Thursday morning I said goodbye to my family, I have a plane, and flew over 13 hours from New Jersey to Beijing, China. I got about two hours of sleep on the airplane, probably less. When I arrived, instead of being tired, I was excited. I came here to get Eden!
George, a familiar face from the last time we came to China, greeted me at the airport. He told me there are a fewer adoptions happening now. I’m the one person here this time adopting, rather than the multiple families he used to see. There are a few factors going into this, but it’s still sad. I told Beth-Anne that we ought to pray about it. God can change policies so that more children can be adopted. More still need families.
We made it safely and uneventfully to the Marriott and central Beijing-the same hotel we stayed at last time. As soon as I stepped out of the car I could smell the hotel and it immediately filled me with so many feelings from last time we were here to get Emma. My room is very nice. I feel pampered. It’s a little unusual to only be responsible for myself, but I can’t say it’s unwelcome. Soon enough I’ll have another little one tagging along so I plan to enjoy this time while I can.
By the time I made it to the hotel it was getting to be later afternoon on Friday. I worked out in the fitness room to help me adjust, and because I had been sitting for far too long, but I still needed to buy water and food. The sun seemed to be setting quicker here than I expected so I wanted to hurry to make my purchases before the Sabbath. As I walked to the mart near the hotel I was reminded of the sights and smells of Chinese cities. So, so many people. Many of them look at me because I am a tall foreigner.
I was able to buy some snacks, get my water, and come back to say hello to my family on the phone via internet. The luxuries of technology that I did not have so much of when I was a student missionary and Yap!
Shortly after I took a hot bath, prayed, got into bed, and fell quickly to sleep a little after 7 o’clock.
Today, Sabbath morning, I woke up at 2:30 AM! I tried to go back to bed for a couple hours and was successful and resting but never went unconscious. I got out of bed, prayed, read my Bible, and said hello again to Beth-Anne and the kids.
My main goal this morning besides eating was to go to a nearby park to do some birding. I wanted to get a whole bunch of new birds that are so foreign to North America. Unfortunately, all of the parks that I can see on the map require tickets. They are not a simple nature park but contain national monuments. I was able to walk close to 5 miles in my excursion this morning and did see some birds along the street but it was not what I expected. Nonetheless, I did get exercise and had many more people looking at me funny as I tried to take pictures of birds.
Although I get to relax and spend time with God I am eager to see Eden. Seen the little children waving Chinese flags for the national holiday make me glad that we decided to adopt again. Are used to think I would be content with two children, I actually used to think I didn’t want any children at all! I didn’t know any better. I didn’t know what I would be missing. We have one life. Live it for others. Live it well. I pass person after person here. Over 1.5 billion people live in China. I will never see any of them again. When you walk past so many people and realize you will never see them again even if you live in the same country as them, there are just so many of them you could never see them all, it is actually humbling somehow. Maybe sobering is a better word. Many of us humans live fairly selfish lives - buying things for ourselves, planning the future, having outings with our loved ones - and fine enough, but without anything else, it’s a hollow existence. We were meant for more than buying and selling and working and living, we were meant to write a better story. That is what becomes evident as I pass person after person. We are existing but not right in a better story. God wants us to live to the fullest even though that might look different for each of us.
I read this and wanted to share it with you. May we all live as God designed us to live.
“It was from hours spent with God that Jesus came forth, morning by morning, to bring the light of heaven to men.“
-E. White, Mount of Blessing
Much love,
Matthew
Goodbye and travel Oct 3
Friday Oct 4 arrival in Beijing
Saturday Oct 5
Enjoyed reading this! Thanks for sharing this adventure.
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