The last camp is finished. The morning was spent with a closing program, signing t-
shirts, evaluations, slide show, and clean-up. I didn't realize how much this was a
"camp in box" program. China Service Ventures provided almost everything: mats,
pillows, mosquito netting, wash basins, water, soap, cleaning supplies, cooking pots &
pans, trays, chopsticks, serving ladles, booklets, crafts, and pencils -- we supplied the
sports equipment. The school provided the facility, beds, and cafeteria. The logistics of
this camp were incredible for 61 kids and 21 counselors, but it all worked beautifully.
We are basically all cleaned up. There are a few storage issues, but tomorrow is dedicated to worship and a long debriefing and personal thank you.
We had dinner at a retreat place on the outskirts of town. While at dinner, I learned that one of our Chinese counselors is actually a member of the communist party (about a third of the counselors were Christian). There are 80 million Chinese members in the Communist Party. Evidently, if you want to work for the government, you must be a member of the Party. I quizzed him about some of the differences between current Chinese Communism and Marxism, but the language barrier was too great to thoroughly explore the topic. I will need a translator.
Later, we took our last walk through the town past the town square where they have cultural dancing every night, over the bridge filled with people seated and chatting away in small groups (a community night) and stopped by our favorite little grocer to purchase water.
Around 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, we will take a bus into Xinyang, check into a hotel for the evening, then on Sunday morning take the early fast train to Beijing. While in Beijing, Mim and ( will spend two extra nights taking one day to see the Great Wall of China and the other day to see the Forbidden City. We will check into a few markets, though I hope to do most of my shopping while in Lijiazhai and Xinyang (cheaper).
We still need your prayers. There still is one more day of opportunity for conversations and then travel mercies. Mim and I will be lugging back 4 suitcases, 3 of which are sporting equipment. We pray for space to put them on the buses and trains.
On a sad note, I dropped my iPad and the screen cracked -- bummer. But, I am mindful of the story of Jonah and the broom tree. Although I'm thankful for the technology, I'm more thankful for what The Lord is doing in the hearts of his people and want to be more sorrowful over those who don't know him than sorrowing over a cracked screen.
We love and miss you all. Looking forward to being home soon.
Jeff & MIm
We are basically all cleaned up. There are a few storage issues, but tomorrow is dedicated to worship and a long debriefing and personal thank you.
We had dinner at a retreat place on the outskirts of town. While at dinner, I learned that one of our Chinese counselors is actually a member of the communist party (about a third of the counselors were Christian). There are 80 million Chinese members in the Communist Party. Evidently, if you want to work for the government, you must be a member of the Party. I quizzed him about some of the differences between current Chinese Communism and Marxism, but the language barrier was too great to thoroughly explore the topic. I will need a translator.
Later, we took our last walk through the town past the town square where they have cultural dancing every night, over the bridge filled with people seated and chatting away in small groups (a community night) and stopped by our favorite little grocer to purchase water.
Around 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, we will take a bus into Xinyang, check into a hotel for the evening, then on Sunday morning take the early fast train to Beijing. While in Beijing, Mim and ( will spend two extra nights taking one day to see the Great Wall of China and the other day to see the Forbidden City. We will check into a few markets, though I hope to do most of my shopping while in Lijiazhai and Xinyang (cheaper).
We still need your prayers. There still is one more day of opportunity for conversations and then travel mercies. Mim and I will be lugging back 4 suitcases, 3 of which are sporting equipment. We pray for space to put them on the buses and trains.
On a sad note, I dropped my iPad and the screen cracked -- bummer. But, I am mindful of the story of Jonah and the broom tree. Although I'm thankful for the technology, I'm more thankful for what The Lord is doing in the hearts of his people and want to be more sorrowful over those who don't know him than sorrowing over a cracked screen.
We love and miss you all. Looking forward to being home soon.
Jeff & MIm
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