Kindness

Being in a huge country where one cannot speak the language can be challenging unless one has friends.  We are VERY blessed by the friends here who have shown us GREAT kindness.  G, a longtime friend, who is just visiting his parents in Beijing from Washington DC, helped make much of this trip in China come to pass.  He booked our hotel, made travel arrangements in the country, called friends to set up get-togethers and a whole LOT more.  J met us at the airport with G and drove us to her business where we then had dinner along with her husband, L.  It was a “light” meal – Hangzhou food.  J also picked us up yesterday and drove us to the Great Wall at Baidaling which is quite far from our center of Beijing location.  After that she drove us to the Summer Palace and then to a wonderful meal with a number of friends. L was our generous host last night for a delicious Beijing style meal and Beijing opera entertainment.  D and Y came along with us to the Great Wall, Summer Palace, and the meal time.  They (along with J) spent ALL DAY with us (14 hours)!  They didn’t let us pay for any of the admission prices or food along the way.  Another friend,  C, took the bullet train last evening (over 100 miles) just to be with us and then had to go back the same night.  Of course, we wouldn’t even be in China if not for the kindness of our loving church family allowing us to have this sabbatical and the kindness of generous supporters giving toward our sabbatical journey.  WOW!  What great kindness that our Father shows us through people. 

G & J meeting us at the airport

L with the Hangzhou style food 

J, Y & Barbara