On the Road Again

(11:46 AM)

Currently I am riding on the train to Meizhou. It is a slow, comfortable ride through the Chinese countryside. This time my camera is charged, but it is slow. That means that the best views are uncapturable because they pass by too quickly or get blocked by something outside. This train ride is very pleasant for me :) and bring back good memories. I first arrived in Meizhou (MZ) six years ago by train. I am thinking of the many hiking adventures I had with friends in MZ in the past. I am seeing such beautiful clouds and lush green mountains in quaint Chinese towns/villages, and those things make me think of friends.

Seeing these mountains also makes me think of another adventure I had. In the summer of 1999, I spent two months in a tiny town almost in Utah because it was so far west in Colorado. That little town (Mesa) had a main street that was literally one block long; most of the folks that lived in that little town lived up the mountain's spiraling road, but all together probably less than 100 people lived there. I thought of Mesa while on this journey because my home for the summer was at the top of the mountain from which I saw for the very first time a cloud's shadow upon a mountain. I saw another cloud's shadow upon a mountain today. :)

At the moment the train is stopped in Long Chuan. It is near MZ. I think about 35 people just got onto this train's car though there are no seats for them. They often oversell the bus in China, but this is the first time I have seen them oversell (badly oversell) the train. I am extremely thankful for my seat and glad that I did not take the evening train or bus to MZ. Actualy, I have been thankful for many things and people on this journey to my Chinese hometown. I don't know how I'm going to get off the train with my three bags soon, but Papa had given me peace that it will be okay and that he'll help me off. :) Praise my wonderful Papa.

(3:38 PM)

I have arrived safely in my lovely Chinese hometown. I got here at 2:25 PM to be exact and am loving it! My hometown in beautiful! The mountains are here and so lovely, the traffic is not mad or busy, and the taxis start at 4 RMB (my cheapest taxi yet ... OH YEAH). As you can probaly tell, I am very excited to be back here! I write this in my former student Jessica's home which is very tidy and no longer Lilliput! :) I am glad to be here and finished a quick lunch a few minutes ago. Pretty tired now since I woke up at 4:45 and then 5:30 this morning to leave by 6:30 from Jess' Guangzhou apartment. Papa had really blessed this journey all the way ... and getting off the train was no problem. :) Papa, my Papa, is always faithful and true to His word. Peace for now. :)

(10:50 PM)

The word that came to mind as I rode in the taxi here was "refreshing." Truly I am refreshed now. I am very comfortable here, have contacted Chinese friends to let them know that I am safe here, and am planning to meet my old friend Erika some time tomorrow. Both of us came to Meizhou for part of our summer.

Last night I spent time with my friends in GZ at a mall, then over dinner, and finally worshiping Jesus. He is amazing and awesome! He let me play a song that was pretty difficult in the past pretty easily on guitar last night; I know it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him just blessing my friends with tthe gift of a song. It was so good to worship with them and hear them sing on their own a little later. It made me smile and so thankful for how wonderful my Papa is. I love calling him Papa because he really is my Abba, Daddy, and Father! :) So happy to be here Papa!!!