My time in China was a bit of a whirlwind, but I loved every minute of it! Because of my late arrival, I actually only had a few days of ministry before debrief started, but the 2 weeks that I spent in Harbin and Beijing were packed full of logistical duties, traveling and a few crazy adventures. But here is a recap of some of the highlights:
1) I became a Chinese Superstar
One of our Chinese contacts invited my team, and team Uniquely Knit to a party that she said would only consist of a few friends. She also asked if we would sing a song for them. We gladly obliged knowing how much the Chinese enjoy karaoke. In reality, this “small party” actually meant we we’re singing in a competition, on a huge stage, in front of 2,000 people! But I have to admit, we do a pretty good version of Katy Perry’s “Firework” 🙂
A view from behind the stage
2) I played real life Frogger
Yielding for pedestrians is not a thing in China. Cars, bikes and buses will literally run you down if you’re in the way. I saw my life flash before my eyes more than once while crossing the street.
3) I met a girl as sweet as candy
Although we made a lot of new friends through ministry while in China, the one that stole my heart was a young woman who lived in our apartment building. Her English name is Candy and she is so beautiful inside and out! We had several opportunities to spend time with her, talk about Jesus and just be friends. I pray that the Lord will take hold of her heart in a big way.
4) I ate spicy food…and liked it
I admit, I’m usually a picky eater, and I knew I would have to broaden my horizons this year. I’m proud to say that I’ve done just that and I haven’t been disappointed! My favorite meal in China was a spicy noodle dish from a little restaurant next to our apartment. My mouth was on fire every time I ate it, but I loved it!
5) I became a noodle
So long story short – my team and I are all noodles. We each have a noodle name (mine is Mother Noodle….thanks guys) and we also have a ridiculous noodle dance that we do. It all started with my craving for spicy noodles, so naturally I started acting like one. The rest is history. Now we “noodle” everywhere we go 🙂
P9250519 from Carolyn Bradley on Vimeo.
6) I danced on the Great Wall of China
Need I say more? Video coming soon!!
7) I entered the Forbidden City and went to the Olympics
I spent my free day during our Beijing debrief getting my tourist on. A group of us hit up the Forbidden City, a super cool park where we climbed up a mountain to get to a Buddhist temple overlooking the city, went to Tiananmen Square, ate at KFC (they’re everywhere in China) and went to the Olympic park from 2008. It was an awesome day!
Forbidden City
Tiananmen Square
2008 Olympic Stadium
8) I still managed to shower twice a day
We were so blessed by our accommodations in China! 5 of the girls from my team stayed in a room on the 7th floor of a high-rise apartment. It was a studio apartment with a bed, futon, kitchenette and even our own bathroom with an American toilet!!
5 girls in one room = a lot of stuff (even on the World Race)
A view from our apartment window
9) I learned Chinese
Okay, not the entire language, but a few important phrases:
Hello – Ni hao (pronounced nee haow)
Thank you – xie xie (pronounced syeh-syeh)
Plus how to count from 1-10 with your hands – who knew this was different in other countries!?
Sharion and I with our translator, Wei Tao, who helped us with all our logistical duties
10) I visited the land of milk and honey
Our team was so blessed to meet Chris and Lucy who own the most picture perfect coffee shop called Milk and Honey Land.
11) I slept in a bar
This sounds much more dramatic than it was, but it did happen. When we arrived in Beijing from our 16 hour train ride it was the middle of the night. The hostel we were staying in the following day was kind enough to let us sleep in the bar/ restaurant area since we couldn’t get into our rooms yet.
The courtyard of our Beijing hostel
12) I had a close encounter with lions and tigers (for real this time!)
On one of our off days in Harbin we went to this crazy tiger park (lions too) outside of the city. There was anything from chickens to cattle for sale that you could feed to the tigers as we rode around in a bus and watched. Although I couldn’t bring myself to purchase an animal, some of my squad-mates did, so we got quite the show. The tigers were close enough that we could have stuck our arms through the bars (they didn’t have real windows) and touch them. Although, with my luck, that wouldn’t be the smartest idea.
13) I learned that Chinese babies can do whatever they want because they’re so darn cute
In China it’s perfectly acceptable for children to use the street as a bathroom. In fact, most babies and toddlers actually have slits in the back of their pants for easy access. But, they’re so adorable that squatting in the street can be overlooked 🙂
14) I joined the mafia on a train
Since I missed out on the original train ride from Beijing to Harbin, all I had were the epic stories from my squad-mates to prepare and warn me. I really think every person on the squad must have warned me about the train ride at least twice. But I had a blast!! The train back to Beijing was, from my understanding, much more comfortable. We watched movies, ate lots of peanut butter and I played my first game of mafia. And just for the record, I was the mafia and I won 🙂
I’ve been so blessed by the overwhelming amount of support I have received. I am now over 60% funded, but still have several thousand dollars (with insurance included) left to raise. I ask that you will please prayerfully consider supporting me financially so I don’t have to come home from this amazing journey prematurely.
XX
