When I accepted the job to Beijing National Day School in November 2013, I knew I was in for a major life adjustment. Not only was I moving from teaching in a college setting to a high school setting, I was doing so in a foreign country, whose language, customs, and culture I have had little to no exposure. Just going from my American/Westernized ways of thinking to full immersion in the Eastern way of life was a tad bit overwhelming. Having been a country mouse living in a log cabin in a woods, to becoming a city mouse living among 22 million people was going to be a culture shock in itself. At the time, I had no inclination that I would be completely flipping my life as I knew it upside down, and that I would be going through this new adventure alone.
Over the last six months, I have been mentally preparing myself for this move. I have poured over the internet, reading about Chinese culture and customs. I have read and reread several books that friends have recommended to me before my departure. I downloaded some apps on my iPhone to begin to familiarize myself with Mandarin. I read about the differences in food and food preparation. I attended an AP certification course at Ball State University this summer, to understand the thoroughness with which I must teach the material, in order for my kids to pass the AP Exam- in a second language for them, no less. I bought the textbook, and began reworking my lectures, so that my examples and stories in class would be more familiar to their own culture, with less of an American/Western influence. (Though, I have found that they are intrigued and hungry for more stories of 'the American way'.) I have since included some of those stories back into my lectures again, as they are being prepared to assimilate into attending school, working, and living in the United States beginning next year when they are college freshmen.
And, of course, the OCPD in me had a hey day making list after list of what to pack to move halfway across the world for a year. I had lists for necessary teaching materials to lists of creature comforts to make me feel more at home; like Bella, (my Cuban coffee maker), 10 pounds of Cuban coffee to get me through the first semester, peanut butter, gummy vitamins, my down pillow and comforter, etc., etc., etc. Medications for a year, contacts for a year, clothes for all seasons of the year...
In short, I tried to think of everything before I boarded the plane for PEK,
The other missing piece to the living-abroad-puzzle was finding a Christian church, with an English speaking worship service. Was that even possible in China given the political climate? I researched that online, too, and found Haidian Christian Church, with an English speaking service at 11:30am.
It seemed like a good fit; at least I knew my school, BNDS, was also in the Haidian District of Beijing (albeit over an hour's subway ride and two exchanges in trains along the way). I bookmarked the homepage of this church on my laptop, and there it has sat for nearly a year now. Until last night, that is.
Last night, I realized that tomorrow was THE day. I needed to get back to church. I needed my 'coming to Jesus moment' that I had been avoiding. My soul was hungry and thirsty for His music and His Word. I personally needed to feel that sense of family and community I get when I am with a body of believers. So, on Saturday night, I studied the subway map, memorized the symbols, and decided to allow myself at least an hour and a half to get to church on time.
It took longer.
Just the walk to the subway took longer than I expected. When I popped up from down below, I naturally took off in the wrong direction once I hit the street. I asked for directions several times, played Charades, and took a few more wrong turns. I was praying to find the church, and was just about to give up, when I recalled what the exterior of the building looked like. It was as if the heavenly hosts descended, illuminating the church, and singing a glorious tune- I FOUND THE CHURCH!
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| While Westerners still view China as communist, and China views itself as having a socialist market economy under the "New Plan", it is both strange, and incredible, to see the red hammer and sickle flag flying in front of a Christian Church. This is one church where Westerners do not have to show their passports to enter in to worship. God doesn't require identification. |
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| And as I took my seat, far in the back, this was the song being sung... Let us forgive each other, As we have been forgiven. Showing mercy to one another, from a pure and thankful heart. So our prayers will not be hindered and anger finds no place, Let His love keep ruling in our hearts with compassion and with grace. Boy, He knows how to cut to the chase- I walked in right on cue. |
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| And that Heavenly Father of mine, He has a sense of humor. Meet Pastor Wu! Just saying his name made me smile inside, a little 'China Blues' reminder ;) |
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| Pastor Wu's sermon was titled, "When He Comes", written especially for Karyn, I am sure. I was typing notes furiously into my iPhone as it spoke straight to my heart...here are some excerpts... |
With those words, I cried. I prayed. I sought His forgiveness. I broke bread and had wine. I had communion with my Heavenly Father, and I felt cleansed and whole again. I am convinced, it couldn't have happened any other way, at any other time, in any other place. He knew I needed to find this church, on this particular Sunday. There is no such thing as a coincidence.
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| There's just something comforting in seeing one man pray and comfort another. To witness one man offering genuine love and support, while praying another man through his troubles, that is His love for us, in action. Though the church was 90% Chinese, and 10% Westerners, it felt like 100% the family of God. |
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| The woman in the middle, Lesley, and her husband John, are the worship team leaders from the UK. They are professors at Peking University. Lesley grabbed my hand after the service and said, "It's your first time here? I have someone you need to meet. She is a coworker of mine, and it's her first time here, too." |
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| Ok, pardon my crazed eyes, but I want you to meet Esan. She is from Turkey. By way of Indianapolis. Where she has been living for the last five years. And attending school at IUPUI. Where my Jennessa and Michael have attended, and Emily is now serving an internship at IUPUI's Counseling Center. And her husband is from Jay County. Where they got married three years ago. The same hometown as my dearest friend, Wanetta. I was blown away. Meeting someone with so many common threads, halfway around the world...and God did not orchestrate all this in some way? For me, it's more than possible, for I. Am. A. Believer. God is good. All the time. He really is THAT good :) |
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| So, I suddenly found myself in a group of seven strangers who spoke as if they were old friends meeting again. We had the most ah-mazing curry at this restaurant. We didn't leave until nearly three hours later! |
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| I would like to have shown you the incredible Korma Chicken Curry, basmati rice, and this delicious fruit and nut naan bread, but I clearly enjoyed it all. Every. Last. Bite. OMG, I have to go back! |
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| As we all exchanged phone numbers, and bid our goodbyes, these kind folks invited me to join their praise band and worship team. They meet on Wednesdays, and if I can get up the courage to sing in front of them, I may just do it...down the road ;) For now, I left them all feeling happy. and full. to the top. as in, 'my cup runneth over.' |
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| As I made my way back to the subway station, I saw this little girl twirling in her dress like my girls used to do. I was reminded, most little girls want to be princesses, it doesn't matter in what country they live. |
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| As I grabbed an empty seat on the train, I was moved by these two teenage kids, experiencing a young love. Their heads together, holding hands, stealing glances and sharing shy giggles, I was reminded that love is to be experienced by all, no matter the age, or the color of their skin. |
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| As I walked back to my apartment, in this city of 22 million, I saw a momma and her baby boy, just enjoying being close by simply watching a water fountain. I was reminded that a mother's love translates in any language. There's nothing to fear in this planet called China. I may not speak the language. I have a lot to learn about their history, culture, and customs. But they are just people after all. People with hopes and wishes and dreams, like myself. People with hurts and disappointments in life, like myself. People who fall in love, have families, and love 'their people' as I have loved, and continue to love 'my people.' In the end? We really aren't so different from each other. As I am learning to live with that thought in mind, I really have nothing to fear. All of this life- no matter where, or how, or with whom you choose to share it with- this life is but one. grand. adventure. |
G'nite, y'all :)
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