Travel Journal
March 17, 2013
Happiest of Birthdays to Nana back home. You can see your Chinese granddaughter sporting her Irish heritage today.
Our day started better than any of us could have asked. All three of us were able to sleep for at least 8 hours. After a tasty pancake breakfast, we joined Scott and Elaine at their International Church here in Beijing. Dayna enjoyed the Sunday School class while we were able to worship with people from around the world. The ability to attend church in China may very well be the highlight of our trip, and offers a little glimpse of what heaven will be, as people from every tribe and nation worship together.
Another highlight of our morning was getting to meet Robin Hill. Alaina recently finished the book "The House of Hope" which chronicles the work Joyce and Robin are doing in China to help orphans with significant medical needs. You can read more about their ministry here.
This afternoon, we were able to meet with our friends Cailian and Katherine. They lived in Lincoln for a year, and recently returned to China. Dayna and Katherine have been talking to each other via Skype for the last month or so, and were ecstatic to get to see each other again. Cailian and Katherine took a 10 hour train ride from their home to see us in Beijing this weekend. We spent several hours walking around a Beijing Mall, then went back to their hotel room while the girls chatted and played.
We topped off our day with a Sichuan meal with all three families. The food was quite tasty. Last time we came to China, we lost a considerable amount of weight. If we keep eating this well, that won't be a problem this time around!
One thing we've definitely noticed was the lack of quality air today. The pollution index today was 286. (This number was as of 5am; apparently, the Chinese government is currently recording it at 429.) Anything over 200 is considered "very unhealthy." When you hit 300, it is officially "hazardous." The haze is so thick in the air, you can barely see across the street.
Tomorrow, we're off with our friends to see the Great Wall!
Prayer requests:
• That Alaina's ankle will hold up with a lot of hiking/walking/uneven surfaces tomorrow.
• No respiratory issues.
Praises:
• Opportunity to attend church in China.
• Good night's sleep
• Visits with friends
