The Longest Day of My Life
Hi guys. Oh, so good to get to talk to you!
I just arrived back at Biola from break and I COULDN’T be happier to be back. I'm still quite jet lagged so I'm writing this while everyone in the apartment is asleep. Hehe.
WOW, guys. Let me just tell you about today! Today has been the longest day of my life… quite literally. I left Beijing at 3:50 pm this afternoon and arrived in Los Angeles at 2:50 pm. So technically I pick up in America about where I left off in China, but having experienced a whole lot of traveling in between. Wierd, right?! But the past day has been such an adventure. Let me just tell you.
So, I guess I’ll start at last night. I attended Fair’s cousin’s wedding in her hometown, a city in the province of Hunan, China. Then right after the wedding, Danielle and I boarded a plane to Beijing- arriving at midnight. After sleeping in the airport for a few hours, we decided to go to an orphanage in the north of Beijing because our flight to America wasn't until 4 pm.
So that's what we did. 6 am. 14 degree weather. 2 suitcases. 2 backpacks. And whole lot of the Lord’s favor. We took a taxi to the address provided by the website, couldn't find it, but continued searching until we found it a couple streets away. We were almost haggled out of a bunch of money by our taxi driver, but Danielle fought for a fair price like a boss.
We arrived at the orphanage just as a staff member was opening the gates and the sun was rising. Once we got inside, we had no idea where to go. The woman at the gate spoke only Chinese and only pointed, directing us… somewhere. As Danielle and I were aimlessly walking around the grounds, dragging our suitcases through the dirt, a man with a French accent appeared saying, “Oh, you must be the people who are taking over for me today.” After we explained to him that we were only guests visiting for a few hours before heading back to LA later that day, he invited us into his room to get out of the cold and put aside our luggage. We learned his name was Philippe, a retired tour guide from Paris who has lived in 43 different countries and had been visiting the orphanage for 10 days, just one of the many he visits in multiple countries to advocate for better living conditions. He offered us tomatoes, invited us to sit on his couch, told us some of the history of the home, and then read us snippets of his journal recounting the “special moments” of the past 10 days. He then gave us a tour of the orphanage and introduced us to Calvin, a national volunteer, who led us to one of the little girls’ dorms where we played with them.
And they were a JOY. They immediately embraced Danielle and me, calling us Jie Jie (older sister), and braiding our hair. Danielle danced ballet for them, and I got watch as she taught them all how to plié and jitte. I placed my camera strap around their necks and smiled as they giddily snapped away. As Danielle and I were talking about it later, we realized our own “special moments” was that we were able to share our passions with them.
After that, Calvin graciously paid for our taxi back the airport, even though we had just met and had come unannounced. He even insisted that we stay for lunch. Philippe ended up driving to the airport with us, helped us get to our gate, hugged us, kissed us on both cheeks (the French way, because “we’re romantic!”), and told us if we're ever in Paris, he’ll give us a free tour. And just like that, we were off to our gate, in awe of what had just transpired, the favor that had been lavished on us time and time again, and the love that we received from the children we had the privilege of meeting today. And all before 1:00 pm.
Guys, it doesn't even stop there. After getting off the plane from Beijing to Seattle, right as we are about to board the connecting flight to LA, I realized I left my camera bag on the last flight. Guys, i wouldn't SAY that that camera is my life, but it plays a big part in it. At that point, I'm a little worried, but after all the favor that we had received today, I had was sure God was going to work it all out. I actually felt strangely at peace. I called the airlines, letting them know about my lost camera and they said I would hear back from them. TO BE CONTINUED.
After arriving in LA, my friend Joey, picked me up from LAX and took me to Chinatown to get dinner, where a whole group of my friends from Biola joined us. The perfect way to end the day. Actually, getting the call from the airlines saying they had found my camera was pretty perfect.
Nah, actually, just getting to sit down, reflect on this crazy day, and write to you all the ways that God has SO clearly shown up today is the perfect way to end the day.
You know, the whole time I was in China, I just kept thinking, “there's absolutely NO way that I would be here if God hadn't placed me at Biola.” I had only ever travelled to Asia previously with a group of 7 girls from Biola on an SMU mission trip. And one of those girls was Danielle, who pushed me to go on this trip. And I never would have met Fair through work, or Diane through a friend. And I would be in a very different place if it wasn't for the opportunity and community that the Lord has given me through Biola. And so once again, I'm in awe and so grateful.
If you've made it this far, wow. And OH, I'm just so happy to be back at Biola and to get back in the swing of things. Here’s to the best semester yet and getting to share it with you! Love you all! Talk to you soon!!