[editor’s note: On May 12, 2008, China—the land and the people—experienced a tremendous earthquake. The physical impact centered in Sichuan Province many hundreds of miles from the university. While the students and teachers felt only mild tremblers in their classrooms, their hearts were deeply impacted. The following story is the observation of one of our English teachers.]

Faces, they’re what stand out in China.

Babies with round, chubby cheeks; children with dirt smudges and missing teeth. Faces, not at all the same. Students with eyes full of wonder; the elderly with well-tanned wrinkles. Faces, all of them beautiful.

At 2:28 p.m. on May 12, there was something new in their faces: fear.

The world around them began to shake and rumble. It was slow at first, nothing more than a bump. Then it continued to grow. With every passing second, their eyes grew wide.

These students who had only talked in respectfully hushed tones raised their voices. “It’s an earthquake! We must get out!” they screamed, which for a Chinese student is a sure sign of panic.

Maintaining calm and order is part of being a teacher. But how do you preserve it during chaos? By answering panic with peace. A word helps the students focus for the moment. There will be time for them to panic more later.

Within seconds of being outside, their cell phones are out and fingers are flying on the dial pad. They are checking with family members, friends, trying to get answers. The news is confusing, causing furrows on their brows. There are smiles of relief as they realize they’re ok and their family is ok.

These faces, innocent faces, have started to age.

In the following hours, they learn that a 7.9 earthquake has devastated the Sichuan Province. Their faces fall as they learn that hundreds of children are trapped in a crumbled school building.

Within days, their faces show determination as they collect clothes and supplies for those in the effected regions. Piles of clothes fill the square, boys carry more bags on make-shift stretchers.

At 2:28 p.m. on May 19, there was something new on their faces: courage.

The Chinese government called for a national time of morning. All the people of China stopped what they were doing for three minutes and stood in silence.

In the classroom, one of the voices that was full of fear the week before was now strong and instructing his fellow classmates. He stood tall at the front of the class, voice clear, face set.

With a word, the class rose in unison. Faces that had seen so much in a week. With another word, they lowered their heads. No movement. No sound. After three minutes, the young man called to them again. They all looked up. Some eyes glassy with tears, but all of them understanding that nothing was the same anymore.

Faces, they’re what stand out the most.