Good morning everyone--or should I say good night? It is Saturday night in your land. We leave soon for the real part of our mission trip--to the the Hohhot orphanage. One thing I wanted to mention was how GLAD I am we have had the last few days to learn about the Chinese culture and people. I had a fixed idea in my head of what I thought they felt like, but I am very wrong. They are happy, (PEACEFUL like I said last night). Our guide talks with so much pride abot moving to Beijing in the 1980s, and how she hopes her son will be able to live here after university. The gardens here are incredible--it does give one a sense of peace to stand in the garden. I am in awe of the beautiful buildings that have been here for over 600 years--there is no graffitti on them, they have not all been knocked down to build bigger and better. The "older" houses in Beijing which have grass growing out of their roofs are apparently prime real estate as they have been handed down for years. There is a national pride here--everything is clean (maybe not so much the air :) ), but clean. I feel very safe here. William, I have seen so many eyes that remind me of Dr. Char---the shy smile and dancing eyes that love life. I am captivated by the children here. I love watching the families interact and seeing the sheer joy that the kids bring---the grandparents love playing with them. It pulls on my heart to know how difficult it must be to leave a child for adoption. I cannot imagine the pain, the despair. The family unit is so treasured here, and so respected. I could sit and just watch the people's interactions all day.
We did our fist devotional last night about caring for orphans. It reminds us in Deuteronomy 24 that when we are 'harvesting in your field, and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow...." It sounds so simple, and something we should do. I think as Americans (gross generalization here) it is so hard to leave that sheaf for others, to not think of ourselves and the extra money we can make on it. It is not the American way....here one sees how that can happen. Every job gets done and every resource gets used---they do not have the fanciest of everything, they have VERY simple houses, and they are HAPPY! I feel like I did when William are I were in Kenya....how little it takes to make one happy. Not necessarily loads of money, or cool gadgets, but family and love. Family and love, family and love. God wants me to see that while I am here---to remember being in Kenya, and to remember the simple things of life, particularly "love your neighbor as yourself" which is easier to do in a simpler life!
We are about to load the bus to go to an International Church, then head to the GREAT WALL. ALex, Ben and Jack, I hope you are all well and having fun. I will be thinking of you and Daddy as I see this wonderful wall we have all been staring at on my computer for the last 6 months. I miss you guys and love you all! To Hohhot tonight--and finally the trip begins. I CANNOT WAIT to meet the KIDS!!!
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