Sleepless in a Soft Seat

What do you do with a full week off before you travel on the biggest journey of your life? Travel, of course. In order to break in our walking shoes and navigational skills, Peter, Andy, and I went east to visit some friends and check out some of the other cities with teachers working in the harvest fields. Shaoxing was our first stop. Our overnight train from Sunday night to Monday morning was about 9 hours. We had soft seats to sit on and attempt some sort of sleep for the train ride. A few problems exist when sitting on a soft seat. They never shut the lights off in the train cabin. The leg room is made for Chinese legs. 6 people face each other with the leg space just mentioned. The back angle is a perfect 90 degrees taking away any lower lumbar support. I was smashed up against the window where the heater was also located and I had Peter's body heat right next to me. I was dressed for cold winter weather, not a sauna. I got maybe 4 hours of sleep total. Time passed by so slowly. I was sleepless in a soft seat.

Thankfully, things like train rides are only temporary. I was greeted with smiles and hugs by Shaoxing friends. We checked out stuff like a market, a pagoda (pictured), Shaoxing's famous winery (some samples too), and then we relaxed for the second part of the day. The whole crew in Shaoxing got together for supper and we gave thanks for the blessings of food and fellowship. Part of our reason for coming so far from "home" was to see a classmate visiting China over his Christmas break in the States. He and his girlfriend joined our triumvirate and the next day we spent in Hangzhou.


Before we could get out of Shaoxing, I first had to get out of the bathroom. The door I closed behind me was a little broken when I went in and a lot broken when I tried to get out. The bolt had disconnected from the handle and was just resting in the door frame as it should when it locks. But when I turned the handle or unlocked it, the bolt didn't move from between the handle and the door frame. It was almost a half hour or so until just the right connection from both sides of the handle set the bolt back in place and we turned the handle to get me safely out. Phew! We were contemplating breaking the door, climbing out windows, and breaking a fake window on the door just to free me.


Our group of 5 took a morning bus to Hangzhou and met up with the shepherd there to drop our stuff and get some info on the city. We ate lunch together and explored the area around West Lake. It is one of the most famous things to see in China. Hangzhou is a beautiful city and the park surrounding West Lake is nice and green. I surmise that things are more pleasant in the spring and summer months. One of the shopping streets we went down had a street show with various acts: a boy spinning some bowls around everywhere, a girl with a whip, and a guy who caught metal balls in a cup on his head after throwing them into the air. The girl used the whip to cut a cigarette in half while it was in a guy's mouth and other cool stuff. Our time in Hangzhou was pretty limited, but we enjoyed the upscale and green city. It was a nice change from Wuhan. 5 became 3 again and we took the bullet train to Shanghai that night, reaching speeds of almost 190 mph.

We just explored the downtown area of Shanghai the next day. The famous Bund along the river gave us good photo opportunities. Their architecture is stark contrast from the modern buildings across the river. The big thing we did that day was to go up to the 100th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center. (It's the tall one with the open square at the top.) I stood 1,555 feet off the ground. It is the tallest observation deck in the world. We left the Bund area until the lights came on and took some more pictures before catching our return train home. Luckily no soft seats for the return trip.

A Hidden Getaway

Happy New Year! What a joy to know that He is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever! I have taken a bit of a Christmas/New Year break from the blogging. I thank you for your continued support, thoughts, and talks with the Father as we await the day of His return. Last week, Peter and I decided to visit Chairman Mao's Wuhan villa. We had 2 days off from school and instead of sitting around, watching movies, and eating sweets, we explored what this massive city has to offer.

When the infamous leader used to visit Wuhan he stayed at his villa located on East Lake. As we tried to locate the exact location of his villa, we found no address . All we had to go on was a location on East Lake. We tried Google this and that, but all we found were descriptions, no address. We took a bus to East Lake and hailed a taxi. When we told him where to go in simple Chinese, he drove around for a little while as he tried to call his boss. He also got on the taxi radio to see if the other drivers knew how to get there. As he was driving around a very secluded neighborhood, a Chinese friend of ours also called and talked to the taxi driver. So it took three different sources to help in this hunt for the villa. The taxi driver also asked three or four different groups of people walking along the road if we were close.

We found it and ended up being a little disappointed with our search. We took numerous pictures from outside two of the three buildings at the compound. They were locked up because now one of the buildings hosts government meetings. We also walked around the grounds trying as many doors as possible. No luck. It was a nice place. Mao came here to think, write some poetry, relax, swim, and meet with other diplomats to impress them. I included a few pictures of the sights I saw that morning.

Merry Christmas!

 It's been a whirlwind weekend here. The group of teachers here got together on Christmas Eve morning for some reading from the Book and singing some truths about it. We joined together and celebrated our friendship and fellowship found in Immanuel. After joining in praising our newborn King, we had a secret santa gift exchange. In order to replenish ourselves, we went to a German-themed restaurant. They had a Chinese food buffet and they had guys coming around with spickets of meat. They just shaved off chunks of meat right in front of you. And, if this wasn't good enough, there was good beer too! In true German fashion we ate meat and drank beer and sang O Tannenbaum. Maybe not the last one, but we could have. Some of the meat selections consisted of pork, lamb, ox tongue, chicken heart, bratwurst, bacon, and shrimp.  My favorites were the bacon and the lamb.

Later in the afternoon, we settled in for some Christmas movies while I put my new Majong skills to the test. (What's Majong? Stay tuned for a later post.)We had some Chinese friends over for supper and enjoyed tacos, ribs, and apple pie. Who doesn't love to eat good food at Christmas time? We went to see the masses of people shopping after supper. Unfortunately, here in China the biggest thing about Christmas is shopping sales. Christmas Eve is the night to get the best deals of the year. I included some of the pictures from the shopping mall area I was at last night.

This morning I was privileged to share the message of our Savior's birth with the rest of the gang. This Christmas has certainly been different in many ways. At least one thing, the most important thing about Christmas has not changed. The wonderful truth about the Son coming to earth in order to save us holds true the world around. What grace and love our Maker possesses and shows to us. We are children of Him through the gift of fa!th by grace. How great is He! May He bless your celebration of the birth of the Son this year wherever you are because He will be there with His Word!

Let's party!

 This past weekend we had many reasons to celebrate. For starters, it was our annual Christmas party. Since our group of teachers is spread out over three different parts of the city, we send the invite to all of our study friends and their friends. We also tell everyone who visits or attends on Sundays to invite their friends and family. We had at least 180 people in attendance, most of whom were there for the first time. This was the biggest number of people we've had here at a Christmas party. He is good!

The program consisted of some Chinese friends singing a rendition of Feliz Navidad. It may have been a few too many language variables for this party, but they sang with the love of their Savior in their hearts. Then one of the kids from kids study played a violin piece. Then there was a skit teaching about forgiveness and the true meaning of Christmas. We heard the Christmas story according to Luke 2. All of the kids study kids sang "Away in a Manger." The combined groups of Chinese and Americans sang 3 Christmas songs and then we invited everyone in attendance to join in singing "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night." All of this was in their native tongue. We are here to help, but definitely want to let them have the reigns.

We had mingling, we had fun, we had food, we had fellowship, and we gave thanks for the many blessings the Father lavishes on his Church throughout the world. As a letter from my sister reminded me today, "No matter where you are, the reason for the season still stays the same." How true it is! We know what the news will be in a few days, proclaimed from the pulpits and sung from the seats. We look forward to it again and again no matter where we are or with whom we celebrate. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He and his Word never changes. His Word stands firm forever! What a joy it was to celebrate and share the news of the Savior born in Bethlehem with souls who desire the Light of the world. Rejoice and praise Him for his gospel. Thank Him for the salvation and hope that we have gift wrapped for us by grace this Christmas season!

No More No Shave November

I am finally cleaned up and presentable again. For the month of November I didn't let any razor touch my face. A few days into December that all changed and I trimmed things up a bit. Then came the goatee. Unfortunately I forgot to take photo evidence of that stage because I was so excited for the 'stache. Now, I would recommend this process to anyone with the ability to grow facial hair. I would also recommend parting with your razors for November if you don't have the ability to put some fuzz on your face. It creates great conversational topics, and if you are striving to keep the ladies at bay, ditch the razor.

The 'stache was by far the most controversial. It was either loved or hated. Like any great team or food, the 'stache has a league of its own. You either love or hate the Packers. You love or hate chocolate. When was the last time you met someone who was lukewarm toward chocolate? I digress. . . Now that the cold is here to stay, some have wondered why the change? I don't mind a frigid face or cherubic cheeks. I do mind the itch and the constant company that my face hair got from the food that didn't quite make it to my mouth. Many napkins and tissues could have been saved if not for my food-filled-face. Next year I seek to  continue this tradition. Perhaps it will come to a city near you. Stay warm my friends! Fear the beard!

A little competition

This past weekend I agreed to put a little extra time in at my school. I woke up early on my Saturday morning, chowed down some noodles from the street vendors to warm me up, and settled in for a day of judging an english competition. The only thing I can compare this to is a forensics meet in the States, but when you get down to it, they are nothing alike. They clear out the regular classrooms, shoving all the desks into the back of the room. They put a line of chairs against the wall on one side of the room for the "performers" to sit on. They set up 5 students' desks in the back of the room for 2 foreign teachers and 3 chinese teachers. They told us to be at school by 8 am, but the competition didn't start until around 9 am. They are not great at specifics in this country and its just part of the culture. Something I may never settle with.

I saw over 100 different students that day. All of them were in grades 1-3. I can't catch a break from the young ones. These kids come into the room in groups of 5-10 and watched the whole group perform. One after another gave a little speech about themselves which lasted about 30 seconds. Then they usually sang a song and added in actions and dancing. Then they looked at a picture and described as much as they could see. All of this was in english of course. Then the foreign teachers asked them a few questions to test their oral skills. No parents in the room. They had to patiently wait outside. The following is just a sampling of the best and funniest things that caught my eye that day.

Many students sang a version of the Hokey Pokey which ended up being the Hokey Dokey, the Hokey Kokey, or the Hokey Hokey depending on their pronunciation skills. I got songs like "My Heart Will Go On" sung by a girl in a dress like a Disney princess would wear. Other songs were "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" and "Amazing Grace" with totally different words. It was good to hear the tune though. I saw these young girls in make-up and perfume. I heard a story about an old man beating his cat. A boy and a girl did "Rock Around the Rosies" instead of the usual "Ring Around the Rosies" with gyrating hips as they rocked around a chair with two roses resting on it. I also heard "Edelweiss" and "What a Wonderful World." I was hoping the 6 year-old girl would break out in her best Louis Armstrong halfway through the song. Kids came in with some crazy uniforms as well. They go all out for this stuff. I had a boy and girl dressed in tuxedo and dress. Another boy dressed as Santa and sang Jingle Bells. I was loving it.

The competition was a little long at times with repeated songs, but the costumes and unexpected personalities of these kids made for a fun cultural experience. Just another day here in China where new and different things are always popping up. Thanks be to Him who never changes. He is our Rock of Refuge in whom we trust. Blessings upon your work and witnessing!

Deck the Halls

Preparation for Christmas is in full force here. Peter and I have purchased and decorated a pint-sized tree, various stores are trying to attract business with pictures of reindeer and Santa, and the most important preparation is going on in the hearts of His servants here as we await the celebration of the birth of Immanuel! This Christmas will be different, but only in its outward appearance. The same Savior of all will be praised. The same Father of all, who is watching over all things since before the existence of this earth, will continue to watch over his saints here. The same Spirit will stengthen his elect and bring more to salvation through this message of grace.

As we strive to make the outward appearance somewhat like home, it's always reassuring to find decorations up and trees adorning storefronts. Peter and I were caught off guard when shopping for our tree to hear seasonal music in the store and even a life-size Santa in the isle. We had to get a photo. Of course, after the foreigners take a picture with Santa, everyone within walking distance had to get a picture too. If this is what the foreigners do, then it must be cool. Check out the massive lamp (below) in front of a shopping mall. Some stores go all out.

As the deadlines diminish and the commercialism comes to an end, the stable lamp is lighted. The angel choir lights up the sky and His saints all over the world celebrate the God-Man born to save us. He comes down from his throne of glory to save lowly sinners like us. What love and grace! He did all of this so that one day we will deck the halls of Zion with praise and shouts of joy unto our coming King! May the Spirit continue to bless your Advent season!