Journey to Carolina

Two weeks ago, right about this time, I was boarding a plane headed from my city to China, then to New York, and finally to North Carolina. I got to the airport super early to check in so I could try to avoid the dreaded middle seat in the back of the plane (and, for any flights to China, you have to arrive super early to beat the long lines of Chinese tour groups). As it turned out, this particular airline wouldn't check me in all the way through, so I couldn't get my seat assignment for the fun-filled 15-hour journey from China to America.

When the woman sitting on my row (open middle seat, yes!) boarded I noticed her American passport and asked if she was headed home. She said yes, and she'd actually just been visiting her son in a country I'd traveled to several times. She was also headed to New York, on her way to Virginia. We talked most of the flight and then navigated the transfer desk together. And then something happened that's never happened to me before and may never again: FREE upgrade to business class for the 15-hour flight! Merry Christmas to me!!

We arrived in New York about an hour early, which was great because I was a little nervous about doing immigration, customs, re-checking in, etc. in the time allotted. The porter who helped me with my four huge bags not only got them all for me on the cart, but took me through customs, to the bag re-check and then checked me in for my next flight. He went beyond what he was "required" in order to help me.

The woman I'd met on the first flight was assigned a boarding gate right next to mine, so we got breakfast and she let me use her phone to call home since there was no wifi, at all, in the terminal. When my flight was delayed she came over from where she was about to board and told me to call home and let them know.

While waiting for my last flight I met a woman who grew up really close to the town where I went to college. Another friend to chat with and help pass the time.

With every leg of every flight, God provided more than what I could have thought to ask. Friendly passengers, people willing to go the extra mile to help, early flights, FREE upgrades.

So thankful for His grace in every moment!

Last leg of an amazing journey!

Oh Holy Night

Last week was a big week for outreach among the S People. Christmas parties were celebrated on three different nights in three different villages. Believers in my city, locals and foreigners, came together to host the parties. We sang, played games, shared gifts and snacks, and of course, told the Christmas story. A fourth party was held in another village this week, as well as a small party for children at the S People school.  

A believer from a S People village shared her testimony every night at the parties. She told how in recent years God had changed her life. For a long time she was the only one in her village to believe. Her husband often beat her or locked her outside because she believed in God. After sharing her testimony all week, others in her village had finally had enough. They've threatened her and her husband to the point that they're soon moving out of the village. Pray that this woman's husband will turn from Buddhism and trust in God. Pray for the woman to continue steadfast in her faith, and pray that the many villagers who heard her testimony will also believe.

I was only in town for one village party because I moved back to the States that same week. It's hard to believe my time living overseas has already ended.

But, what a great way to spend my last night in Asia:

You can't really tell, but I'm squatting down over
on the left and acting as one of the sheep.

Students at the S People school hearing the
Christmas story. Most had never heard about
the birth of Jesus.

Mountain views

Today was a day off for most people as the country celebrated Father's Day, which coincides every year with the King's birthday. Since we had the day off a friend and I drove about an hour and a half outside of town to a famous national park with the "King and Queen's pagodas." The King's pagoda was built in 1987 and the Queen's in 1992, to commemorate their 60th birthdays.

Looking toward the Queen's pagoda

The weather was a little crazy. These two photos were taken less than 30 minutes apart. One minute we had blue skies, the next it was foggy and misty-and cold!

These clouds were amazing:

We didn't have blue skies at the waterfall, but it was still beautiful:

Thankful for a day off to enjoy His marvelous creation!