February 9We were up early the next morning, packing our bags and preparing for a morning of hiking. We cleaned everything out of our room, carried any valuables with us, and left our bags in our smiling host’s front hallway. Then we went out exploring again. We climbed up to Mt. Ji Gong in the snow, a rock scramble named for its resemblance to a crowing rooster. It is the highest point on the mountain, and the 360 degree view is amazing. Brad said that he could see why his Grandfather (Dr. Distad’s son) loved Old Rag Mountain at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, because the two places are similar. After that, we walked back through town, exploring and photographing all of the villas that resembled Dr. Distad’s home. We worked our way toward the Moongate, and spent some time writing the words from the memorial and digging in the snow for more gravestones. Finally we walked out to the far side of the town to an ancient abandoned pagoda, and climbed its four stories to take in the panoramic view. It resembled a lighthouse, standing high on the mountain with views of both sides. By noon we were tired, and ready to find a ride back down the mountain.
As we approached the town, we met a van driver preparing his van for the trip down the mountain, and we asked the price for a ride. Satisfied, we hurried back to the hostel to claim our bags. Our host happily handed us our bags, and then asked for another 20 yuan! Brad and I looked at each other in disbelief. We turned to go and the host tried to get the van driver to communicate for him. Brad told him that we refused to pay any more to him, because his prices were too expensive. He refused to inform us beforehand of any prices, and we would not pay any more. So he left us fuming, and we boarded our van for another jolting ride down the mountain road. Just as we arrived at the bottom of the mountain, another van to Xinyang pulled up next to us, and we boarded immediately. We had to laugh because the 30-minute drive to Xinyang was full of stops to pick up and drop off new passengers, making it a much longer trip than it would have been otherwise.
Back in Xinyang, we decided to check into a nicer hotel after our previous four nights in less-than-ideal sleeping arrangements. We picked up some groceries, drew a hot bath, and had dinner in the hotel. We walked to the hospital that Brad had spotted, but in speaking to the residents, found that it had been a hotel until two years ago.
February 10
The next day was our last day in Henan, and we spent it exploring Xinyang. We walked to the bridge over the river, imagining Dr. Distad in his boat on the waters. We walked around under the bridge where there was a roller skating rink, and then to a pagoda by the river’s edge. Turning around, we headed toward a giant blue Father’s House, and found a service in progress. We went inside and sat on the second floor in the back, listening to the Speaker in Chinese. We smiled when we recognized the familiar tune of “Come Thou Fount” and other hymns sung in Chinese. We wondered if the founders of this House or others like it had heard about the Father’s Love through Dr. Distad and his family. A helpful man gave us hot water and wrote notes for us in Chinese, helping us to find passages in our English Book. After the service, we walked back toward the downtown area for dinner. The man followed us, and kept trying to talk to us. A lovely Chinese girl and her mother walked right up to us, and offered their assistance. Mei Ling was willing to practice her English, but not willing to translate for the man, so after a short conversation, we all went our separate ways.
The rest of the day passed quickly. We drank pink milk tea in a smoky pink pub, and had dinner in a McDonald’s-style restaurant in the shopping district. Brad bought me white cotton candy, and gave some to a beggar who found him there. We returned to our hotel to use the restroom, and met a man named “Pound” who is studying International Business at Peking University. At 7:00 pm we checked in at the railway station, and at 8 pm we boarded our 13.5 hour (slow train) “hard sleeper” to Beijing. Hard sleepers are arranged into little rooms, with six bunks to a room. Brad and I climbed up onto our top bunks, and slept most of the way home.
February 11
Back in Beijing we were never so happy to see Tony and Lily at the Beijing Train Station! With an hour before our train to Langfang, we sat in a warm familiar Starbucks, and shared stories of our adventures into central China. All of us found it amazing how the Father had provided for our safety, protection, and guidance throughout our trip alone into a country where we speak so little of the language. Each day we were reminded of His provision and care for us, his Children.
Love,
Jess and Brad
