Saturday, May 3,
2008
CULTURE RAINING DOWN ON US
Matt here!
Well, our day started out with some much needed rest. Hallelujah
for Ambien!!!
We awoke around 5:00 AM and talked to the kids, then headed out
for breakfast at the buffet. It was great to finally meet
everyone in our group this morning. We are quite a diverse and
large group and everyone we have gotten to know seem like
fantastic people. We headed out to Tiananmen Square to start our
sightseeing adventure……and adventure was the right word.
About 35 seconds after departing from the bus we heard the low
rumble of thunder fairly close. Nothing to worry about, right?
Just a little, distant rain shower? Well, five minutes later the
sky was pitch black and the heavens opened up with the kind of
rain that falls sideways. The police began to direct everyone
into an underground tunnel and we followed suit. So there we
were, with thousands of other people, in an underground tunnel
waiting for the rain to stop. Thirty minutes later we came out
on the other side into a rainy, blustery environment….and all of
us were dressed more for Florida than this. I do have to say
however, that I have never been happier to have a very type A,
prepared wife than today….we pulled out the “packed 6 weeks ago”
ponchos immediately and stayed relatively dry - not warm, but
dry.
We headed into the Forbidden City and spent a few hours looking
at different sights, we lost a couple in our group along the way
(people in ponchos and umbrellas all look the same) and we ended
up on the other side intact. The rain subsided and we headed
over for some lunch. After lunch we went to the pearl factory
and then the Summer Palace. Well wouldn’t you know, the rain and
wind decided to return, at a much slower clip, but still rainy
and cold. I think our guides, which are fantastic, were getting
a little too cold and wet as well, because we flew through the
Summer Palace in about 45 minutes. We ended the evening with
some Peking Duck and returned to the room – 29 tired families,
ready for their incredibly hard beds.
Tomorrow we go to church, the Great Wall and then to dinner with
Sara’s Aunt and Uncle who live in China. We are so looking
forward to everything today has to offer – but we wait with
greater anticipation the next day!
I want to end today’s post with this: I am so thankful that I
believe in and worship one God who is always present, always
working and always faithful no matter what. So many times in
this journey we have been reminded of this – from the
aforementioned ponchos to the wonderful people we have already
met here to the simple encouragements that have come at the most
opportune times to the amazing peace we have been under in a
seemingly anxious time the last few days. He is faithful.
|
Noah and
Hollyn – we miss you so much and love seeing your faces on
the computer. Be good - and only 13 more days until we
come home! |
|
Tiananmen Square
Here we are in our beautiful ponchos!
These were our best friends today!
A garden in the Forbidden City
Matt at the Summer Palace
This sign was in the bathroom of the restaurant we ate at.
Hmmm...makes you wonder what they think of the food they serve. |
