Holy cow, it’s already October and my first month is coming to an end! In about six days I will be on a plane to Mongolia…Crazy how the time if flying by. The days have been looooong with nine hour shifts, two hours on public transportation, and doing all of this six days a week. As racers, we’re told to not have expectations of any sort, but that’s easier said than done. I expected China to be a month filled with loving on babies, with evangelizism, and, in all honesty, for it to look like it does in Mulan—But now I understand the emphasis on no expectations.
In such a short amount of time, I’ve already gotten to experience things I’ve heard and dreamt about, but never thought would come to fruition. I got to hike the Great Wall, to visit the Forbidden City, to attend an illegal Christian church, to master the art of eating with chopsticks, and given a Chinese name (Bao Bai, which means beloved or baby). My month in China has had setbacks, disappointments, victories, friendships, and lots and lots of people. A lot has happened, a lot of memories have been made, and a lot has been learned too.
I’ve learned that China has basically no traffic laws except to stop at red lights (seriously it’s terrifying); men can pee freely in public; you can wear bascially anything in public; Chinese people LOVE to stare, glare, whisper, and photograph foreigners– I now have a glimpse of what celebrity life must feel like; people don’t mind pushing you in order to get their spot on the subway or bus; and babies don’t wear diapers but wear buttless and frontless pants. I’ve learned how to speak some Mandarin! And I’ve also learned that sometimes ministry isn’t always a noun or some public spectacle of good works, but is more serving behind the scenes.
Our ministry this month did have to do with precious Chinese babies, but I didn’t get to snuggle any of them like I had pictured. My team and I worked for the store, Roundabout; it is a charity organization similar to a Chinese Goodwill and they donate towards babies and children who are hospitalized and financially unable to pay their medical stays. I’ve sorted thousands of books, priced hundreds of items, organized DVDs, swept the courtyard, dusted furniture, and wiped down tables. The work hasn’t been pretty and it’s been difficult not seeing the fruits of our labor, but in addition to the busy work I’ve been able to have dance parties in the book room, bond with my teammates over childhood movies and books, laugh with the staff, relieve pressure off the store’s shoulders, touch the lives of volunteers, and more. At the time, these things seemed so small and insignificant, and just a way to cope throughout the long days–But it’s through these moments my team and I have been able to love the sick children and to love the incredible workers at Roundabout.
The Lord has shown me He doesn’t need the prettiest gift, the showiest performance, or the most adrenaline-pumping experience to be glorified. Sometimes the smallest packages are the most needed. He has shown me grace, humility, patience, and peace in China. Although I didn’t have the month I expected, I feel confident saying He gave me the month I desperately needed….Here’s to the next 10!
