Day 3 in Beijing!

Today we went to Summer Palace and the Silk Market. Summer Palace is where the emperors lived in the summer. They spent winter in The Forbidden City. Summer Palace was beautiful and extremely crowded. It opened 2 hours late because some officials were touring it. So there were many people waiting in line. And unfortunately I have discovered that when Chinese people wait there is smoking involved. So, health wise, it was a tough morning. There is a picture of the dragon boats at the Summer Palace and another of a marble boat. Also, outside the palace I took a picture of a man on a bike with a wagon. We have seen these all over the city, even completely loaded with soft drinks for a delivery. The next picture is of some homes or apartments near the Silk Factory. It shows some poverty. The Silk Market was tons of fun. It was hard to shop because whenever we touched something we had to bargain over prices. I mean big bargaining. They would suggest 560 yuan and I would say 100 yuan. Crazy!! There is one picture of us bargaining with the owners. I bought a lot of Christmas presents. The Bennett family will have a Christmas filled with things bought from China.

Tomorrow, I meet Hamilton. I am nervous and excited. I do have a peace, though. I pray he likes me! But mostly that he bonds and has a smooth adjustment. Thomas, our guide says that he has been told about us, but what can a 3 year old really comprehend? I am also praying that we will be able to visit the orphanage. I would really like to visit and thank the nannies. I have blankets the Covenant girls made for the children. Hopefully, these will help get me a visit. It is 5:00 pm here and this time tomorrow I should have a 3 year old. Sounds amazing and unfathomable.

Day two in Beijing

Today our guide took us to the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City.

The first group of pictures are from the Temple of Heaven. Chinese people predominantly believe in Daoism. The Temple of Heaven has one building where the emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped the god of harvest and another the god of heaven. They believe in many superstitions- colors, animals, and numbers all have different meanings. Outside of the Temple of Heaven is a public park. I sent some pictures of various people. One is a street party or dance. One is of people playing different Chinese games or dancing. The older gentleman is 80 years old. He chants in the park every day according to our guide, Thomas.

more on day 2

Here are more pictures. Will, the first picture is for you. It is of a Chinese apartment building. That is the closest thing I could find to the inner city! My guide did tell us that behind small shops are courtyards with small homes surrounding. Many of the homes do not have water access. He said that the people living in these homes are typically from different provinces-- everyone wants to live in Beijing.

The next group are from Tiananmen Square. It is the moon festival here, so there were tons of people out today. I tried to capture the crowd. There is a photo of a float used in a parade on October 1. They celebrated the 60th year of New China, China after communism. There is a picture of some soldiers and a row of buses used to bring police and soldiers to work that morning. Apparently crime is very low here. It could be because there are policemen and soldiers everywhere. Also, they kill murders according to the guide. Yesterday, we watched a suicide intervention outside my dad and Laurie's hotel room. A young girl was attempting to jump off the lower roof of our hotel. There were policemen and firemen. After about 45 minutes two policemen were able to sneak behind her and remover her from the roof. It was so sad. The girl was crying and screaming in Mandarin to what I guess was a negotiator. But thankfully, she was saved.

Day 2 in Beijing

Last we went to the Forbidden City. I did not do my research. I assumed it was just another building. I was quite wrong!! Apparently, it was built during the Ming dynasty. The emperor believed the god of heaven had 10,000 rooms in heaven. So, to not compete with the god, he built his "city" to have 9,999.5 rooms. It was huge, truly a small city. It was all stone with one small garden area- I mean no grass in sight!! There were many buildings and entrances between them surrounded by a large brick wall. It was also very crowded. It is fun to watch the Chinese people. They also seemed to enjoy watching us.

At the end of the day, Beth, Tyler, and I walked around the streets of our hotel. We wandered into a mall. We had many people staring at us and I assume talking about us. A man came and spoke to us. He said one of the ladies asked him to tell us that she had fitting rooms. He was an artist and showed us the gallery. I believe we were the only Caucasians in the mall.

Tonight I opted out of dinner. I am very tired. I slept 13 hours last night trying to adjust to the time change. Also, it seems that more people smoke at dinner. I felt sick last night after sitting through dinner. I could use prayer for my allergies. Asians like their cigarettes! My guide finally asked today why I wore a mask occasionally. I tried to explain and hope I did not offend. I really do not want to be sick when I meet Hamilton.

The more obvious prayers would be for Hamilton's adjustment. God has given me a peace about it. I know he is in control no matter what happens.

I miss you all and would love some American food already,

Kem

Beijing- Day 1

I really did not know that I could ever be so tired. The time change is tough to get used to. But we just finished our first day in Beijing. It is Monday evening here. Saturday and Sunday were spent on the plane. I had about a 45 minute flight to Atlanta, then a 14 hour and 15 minute flight to Tokyo. Followed by 3 and a half hour flight to Beijing arriving at 10:30 Sunday night.
I met a doctor from a PCA church in Augusta on my long flight. He was headed to Indonesia for a medical missions trip in the town of the tsunami. Bill, you would have enjoyed him. He was reading and listening to a sermon of John Piper.!

This morning we went to the Great Wall. I had difficulty breathing the air as we climbed. So my hike was shortened. I was praising God at the end. They brought someone down on a stretcher to an ambulance. I was so thankful it was not me!!

We then went to lunch at a tourist restaurant above the Cloissonet Factory—this is probably misspelled. After lunch, we toured the Olympic Village areas.

China is much different than I expected. I found out on the plane that there are legal protestant churches here. I was surprised. A man from Nashville comes twice a year to teach in seminaries. The churches carry bibles printed in English and Mandarin. One of the churches is supposed to be close to our hotel in Guangzhou. So I am going to try to purchase a bible for Hamilton. The hotel is clean an nice. It has a little mildew in the tub, but no big deal. The people are pleasant. We did get the chance to pose in pictures for a couple of Chinese people. Beth was a bit surprised when a college student asked for her picture!! I forgot to warn her.

I can not reach our blog from here. So Bill or my mom will be posting for me. I can check emails though. So, please post comments or send emails. We need lots of prayer.
Melissa, Thomas is checking to see if I can visit the orphanage. He said that most children are taken from their foster parents a week or two before adoption and returned to the orphanage. So I do not know if we will get to see Fischer. But I will get a picture for you if I do.

Thank you for your prayers. I feel covered, which we really need.
Kem

Leaving Birmingham

Dropped Kem off at the airport. They should be arriving in Bejing in around 24-25 hours- around 10:00 AM Central-Sunday Morning. Please pray for safety and traveling mercies.

Will has just left to go to Mobile for a soccer game, so Elizabeth and I will be hanging out today, doing homework and watching football. Tomorrow, Will and I will have the great opportunity to study together. The timing of this trip coincides with the end of the 1st 9 week grading period at school, so Will and Elizabeth are both covered up with tests, etc.

We appreciate everyone's prayers and support!

Bill

Blanket Making

Elizabeth's youth group got together this afternoon and made blankets for Hamilton's orphanage.

Six more days until we leave!!!