The Great Evangelist

I rode the subway to my friend's house over the weekend.  I was with another girlfriend, Kristin, who had her baby with her so coming and going via the stairwell seemed silly when we could take the elevator up to fresh air.  We shared the elevator with a small, elderly Korean man who smiled at us.  He jabbered eagerly in korean  but we just sort of nodded with big eyes as though we understood every word.  We made a few "ahhs" and "ohhs" which come with many korean conversations as a sign of comprehension.  He stood about as tall as my 5'2 build but I probably had a good 20 pounds on him.  He wasn't much in stature but gave off a very familiar vibe that he was a wise man.  A man on a mission of sorts but well organized.  My Granddaddy's kind of 'ora'. As the doors opened, the man bid us farewell and went on his way in the opposite direction from what we were walking.  

We went about our business and returned to go home the same way about three hours later.  We walked up to the elevator now going down to find the same little man also awaiting for the elevator.  Kristin and I laughed at our interesting timing and greeted the man with a friendly bow.  In a city of 4 million- what are the chances we would share an elevator with the same stranger twice in one day? He immediately started in on us, still in korean, with the use of his hands being very expressive and an even different passion than before.  I felt as though the third level down could not arrive soon enough as I couldn't bring myself to tell him that my understanding of his language was no where near his used vocabulary. He was just so happy!  Full of cheer.  He finally put it together that we were giving him the glazed eye stare and he lifted up his left hand to reveal his Bible.  He put his right hand to his chest and staggered through the english term, "Christian." Then he put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Christian?" It was like the entire 4x4 lift was full of love! We started bouncing up and down at the first sign that we all understood one another! He told us (we understood this part) he had just gone to church and how much he loved God!  All we could say was 'Yes! Yes!' 

The doors opened and the three of us walked gleefully towards our subway.  No words at this point were exchanged.  We just knew we were amongst Family.  A very warm and fulfilling moment.  Tears filled my eyes as we parted onto different tracks.  What an amazing testimony.  He didn't even know our language yet he found a way to ask us and share with us his love for God.    

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus. 

China-mas: Part 5

I was pumped to get to see Beijing's Olympic Village!  I watched for two weeks straight in 2008 during the summer Olympics and lost many good nights sleep wanting to watch the games live vs. on replay! It was so neat to see Bird's Nest and walk inside!  They have now turned the stadium into a kind of theme park for kids which looked like a lot of fun!

As we were waiting to get inside, these two boys desperately wanted these kite-like birds a man was selling.  Their father kept telling them he didn't have any money.  Jake's a softy and bought the two kids the birds then taught them how to use it.  Their faces were priceless.  They couldn't really figure out how to say "thank you" in English but were familiar with "Merry Christmas"...so they attempted it though it sounded like segmented grunts of happiness- which is a-okay!  Naturally, Mom and I started to cry. 

 A Hallmark moment.

I think he got a little misty-eyed, too. Shhhhhh...

Inside the stadium

Aren't they cute!?!?!

Inside the Water Cube! 

Where Michael Phelps won his 8 gold medals!! 

 Getting ready to eat Peking Duck!  It is also called Beijing Duck which is a specialty when visiting this area of China.  The restaurant we went to was famous for their duck preparation and grade! It was very nice and yet, we were in sweatshirts.  

 Our duck's liver...it was good. 

 The chef hacking our duck at the table

The spread: Duck, Duck kung pow, broccoli and wraps

Our card verifying the health and well being of our duck.  We can look up with the duck's ID # and see the duck (alive) and it's surroundings in the days before we ate him.  Now, that is true service.  I'll be expecting this next time I eat at McDonald's. 

Five little ducks...hanging in a row (with their heads still attached). 

 The service of the duck head cut down the middle.  All brains are fair game! I have to laugh at Mom because she ate the eyeball before she knew it was the head.  She thought it was just part of the wing. HA!  That was a funny moment. 

And then this is the welcome in the restrooms. 

Hahahahaha!  

China-mas: The Great Wall

On December 25th, we ventured to The Great Wall of China!  Here are a few fast facts for you about The Wall if you've forgotten since you took World History.  

- The Great Wall extends 5,500 miles 

-It is said to look "like a black worm" from outer space when taken through a camera lens

-The Wall is over 2,000 years old

-It was built by soldiers, common workmen and criminals 

-An estimate of 1,000,000 deaths happened as a result of building The Great Wall 

-The Wall was built to keep enemies out.  It didn't work but it sure does look nice! 

Going up to the Wall in our cable cars! 

The Family on Christmas Day! 

 Inside the chambers where watchmen would have slept

 It was amazing! Indescribable! A lot of challenging stairs :) 

Merry Christmas!! 

The donkey, Norman. Just hanging out on The Wall. 

So Jake Jones decided to would be his friend...

Coming down from the Great Wall we rode an alpine slide! It was so much fun and went really fast down a slope shaped like a bobsled track!  At the end- you met men dressed up like Chinese soldiers.  You take a picture of them with your own camera and then they ask you for money. Ha! 

It was definitely a Christmas celebration we will NEVER forget!!  

China-mas: Part 3

What do you notice about this picture?  We asked a local why we saw so many little ones with slits down their bottoms and apparently that is how they potty train!  It seems too cold for one's bum to be exposed like that...not to mention- gross.

Outside the Beijing Zoo

We went to visit the Panada bears!! They were very adorable but I have to admit, all of us felt the need to set them back in the wild! Their little eyes just looked very sad and like they needed me to taken them home! I'm sure my pups would love a bear to join them in our backyard...

Jake was starting to get sick but he trooped through the week! 

Visiting the Temple of Heaven!  I think my favorite part was the park surrounding the temple where locals come and sing, play games, practice their instruments and dance!  It was a great look at the cultures arts! 

 Locals playing games

Locals practicing their singing as a choir 

 These ribbon dancers would make Will Ferrel proud

My favorite 'act'.  Two elderly men. One singing completely off key and one playing some kind of handmade stringed instrument. 

 Crossing over the highway bridge giving a little Korean shout out. 

 At the Pearl Market!