I need to blog about my last 2 weeks in China. That’s all I can think about as I lay in my bed. I am currently in Thailand, but feel like I would be doing China a disservice if I simply left it hanging and jumped into writing about my new life for this month.

Our last week in Harbin included mostly outreach and speaking English with college students. We got to attend an English class for freshmen and have conversations with them. They loved practicing their English with us and learning all about our American lives. We also spent two days promoting our translators’ English corner at the Student Organization Fair. This fair consisted of all the student organization working booths with the intent to recruit freshmen to get involved. We had a lot of fun talking to students. After a while we got creative and taught our new friends some American dances such as the Wobble and the Cupid Shuffle. Another girl, Addison, and I even made friends with the girls recruiting for the drama club, and they let us dress up in traditional Chinese clothing!

The girls from my team were able to go to Milk and Honey Land Cafe where some of our squadmates had gotten to do ministry on our last day in Harbin. This cafe is owned by two Chinese Christians who were able to study abroad in Great Britain for a few years. Now back in China, this couple has opened this British-themed cafe to share Christ with their fellow Chinese. Once we arrived, I instantly fell in love with this place partly due to my obsession with hole-in-the-wall coffee shops and Pinterest-inspired decorating, but also due to the boldness for Christ these two used in their daily business affairs. Through signs, decor, business cards, internet passwords, and events, this cafe shouts the love of God to the lost people of Harbin. Please pray that business would flourish and the Gospel would be proclaimed to many who come through the doors of Milk and Honey.

                             

Our last few days in China were spent in Debrief. This is something that will occur about every 2 to 3 months for us. Our mentor and coaches came over from America, discussed our work with us and poured in to us. It was wonderful to catch up with them and have some down time as a squad.

We returned to Beijing after a 16 hour train ride. When we arrived at 2:00 AM, we got to experience what it was like to sleep in a lobby of a hostel until our rooms were ready later that day. While in Beijing, we were able to also have some time off. We saw the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Beijing Olympic Park, and the Great Wall of China.

Now, I must close this chapter on China since we have already begun work in Thailand. Check out some of my squadmates blogs for video recaps of our month!