Our final days in China were filled with things of this age. We journey to the Olympic Area on a drizzly day and saw where Michael Phelps made history! Part of the Cubed building where this took place was turned into a massive water park that had slides that began with being put into a pod that opened up to a free-fall, a raft ride that dropped into a round funnel which spun its occupants so dangerously that the screams were heard through the park, a tidal pool, and slides that were so fast, I almost begged for mercy! So fun!
We explored the Beijing Zoo as well and were delighted to see brown bears romp, tackle and even dunk each other in a pond. Monkeys played tag with lightning speed, and the pandas sat high in a tree feasting on bamboo. It was the best zoo we have ever seen in Asia. Annabelle even pet a zebra!
We are so thankful that we were able to go on this trip. We met up with some friends who live and work there and they shared history, wisdom, and insight into all we saw and the people we met. We went to church on Sunday and found out that there are government-sanctioned churches where foreigners can gather to worship. There are a few Chinese churches that are sanctioned by the government as well. We were told that as long as people and groups keep a low profile, they wouldn’t be squashed. At least that is what we are told.
Our friend that joined us in Xi’An also took us to the Muslim area in Xi’An for dinner one night. The street was the end of the famous Silk Road that provided trade from the Middle East to China. I never thought I’d be able to walk on that road! There were lambs hanging being cut for shish kabobs, taffy being flung around to be put into shape, vendors lining the cobble stone roads, and shops with open fronts begging for a visit. Trees provided cover and stringed lights gave a beauty to the colorful chaos. We ate a Muslim dinner and a lady let Annabelle roll some of the bread they make. The Muslims are a minority in China. The religion came from the traders that travelled this road so many years ago to exchange goods and knowledge. Our friend says most of them are Muslim in name and don’t practice regularly. But it has become an identity to them that is difficult to break through. Our friend takes time to love these people and enter into their lives. We are so thankful for those that give up Western livelihood to tell others about a greater hope in life than money and their parents religion.
Just like most nations, China shows off its good to the people and hides the bad. We know that there are so many people with cancer now, that they put up “cancer hotels” next to hospitals to house them. We know that they have no first amendment rights that let them speak freely against injustices that are seen. We know that their orphanages are so full of children that the workers can’t love them so the children no longer cry. And we know that many people are making a lot of money and are happy enough that not much is done about these former things. They are a proud people that have come very far in just a few decades; they may even become the next world power, who knows? I do know that I do not have power over them, but I do have the power to make a difference where the Lord places me. To love my neighbor, take care of friends and strangers, be nice to wait staff, to support my country yet protest when needed (we can vote people!), to love my husband and kids, and most importantly, to love my savior who gave me this physical and spiritual life. Oh that all of China and the world can know this Savior and trust in Him alone! What will you do?