Our Final Day and Thoughts from Chongqing (10/13/2010)

It is hard to believe that our time in Chongqing has come to an end, as we have waited so long to get here.  But it is time for all of us to leave this place, to start the next chapter in our family’s life.

Today was full of travel across part of this huge city, starting in the old village of CQ, which has a history over 200 years old, but still functioning as a part of everyday life for many of its inhabitants.  We walked on cobblestone streets that were well over 100 years in age, and you could sense the rich heritage and pride in those people who lived and worked there.  Some of the things they did may have been a little “touristy”, like making the sticky rice, but still reminding the younger generations that these methods are still alive today.

Sophie told us that at night, many of the stores close, with the exception of a few restaurants, to serve the old villages favorite delicacy dishes of pig blood jelly and chicken innards.  She said people will come in to fill up the seats each night to feast on these dishes.  Not sure about you, but it really makes one hungry for some good ol’ USA fried food about now……

After leaving the old village, we visited the historic zoo in CQ, which was built in 1951 as a “Central Park” type of park for the city.  A few years later, they turned the park into this zoo, which seem very natural in its landscape and architecture.  With today being a workday and rainy, there were no more than 50 people in the entire zoo at any time.  So we had the place to ourselves and enjoyed seeing some exotic animals.  WeiWei was itching to see the China panda bear all week.  So when they were napping when we arrived, she was not pleased.  But after 2 hours of walking around the zoo to see the active animals, they were all awake when we circled back.  None of us had ever seen a live panda bear before, so it was a treat for all of us.

After leaving the natural setting of the CQ Zoo, we traveled across the street to the more modern zoo in CQ – the Wal-Mart Supercenter!!!  Very interesting to say the least, and I will end the conversation about that store quickly.

By the time we made one FINAL visit to CSC (China’s KFC) at the mall, we traveled back to the hotel around 4:30 and called it a day.  Everyone was pooped.

Tonight was a blast hanging out in the rooms…..all except for Jenn, as she diligently packed up everyone for tomorrow’s early flight to Guangzhou.  I had the fun opportunity to sit in the floor with Mary Beth and a deck of cards.  I started pulling cards and matching them by numbers and suit, giving Mary Beth hints as I went.  After one time on my own, she got into the game and tried matching them on her own.  After one hour of playing this, she aced all the cards, then started testing me like I did her.  We laughed and laughed, as she was already the teacher.  She tried to “instruct” me in her native tongue, which I so wish I understood her language……because I think she was telling me exactly what she thought!  It was so cool to have her learn these numbers and repeat them back to me so quickly.  It reminded us of her brain as a complete sponge right now, and these are the times that we need to really teach her what is important.

Mary Beth came alive in so many ways tonight.  Jenn and I had to verbally remind ourselves tonight, “Hey, did you know that she is missing part of her arm???”, as she was doing perfect flips on the floor, shuffling the cards herself, as well as not backing down to her brothers and sister while wrestling on the bed.  She will teach us much.....

As we reflect back on our time in Chongqing, it reminded me of two things this city really needs – some sunshine to brighten the faces on those here, and some real Sonshine to brighten the hearts of those who need the hope He brings.  We had a cool opportunity to Skype with a group of middle school students in their Switch small group from Church of the Highlands at Dwight’s house before we left this morning.  As a note of encouragement to them, we wanted to let them know that this place appears to be very “dark”, and not just because the sun rarely shines.  As middle school students, they needed to know what our Brother John wrote as his very first words to us in his book in The Book and how much the Word is needed in CQ.  There is also a statement he later quotes – about 14 letters/chapters later in the 6th sentence – from the Son as a reminder that the Son is the only thing that will bring hope to everyone.  We loved having the opportunity to challenge these students to let them know what was going on outside of their world.  (We still need that reminder too.)   I hope this challenge resonates with these students more than it did for me at that age.

We are sad to leave CQ, but happy to know that we will soon be joined by over 40 families from different agencies at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou in the next two days.  There will definitely be strength in numbers.

So as you are finishing your Wednesday at work, we will be waking up to get on the plane for a new adventure.....like Mary Beth's first time on a plane....

Thank you for interceding for us.  He continues to bless us and answer you on our behalf.

Final blessings from Chongqing, China.