Busy streets. Empty streets. Seeing new people week after week.
Though color is present in the fabric and decorations of this place, much of the landscape is harshly bland, especially in the winter months. Desolate. Brown. Cold. Dead.
A mother holding her child…the generations journeying together.
Noodles, noddles, and more noodles. Hot n’ spicy, goes down nicely.
Chopsticks are a must use utensil.
Chopsticks are a must use utensil.
Grandpas are my favorite.
Their smiles are so vibrant. Their stories are so plentiful.
They have lived lives of courage, lives of adventure, lives of wisdom.
This grandpa chuckled at me as we walked through town one day…
This is not a random happening by any means, so I laughed as well.
Calling me over he posed for a photo, insisting he were his sweet glasses.
Women on the street who were watching this charade unfold, pointed and celebrated when they saw the picture.
Naturally one couldn’t possibly pass by a stand of sweet glasses and not try them on.
Let’s just say if we didn’t already stand out…this was a prime opportunity!
A little man I found in a fabric store.
Give a boy some ice cream and he’ll pay you no mind.
Give a boy some ice cream and he’ll pay you no mind.
We were trying to blend in with the people we saw around town…
Santa beards were our go-to choice of costume.
Santa beards were our go-to choice of costume.
Tibetan men walking the streets. Their garments are rather intriguing + mesmerizing.
Fruit stands and old buildings…I love the feel of old school towns.
The Chinese like their noodles spicy…and so do we.
This is the source of deliciousness for most of the cuisine we ate throughout the month.
Baby butts…one of the most hilarious things I have ever seen!
Mothers train their children to potty-train by whistling.
Children also have a large slit in the bottom of their pants.
This highly fashionable potty-training attire results in exposed bottoms + epic photos.
(*please note the baby in the photo below.)
(*please note the baby in the photo below.)
Grown up men play mahjong/Chinese checkers and little men play pogs.
Groups of 4 footed school kiddos can be found on every street corner, alley way and parking lot.
Every moment of free time is an excuse/opportunity to beat their buddies at POGS and collect the loot.
The more pogs, the better you play.
Laura and Shawndell sporting Tibetan + cold weather scarves/gear.
Purchased this gem of a hat in an alley-market. Tucked away from the busy streets…
one can find the greatest adventure, and sometimes some fun little items.
The Tibetan/Chinese women love when crazy girls like us come and try things on.
Thumbs up and a giant smile = looks good.
A nodding of the head and a slight hand gesture of brushing away = cute, but try something else.
Dancing on the street…this little guys rhythm couldn’t be beat.
Caught in the act…he forgot to look back.
No harm, no foul, this picture’s pretty swell!
Little girl at the train station.
Most Chinese babies are bundled up head to toe when it’s cold.
This is a rather mild outfit compared to others we have seen.
They walk the town puffy and proud.
Colorful + easily gaining the attention of foreigners with their cute smiles.
A dress maker hard at work.
Bedazzled. Hand woven. Intricate.
The fabrics of China are unique, silky, and highly fashionable.
The colors are a stark contrast to their often dull surroundings.
I learned a lot in this country to appreciate FREEDOM.
I learned what it looks like to parent children on a daily basis.
I observed young men and grandfathers tending to the children –
which ultimately reminded me how essential men are in raising up the generations.
I learned what it looks like to honor your husband – religious practices- work + fellow citizens.
I watched young children honor their parents with limited discipline.
I listened to the sounds of the city…the calls to prayer…and was challenged in my own walk of FAITH.
China is a very ornate country on the outside…but much of China isn’t necessarily seen for what it truly is.
What lies inside or beneath is sometimes drastically different than what is illuminated on the outside.
Pray for China. Pray for the 10/40 window in general.
Pray for the many Muslim groups that have influence over these people.
Pray for generational strongholds to be removed from the generations that are now being raised up.
Pray for COLOR and LIFE to enter this nation – for FREEDOM to reign in the hearts of men/women.
