What I do is not to prove my worth, but to reveal God’s name and carry out God’s mission. I am just a vessel and have nothing to boast about. Humility allows me to face all derogations calmly. All achievements in the world are free grace and are not earned through my efforts. Later, I became more and more able to break myself and pray for those who hurt me. My mother also set a good example for me, which is to bless those who criticize and attack me.

KRC: If there were Christians your age, what would you most like to say to them?

An Ting:Although I was interviewed, God also spoke to me through this interview. I hope that when you look at me, I don’t have the halo of achievements that people describe. I am just like everyone else, with weaknesses and a lot of fears. If God is with me today Whatever I achieve is not because I am "awesome".

I have been to many churches to share, and some people regard me as an object of worship, which is not my intention. It doesn't matter if you forget my name or what I have done! I hope you see the God behind me.

The God who can do it for me can also do it for everyone who wants it.

postscript

Liu Anting quoted Mother Teresa's prayer at her TEDxTaipei2013 speech: "God, please break my heart completely so that I can have the whole world in my heart." She admitted that she was once the winner of the cookie pursuit competition. Outstanding. After devouring the food, the achievement in front of her eyes and hands, in her heart, "just felt colder and emptier."

However, when Liu Anting's heart was broken for her youngest brother, as she shared: "Only when she began to regain consciousness did she realize that the real nourishment comes from every brokenness, bringing out tenacity, true love and a shared life. These Nutrients truly fill my heart.”

A stream of clear water flows from the broken place, blessing others and blessing yourself. Liu Anting understood who set the example for her on the cross.

Journalist Profile Yang Hanjiahua began to devote himself to writing work out of concern for special children and their families. He is willing to use his pen to participate in the noble ministries that serve the youngest brothers.