Thank you for the prayers. Today has been a better day by far!
Mr. Wu, our driver
Some of you may wonder how we get around in China. We are blessed to have private drivers and a small "van." Our driver, who most certainly must be one of the most gifted drivers we have ever seen, is a Mr. Wu. In talking today with Sally and Mr. Wu, we learned Wu has two children, a daughter 15 and a son 10. This is a large family by today's standards. When the son was born it was not allowed that they have two children so Wu paid a fine of 7,000 Yuan, which is slightly more than $1,000. While we do not know his salary we do know that 300 Yuan is not an unsual monthly salary, that is about $45! Wu said he was happy to pay it as he loves children and was content to get a son. However, he did advise our guide, Sally, to stop at one!
As for driving, I think we have mentioned it is every man for themselves. Today Mr. Wu made a casual U turn across six lanes of traffic like it was altogether common, which it probably is, but to us it felt like a near death experience!
This morning, as with several mornings, we awoke to some fog, but realized that the lion's share of it may actually be smog. This has caused us some nasal difficulties. Thank goodness we brought alka seltzer. Like we mentioned with the zoo, we take such things as clean air and clean water for granted. We cannot drink the water or brush teeth with it, we must use bottled water. Most of China does not have potable water. While we are on the subject...bathrooms. In the hotels we have western toilets, though sometimes no tissue (better carry your own), but out in the real world we mostly encounter squatty potties. A shock to our western mentalities!
Sally, our local guide
Today was a day of rest while Sally worked on our paperwork, going to and from the Notary and offiicals making sure everything is signed, sealed and delivered. This morning she did take us to Dragon Park for a very nice stroll alongside the Yellow River. As it is Dragon Park dragons are everywhere, including a large bronze stylized dragon on top of a 2 story granite pillar. We were able to take a few steps down to the river and on about 2 feet of sand were able to touch the river and throw rocks in it, which Jin loved. There were many, many colored rocks in the river; tiny green pebbles we wondered if they might be Jade, which is common here but prized around the world. As the river is 5000 km long these pebbles may wash from thousands of miles away.
In the park we had the local specialty tea at a little cafe (that is a generous description). It is called something like 8 Charo Tea. It was served in large glass root beer mugs with a huge carafe of hot water. The mugs contained the 8 elements: green tea leaves, a huge rock of sugar, red dates, rose buds, an apricot, wolf berries, raisins, and an unknown seed pod called a longan (all dried). To make tea you rinse all of this with one round of hot water, then dup the water, then fill the mug to the brim with hot water and let steep. You can get two good mugs of tea from this then you can eat most of the stuff! It was different, tasty.
Tea is a very important part of the culture and many people are seen carrying their tea. Yesterday, we also had a traditional Chinese tea ceremony in the hotel lobby, they thought we wanted to buy the table at a cost of $10,000. The tea ceremony was fascinating, but not enough tea to wet your whistle!
Thank you to everyone who share your prayers and encouragement over yesterday's discipline issues. Today they were considerably abated, but we also made sure he had his nap, took things easier and had Sally, our guide, give him a firm talk in Chinese. We have learned a few Chinese phrases, so that helps too. But most importantly we started the day with a family prayer that things would be better....how often we neglect the most important tools we have as parents? Calling upon our own Heavenly Father for peace, patience, guidance and love.
Though Jin does not know Jesus, religious instruction being forbidden in the orphanage, we have tried to pray before each meal (I am sure this also draws looks as we bow our heads and fold our hands). This morning, in the hotel dining room we forgot our breakfast prayers. After a bite or two, Jin stopped, folded his hands and looked at us expectantly. Praise the Lord for giving increase to tiny seeds planted in trust and love.
Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
Friday night, the 6th, we fly southeast to Guangzhou to meet up with our travel group, the Coys and Kellams and our guide, Susan. Early Saturday morning all the children will go through a very thorough medical exam and consulate paperwork. We request prayers of swift procedures, easy paperwork, a safe and noneventful 1st airplane ride for Jin, and continued peace and joy.
Good night one and all,
The Holloways
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