China Day 9

Don't worry folks, I'm almost done with these posts.  But I wrote them, so I am determined to post them.

October 21

Nine days down. Feels like I have been here 9 weeks at times. But today was a good day. It started with a very formal distribution in Xinxiang. The mayor, congress people and other officials were all there. I had to wear high heels. Not my type of distribution. I prefer visiting these people in their homes without the fancy fanfare. Alas, in China everything is about publicity. I get it, we do the same thing in the U.S., but these poor people have to sit through this long ceremony. I would rather be talking to the recipients and hearing their stories than hearing some officials speech. But that’s China for you. I did have a chance to shake everyone of the recipients hands afterwards, they were so grateful and just filled with joy. It is always such an incredible experience to see this work in action. Of course the ceremony was followed by a lunch for the officials and us. I had to eat a 1,000 year old duck egg and sea cucumber. I’m not joking, I have pictures.

Mrs. Sun giving a speech of gratitude at our distribution ceremony

I gave her a thumbs up for her speech, she gave me one back.

Meeting all the recipients

I love these people!

I told you I had pictures - 1,000 year old duck egg

No joke - I ate it. Some of it anyway

After lunch we did have an opportunity to meet some recipients in their homes. I hated being in high heels and slacks for this, but so be it. One of the most amazing experiences was meeting Li An. She is mentally and physically disabled, and at 32 years old we brought her, her first wheelchair. She could hardly speak, but some one told me she called me auntie. I started to cry. Here was this special spirit born with so many challenges and she was so excited to see me. Words cannot describe the humility that comes with meeting these people with so many challenges and yet they are so full of love and gratitude. I am so spoiled and so selfish. These people went out and bought us candy because they knew we were coming. Like they have money to buy candy for strangers. I was the first foreigner that Li An had ever seen, Xinxiang doesn’t have a lot of foreigners, first of all, but second of all, she doesn’t get to go out of her home. I hope with her wheelchair she will be able to get out a bit more. Her mother was crying, I was crying and Li An was cheering and clapping, it was a sacred moment.

Li Ann is such a special woman.  I am so thankful for her!

My translator Johnson and a happy wheelchair recipient

There are more stories like this. I can’t tell you how incredible it is to be part of this. Another incredible moment that I had waited patiently for also happened today. Johnson, my translator, asked me what religion I practiced. I am a Mormon I proclaimed with gladness. He was happy to hear this and very interested to learn more. Soon enough I was telling him all about the gospel, and the four other men in the car were asking Johnson what I was telling him about the Mormons.
The day would end with me sitting next to a sweaty drunk Chinese man at dinner who wouldn’t stop talking to me. It was actually quite hilarious. These are experiences one doesn’t soon forget. I am just a tool in Heavenly Father’s hands, and thankful He is choosing to use me this way.