The Real Day 4....

(Please read the next three posts as I did not have internet so I was blogging on the computer and saving them posts for later, photos to follow so check back.)

So, I left of at the airport. From 8 to 9 am I tried to get our flight changed, kind of cheated and went to the first class line since the others were still long. After waiting in this line, same news, no flights until Tuesday night. Well, I actually could have gotten 3 first class seats for the next morning but no one would volunteer for the wing. So we made some calls and a decision was made to take a train and get there sometime tonight or tomorrow morning. At least this way we would still have 4 days at camp and that was the main goal. David, Morgan and Tiff had a prayer time for me while at the counter - it worked - I did not lose my cool to which Tiffani said “Your cool???” hahaha...

So, like I had said on the previous post about Burger, yup, this was where we got breakfast, which was actually lunch since they do not sell breakfast. About 62 yuan for two medium sized meals ($10 US) so that same as home more or less. I don’t think we have any photos of this. I have to admit the picture taking has taken a back seat (sorry Debbie and Melissa) although I think David was taking some that I haven’t seen yet.

A driver sent by BMH did show up around noon and took us to the train station. We got there around 12:40 and by 2 pm we found out that we had tickets for an overnight bus or was it a 5 hour speed train or wait no was it an overnight train with beds. Honestly, I tell you the truth, we had no idea what we had tickets for and where we were going but to our “Nice” surprise it was a speed train and only 2 hours, which ended up being an hour and a half at 200+ miles per hour. I have to say and the others would agree that this was cool! We arrived at the station and were met by Jenny who works with BMH. She came with a van and told us it would be a 6 hour ride to camp. Yes, I wasn’t stuttering, 6 hours. We thought it was supposed to be three. David will tell you that the only real problem we have had over here, more so than not speaking Chinese, is that they cannot tell time very well. 5 minutes could mean anything from 2 minutes to 1 hour. Kind of like when the preacher says “and in conclusion”... (sorry D.).

Jenny was nice enough to take us to a Pizza Hut before the ride and this was good. A pizza hut in china is a restaurant. You can get anything from lasagna to soup to salads and yes, even pizza. The pizza here is great, no greasy bottom. Me and Tiff got a Hawaiian with stuffed crust and David “tried” to get a pepperoni and sausage and cheese, not sure if that is what came out and Morgan got an appetizer plate with calamari, and wings and a few other things. Overall, very good experience. But the best part of the meal was the discussion, that I did tell them would make it to the blog, was the debate over whether the way the chinese go number 2 or the american way, which was healthier. Maybe now I am sharing too much info? Like I said, there were some laughs along the way. Sorry, I did not have the camera for this part so no photos of dinner but it was good.

So, back on the bus and an uneventful 5 to 6 hour ride where we arrived at camp safe and sound. We were greeted by a bunch of people. Hopefully we will remember a few names. The rooms here are very nice and they have a/c and screens on the windows to keep the mosquitoes out. I would say the room is 18x24 with two beds, desk, tables, chairs, TV (which we will not use) and yes a bathroom. That is just for two of us. Me and Tiff and then David and Morgan got separate rooms. Mike is the director here and seems very nice. We also met David Lee (chinese student who I believe may be staff or translator, not sure yet) but very nice guy.

That just about raps up our Monday at 11 pm. Not a bad day in the end. Here is where I have to give Matthew a special “THANK YOU” for getting us here. We were doubtful along the way but he really came through for us. Oh, the best part, he’s only 16. Didn’t see that coming did you. Two grown men following a 16 year with blind faith that we would arrive where we were supposed to be. Awesome!!!

So, here I am, it is now 6 am on Tuesday and my nerves have been at me all night. ow many buddies will I get, how old will they be, will they be girls or boys, will they like me, will I scare them.... I guess we will just have to wait and see. We are going downstairs to meet with Mike at 8 am and go over the schedules and then we should meet our buddies and translators at 9.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers!!!! Even though the path He took us on for the last 36 hours was not the one we had planned, He took care of it all and got us here safely. All the ups and downs, laughing and crying, I wouldn’t change a thing.... If you could continue to remember us throughout the rest of the trip. Thank you, G.B.!!!!

Finally, from Yantai, China, China Team out.