Hello from China!
We’ve gotten here and finally gotten some rest! That’s the first praise to report. There are endless things to tell you that have gone well so far. Everyone is healthy and excited about the coming weeks. Personally I can attest to the good attitudes and unity that our team has been infected with. It’s truly something to behold when you see 18 teenagers and 11 adults that are 30 hours into continuous travel still encouraging one another and being positive. Personally it is a blessing to work with them all, through exhaustion, adversity, unexpected change, and the good, it has remained a blessing.
When we arrived on Saturday morning about 3AM after a long layover in Beijing and a very interesting bus ride to our camp, our students were excited but tired. During a meeting that night about 4AM with our Chinese friends, we discovered that many less students were coming to the camp than was communicated beforehand. Due to some uncontrollable and unfortunate circumstances that happened to our Chinese friends here in Jinan, they have had great difficulty organizing the camp and recruiting students. They have, however, been the best hosts to work with. They have been more than accommodating by making us “rough it” at a golf resort! The food is interesting, but good.
This morning we got to perform an impromptu (less than 24 hour notice) 2 hour performance of camp activities at a local TV broadcasting university. The students there were so joyous and our teenagers interacted with them so well! Smiles abounded and much fun was had. The teenagers contributed so much and had such an impact the Chinese leaders have asked us to come back this upcoming Sunday, which we will do. It was definitely a good way to start of our camp together after finally getting a full and good night’s rest. Spirits have been high due to the success of that performance and excitement of what might lie ahead.
It is undoubtedly Father’s will that we are here. The opportunity to break ground for future teams and provide opportunities currently taking place to reach like-minded people is an uplifting purpose.
Speaking of uplifting, the thoughts you have lifted for us have been felt and are a critical component to not only our success, but the others with us in China. Please continue to be our uplifting warriors. It is truly appreciated and felt. Specifically, please remember the one on one relationships that are being built between our students, Chinese, and Him. Also, remember the team’s health and safety.
Funny moment of the day: One of our students attempting to do a cart-wheel on the stage during our performance accidentally and innocently kicking our director’s wife in the face. She is completely ok, but it was funny.
Remembering you as well,
The Jinan team