East Asia 2008: Part IV.
>> In case you need to start from the beginning < <
Part I: April 14-16
Part II: April 16-17
Part III: April 18-19
April 20: Started my day with this verse from Amy King (although this picture was taken at the end of the next day):
I definitely needed to be filled and strengthened as the next two days were the most hectic on our schedule! After our daily McDonald’s, we went to a huge park - perhaps the best park I have visited! (I totally wish there was a park like this in Dallas!) There were people everywhere, playing badminton, exercising (ex: kicking trees, yoga, nunchucks!), a mini fair, musicians practicing and performing, and then our little English Corner.
Most of the English Corners (a time and place where the locals can get together in hopes to practice speaking their English!) I have been to consist of mostly college students, but this one was different! There were little kids, older kids, and some curious elderies! As with all English Corners I have witnessed, it was chaotic keeping up with multiple conversations and meeting 15-20 people within 2-3 hours. In other countries and cities, you build shelter and you provide food, but for these people, this is love. Taking time out of the day to just spend time with them, let them know they are loved, and exchanging words in English.
Here’s a group pic, complete with little shrub in front!
We ate duck for lunch which I commonly have when my parents and I go to dinner in Arlington, but it always tastes better in Asia. John made sure to eat the duck’s brain which I think he said tasted okay.
We spent our afternoon “talking to Dad” on the east side of town. It was a good 30-45 minute van ride and we visited meeting places of three different faiths. First, we went to the government-run church. They had just started an afternoon service, but we were welcomed inside. We heard a familiar hymn but also saw Santa Claus. In April.
Our next stop was a Buddhist temple. There were many temples and even some in the making. We walked to the edge where the temple community meets the mud house community. It really struck me how much money went into building these extravagant buildings and how these people are living minimally. No doubt this happens in America too.
As we were leaving, a woman approached us. She wore a red pin with a gold cross as well as a warm smile. I think she had found out we were visiting the temple but were believers of another faith. Turns out, she is too! Poor woman had been without faith support in a long time and was very encouraged to meet us. So much so, that she invited us to her home!
We walked to the mud home neighborhood (the very one we saw before) and we got to see the other side of the fence. She showed us baby pictures, gave us candy, and just loved talking to our translator. It didn’t matter that she lives in a poor part of town, it didn’t matter that her house consisted of one giant “one size does all” room, and it didn’t matter that she only met us minutes before, she served us her finest tea (like, it was set on a top shelf for a special occasion) - the best I’ve ever had in Asia. It’s so hard to describe how awesome this moment was, but it was definitely the highlight of my trip.
We bid adieu and went to our last stop, a mosque. The old men and women here were very friendly (the Imam joined in some pictures) and I took my first peek inside a mosque.
The day ended with some Bulgogi. At some places, you cook your own meat, but we had servers do that for us. It was my first time eating this stuff and it was good stuff. It was a good way to end the busy day.
