So Motel 6 and The Hilton had a Baby...

I woke up in anticipation of what the day would hold.  What would it be like?  Would it be like I stepped out of China into America?   That morning we were going to the International Church.  

There was one thing that struck me as “different.” The greeters were super nice and friendly, but they had to check each of our passports to make sure that we were foreigners before we could enter.  Chinese nationals cannot attend.

So many moments were special this day.  I met the pastor of the church, Patty, and she informed us that her husband, Paul, and she were leaving to plant a church.  I asked where and was shocked to find out that they are planting in Boulder, Colorado!  That is in the same district that we are in so that means that we will get to see them once in a while. 

I had this thought as I talked to her that we were not accidentally meeting, rather God was doing that crazy thing where He makes paths intersect for a specific time and specific reason.  Her tears were evidence that this was a hard transition for them.  My presence was evidence that God was confirming this hard move to her.  He sent someone from across the world to say, “Are you serious!? You're going to Boulder!!  I can’t wait to hang out with you?"  Watch out Boulder, Colorado!

Next stop, Bullet train!  I have decided that the bullet train might be my most favorite way to travel.  It doesn’t have turbulence like a plane.  You have tons of leg room.  I’m not sure why I mentioned that.  I’m kind of short.  Anywho, it was super fast, super comfortable, and there is a little Chinese woman that goes back and forth mopping the floor.  What more could you want?

We checked into our hotel in the city of Taiyuan.  Taiyuan is up in the mountains so it is a little cooler, which was super duper nice.  Also, I believe there was less smog too.  The hotel was nice like a Motel 6 in America with some Hilton-like qualities.  Stained carpet outside our room - Motel 6.  For real toilet in my bathroom - Hilton.  Bed as hard as a piece of plywood wrapped in thin cotton - Motel 6.  Cleanliness of my room - Hilton.  

We quickly dropped off our belongings and left our passports with the front desk so that they could let the police know we were there.  (See first post.). We walked around the corner to this adorable, amazing, delicious restaurant.  You walk down this little alley with doors on either side.  The doors are different rooms that you can eat in.  We got a room to ourselves and enjoyed a feast.  Ah…I miss Chinese food so much!! 

We fell asleep that night in our clean, super hard beds anticipating the next day of meeting students for the first time!  Such a good day!  Such a hard bed!