We have made it back to Hong Kong after a fabulous month
traveling through China! There is so much to update on that truthfully I’m not
sure where to start – I think an overview of the month would be the best way to
start.
We started our month with a full squad debrief in Hong Kong.
Out debrief was concluded by a baptism service of sorts – probably one of my
highlights of the month! I made a decision to get baptized as an adult! It was
so beautiful and powerful – more details to come on that later.
Our team spent our first week of ministry in a rather warm
location not far from Hong Kong on the China side. It was a great facility and
a time of resting in the Lord. We were able to encourage and supplement their
work. It truly was a blessing to our team to be there. We definitely left an
impression on them – some of the girls made them a corn hole set for their
Sunday afternoon picnics!
After a 24 hour train ride across China we arrived in our
more permanent location for the remainder of the month (2 weeks). Ha! I went
back to University. We were students in a Cultural Exchange program at a local
University in the small city. Like I said, it was a small city – about 1.7
million people! Each day we walked to class – in the same attire that we had
worn the day before due to the colder weather. Yes, we wore the same clothes
for about 3 weeks. It felt very much like fall – a nice change and a small
taste of home especially with the mountains surrounding the city. Our midday’s
were full of relationship building with the students usually done over lunch
and walks. Each afternoon we attended English Corner – a place where students
could come and practice their English. It was often an overwhelming time for me
as we were regarded as novelty among the students.
During our time on campus I made friends with 2 girls
particularly – both very sweet and humble. I enjoyed spending time with them
and encouraging them in their life. Some doors were open for the Word of the
Lord, but their hearts weren’t ready yet. It was hard to leave knowing that
they were not yet part of the family, but I’m learning the hard lesson of the
Lord’s timing. My time at the university was spent planting seeds in the lives
of these 2 girls – I can’t wait to see what the Lord is going to do with them
in HIS time!
Another 24 hour train ride landed us in Beijing – the
capital city of China – the students were all quite proud of Beijing and dream
of visiting someday. Our whole squad stayed in a quaint hostel and became
regulars at the “Western” restaurant across the way. I spent time at Tiananmen
Square, the Olympic Green and the Silk Market.
And
now here we find ourselves once again in Hong Kong! We will leave for Nairobi
on Sunday evening. More updates will come about specifics in China. I’m in the
process of uploading pictures so make sure you check out the pictures section
too.
