So, how has my adjustment back to America been?
For starters, I do really miss China. I met a lot of amazing people there, many who I will probably not ever see again - at least not in this life. I am happy to be back in America and am really noticing all the amenities we take for granted. For example, having running water with hot and cold and water pressure, also air conditioning and a car to drive. But even lacking all these things, China is a great place to be because of the people. Walking through a busy city like Chicago or New York I would never have met so many friendly people. In Beijing, even though there is more people - they were friendly, everything was cleaner, everyone was quick to help.
One of the most difficult things I have had to deal with is my sleeping schedule. When I arrived in China I was so busy during the day that I had almost no Jet Lag. Here, I am having trouble resetting my clock. But by the time school starts on Thursday (already so soon!!) I should be good. And it has kind of been nice staying up late at night because I have gotten to talk to some of my Chinese friends. Many of them have left me messages of FaceBook (an online community). There comments are all so sweet and cute. Because their English skills are still being developed they tend to say things in ways that are particularly touching - like "I will remember you in my heart forever". I believe that my time in China did touch their lives, they learned more about Christianity and Love - I am more proud of that than any English they learned (although I'm proud about that too!)
I also have a pretty amazing story that unfolded on last day in China and my first day at home. This story is about Ricky, the volunteer Chinese who was with me the majority of my time in China. I'll try to give you just the major points, but there is a lot that makes this story truly amazing. First off, Ricky is not a Christian, but he respects the faith and the Bible. So Ricky was leaving New Day by train on Monday (the same day I left). He was kind of worried about making it home because he only had 200 quay left to pay for everything - it would probably be enough, but he might have to skip a meal. Then on Saturday night he received a gift of 100 quay from a team of volunteers at New Day for all his help. He accepted it as a payment and was relieved that he would have enough to get home. Later on, he received an anonymous card from an American with a gift of 300 quay. I was with Ricky when he opened this, he almost started to cry (as in America, most Chinese men do not cry). He had never before been given such a gift and it is really unheard of in the Chinese culture. He couldn't believe it. He called his mom to tell her and she told him that he must give it back. Chinese culture would never allow him to keep such an extravagant gift. So it was up to me to try to explain to Ricky why he should accept this gift (besides the fact he didn't know who it was from). I talked with Ricky for 15 minutes explaining how in America we sometimes give gifts to our friends, about Christians blessing others and how it is a compliment. He still wasn't totally convinced. We then ate dinner with my American roommates and yet again I spent 10 minutes with them trying to help him understand the meaning behind it. It was hard because not only were we crossing cultural lines, we were talking about religious blessings. Finally, by the end of dinner he had a look of understanding and acceptance on his face. He was not as joyful as we wished, but he understood the meaning and would accept this gift from our culture and religion. I felt satisfaction that night, knowing that Ricky had learned more about Christianity and felt he was very close to becoming a Christian. Sadly, I would not see him again and I could only hope God would continue to work in his life. Fast forward to my second night here. Ricky has posted a note of Facebook labeled "I met angels at New Day". Excitedly I opened up the note, but I was disappointed by the first paragraph. He was talking about the amazing people he met, but that he didn't think God sent them to New Day. But then I read the second paragraph. He explained that as he got on the train to travel home, they announced that his baggage was overweight. In order to take his luggage home he would have to pay a fine of . . . 299 quay. Without the gift he had received of 300 quay, he could not have paid it. Ricky wrote that, he knew God was looking out for him and was truly touched. I could not believe it. God was looking out for Ricky, tugging at his heart, providing him a way home - even if Ricky hadn't yet accepted him as his savior. I have gotten to talk to Ricky about it and he is still amazed at what happens and does believe that God set things up to work. However, I am saddened to write that he has not yet accepted Christ as his savior. So I ask that you keep him in your prayers. Ricky is an amazing young man with a lot to offer this world - I pray that he will continue to feel God's direction in his life as he lives in his hometown, in an environment plenty lacking from everything New Day provided.
So will I ever go back to China?
I don't know. I would love to go back and visit my friends. But, first I would like to go to Africa. I've had Africa on my heart as long as I can remember. I am leaving it open to God's will however. Wherever he sends me, I will go. There are so many Ricky's in this world, across oceans and here at home. I want to remember to live everyday here at home as purposefully as I lived everyday in China. If we all treated our hometown as much as a mission field as China or Africa, America would be a better place. It wouldn't be filled with so many hurting people. So, as for me, I will continue to look for the hurting people in this world, they need love and I can give them that - so can you.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Home Sweet Home
I have finally arrived back to my home in America. After 24 hours of traveling, I had a good flight back and got through all the stops in the airport rather quickly - Thnakfully. My room mate however, the one I went to the airport with, was not so lucky! I just received news that she is still in China after her flight had to return! I had such a great time in China and I hope you enjoyed my updates. I will try to update my blog again telling you how my transition back to America is going. I must say, every time I flush toilet paper I am reminded how blessed I am to be living in America . . .
Well - I just wanted to let everyone know I am back safe and sound in America! Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts.
Love,
Kelli Lynn
Who must now start to unpack.
Well - I just wanted to let everyone know I am back safe and sound in America! Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts.
Love,
Kelli Lynn
Who must now start to unpack.
At the Airport
Well, my room mate just boarded her flight to San Fransico and I am left here at the airport to wait for 4 hours. It was a blessing to be able to travel through the airport with her. We were helped while waiting to check-in our luggage, we only waited in line for a couple minutes! After luggage we flew through immigration. At security I was reprimanded because I had a drink in my bag. (My other room mates had given it to me as a gift right before I left and I forgot about it! I'm kinda bumed that I wasn't able to drink it . . .) After that we made it to the gates. Having an hour before her flight left we were planning on eating a lunch together (since my flight is/was at 3 pm). Yet after walking through the airport we came to the conclusion that there is hardly any food in this terminal. Only a Chinese fast food place (and we both were not in the mood for Chinese food right now, we both love it – but right now we are craving some American sandwiches or something . . .l) So we finally gave up and sat at her gate. I ate a cliff bar – one more time I have been thankful that I brought them to China with me. It is now 11:20 and she has just boarded her flight. They havn't announced my gate yet so I am writing my blog. Even though you won't be able to read it till I am home.
My last weekend in China was amazing. On Sunday we went to Church then a Thai restaurant. I had never been to a Thai restaurant before, but it was great. We actually had a lot of trouble trying to find the restaurant. We were told it was only a block away, but we couldn't seem to find it. We finally asked a store worker. He ended up walking around with us for 5 minutes until he found the restaurant! People here are so nice! After that we went shopping again. While shopping my friends and I got manicures/pedicures. They look great, perfect for coming back to America! It was about 7$ -kinda pricy. When we got back to our village I ate at the Noodle place one more time. They have great food and we eat outside and they make it as you order it. Its a small family owned shack/business. I love it, and a dinner is only 3-7 yuan (fifty cents to a dollar). I then walked to the middle of the village for one last time and got a few last minute items. After that the fun really began. First I went to this small hair place in my apartment building owned by a woman who has been helped by New Day. I didn't even know about her shop until one week ago. Well, I was told I had to go there and get a dry wash. Not knowing what that was – I agreed. We went there and it was well worth the 20 yuan. She puts shampoo in your (dry) hair and then massages your head for 20 minutes! She then massages your neck and shoulders for a little while. At this point she said I was done. We weren't quite sure if that meant I was supposed to leave with soap in my hair or what . . I mean its called a “Dry” wash. . . She then motioned me over to a sink and rinsed out my soap. That was a great 20 minutes I have to say. After that we did my favorite thing.
Do you know what my favorite thing is? The courtyard!! We brought out 3 new foreigners with us and again began to dance. One of the guys with us had been to Kenya previously and had an awesome dance they did a little of. It looks really cool and is easy to get so he taught us. This (just like everything else) drew a crowd. Eventually the amazing man dancer who taught us the Chinese dances came over. He motioned that he wanted to learn our dance! So we taught him and a few others an African Foot dance. How cool!! He then taught us some more about his dance. I think he enjoys the attention us foreigners give him . . .lol. . . At this point I began to people watch. All the kids there use ripsticks (and some adults). My friend really wanted to try it, so we asked Ricky, our Chinese friend, to ask a kid if they would teach us, or at least let us try. They did!! The kids loved letting us practice. And they were surprisingly great teachers. We couldn't talk but they would give us so much encouragement and hold our hands that we just had to succeed. And we did! I finally learned how to ripstick in China (My brother has one, but I could never do it before). We also drew a crowd with that. Just imagine . . .Me trying to balance on a ripstick ( a board on just two small wheels) holding for dear life to a small 8 yr only Chinese kid as they motion and encourage us in China. Oh yea, we were also shouting a little cause it is pretty busy down there and even if we did get moving we couldn't really steer . . . .It was so much fun. I'm gonna miss those kids in the courtyard. I wonder if they will remember their American friend who they taught to ripstick – I think some of them will.
Love,
Kelli Lynn
My last weekend in China was amazing. On Sunday we went to Church then a Thai restaurant. I had never been to a Thai restaurant before, but it was great. We actually had a lot of trouble trying to find the restaurant. We were told it was only a block away, but we couldn't seem to find it. We finally asked a store worker. He ended up walking around with us for 5 minutes until he found the restaurant! People here are so nice! After that we went shopping again. While shopping my friends and I got manicures/pedicures. They look great, perfect for coming back to America! It was about 7$ -kinda pricy. When we got back to our village I ate at the Noodle place one more time. They have great food and we eat outside and they make it as you order it. Its a small family owned shack/business. I love it, and a dinner is only 3-7 yuan (fifty cents to a dollar). I then walked to the middle of the village for one last time and got a few last minute items. After that the fun really began. First I went to this small hair place in my apartment building owned by a woman who has been helped by New Day. I didn't even know about her shop until one week ago. Well, I was told I had to go there and get a dry wash. Not knowing what that was – I agreed. We went there and it was well worth the 20 yuan. She puts shampoo in your (dry) hair and then massages your head for 20 minutes! She then massages your neck and shoulders for a little while. At this point she said I was done. We weren't quite sure if that meant I was supposed to leave with soap in my hair or what . . I mean its called a “Dry” wash. . . She then motioned me over to a sink and rinsed out my soap. That was a great 20 minutes I have to say. After that we did my favorite thing.
Do you know what my favorite thing is? The courtyard!! We brought out 3 new foreigners with us and again began to dance. One of the guys with us had been to Kenya previously and had an awesome dance they did a little of. It looks really cool and is easy to get so he taught us. This (just like everything else) drew a crowd. Eventually the amazing man dancer who taught us the Chinese dances came over. He motioned that he wanted to learn our dance! So we taught him and a few others an African Foot dance. How cool!! He then taught us some more about his dance. I think he enjoys the attention us foreigners give him . . .lol. . . At this point I began to people watch. All the kids there use ripsticks (and some adults). My friend really wanted to try it, so we asked Ricky, our Chinese friend, to ask a kid if they would teach us, or at least let us try. They did!! The kids loved letting us practice. And they were surprisingly great teachers. We couldn't talk but they would give us so much encouragement and hold our hands that we just had to succeed. And we did! I finally learned how to ripstick in China (My brother has one, but I could never do it before). We also drew a crowd with that. Just imagine . . .Me trying to balance on a ripstick ( a board on just two small wheels) holding for dear life to a small 8 yr only Chinese kid as they motion and encourage us in China. Oh yea, we were also shouting a little cause it is pretty busy down there and even if we did get moving we couldn't really steer . . . .It was so much fun. I'm gonna miss those kids in the courtyard. I wonder if they will remember their American friend who they taught to ripstick – I think some of them will.
Love,
Kelli Lynn
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