There was an American couple sitting next to me on the plane ride here. They were retired. He wore a button down shirt; she wore dark lipstick. It took a while to get her carryon into the overhead bin as it was overflowing with clothing for their 10 day tour of China.
Near arrival, I noticed them fussing with completing their arrival card, so I offered a little bit of help. Since that seemed to fluster them a bit, I thought I’d do some preparing because that always helps at home, you know, one of those just-so-you-know-what-to-expect little conversations.
When you get off the plane, you’re going to go up an escalator and then follow the signs to immigration. There will be a bunch of different line options. Just go to the far left where it says “FOREIGNERS.”
Foreigners? But, we’re not foreigners.
Um, you’re about to be.
Pause.
Does it really say “foreigners”? Wow, they have a sense of humor, huh?
Me. dumbfounded.
The team started early today and hit the ground running.
Breakfast -> Great Wall -> Lunch -> Tiananmen Square -> Pearl Market -> Dinner.
There was a dense fog today which made climbing the Great Wall a different experience. What I’ve seen as a clear view on previous trips there where we could see the winding path ahead of us for a great distance was completely obstructed. At one point, I looked upwards and could not see an enclosed lookout type of structure that was literally 30 feet ahead of me. I could have yelled out and had a conversation with someone standing there yet could not see it at all.
We are foreigners here. As much as I love this place, we are foreigners here. My heart for it does not make me a member of it. It is a privilege to be here, to be welcomed into this place where we do not belong. We have the privilege of being ambassadors, and we cannot take that lightly. The way before us isn’t totally clear. In fact, we can barely see the door right before us until we’re right there needing to walk through it. But, we know the path is there even though we can’t see it. It’s there, and we’re going to keep walking. We don’t need to see it all now to be obedient. We just need to take the next step.
Leaving in less than 12 hours to fly to the province where we will serve.
Reading along and hanging on every word!
Wonderful post, so much truth, so well written, wonderful illustration and photos.
Praying for you as you walk along the path set before you.
Love this post.
As you know, God’s light and direction will lead. You don’t have to see. He is leading the way.
My prayers are with you. Ahh… I couldn’t help but think of..
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
This is awesome. Just awesome.