I am in CHINA!!!
We flew out of Atlanta, GA on September 10 and took a 14 hour flight to Korea. As most of you know, because of fundraising and other personal issues, I was unsure of whether or not that I would be able to fly out and launch with my team this month for China. I have known all along that the WR is where God wanted me to be. I was not 100% sure that the WR right now was actually going to happen. I had a peace and much confirmation, but still did not know for sure what would happen. I emotionally guarded myself against being totally excited about leaving with my team for the possibility of not being able to go. I wanted to be totally content with where God wanted me right now whether that was on the WR or at home for this season. So in faith, I continued to pray, fundraise, and plan for the race and just take everything one day at a time.
On the flight to Korea, I sat next to Kayla and as the plane took off and we both put our hands in the air as if we were about to go down a roller coaster. As we took off our excitement turned into a giggle fit for Kayla and a sob fest for me as I cried my eyes out. I grieved a sigh of relieve as I was no longer waiting in the unknown. I grieved as I let down my guard and allowed myself to feel my emotions. I soon joined Kayla and my tears turned into laughter. My journey on The World Race had begun.
From Korea we had a short two-hour flight to Beijing. Both flights were so great and I loved the chance to sit, relax, read, blog, and watch movies. In Beijing we stayed in an adorably decorated hostel. There were 6 of us to a room with bunk beds and we actually had air conditioning for the night! The following day we took a 19 hour, yes, 19 hour overnight train ride to Harbin in the northern region of China. My team and our backpacks severely crowded and took over the train. We crammed packs in every inch of the train and hung some with carabineers from the luggage racks. As I walked into the train I had a huge whiff of cigarette smoke and almost had a panic attack as I realized that people were allowed to smoke ON the train. In China air pollution is such a problem and cigarette smoke is allowed everywhere. Luckily, the morning before the train ride I used my asthma inhaler. While on the train I just prayed that I would not have an asthma attack and that the Lord would help me to breathe for 19 hours.
If I am being honest, the train ride was extremely frustrating at first because of the smoke, lack of space, and toileting. Many of us used our shirts or scarves to over our noses when the cigarette smoke was thick. We all were sitting shoulder to shoulder in our seats and had no idea how we were going to sleep on the train. For those of you that don’t know, toilets are very rare in China and their typical restroom is a hole in the floor. We were all so anxious about having to use a “squatty potty,” ESPECIALLY on a moving train.
God gracefully reminded me that my first world comforts are what He is quickly teaching me to get over. Although it was uncomfortable, by the grace of God I never had an asthma attack and was even able to get used to the smell of the smoke. Before long, we were all leaning on and cuddling with each other to sleep. We strategically used our bags as footstools and were spread out in the most awkward yet comfortable ways. My first squatty potty experience was a total fail and lets just say I ended up washing my Chaco in the sink. As result, I didn’t go to the bathroom for the next 10 hours while on the train. But PRAISE the Lord, that I got the hang of the Chinese toileting system even on a moving train!
We met our contacts, Jake, John, Alisha, and Andy, and will be working with their churches here. In northern China Christians are able to be more open about their faith. The churches we are working with are not underground and are beginning to grow. Harbin is a very large city with several Universities. We will be doing a lot of college ministries this month going to campuses making friends, talking to them about Jesus, and inviting them to church. Our hostel is a super cute one room flat in the city and actually has a REAL toilet.
I am so excited about our few weeks here in China!
To be continued!…
