China Remembering

I realized on last flight back to America 2 days ago that I had just journeyed across the world and all over China by myself. Not really by myself, since God was with me and I had tons of people praying, but basically. I'm just so thankful to know that I can still make new friends, speak some Chinese, live without showers, use squatty-potties, eat lots of rice, not be in control of everything, and be flexible and adaptable. I was afraid that America had made me spoiled...

So my several days in Nanchang were quite challenging and blessed, all rolled up into one brief visit. I got to stay on Blue Sky's "old" campus where I used to live, and Reborn stayed with me, so we got to be together 24 hours a day! And we never got tired of each other. Nanchang and Blue Sky University has changed so much, that I barely recognized anybody or anything. It was unsettling and strange the first day, but then I relaxed and enjoyed the city and people the remainder of my time there.

First, some of things that have not changed in Nanchang:

-The train station is still the dingiest, most crowded and unique one in all of China, from my perspective.
-Our old apartments where we used to live are still old, but habitable.
-Blue Sky's "new" campus where I taught still looks the same, albeit a little more faded and falling apart.
-The city is still inexpensive, crowded, and chaotic.
-The sky is still gray and hazy most of the time.
-The weather is still extremely wet, humid, and hot.
-The food is still spicy.
-My favorite 220 bus to get to most places is still packed to overflowing with people.
-There are still so many beggars all over the city.
-A lot of people remembered me.
-The city still has a very special character that makes it stand out (and probably a character that makes most foreigners not want to live there. Haha).

However, it seemed like there were more changes than not:

-They are building a metro system in the city, so the entire main artery is ripped up, along with most of the buildings I used to know.
-They are even building the city's first Starbucks, which means Nanchang will soon cease to be a backwater, inconsequential city.
-Way more people had cars.
-The fields filled with rubble and pigs in front of old campus are now home to 12 25-story apartment buildings.
-Most of my favorite little hole-in-the wall restaurants had either upgraded, moved, or disappeared.
-Hair washes at the little hair shops are now 10 kuai (about $1.50) instead of 8 kuai (about $1.25).
-Watermelon now costs 2 kuai instead of 1 kuai.
-Sadly, sadly watermelon lady did not remember me.
-People seemed less friendly (for example, one lady on the bus got into an argument with Reborn about how she was sure I looked down on China as a foreigner).
-The lake now has a mile-long bridge over it, which has spurred massive development around new campus area.
-Oh, and Blue Sky University (Lan Tian Xue Yuan) has since changed its name to Jiangxi University of Technology (Jiangxi KeJi Xue Yuan). Sigh... so much less unique!

One main reason for my trip was to be an encouragement to my friends in China, especially Reborn. I definitely think we both encouraged each other. When I left 2 years ago, Reborn was just a baby believer, and now I am in awe at how the Father has grown and changed her. As a senior, she is a leader in her fellowship, takes care of many younger sisters from her fellowship, and has an incredibly strong and vibrant faith. During my visit she probably encouraged me the most in the area of prayer and dependence on God.

It was so difficult saying goodbye to her last Friday night. She bought a 1 kuai ticket so she could go into the Nanchang train station and see me onto the overnight train to Beijing. We hugged and hugged, and then she just stood on the platform in the rain, waving and walking along with the ancient train as it gathered speed. That was when I started crying for the first time in a long time, although I quickly stopped when I realized the whole train was staring at the teary white girl. How could I leave baby Reborn?? But I knew that we were still best friends, even when we are a whole world apart, and that the Father will continue to grow her, love her, and shine a light through her.

The long journey home consisted of many train and plane rides, and I'm currently back in Kansas for a few days! I have severe jet lag and can barely sleep, but it's nice to be home with my Mom, the blue Kansas sky, lots of meat, and not really a care in the world for the moment.

I'd love to share more pictures with you, but my camera (which I purchased in China 4 years ago) is having technical difficulties. Maybe later!


With Baby Reborn!