East Asia: Part V.

>> In case you need to start from the beginning < <
Part I: April 14-16
Part II: April 16-17
Part III: April 18-19
Part IV: April 20

April 21:This was our last full day in the windy Lubbock-like city. Our last big stop in the city was a college. In a class. To lead the class. Two classes, actually. We came in with no game plan but winged it beautifully. I started both classes with a little U.S. geography. AND! we taught them how to sing “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” Only half a verse but to have an entire classroom across the world sing a(n unofficial) state song? That’s music to a Texan’s ears.

The class broke into small groups that rotated to each of us. We talked about whatever and my favorite conversation went a little like this:
Me: Yes, I visited this country last year.
Student: Do you like the Harry Potter Warriors?
Me: Huh?
Student: The Harry Potter Warriors?
Me: Harry Potter? Uh, I’ve seen one Harry Potter movie.
[mass confusion]
Me: OH! You mean the Terracotta Warriors!

We spent four hours at the college, hitting up two classes and took a gazillion pictures. The students didn’t have digital cameras, but loved taking pictures of us with their cell phones. Here’s a Where’s Waldo? picture for you. See if you can spot me!

For the afternoon, some of us went to the grocery store to prepare for the train ride and others went to an orphanage to visit some babies. We met back with our guides to debrief and eat one last dinner in the city. It consisted mostly of our favorites but we also ordered some shrimp. And SHRIMP it was!

We had fellowship in a small apartment which is always such a contrast to our massive weekend mega services in the states. I actually led with a few songs, including “Greater Things” which we started singing at The Village. I wanted the opportunity to sing this song in this city and things lined up so I could.

“Greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city.”

I wrote in my journal, “It was probably the best day we’ve had on the trip. …And I slept like a rock.”

April 22: Woke up at 5:30AM and hit up our beloved McDonald’s one last time. We said goodbye to our faithful McD’s employee and I tried out a non-American treat.

We boarded a train and left the city around 11AM. I started my timer to see if this truly was a 24-hour ride. I journaled a little, ate a load of croissants, and used my third squatty potty. (Yes, a squatty potty on a train can be marked off my TO DO list. Wait, you mean it wasn’t on there before?) I watched an episode of Arrested Development on a video iPod Jenna let me borrow and then I passed the heck out. I woke up a few times but lived up to a nickname once given to me years ago: Rip van Nina. We arrived at our destination 23 hours and 45 minutes later and I think I slept for 18 of those hours.

We paid for a “room” (there was no door) that held six bunks - three on each side. In true East Asia fashion, they were rock hard bunks. And small.

Through our trip, we traveled by mountains…

…and rivers.

We could’ve taken a plane to our destination but I’m glad we saved some dough and took the train. I caught up on sleep and experienced life as lived by the locals there. When in Rome…!

I like ‘em firm.

In East Asia, we were greeted with rock hard beds, complete with a soft pink comforter. There was no sheet, but I never enjoyed sleeping with a sheet. But I was concerned about sleeping on my rock hard bed for a week.

But the days were so full that I crashed easily each night. I just dealt with the sore body in the morning, no problem.

The first night back in America, I slept for 10-12 hours on my soft, soft bed. I was tired. The next night, I tried to sleep but my body didn’t like the soft bed. I tried again the next night and the same result.

Desperate for sleep, I finally took an old comforter and tried out my couch. I’ve slept like a baby there ever since.

Maybe it’s my Asian roots really showing up!

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.

East Asia 2008: Part III.

>> In case you need to start from the beginning < <
Part I: April 14-16
Part II: April 16-17

April 18: Today we got a full day’s worth of “work.” It was my morning to lead devo during breakfast and I went through II Corinthians 4 (thanks to Kelly Ayers for suggesting this verse!), likening our ministry to Paul’s. I knew the team needed to be encouraged because we had a long day ahead of us!

First, we went to a university and met a new friend and a whole flock of people (her friends, their friends, everybody’s friends!) “BRAIN OVERLOAD!” It is insanity to have 15-20 people bombard your 6-man team, speaking broken English, and really wanting to get to know you. We made our way to the university’s cafeteria where I had their version of “dorm food!” I didn’t notice if it was bad or not because I was so dang busy talking! It was easy to forget people’s names and mix them up. I took some notes, but it got chaotic. After lunch, I was craving my favorite bottled green tea, and was about to pay for it, when one of my new friends, H, decided to be a man and pay for it. I told him numerous times not to, but when he said, “This will be my first time to treat a foreigner,” I gave in. Very sweet guy (and not just ’cause he bought me a drink!) We all chatted for awhile longer then eventually split. Not without a group picture though! (H the gentleman is on my left!)

Two girls decided to stick it out with us and we went to a park to meet other new friends, mostly guys. They were quiet at first, so a few of us decided to walk around the park and take pictures. Some got to fly an old man’s kite (them suckers get some mad air!) and some posed with statues. Here’s what I did:

Eventually, we broke some ice and conversed with the guys. A football was tossed, old men gathered around (and one was very interested in one of the women, thought she was Russian!) Some conversations I had were over school, work, Daoism, and the country’s history and culture. You never know what to expect!

And then… long story short, a random series of events led to…
A SQUATTY POTTY.

I avoided this Eastern wonder during the last trip, but alas, I had to go. And I had to pay to use the public WC. While wondering what to pay, a girl - who I hadn’t talked to - offered me the amount I needed. I declined, having more than enough to pay, but she said, “it is my pleasure… to treat you to the toilet!” I couldn’t refuse a gift and I really had to go, so I took her money and ran. I think it took me an additional minute or two to figure out how to go without going all over my pants, but I did it! I probably went to the dirtiest WC in the city, but dang, when you gotta go…!

The females of the team had some awesome stir-fry for dinner and met some sweet ladies with their daughters. The kiddos even sang and danced for us! About midway through the dinner, we all showed signs of major fatigue so we went back to hotel for sweet slumber soon after.

April 19: Started the day with Wendy Knauss’ encouragement verse of John 8:12 which says, “Then Jesus again spoke saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Boy, I needed some light because I was severely tired. Totally prayed for a break. After McDonald’s and the bank, we went to the Flower Market to meet some people from an English Corner. The Flower Market was awesome - full of flowers and unique souvenirs - and packed with kiddos. The custom is to celebrate a child’s 12th birthday in a big way. The weather was super cold and drizzly, so a lot of them spent it there. The team scattered in the market to purchase souvenirs and our new friends were kind in helping us. A younger boy, P, followed me for awhile and told me all about how America is different than his country. I made sure to straighten out his story! No one country is better than another!

For lunch, a few followed us for some duck! If you’ve never had duck, it’s a bit of work to get around the bones, but it’s so good! One of the guys at the table is an English teacher and has his students translate the “Good Book” for class! Triiicky! He comes from a relatively long line of believers and it was awesome to see him sharing his faith.

My prayers were answered and we had a few hours to ourselves! We went to a bookstore and grocery store to pick up some more souvenirs then back to hotel to relax. I didn’t quite get a nap, but it was nice to be off my feet!

For dinner, we splurged and treated our guides to some fancy Pizza Hut. No, seriously, it is considered one of the higher end restaurants in most cities within the country! Look for yourself!

And we were greeted by this hostess:

(yeah, I don’t know either!)

The rest of the night was spent listening to our guides’ prayer requests, enjoying pizza, and getting ready for our last two days, crampacked with things to do!