Just Chillin in Beijing

(Here is my blog from our days in Beijing)

Well, it Rains in Asia.

I hope some of you got the song reference. Charlie…. I know you did :)

As we landed in Beijing the first night, we were greeted with drips of rain falling from the sky.

It’s funny, because we soon realized that Beijing did not really seem like China anymore. I mean, it was of course, its just so westernized compared to the rural area of Chenzhou that we’d been in, that we felt like we were home.

As soon as we got off the plane, I heard people who could speak English. At the baggage claim, no one pushed and shoved to get to their luggage. Elyssa and I turned around when we got our bags, and Starbucks greeted us on the other side. The bathrooms were CLEAN. They didn’t smell bad. They were western toilets, not the squatty potties, AND they even had toilet paper! It was a nice change of pace.

After we had checked into our hotel that night, we quickly left for the mall to find a pizza hut. YES, pizza. The only thing was, it started raining pretty hard. What’d I tell you? It rains in Asia.

The sidewalks in China are funny… they’re not the type of pavement that we have here… they’re slippery when they get wet. And we all had flip flops on…

Plus, half of our group forgot umbrellas at home, so we all were sharing them. Shannon, Elyssa, and I all squeezed under my tiny little thing. It was very windy, and halfway through our walk, it completely flipped inside out, just like in the movies, we’re all screaming, and slipping around, grabbing each other for support…even though we know the person next to us will slip as well. Haha! I’m sure we were quite the sight.

But hey, it was worth it for pizza hut. The warm taste of pizza. Mmmm, it was good. :)

The next day we met in the lobby and drove to Shepard’s Field. It’s about an hour away. It took us a little bit longer though, because our bus driver was confused as to where we were actually going. HA. We finally got there though, and we were immediately amazed by how great the facility was. It was like a little city…

We brought our donations into the main building, and unloaded them all. I was actually surprised because we had so much stuff to give them. It filled the long table they had laid out. The two people who greeted us told our team that with all of the donations we gave, we basically gave a child a surgery… all because they saved that much money on buying every day supplies. I thought that was amazing.

We came at an hour where the kids were all sleeping, so we had time to kill before they woke up. We were brought into the gift shop to look around and see what they had. They had some really cool things that I really enjoyed. All of the profits made from merchandise went towards the kids at this foster home, so I was really excited about that.

We were happy to see some other Americans there… they were there to help out for a few weeks. What’s cool to me is that they actually were able to stay at the Foster Home in a “hotel” above one of the houses, and hung out with one another while the kids slept. They worked hard trying to get sponsors for the kids, as well as advocating for their adoptions.

We ate lunch, then sat down with a few of the people who work there to find out all about what they do there, and what Shepard’s Field is all about. Basically what they do at Shepard’s Field is this: take kids from orphanages from all over China who would not receive the care they need. All of the kids at this Foster Home have some sort of disability, and receive the proper care they need. Many orphanages ask them to take the kids, so they will get attention/receive surgeries they cannot fund for. It really is an amazing organization.

We took a look through all the buildings they have. They have a lunchroom, school area, crafts area, a garden, huge playground, 4 houses, and they’re in the process of building a therapy building. They teach the of all ages English… partly to make their transition easier if they’re adopted, and if not adopted, it’s a life skill that could get them far. They also work hard to train the kids who will not be adopted in some skill that they enjoy so they may be able to make a life for themselves some way or another. They want these kids to have a life… not just locked up in the foster home for their whole life.

We then were able to split up into four groups to each go to a house to visit with the kids. The ratio of nanny to kids in this foster home is 1:2, they said. And it was apparent to us this was probably true. Most of the kids were in school when we visited, but there was plenty of help. In the house we were in, 3 kids, 4 nannies, and 4 of us. It’s a very rare thing to say… but there weren’t enough kids to go around! Ha. At points I felt almost useless… all the kids had their own little partner (or two… or three).

I think Shepard’s Field is one of those places you almost have to go for a few days to actually be able to help. The kids are all disabled, so it was hard to know what you could and couldn’t do with them—we needed to know their story and we needed people to show us how to care properly for them, but we just didn’t have enough time. So for that reason, I felt useless too.

So, at that point I was able to go look around the wall of tiles. They have a fundraiser where you can pay money to have a tile put up on their wall, and you can write whatever you want with your name. Well, when we were waiting for Miyah, we made a tile for her… and I was able to find it and take a picture of it for her:)

After that, our visit came to a close. Where I did feel useless at points, I was very glad we came. It was a great experience, to see the good these people are doing. They have an amazing foster home, and the only better place these kids could be would be with a forever family. They are in such great care here.

On our last day, Lori pointed something out. There is a huge contrast between the kids at Shepard’s Field, and the Chenzhou SWI. The babies were more active, and talking more at Shepard’s Field… where at Chenzhou, most kids did not babble, most could not stand on their own let alone walk.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Chenzhou is a bad place. They do care for the kids, and they do the best they can, with what they’re given. It’s just that they don’t have as much help, and they don’t have as much time to care for each kid individually. What the people at Shepard’s Field are doing… is just amazing.

We left thankful we were able to visit.

That night we were all pretty tired and ready to go to bed. I don’t remember what we really did… except for the fact that I was exhausted.

The next day we woke up bright and early to climb the Great Wall. We drove out there for about 1 ½ hours. Elyssa and I soon discovered that we had come back to the same place we went last year. And it wasn’t any easier this year, haha. We were all so tired, feeling pretty sick by the time we made it to the top. But I must say, out of the 13 people in our group, 10 of us made it to the top:) Along the way I was documenting how steep the climb us, and there were Chinese people who kept up the same pace as us, and soon realized I was taking pictures. Everytime I turned around to take one, this one guy would throw up his peace signs and smile. Ohhh the Chinese…

Shannon told me I should get a punch card for frequent visits… my 4^th time up to the top, I think I should get in free, don’t you? Maybe next year… ;)

At the top we were greeted by a nice Chinese man who was selling tiles saying you made it to the top with the date and name engraved in it. I had one already from Mei Lin’s adoption trip, so I didn’t get one. But I think everyone else did. As he handed them their tile he said in a very enthusiastic voice, “You deserve it!” haha. He was very funny.

At the bottom, we got our group picture, and Elyssa and I got our annual picture in front of the wall which we got last year… only this time without Charlie :(

After the Great Wall, we went to the Jade Factory for lunch. No one really wanted anything from there… so it was kind of a waste of time. But, oh well.

We then rushed back to the hotel to change quickly and run back to the Silk Market. By the time we got there, we only had 1 ½ hours to shop before we had to leave. Elyssa and I were on a mission… and we dashed through the place getting the best deals we could on the items we wanted. Many people told us we were really hard bargainers. Once, I had just closed a deal with a girl and the chick in the store next to us looked at me and said, “ohh you are very smart, and drive a hard bargain.” Haha, why thank you :) I was sad to hear that most of the people in our group didn’t like the silk market… apparently it was too stressful to get the deal they wanted. I don’t know why, but I kind of got an adrenalin rush everytime it came down to “what’s the price”? haha.

After our shopping, we went to the Flying Acrobat Show. I was really impressed… I mean, the things these people could do was insane. Their flexibility, their strength, their balance. Amazing. I would recommend to anyone who is going to china to try and go to the acrobat show… it just seems so much cooler when you’re actually in China, I think.

That night we didn’t get back until late, and we ran to McDonalds for dinner. Of course. The next day we had to leave, so we still had to pack all of our stuff up, because we had to check out of the hotel pretty early the next day, before we went sightseeing. I was up late that night.

The next day we woke up and got ready, ate breakfast, checked out, and went to the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden city. WE somehow managed to make it through both of them in 1 ½ hours. Which, I can’t complain. It was my 3^rd time being there… I wasn’t too thrilled to have to go again. I mean, it’s cool and all… but it’s one of those places that you go, get your picture, and you probably never really want to do it again. But that’s okay. It was still fun going with our group.

We came back, changed our clothes, and threw the souvenirs we’d bought at the Forbidden City into our suitcases and we were ready to go to the airport. But not without a cake and celebrating Elyssa’s 15^th birthday first! :) We got a cake and celebrated for a little bit. It was really nice.

On the way to the airport, we had devotions time. We sang for a little bit, and went around and shared what the most amazing part of our trip was. It was great to hear how everyone felt, and how each of us has grown emotionally and spiritually.

I’ll tell you, if this trip was nothing else, it was emotional.

And if this trip was nothing else, it was faith building.

I realized that this trip was all about faith and love. Faith to raise the funds, faith to trust in the Lord. Faith when we had a rough start to our trip—that everything would turn out fine. Love—for these kids. I found myself so many times as I held a baby, or laughed with a kid, how much I loved them. I genuinely loved each and every kid, and their spirits. And as I prayed over their lives, and as I sang and dance with them, I realized that the Savior of my life, my Father, loves me so much more than I love these kids. Not only does He love ME, but He loves each and every one of those kids… with a Love that is far to extraordinary for me to fully comprehend. He loves us. No matter if we know Him, or if we don’t. No matter if love Him back or not. No matter what we’ve done, no matter how undeserving we think we may be. HE LOVES US. Every single one of us… and that became so apparent to me on this trip.

Another thing that struck me was this: you can build relationships with people halfway across the world. I was amazed to see how happy the orphanage was to see Elyssa and I come back, and to see how that by the end of the week the nannies were comfortable with us, and how the director wanted to take us all shopping, and even pleasure shopping as well. It was incredible. We really need to keep that relationship up with them… I think if we do, amazing things will happen for that orphanage.

I also think I found that I would love to live in china. I would love to work in a foster home, or in an orphanage and help in anyway I can. The kids need help. Many won’t give them the proper care they need… and if no one steps up to the plate… they won’t get it. So why should I expect someone else to? If not me, then who? I think my eyes were opened on this trip to see that.

By the time we had all finished going around and prayed, the much dreaded ride hour or so ride to the airport was over. It was weird to grab all of our luggage and check in for our flights. The lady at the desk asked me, “Your bags go all the way to San Francisco?” I felt weird.

Should I really be leaving China?

Was our trip really over already?

I just didn’t seem right. It felt like we had only arrived there yesterday. To be honest, I wasn’t homesick yet. I was content with where I was. I felt like I was at home. Even in Chenzhou, where everything was so different.

Why was I leaving???

I dreaded going through security and onto our gate, where I knew I would be on a flight for so long. Where I knew I’d be traveling for an even longer time. It would take me 4 flights, and many layovers to get home. EW.

The flights were actually not that bad. The long flight wasn’t full, so Elyssa and I had an empty seat in between us, which we took turns laying down and sleeping. I slept for 6-7 hours on that flight, which was a miracle.

All of our flights were great though. Fairly bumpy, though. But nothing we can’t live without. I could’ve lived without the problems Elyssa had with her flights, and the problems Delta gave us trying to figure them out… but that’s okay. Everything worked out just fine, and I am home safely.

One of my connections landed in Cincinnati, and when Elyssa and I got off, we immediately looked for food. The one thing we had been saying we were looking forward to was Chick-fil-a, but realized we were going to miss the breakfast time by the time we reached home. BUT WE FOUND ONE THERE. It was the happiest moment of the day. I couldn’t believe it… it was sent from heaven, I’m sure of it. ;)

Anyways, Elyssa and I parted there… and it was just weird. I sat at my next gate waiting, by myself. It took me all of 30 minutes to realize that I really truly missed her. Already. Haha. She was such a great travel partner, eating buddy, and roommate. I’m so happy I was able to share this experience with her this year.

And I suppose that’s the close of my China trip, I guess. It’s sad… but true.

Until next year…. ;)