So we’ve made it to China, and let me tell you, it was a trip. I’ll walk you through a bit of our 40+ hour journey.
We began in Georgia, left in the morning to catch our first flight for the World Race! So excited, we packed up our packs and hauled ourselves to the airport. Shuttles, buses and airplanes are quite the adventure when your weight is doubled by gear hanging around your back, but my squad of 48 made it with a few hours of hang time before our travel day(s) began. We boarded Korean Air out of Atlanta, a good mixture of Americans and Asians combined. We got a few stares and a lot of questions since we all seemed to match in our World Race style clothing and the not so ordinary carry-ons we were sporting. (Lots of pillow pets, chacos and various camping gear.) The next 14 hours were just the beginning of our travels around the world.
After a 14 hour plane ride, we landed in Korea! A quick 2 hour layover gave us some food and rest enough to board in Seoul on our flight to Beijing! A short 2 hour flight was enough time for a nap before we made it to our destination country. Upon arriving, we took a bus to a youth hostel for the night where cozy beds awaited our arrival. A real bed can be a rarity on the race.
After a wonderful night’s rest, we woke for breakfast and found some delicious pastries and dumplings for breakfast. Let me tell you guys, Chinese food in China is WAY better than what I’ve grown up eating. Dumplings for breakfast, lunch and dinner! So, after a full belly we trekked across the city (carrying our loads by foot & metro) to the train station, where we awaited the last leg of our journey- a 19 hour train ride.
Let me give you all a little glimpse into the next 20+ hours of life in China… hot, sweaty, tired, dirty and noisy. Public places in China are quite crowded, making them hot due to so many bodies. This also makes things dirtier, because humans are dirty creatures and really really noisy the more we get together. Our group attempted to make friends, but when all you know how to say is “hello” friendship is really limited. We got some smiles and waves, had LOTS of pictures taken of us, and with us, and with their children. We climbed aboard the train and stuffed as much of our gear and our bodies out of the way as possible. We absolutely overwhelmed our car. The sweet Chinese people sitting around us were so welcoming and forgiving of our noise and clutter, but couldn’t help but laugh at our ridiculousness. The women who push the carts up and down the train selling food found us less entertaining because we couldn’t seem to get out of the way. Hour upon hour went by. We played lots of games. We attempted to sleep. Did I mention if you had to use the bathroom there was a squatty potty on the train that dropped straight onto the tracks? Talk about being careful not to fall in the toilet… 19 hours later, the hot, sweaty, tired, hungry and overloaded Americans got off the train in our first stop with the biggest smiles. Harbin, China, we made it.
I’ve never been so impressed with a group of people. It’s overwhelming to travel. It’s even more difficult to travel halfway around the world, especially when you’re carrying around 80lbs on foot. It’s hard to get by in a place where you don’t understand anything anyone says or writes, and they don’t understand you. It’s even harder to have a good attitude after 40 hours of traveling, but I think my squad shines brighter after our travel adventure. God has big things for us, I’m just thankful we’re ready for whatever He throws our way. A stinky train, squatty pottys and a lot of awkward smiles won’t slow us down.
Here in Harbin we don’t have to be quiet about sharing the gospel. Our host contact is so open about being a Christian and sharing God’s love with others. We had worship in the middle of the city courtyard with plenty of friendly locals around to join in. It’s not illegal to love Jesus in China. And there are plenty of locals who love him a lot and are giving their lives to spread His word to others. Though it can be dangerous at times, and many local pastors have been picked up by authorities, they are only kept for a few hours and released to do as they please. Though the church here is regulated, it is thriving! Keep praying for us and the growing open church in our area of China!
