Since being home it has been a roller-coaster ride with sleep, we all started back to our daily schedules of work, childcare, swimming, etc. today. I was so excited to see the kids, we're going to have a Chinese lessons in chopsticks for lunch today with Raman noodles, it'll ought to be fun. So now for the meat of the posting.
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We went to China with open hearts on what God had planned for us. We knew it might be challenging with so many different personalities, but the group got along really well, Shannon was an awesome team leader and by the end of the trip everyone seemed to respect and appreciate one another's unique place they played in this trip and came away with a place of love in our heart for each one of us 14 people.
We went with expectations on what we would bring to these orphanages, medical equipment, formula, diapers, wipes, lotions, clothing, and playing and loving with so many of these little ones. But what you don't expect is what YOU walk away with, an appreciation and respect of the tireless care and love that the nannies give these children, even though there are so few nannies for all these children.
The dedication of the UK couple heading up a hospice orphanage within a structure where it's easier to forget about the ones who won't make it to adulthood. The special needs orphanage who works with 33 other orphanages in all of China to provide surgeries and care for the children until they are adopted. Shepherd's Field also is implementing a new 4 story building that will utilize a portion dedicated to the children (after they turn 14 they are no longer cared for at the orphanages) who have turned 14 and aren't adopted. They will teach them a skill, provide them training with money, home skills, etc. to give them the self-worth needed to be a productive member of their society.
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One thing we were asked was to be "delicate" in describing our experiences in China. It is definitely not the United States, but realizing, respecting and being open to the fact there are other cultures out there (and many others yet unexplored) when visiting another country is vital to what knowledge you walk away.
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We visited Disneyworld and Disneyland in the past and came upon several Asian people visiting also. We had judged them according to their actions and described them as rude and if you're in America, please speak English. Well, we found anything but the opposite to be true. China's population is so large and in their culture there are no lines, no waiting. Everyone just gos! and usually at the same time. They're aren't people getting indignant, cursing, etc. because they're being hurdled toward an elevator or across a street, it's just their custom. It was nothing to see 15 or more people getting out of a cramped elevator, or hearing horns at all hours of night, not to be rude or show road rage to another person driving, but to let them know that there was someone else going the same way.
When we were at the airport with our 40+ bags and waiting patiently for an elevator to take us to lower levels, no one batted an eyelash to walk around us, so we quickly learned to move with the flow.
The streets were shared with walkers, bicyclers, mopeds, buses, taxis, rickshaws and 13 American missionaries in culture shock and terrible jet lag (ok, so maybe only 9 since 4 others had visited China at least once). Several times we were almost hood ornaments, but we all made it across the streets safely. Believe it or not, we only saw a couple of accidents and they looked to be only fender benders (not sure, but they were probably from different countries not realizing the way traffic worked here. : ) If you see women walking arm in arm in China, I learned from our guide, it's saying, "we are very good friends", and I was honored this from our wonderful guide.
There were so many different people from different walks of life on the crowded streets. There were people on the street selling vegetables, fruits, live animals (chickens, rabbit, eels, frogs, turtle)s for the evening dinner. There were men and women on large tricycles carrying cardboard, empty plastic bottles, and other supplies to wherever their destinations may have been. Almost all the young women we saw (late teens through early 30's) seemed to all dress very nice in pretty dresses, almost always with 3+ inch heels. While it seemed the 40+ crowd opted for flats or low pumps. Most the women of all ages carry umbrellas since we were told in their culture being There were families sitting outside their shops with little ones running around in split pants (preferable for the toilet training we were told).
Walking through China isn't a glamorous adventure, it's a lesson in reality and of the realness that most live simply. The shopping was mainly shop after shop with open door fronts displaying the wares of the contents. The workers usually sat outside with a fan in hand to keep cool since it was extremely hot and humid. In ChenzhouIPod cases. There were row after rows of umbrellas shielding the sellers from the sun. Beijing is much more westernized and we didn't see the outdoor markets there. There were also a whole alley of cobblers with their sewing machines set-up fixing shoes, sewing pants, taking measurements, etc. They also had umbrellas set up, but were fortunate enough to be in a shaded alley.
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