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Aug 24

Hello home… So today was our final full day of our trip in Asia. We are heading home tomorrow morning. WOW!!! It’s been 5 weeks and a few days; the quickest of my life.

We talked tonight about these past few weeks and what has impact us the most. For me, I felt like I was just rambling on and on. Afterwards we were all up on the roof top. I was looking around, and I think that all of that rambling is adding up to a trip that really has impacted me more than I can even tell right now. This trip- everything- from the English camp to traveling around meeting people, to the toilets to the food to the taxi cabs. Everything it seems has contributed to adding up to this amazing, life changing experiences. I feel like this is the jumping board, and I am about to jump off into the deep end of the pool. A quote from Frontline- “Its getting closer. Believe it’s coming. Around the corner. We’re gonna make. It’s getting closer…” Anticipation- is it good or bad… I don’t know. I am neutral right now.

Well what did the three of us do here today??? you ask. Today was cleaning, packing, and sleeping in. That would be it till heading out for one last dinner with Julie and Melrose. We all seem to be really chill today. I think its a mix of reality hitting home that well we are heading home, and reflecting on these past weeks(as in above).

Well, I think I should at least attempt to sleep before the lovely 15 hr flight to America. We all are excited to see everyone.

Goodnight for the last time (tear tear sniff sniff) from Hong Kong,
Katie, Leah, and Aaron

Date August 24th, 2009 Filed in China No Comments »
Aug 23
Hello home… wow… I cannot believe that today has only been one day. It feels like at least 2 days all rolling into one. We are just now getting home so today has been a very very very full but great day. It all started at 8:45am rolling out the door heading to the local fellowship here.
 
This mornings children’s service went great. We had a blast with our continuation of Jonah. The kids answers to some of the questions seemed to show that they really were paying attention, which is always something you like to hear after lessons. I was looking around today at the older kids that are in there, and started thinking about what I grew up in.
 
To us what we did would be nothing extremely fancy. But the older kids- even the youth- were really getting into it. This one girl who has just been coming for the past few weeks I saw really loving everything. I had her helping me out with one of the crafts, and for a moment I thought about this how she maybe seeing it. To her she may, but most likely has never heard anything we were talking about today. So its great to see her taking everything in. It’s all fresh and new. We don’t really see that too much back home.
 
After church, we talked to the youth about the power of the tongue. And I do not think I have ever heard any youth group actually ask questions, or relate what we were saying like these youth did. We told them if you don’t understand something, please tell us. And they did. I loved it. It wasn’t like they were trying to impress. They were genuinely trying to learn something, and doing that by asking. I really think that they took everything in. I was watching their faces as each of us talked, and I could see their wheels turning in their heads. It was like things were hitting home. I just loved it. It’s like they are this drier than dry sponge who has just been dropped into the ocean. They are soaking it in. Please keep all of the kids here in your thoughts. The youth currently have no one really in charge of teaching them. They need someone to either step it up here, or come over and just pour everything they have into this generation. They have the hunger, just no one to feed them on their level.
 
After we were done with the morning and afternoon activities, we did one last performance of “Making Congee“- our twist on a skit. We did it once inside China, were the crowd just loved it. Tonight we did it for the ladies of the church. Oh wait there were a few men, but majority were ladies. Anyways… it was our farewell performance were all of us doing it were laughing at our paramedic. Props to Melrose. She was amazing. Katie and Aaron couldn’t help but laugh every time she came in.
 
After this amazing, jaw dropping, award winning performance (no sarcasm here;)) we headed out to see the bay of Hong Kong by ferry. After surviving the ruff waves of the bay, we saw something I had never even heard of in any other big city I have been in. They do a laser show off the city scape. We found out that it is all done by people, not a computer. So when each light goes off, its being directed by an actual person. I for sure thought that they had created some crazy program that programed the entire performance. It was really cool. When I heard the words, “laser light show,” I was like ok. What’s that? Other than the obvious conclusions you can conclude, I didn’t get it. I was imagining something inside and pretty much the exact opposite of what I saw. So this is one more thing that I put on the must do while in Hong Kong list- laser night show and star ferry by the bay. The show is free and happens every night.
 
So today was great. We have had to say goodbye to some wonderful people who we have met here. All of us just can’t believe its our last day. After we were done with the youth today, we were like umm, we have nothing else for us to do other than sleep, pack, and clean. It’s almost surreal. I am not wanting to leave. Please I don’t want to go home. Can’t I just stay here for a little while longer. The time here has been way to short.
 
If you have not been able to tell, China has pretty much stolen my heart. I know for a fact, no trip I have ever been on, in the states or out has ever changed my life and made this much of an impact as this one has. I have had so much downloaded and revealed here. It has been a trip of a lifetime. One trip that I think is the start of what my life will consist of. Now I am not saying China forever, but I know that this country has not seen the last of me. I will be back. I don’t know when or for how long but I will be coming back.
 
Well it is about to be Monday in like 2 minutes so… I hope you all are doing well and hope you all have a great day. I’m off to bed.
 
Goodnight from Hong Kong,
Katie, Leah, and Aaron
Date August 23rd, 2009 Filed in China No Comments »
Aug 22

Hello friends and family,

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday. For us here in Hong Kong, we had a day full of shopping. Since we are winding down our journey, we decided that today we would visit a few markets. I know that we all have loved our finds, big and small that we made today. We have discovered the game of haggling- going back and forth till a price is agreed upon. Some found out that its just as nice to jump on someone else’s deal instead of finding your own. We loved it.

Other things that have been on our minds today- we are doing the children’s service again tomorrow morning, and the youth tomorrow afternoon. Please keep these two times in your thoughts. We are speaking to the children on obedience, finishing off Jonah’s story. With the youth we will be discussing the power of their tongue. We think that there is something to be said to these youth who don’t have a usually meet. We think that this is a message that is timely with them.

Thank you all for your support over these past few weeks. We have loved every moment of this trip and can’t believe its coming to a close. There are so many stories to be told, you all will be entertained, and maybe brought to tears. I know with me, something has been dropped into my heart. I will never forget. This I know I have wrote on here many times, but it is so true.

Well goodnight from Hong Kong,
Katie, Leah, and Aaron

Date August 22nd, 2009 Filed in China No Comments »
Aug 22

Hello home,

So today we decided that we really wanted to shake things up a bit and really give you guys a story. This story though really should be told in person by either stars of the story- Leah and Aaron.

So today was our final boarder crossing, which is exciting but kinda like really? That’s it. Yeah, that’s it. Why?? Because we have taken all of our books over. So between 28 crossings and 12 stops we got 441 books over. YAY!!!! We are all really excited about this fact. But back to the little adventure we had today. So We all- Julie, Katie, Leah, and Aaron- all head out this morning with our books. Leah and Julie make it through, no problem. Katie gets stopped and all but 2 get taken (the guy couldn’t find one, and was so kind and left one). Aaron gets stopped and they take 6 leaving him 13. Can you do the math. Big difference but it all depends on how they feel. That’s it. Nothing else matters.

So we decide to send on Leah and Aaron on, while Julie and Katie go back. We all know what we are doing. We’ve done this enough times. So they go onward, but a little detail was forgot in Hong Kong. What’s that you ask. Well we need a key on the other side. Not always but its always good to take. Katie will admit her bad. Oops!! Sorry guys. So you can put 2 and 2 together and see where this is going. So Leah and Aaron make the journey to the apartment, and the light at the end of the hallway was dark. So what to do, what to do.

Well calling people didn’t work. Waiting was pointless. Leaving the books there unattended- not smart. So they decided to do the very thing that was drilled into us NEVER to do. That is leave all the books with one person, and separate. One to stay and one to go back. Aaron being the man of the group stayed. Leah was to head back to Hong Kong, to tell Julie and Katie what was going on, so they could head back across with the remaining books. So after a little shuffle of the books in a bathroom stall, and the plan was set. Leah headed back, Aaron stayed. Leah along the way back, notice a officer checking peoples bags randomly. This was not good. On the verge of panicking, Leah raced back. Aaron on the other hand, decided to go shopping in the big mall.

Katie and Julie realizing the time, are trying hard not to panic as each minute passes by. Finally Leah bursts through the door, and proceeds to relay what has been going on. After she catches her breath, and grabs a quick lunch, they all head back over taking the remaining books. They get to the boarder, Katie mixes in with a huge group of locals making it across. Leah’s water bottle got away from her, helping her get away, and Julie walks through owning the place. They meet up together with Aaron who is not phased at all, excited about the purchases he got in the mall. We go onward, key in hand, packing up 22 boxes.

It was an amazing day. To top it off we got to go over to some friends house for good food and one long game of phase ten.

We all agree it was a great day for memories.Time for sleep before another full day.

Goodnight from Hong Kong,
Katie, Leah, and Aaron

Date August 22nd, 2009 Filed in China No Comments »
Aug 20
Hello all back home,
 
Today was our very last day at Crossroads. This is sad news because we all have loved our crazy times here. This is a place that not only keeps you on your toes, but keeps the others of this world who are in need, in your heart. We have absolutely loved being able to talk to, and hear peoples stories. You meet a new person every time you’re here, and every person has something to give to you. This place is something so unique. I have never experienced somewhere like this before in my life. The family who started it is still here, out working on projects, getting sweaty and nasty. They really do show you the heart of this ministry and somehow you find yourself becoming apart of this thing that seems so big, but at the same time is kinda small. This community of people, from all over the world is doing so much. Not only all over the world, but in Hong Kong, down to the janitor that sweeps the streets at this place. If ever in Hong Kong, go by here for a visit. This is one place you can never regret going to.
 
And of course for the adventures we did today. Since Katie’s back was not good today, she was in the office organizing- which if you know her at all, you know that she was completely thrilled about this. And we are serious when we say Katie loves to organize. Weird we know. But what more to say than she is a melancholy to the core.
 
So while Katie was in the nice air conditioned office, Leah and Aaron were out in one of the hottest days thus far while in Hong Kong. It was one of those days, you step outside of the apartment and immediately start to sweat profusely. I will not mention names but one of the members popped into the office for a minute, and the look on Katie’s face said it all. They were quite wet and not with water, but with water that has come through your pores. Yes, that would be called sweat. Being in the direct sunlight painting- not wire this time but window frames and doors can do this to you. They were working with a interesting young man to say the least. We’re telling the truth when we say that here you will meet all kinds of people. The good; the bad; the ugly… just sayin…
 
At the end of this great last day here, the son of the people who started Crossroads came and chatted with us for a while. I think I have never met someone who is like him. If he hadn’t told us his family’s story, I would have never guessed who this man was. He is so down to earth, so funny, and you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he hears from above, and speaks directly into you what you need. He is an amazing man of character who we all feel so honored to have worked under.
 
And after all of this we got to go and enjoy dinner at a “restaurant” called “Up the Hill.” This is not for the weak stomach. Not that the food is bad at all; its delicious. But there is no restaurant per say. It is basically a family’s kitchen. And it is so stinkin good. Not even kiddin. I was kinda taken back when arriving, not sure what I was getting myself into, but I would go there again and again, and recommend it to anyone. Very good, and very cheap.
 
So goodnight to all. We have 2 boarder crossings tomorrow. Please keep us in your thoughts.
 
Goodnight from Hong Kong,
Katie, Leah, and Aaron.
Date August 20th, 2009 Filed in China No Comments »
Aug 20
Hello everyone in the grand ole U.S. A. Hope you all are doing good.
 
We have had a great, wonderful day here in the lovely city of Hong Kong. Today was a boarder crossing day. (YAY!!!!) And guess what!!!! The scanners were broken, so guess who had a 4 for 4 recorded the first time through, then a 3 for 3 the second time through. Oh that’s right, we did. Yay!!! We were ecstatic over this lovely malfunction in technology:) While this was a great thing to happen, our bodies are now starting to feel the weight of what we carry. Katie’s back is not doing too well and neither is Leah’s hip. This is not good especially since we still have a few more times across before we leave. Please keep us all in your thoughts as we are continuing to do the things we came here to accomplish before heading back to the states in just a few short days.
 
We have all had fun having Vicki hanging around for these few days. We have all enjoyed eating and playing together. We hope that when she leaves that she leaves with something she didn’t expect to take with her. As she has been around I think that the people that we have met this entire trip have been coming to our minds more.
 
Every person we have met, has left something with us. We can all tell who has left the most impact, because we talk about them the most. Then there are the people who we don’t have names to go with their faces, but their faces are forevermore burned into our memory. I hope that even if we forget some of the others, the ones that have done something in us, the ones who even if they didn’t realize left something with us, I hope we never forget them. The children of Sichuan; the people at the handicap home; the ones who are risking it all; these plus so many more, I hope we never forget. These are the ones whose story will never be told if we don’t share what we know.
 
Please keep us in your thoughts as we finish out our trip here. We all have so many stories to share about this amazing life changing trip we have been on. Thank you all for your support.
 
Goodnight from Hong Kong,
Katie, Leah, and Aaron
Date August 20th, 2009 Filed in China No Comments »
Aug 18

Good evening everyone. I trust that you all had a famously wonderful day, just as we did here in the amazing city of Hong Kong. I must say at the beginning of this blog, that I am tired so I hope that this recap of our day here will make sense.

We went to Crossroads International once again today. They reported that the visit Friday, seemed to go very well, which is excellent news. Today our projects don’t sound like they take much time nor effort but if you were there, it may make more sense why they took so long. Anyways… today we arranged plants, turned a sign, and took staples out of signs. Now the first and the last projects were quite easy (well the staples were a little bit of a pain but not too difficult). Turning a sign took hours. Now let me explain why. This is not a simple paper sign on a doorway. This was a sign attached to two poles, buried 3-4 ft in the ground in a huge 500lb cement block. And this cement block was poured in such a way that huge stones that were jutting out into the ground were attached. So we had to dig down and around the cement block, and around the stones that were half covered in cement, then turn the sign. This took all three of us plus a guy from Crossroads. And get this, we at first turned the sign the wrong way. Ha ha… isn’t that grand. So we had to turn it back the other way. It was quite the adventure, complete with shovels, crow bars, a sledge hammer, a jack hammer, and a fork lift. The guy we were working with today kept saying to me and Leah, “such strong girls. I have never seen such strong girls.” We just laughed and kept shoveling. He would also stop people and say, “these girls here are so strong. Very strong girls, never seen such strong girls before. They are all hard workers. Very very very very good team.” With this project today, we thought of PD and hoped he’d be proud. We are work beasts. Gotta set the standard;)

After we got home, we had dinner with our friend from camp and played card games with her. Its great being able to spend extra time with her. She is very sweet. We can learn a lot from each other in the time we have together.

Well if you can imagine, I know this maybe a stretch, but we are all very tired from this amazing day today.
So goodnight to you all. We love you and will be seeing you all in a weeks time.

Goodnight from Hong Kong,
Katie, Leah, and Aaron

Date August 18th, 2009 Filed in China No Comments »
Aug 17

Hello home!!! Hope you all are doing well. The count we see has been started by a few till we arrive. It is a week as of tomorrow, so very soon we will be there with you all once again.

So today if we were playing a game, it would be us zero, boarder four. Isn’t that grand. But upon arrival to the destination we have counted 10 boxes being able to be shipped out from just last week. That is 24 crossings between 4 people, and not having luck 9 times. I think that is amazing. Just to see it all took me back for a second. Please keep not only us in your thoughts, but everyone who will be coming in contact with what has been brought over.

We were able to help organize somethings today for an company here, so our day was spent doing that, a boarder crossing, and then we went before crossing back over to a market to see what they had for sale there. Its amazing here what people will do for a sale. They walk with you, they chat with you for a long time, they try and direct you towards there store. Or a personal favorite, they yell at you from there store to come and see what they have yelling “Missy Missy come to my store.”. Doesn’t that just say welcome. Oh something I was told; don’t ever under any circumstance tell them your name. Because they will remember and yell your name till you come in there store. Thus at this point you pretty much must buy from them. And if they yell it, then all the rest of the vendors will be doing the same. You would feel pretty popular here, but I would recommend not doing that .

Well tomorrow is Crossroads. (YAY!!) We all are looking forward to what they will be having us do there. We also have one of the volunteers from the English camp staying with us for a few days so we are excited to be able to spend time with her.

Goodnight from Hong Kong,

Katie, Leah, and Aaron

Date August 17th, 2009 Filed in China No Comments »
Aug 16

A tip for your day… start the day in first class and end the day in first class. It makes the day so much better:)

Hello home!!! Hope you appreciated my little tip there. It’s a good one:)

Today, I have just realized, kicked off our last full week here in China. Where has the time gone? I feel like we just got here. But that is not the case at all. We arrived 4 weeks ago. Wow!!! 

This morning was the children’s service, which went great. Aaron got to “kneel” with a boy today, which is always amazing. Our only problem with this service was that we ran out of time, and had things left to do. So its a good thing we are doing next week service too. All the kids seemed to enjoy it; they were so funny after Aaron left when he was done telling the first half of the story of Jonah. They were like “did Jonah really wear sunglasses?” (Aaron wore his aviators mixed with his bible costume. Great look here.) Oh this is going to disappoint all of you out there who wanted to see the amazing make shift costume that we put together last night, but the fellowship here had a costume for Aaron to wear. It is a great look still cause the outfit is meant for a Chinese person to wear it. Not a white person who is taller than 5′ 5″. Pictures will be coming soon…

This afternoon we got the chance to hang out with the youth, getting to know them. We played spoons with them and talked. If you have ever played spoons then you know that it can start to get a little violent once people catch on to the game. No one seriously injured. I just got a few bruises from diving to get a spoon.
 
Next week is our last Sunday in Hong Kong… Tear, tear, sniff, sniff… That saddens me… On this final Sunday, we will be doing the children’s service again, along with spending time with the youth just like this Sunday. We are looking forward to what this week brings. It a non-stop week of go go go so please keep us in your thoughts. 
 
Goodnight from Hong Kong,
Katie, Leah, and Aaron
Date August 16th, 2009 Filed in China No Comments »
Aug 15

Hello dearest family, friends, and supporters…

Today after getting to bed late last night/early this morning depending on how you look at it, we decided we needed a day to rest our tired bodies and also to do last minute preparations for Sunday. Please keep us in your thoughts. We are doing the children’s service in the morning then having a time with the youth in the afternoon, so a full day lies ahead tomorrow.

So today we relaxed, slept in (love this concept), did laundry, made a make shift Jonah costume, caught up in our journals, and talked to people back home.

This Jonah costume is one of the best designs I think I have ever had. Thank you M.C. for a year in props that has lead up to this moment of ingenious costume making. We used a blanket, a sheet, and a pillowcase to put together this outfit. Yes, there will be pictures on facebook for all of you who are dying of curiosity to see Aaron in all of his glory. After seeing Aaron in this amazing outfit Leah and I died of laughter. There really is nothing else I can say about this. Just wait for the pictures to come.

Oh yes, speaking of pictures. If you are wondering what our adventures here have looked like, Leah has posted many pictures on her facebook profile. So just wander over there and take a gander at these delightful pictures. They are sure to please.  

We are excited about tomorrow. It should be a great day with kids of all ages. Our age range for tomorrow morning is 2-14. And the afternoon is 12-15. Please keep us in your thoughts.

Today has been great. Just what the doctor ordered. But now it is time to head off to bed.

Goodnight to you all from Hong Kong,

Katie, Leah, and Aaron

Date August 15th, 2009 Filed in China No Comments »

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