Wednesday Fun
joek...@insightbb.com
mentioned to our guides at the end of the day on Tuesday if it would
be possible to have a day of rest in the hotel. They offered up the
idea to everyone and we all jumped at the opportunity. Rene' and I
had done this last time but not on purpose because I got sick and the
rest came at the perfect time. Most folks just hung out at the
hotel. We saw them coming and going throughout the day as they left
for walks, there's a very beautiful park located just behind the
hotel.
We did the same until the afternoon when Glen our guide had arranged
for us to visit a local school. After getting misdirected to the
college with a similar name, we arrived at the Dangfong Foreign
Language School. It is a private boarding school for all grade ages.
Students were outside all over the place because it was their physical
activity time for some and others were in class. We walked around
with who I believe was the director for what we would call the
business office. I never quite understood his title but he was a very
kind and gracious man who took time to take us around the whole
school. Since it was a boarding school it looked like a campus with
single buildings that were both student housing and classrooms.
After we were there and stood in one place talking for a while,
through our guide Susan who was translating, some kids got curious
just like kids do and came over to meet the babies. Dawn Miller, her
mom Linda, and her baby Zoey were also with us. They started reading
our badges and making faces at the girls and before long we had
attracted quite a crowd. We'd move on and the same thing would happen
again. As we moved closer to the front of the complex the children
moved from middle school/high school age in the back to primary ages
in the front. Either way, we kept attracting a crowd. Molly got a
little overwhelmed from the attention a couple of times and the kids
seem to understand when Rene' would just have to walk away.
The kids were funny, and not just the kids other people do this as
well, because they'll come up to you and say in their strong accent,
"Hello. How are you?". It's like us saying Nie Hao, for hello, it's
what they know best and don't want to miss an opportunity to use it.
My visit was capped off by a game of 4 on 4 basketball with some of
the boys. I asked Mr. Wo if it was OK for me to shoot some baskets
with them and he said absolutely. I missed the opportunity to do this
last time we were in China and I told myself I wouldn't let it happen
again. We had a great time and they like the fact that I was big yet
could dribble and drive to the basket. About 15 minutes later we went
our separate ways with handshakes and goodbyes. No matter where you
go, sports seems to be a common language.
Wed Night - We got to have dinner with a local couple. He's American,
she's Chinese, they meet about 25 years ago in Macao, I think I'm
spelling that correctly, got married, moved back to the US, then moved
to China to become missionaries. It was arranged through another
missionary that Rene' and her mom and dad met back in Lexington a few
weeks ago. They were incredibly nice people and shared with us how
they are working here in Nanning and how God is working here in
Nanning and with the Zhuang Chinese Ethnic group. We had heard of
this people group before as it is the largest ethnic group in China
and 97% of them live in this province, Guangxi. The wife, I'm
purposely leaving out their names to protect there work here, took one
look at Molly knowing she was from Jingxi and said she was definitely
from this people group. The 97% only comprise 40% of the population
of Guangxi but apparently once you get away from Nanning city and into
the farming communities most of the people there are Zhuang. Just
another little bit of information we can pass along to her when she
gets older.
I have to say something about the prices of things here. We had heard
one the last trip how inexpensive things were but I don't think we
experienced it like we are on this trip. I bought dinner last night
for all five of us, Susan joined us for dinner, which consisted of 3
dishes we shared, rice and green tea for $10 dollars. We went to
McD's the other day and Rene and I ate a combo meal for just over $5.
Today, we had to hire a driver to visit the school. He took us in a
van, spent the whole afternoon with us, close to 4 hours, and we each
paid him $12 for the rental. It's just amazing how far our money goes
here. In the hotel things are a little higher, but even then it's not
outrageous like it is in the states.
Well, enjoy your evening. We are soon to be off to the Green Mountain
Park for a nice morning outside. A cold front moved through on Monday
and the weather has been extremely pleasant ever since even though a
little wet at times. Knowing that it could be absolutely sweltering,
we have been fortunate.
God bless,
Joe
I've been loading videos as I was typing this morning. The last batch
of uploads I sent did not take for some reason. As soon as I get
confirmation on these videos, I'll send out an email.
fmat...@lwf.org
trip. I think it is great that you (Joe) got to play ball with some
of the kids there. What a cherished moment for all of you.
I am curious about something. Do the children there realize that the
babies that they see you holdng could be their sibling? Are they
aware of the great number of children that are being adopted from
their country? That popped in my head when you mentioned the kids
coming up to your group and playing with the babies.
We have enjoyed all of the accounts on here thusfar and will continue
to pray for you as you head home. I know Mom and Aunt Janie are
excited to see you guys and that beautiful little girl.
Love you all. See you in Gatlinburg. Only 72 more days.