I don’t even know where to start with today. I guess the beginning is a good place, but I am so confused at everything that went on today I don’t really remember the beginning. Today consisted of a 52 seater plane ride to Zhengzhou, Henan Province, followed by - flowers, flashing cameras, a banner with my name on it, a lunch with 45 dishes, a 3 hour car ride, a pop a squat bathroom stop, toasts galore, me being adamant about not drinking alcohol, more toasting, a 50 dish dinner, and a singing driver.
All in one day. Now let me tell you I was not prepared for any of this! I was told I would take an hour and half plane ride, then drive 4 hours to a place where we will distribute wheelchairs. Ok, easy enough. A travel day. So I dressed for travel, jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirt and sweatshirt. Bad idea. Andrew and I got off our tiny little plane, that I thought I might die on, and were greeted with huge bouquets of flowers and about 10 people following me taking my bags and rushing me into a car, all while pictures were being taken. Apparently I am a very special guest. It was insane. But then we arrive at the office building of the Chinese Disabled Persons Federation and there is a banner that says Welcome U.S. Wheelchair Foundation, Mrs. Whitney. Then about a million more pictures were taken, I was presented with a dozen gifts and then swept into a lunch room with a former mayor and several other important figures, all in jeans and a sweatshirt. I felt sooo embarrassed. I looked like crap, I mean how many of us get dolled up for a day of traveling. Ugh. Oh well. The food continues to be delicious, but I seriously can’t take much more. 4 more days…. Thank goodness for Johnson. He is my translator and I learned a lot from him today and he is so kind. He is a Christian and just has a servants heart, he made me feel so comfortable in a situation that was so overwhelming. The Chinese people are so kind and gracious and just thankful. It really was humbling. I am just an average 27 year old female that happens to have a cool job. I don’t deserve any of this praise or attention. I have to thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me with this humbling experience.
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| See - a banner with my name on it, and me looking just lovely. |
We traveled on from the office to the city of Zhumadian, in Henan. I was greeted by more excited people who are all just so kind and sweet and really welcoming, despite the huge language barrier. Our driver, Mr. Wong, is quite the comedian, he knows a few phrases in English and would just crack jokes all the time.
Then is was onto more food. Another good thing about Johnson is that he helped them understand I couldn’t drink alcohol, I would have been doomed trying to explain that one with only Andrew there. Plus Johnson helped me not have to eat as much, I would just take a tiny bit of things and eat very slowly, at times people would put things on my plate, and you just have to eat them. Oysters on the half shell, some strange fish dish and I think more eel. I ate it all. Here’s hoping I don’t get sick tonight. I don’t understand how these people aren’t just amazingly fat, but they’re not, although I will be when I leave here. Oh and the other thing, the toasting. All through lunch and dinner people come up to you and you have to stand up and they pour drink into your glass and toast to you. It must have happened 25 times. It’s insane. But they’re just thankful and expressing gratitude and good will. I drank 100% pear juice, it was quite delicious.
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