The first week in China has been an eye opening experience to say the least. We've been so busy getting settled in and made so many trips (walking) to the local market to get little things we need, time has flown by. It's quite different from what I was told and read about China to actually being here. Most people would be shocked once they experienced it for themselves. The people here go out of their way to help us no matter what situation we are faced with. This week we were looking for a local Chinese restaurant we liked (we had it delieverd to work the day before) but could not find it, so we took the menu to a post office down stairs from our apartment for help. The security guard asked a woman who spoke English to help and they tried calling the order in for us, but they were not answering, so she called the bank manager Leo (who also spoke English) to see what he could do for us. He was very nice and said it was not too far and he would walk us there to show us where it was for the future. I estimate we walked a solid mile before we found it. I don't know any bank managers in the U.S. who would walk a "foreigner" who didn't speak their language a mile to show them a small restaurant. We were so grateful, and we brought him a few desserts the next day.
Anytime we had questions on something we were looking to buy, an area heater, or blow dryer or pots and pans or looking at a dvd player, 2 or 3 people will always try to assist. If their English is not suffiencient they run for someone who speaks it a little better to help and now you have 4 or 5 people standing around to make sure we get helped. I've never seen anything like it. We were also pulled to a VIP room at China mobile and a translator and our new friend Alexander helped us setup an account. Another example would be when my debit card was not withdrawing money at the bank, I started with 2 people helping, by the end and I'm not exaggerating, I had 6 people trying to figure out the problem. I guess the point I'm trying to make is they have been so helpful to us during this tough transition. If they weren't so helpful, we would have been lost so many times. Its very convicting with how I treat people who don't speak English back home in the states. I will forever be changed in that aspect of my life, I will be more willing to help in the future. Any time we look lost, or were reading a map, or ask a simple question somebody always comes to help. The Chinese treat Grace like a rockstar, making it very easy to build friendships and relationships here. They want a reason to approach us and tell us about themselves. I wish all the grandparents could visit and see how they love her here. They want pictures of her blonde hair and blue eyes, we stop every ten minutes for pics and to hear "she's so beautiful" which of course we agree. We can't wait to make some new friends to such loving people.
The city here is very different from an American city. There are a few areas that are "nice" tourist areas but there is no such thing as Eaglebrooke or Grasslands or south Lakeland or fill in your nice neighborhood name. They build billion dollar malls and high rises in front of 50 year old slums. Most people here are very poor and live 5 or more to a small apartment without heat in the winter or ac in the summer. The average person here makes about 500-800 rmb a month which is only about $90- $130 USD a month. They live in houses that we would condem in the states and yet somehow we all live next to each other. Their culture has taught them not to question authority or their situation. I feel safer walking through the streets at night here than probably most areas in Lakeland. They do not tolerate hard crimes here at all. Its very hard to explain but you don't notice the lower class people as much here because we all blend. We walk to the same area and shop the same street vendors, they don't have much but seem so happy. They live in a constant state of economic recession or depression.
They are very content and its not that they don't work hard, its the opposite, they work long days for little money. I am humbled by all of this and it makes me realize just how easy things are for us back home. That doesn't mean I was not thankful or did not appreciate what I had back home, I just look at things differently now, and it only took a week. I feel like I never really knew how amazingly good I had it. They do not tip here in China, so your bill is an exact amount. The servers work long days for set wages, so the customer service is not near as good as the states when it comes to restaurants, but hey they're not working for a tip so its understandable. They make roughly 5 american dollars for working a 10 hour shift.
I know this post seems long, but I feel that I have left so much out. I could write forever. I will save some for next time.
Jon
Thursday, January 27, 2011
What is different about living here???
Okay, So I know we have only been here a little over a week but here are a few things we have already noticed that are different from living in the U.S.
The only driving law is that there is no law. Only the wealthy drive their own cars, and they live and die by their horns. That's all you hear all day long. No need for an alarm clock here... we wake up when traffic picks up each day around 7:00 am.
No ice in your drinks, and no free refills.
The kindness you experience here is incredible. When a local notices you need help on the street and understands that you are a foreigner they rush to help you as much as possible... we don't exactly do that in the U.S. when people do not speak our language.
Waiters will not accept tips in restaurants, in fact they will chase you down to give it back to you if you try.
You pay for things in advance here: cell phone minutes, electricity, rent.
Milk is kept warm on a shelf.
It is cheaper to get chinese take out and have it delivered to your door, than it is to buy groceries and cook for yourself.
Mcdonalds and KFC deliver... and for just $1.00. crazy! When you ask them to point you towards American Food they will direct you to McDonalds. They think that is all we eat!!
They don't have dryers, dishwashers, or ovens.
Even on the sunniest day it is gloomy, because of the smog in the city.
There's a rule here to never pass up a western toilet (what we use in America) bc it may be miles before you find another one. The Chinese use squatty potties.
No animal is off limits here in the meat department.
There's no toilet paper in public restrooms (you have to always carry your own with you) because the people here just steal it.
I don't believe there is anything like OSHA, or builiding regulations. You can walk down the street and see the building next to you crumble because someone decided to tear it down. They don't have to give notice to the people in the area or get any type of permit.
Everyone here has their Chinese name, and then they all choose an american name too. For instance, they like to pick names they think would be cool in the U.S. We have met someone named Cherry, Lookie, Spice, Avril, Madonna, I can't remember them all but it's hilarious.
It is not rude to spit, burp etc in public ... but they are completely turned off if you pick up any food with your hands!
It's nothing for someone to walk up and get in front of you while you have been waiting in line for ten minutes. They all do it here, and no one says anything about it, not even the person who has been standing their waiting.
The Pizza Huts and Papa John's here are pretty fancy. It is a special occasion for the Chinese to go to one of these restaurants because it is expensive compared to the Chinese food.
The Servers will avoid coming to your table to wait on you in places like these because they are scared to death their English is not perfect. They get so embarrassed when they feel their English isn't good.
I will post more of these later. I could go on for days!
Jess
The only driving law is that there is no law. Only the wealthy drive their own cars, and they live and die by their horns. That's all you hear all day long. No need for an alarm clock here... we wake up when traffic picks up each day around 7:00 am.
No ice in your drinks, and no free refills.
The kindness you experience here is incredible. When a local notices you need help on the street and understands that you are a foreigner they rush to help you as much as possible... we don't exactly do that in the U.S. when people do not speak our language.
Waiters will not accept tips in restaurants, in fact they will chase you down to give it back to you if you try.
You pay for things in advance here: cell phone minutes, electricity, rent.
Milk is kept warm on a shelf.
It is cheaper to get chinese take out and have it delivered to your door, than it is to buy groceries and cook for yourself.
Mcdonalds and KFC deliver... and for just $1.00. crazy! When you ask them to point you towards American Food they will direct you to McDonalds. They think that is all we eat!!
They don't have dryers, dishwashers, or ovens.
Even on the sunniest day it is gloomy, because of the smog in the city.
There's a rule here to never pass up a western toilet (what we use in America) bc it may be miles before you find another one. The Chinese use squatty potties.
No animal is off limits here in the meat department.
There's no toilet paper in public restrooms (you have to always carry your own with you) because the people here just steal it.
I don't believe there is anything like OSHA, or builiding regulations. You can walk down the street and see the building next to you crumble because someone decided to tear it down. They don't have to give notice to the people in the area or get any type of permit.
Everyone here has their Chinese name, and then they all choose an american name too. For instance, they like to pick names they think would be cool in the U.S. We have met someone named Cherry, Lookie, Spice, Avril, Madonna, I can't remember them all but it's hilarious.
It is not rude to spit, burp etc in public ... but they are completely turned off if you pick up any food with your hands!
It's nothing for someone to walk up and get in front of you while you have been waiting in line for ten minutes. They all do it here, and no one says anything about it, not even the person who has been standing their waiting.
The Pizza Huts and Papa John's here are pretty fancy. It is a special occasion for the Chinese to go to one of these restaurants because it is expensive compared to the Chinese food.
The Servers will avoid coming to your table to wait on you in places like these because they are scared to death their English is not perfect. They get so embarrassed when they feel their English isn't good.
I will post more of these later. I could go on for days!
Jess
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Today God reminded me that I have ONE purpose, in China and in life, and that is to LOVE. I could ask for no greater an assignment.
One week ago today we left for what we knew would be an exciting and challenging season of our lives. So far we have experienced nothing but kind people, who look for an opportunity to help us at the drop of a hat. We expected to go through some culture shock when we arrived, and have been surprised to find that we haven't felt that way at all. Maybe it is because we prepared ourselves for many months before coming here. Their culture is very different, but they are also very similar too.
Today I found myself wrestling with the fact that a lot of the people we will help here won't understand our language and we won't understand theres, so how will we "reach" them? While we are serving are we so focused on the end result that we forget the real reason we are doing it anyway? The bible does not say, to serve others but only when you are certain it will make a difference or change a life. Today it hit me that it is more about obedience, and complete surrender to what God has required of us. I pray that we will all obey what God has called us to do, even if in the end we may not always see the fruits of our labor. When we feed the hungry, we are feeding our savior. When we love our neighbor, we are loving Jesus.
I've realized before we left we were so concerned with how life would be without all of the conveniences and comforts we had back home. I tried to prepare for the worst, and tried to bring all of the things I thought we might miss the most. Last night was the first night we had a chance to put everything away. As we emptied 6 huge suitcases, and 4 carry ons we both felt ashamed. After seeing that most hard working middle class families here can hang all of their clothing on one clothes line, I honestly felt ridiculous that I would think 6 suitcases and 4 carry ons was a sacrifice.
We are all so scared of what might happen if we don't live comfortably. We are shackled by our possessions and wrap our arms so tightly around what we have that we cannot extend our arms to help those around us who truly NEED. We walk around with closed fists.
Yesterday I woke up feeling defeated, wondering what exactly we are doing here. I know why we want to be here, but what opportunities will present themself, and how will we be used to make it all worth while? I believe God is telling me there is no formula to make this task easy. Jesus is SIMPLY giving us people and telling us to live for them. Love them, serve them, and lead them. Lead them to follow me, and lead them to lead others to follow me.
God Bless,
Jessica
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot
Today I found myself wrestling with the fact that a lot of the people we will help here won't understand our language and we won't understand theres, so how will we "reach" them? While we are serving are we so focused on the end result that we forget the real reason we are doing it anyway? The bible does not say, to serve others but only when you are certain it will make a difference or change a life. Today it hit me that it is more about obedience, and complete surrender to what God has required of us. I pray that we will all obey what God has called us to do, even if in the end we may not always see the fruits of our labor. When we feed the hungry, we are feeding our savior. When we love our neighbor, we are loving Jesus.
I've realized before we left we were so concerned with how life would be without all of the conveniences and comforts we had back home. I tried to prepare for the worst, and tried to bring all of the things I thought we might miss the most. Last night was the first night we had a chance to put everything away. As we emptied 6 huge suitcases, and 4 carry ons we both felt ashamed. After seeing that most hard working middle class families here can hang all of their clothing on one clothes line, I honestly felt ridiculous that I would think 6 suitcases and 4 carry ons was a sacrifice.
We are all so scared of what might happen if we don't live comfortably. We are shackled by our possessions and wrap our arms so tightly around what we have that we cannot extend our arms to help those around us who truly NEED. We walk around with closed fists.
Yesterday I woke up feeling defeated, wondering what exactly we are doing here. I know why we want to be here, but what opportunities will present themself, and how will we be used to make it all worth while? I believe God is telling me there is no formula to make this task easy. Jesus is SIMPLY giving us people and telling us to live for them. Love them, serve them, and lead them. Lead them to follow me, and lead them to lead others to follow me.
God Bless,
Jessica
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Once you understand God's call on your life, you cannot turn back.
A few days ago someone said to me ... "Well you have another week to change your mind on China and back out." I won't lie. Sometimes in the middle of the night I think about what would happen if we did change our minds. There is so much uncertainty in this whole process that it seems that it would be easier to just stay in place where we are and serve right here in Lakeland. This weekend God spoke to my heart, and I realized once we understand God's calling on our life we cannot turn back. Once we wrap our minds around living a life sold out for Christ we cannot look back. Last night I thought about when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. God delivered them from slavery and bondage. Their lives as free people weren't everything they expected it to be so they began to turn back to Egypt. I know that life in China is not going to be everything we expect it to be, and won't be everything we would like it to be. I do know that we have to press on through this season and not look back to the lukewarm lifestyle we used to have. We are going to lack most of the comforts and conveniences that we are used to here in America. I pray that we will not be discouraged by the lack of worldly things, and that we would find freedom from the bondage that comes with all of these things.
Being sold out for Christ is like falling in love and getting married. Then you start running a household and raising kids and maybe it sucks some of the romance out of your marriage. Maybe you start looking around and maybe other people start looking better than your spouse. You are in danger of losing your first love. Your first love is to be that one person on earth that you are “one” with. That is your first love in an earthly sense.
I am learning that in a spiritual sense, the Lord is our first love. He is our all-in-all, our everything, but when we start to look back to the material things of this world, we are in danger of losing our first love.
As the days come closer to us leaving God is reminding me that he wants us to live a life sold out for him no matter where he places us. I believe the next couple of months our family will be living out an up to date on fire testimony for God.
For anyone out there wrestling with the idea of stepping over that line and living a life sold out for Jesus; serving the least of these ... Don’t turn back to Egypt. It was a place of slavery, not a place of joy.
Jessica
Being sold out for Christ is like falling in love and getting married. Then you start running a household and raising kids and maybe it sucks some of the romance out of your marriage. Maybe you start looking around and maybe other people start looking better than your spouse. You are in danger of losing your first love. Your first love is to be that one person on earth that you are “one” with. That is your first love in an earthly sense.
I am learning that in a spiritual sense, the Lord is our first love. He is our all-in-all, our everything, but when we start to look back to the material things of this world, we are in danger of losing our first love.
As the days come closer to us leaving God is reminding me that he wants us to live a life sold out for him no matter where he places us. I believe the next couple of months our family will be living out an up to date on fire testimony for God.
For anyone out there wrestling with the idea of stepping over that line and living a life sold out for Jesus; serving the least of these ... Don’t turn back to Egypt. It was a place of slavery, not a place of joy.
Jessica
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Rewind one year to January 2010....
I wrote this blog a year ago. Pretty wild that the One year ago we are getting ready to live out these very words.
If you knew 2010 would be your last year how would choose to live?
I’ve been thinking so much lately so I decided easier then writing all of my thoughts down in a journal I would start a blog. One day if Grace wants to read what has gone through her mom’s head at times she can check this out.
My mind is always churning especially late at night when I lay in bed. I’ve been thinking about the new year coming ahead and I have this stirring in my heart to do something whether it be big or small to change the world. It might be right here in my own community or it might be by supporting a missionary somewhere on the other side of the world. Last night when I was laying in bed I thought wow if I knew 2010 were my last year to live what would I want to do and how would I live my life? How would I want to treat others? What kind of person would I be remembered as? Did I make an impact on someone else’s life that would have changed their life forever? I really lay in bed at night and think about these things. I guess I just feel like I am so blessed and my life is so easy compared to a lot of people out there. I want to help people. I am fully aware that I live a life that most would like to live. I am not rich or famous, and I am not impressed with materialistic possessions. I do however know that there are far more people out there that have way less than me, compared to the amount of people that have more then me. With that being said I am well off.
For all of my close family and friends out there and anyone else who decides to read this I hope it inspires you to think about the kind of life you want to live in 2010. I have never been one to set a New Years resolution. Most people never stick to them anyway. I just want to set a goal to let my light shine for Christ. Why not make your resolution to just be kind, giving, and loving to the ones closest to you and even the people you run into that you don’t know. Or maybe just spending a little time helping someone in need. Chances are you will feel as blessed as the person you are helping.
I am excited for the New Year. I have this feeling Jon and I are going to be used by God in a great way and we are ready. We have asked God for that and we are ready to take on the challenge. Happy New Year to you all – I wish you all lots of happiness in 2010!
God Bless,
Jessica
If you knew 2010 would be your last year how would choose to live?
I’ve been thinking so much lately so I decided easier then writing all of my thoughts down in a journal I would start a blog. One day if Grace wants to read what has gone through her mom’s head at times she can check this out.
My mind is always churning especially late at night when I lay in bed. I’ve been thinking about the new year coming ahead and I have this stirring in my heart to do something whether it be big or small to change the world. It might be right here in my own community or it might be by supporting a missionary somewhere on the other side of the world. Last night when I was laying in bed I thought wow if I knew 2010 were my last year to live what would I want to do and how would I live my life? How would I want to treat others? What kind of person would I be remembered as? Did I make an impact on someone else’s life that would have changed their life forever? I really lay in bed at night and think about these things. I guess I just feel like I am so blessed and my life is so easy compared to a lot of people out there. I want to help people. I am fully aware that I live a life that most would like to live. I am not rich or famous, and I am not impressed with materialistic possessions. I do however know that there are far more people out there that have way less than me, compared to the amount of people that have more then me. With that being said I am well off.
For all of my close family and friends out there and anyone else who decides to read this I hope it inspires you to think about the kind of life you want to live in 2010. I have never been one to set a New Years resolution. Most people never stick to them anyway. I just want to set a goal to let my light shine for Christ. Why not make your resolution to just be kind, giving, and loving to the ones closest to you and even the people you run into that you don’t know. Or maybe just spending a little time helping someone in need. Chances are you will feel as blessed as the person you are helping.
I am excited for the New Year. I have this feeling Jon and I are going to be used by God in a great way and we are ready. We have asked God for that and we are ready to take on the challenge. Happy New Year to you all – I wish you all lots of happiness in 2010!
God Bless,
Jessica
Saturday, January 1, 2011
We welcome 2011, a year of following God's heart.
In the next two weeks we will be stepping over the line of our comfort zones into a world of uncertainty and adversity. On January 18th we will do what feels like the impossible; tell our moms, dads, friends, and family goodbye for an undetermined length of time. It is all becoming so real as we narrow down the to do list, what to pack and so on. I will be honest in saying that most days I am overwhelmed with excitement, and then some days I am scared out of my mind. I have questioned everything. I have spent hours thinking in the shower, driving in the car, lying in bed at night while everyone else sleeps. Praying in bed for hours on end. Some days I don't know if I am coming or going. Some days I dont know what God is doing in our lives or why... but every day I know that his plan is better than mine, and every day I am just so glad that HE is in charge, and not me!
I can't quite wrap my mind around how different our lives will be in this coming year, but I am certain it will be full of change, opportunity, and new relationships. I expect this year to be full of joy, pain, sorrrow, and heartbreak. My prayer is that with each experience I will grow in my faith, making it easier for me to love bigger and better.
In 2011 I want to embrace change as an opportunity to learn just what I am capable of, and on those days when I feel I just can't make it through; I know HE will carry me.
Happy New Year to You All!
God Bless Always,
Jessica
"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, your comforts delight my soul." (ps. 94:19)
I can't quite wrap my mind around how different our lives will be in this coming year, but I am certain it will be full of change, opportunity, and new relationships. I expect this year to be full of joy, pain, sorrrow, and heartbreak. My prayer is that with each experience I will grow in my faith, making it easier for me to love bigger and better.
In 2011 I want to embrace change as an opportunity to learn just what I am capable of, and on those days when I feel I just can't make it through; I know HE will carry me.
Happy New Year to You All!
God Bless Always,
Jessica
"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, your comforts delight my soul." (ps. 94:19)
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