LAST DAYS IN CHINA

BEIJING FUN

Illegal photo standing in front of the Forbidden City gates. We were wondering why no other bikers were riding past.

After six weeks of travel in Hong Kong and China, we ended our spring trip in Beijing. We enjoyed four days of once again visiting China's capital city and historical sights. Teresa Woodland and her two children hosted us for 4 nights. It was fun meeting her children, Kaili and Kaishang, and catching up on news as we all came to China in the 80s with ELIC.

Legal photo as I was actually biking past LeRoy to get the shot

Teri let us use two of her bikes to travel to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Wufangjing area. Security was very tight near Tiananmen but since we were on bikes, we breezed by. Our only mistake was stopping in front of Forbidden City gates to get a tourist to take our photo. Evidently we were not supposed to stop and a security guard was on us immediately, waving for us to get going. The foreign tourist already had my phone so he snapped a quick photo before we headed on. My maxim for China has always been 'life in China is not always fun but always an adventure".

Dave with Kaishang and Kaili

Teri and Kaishang on the way to school

Sally Chen, assistant to the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Beijing
She has worked at the embassy for 10 years. She was in our group in WF when she was 16.

Sally, her husband and daughter drove us to the airport to get our flight to Seattle.
Dave was also seeing us off before flying to Kunming.

Kaitlyn came with Tim to get us in Spokane.

No telling when we will have our next adventure in Asia. We've been involved in China for 30 years and it seems like 'home' to us. We just got new 10-year passports and 10-year China visas. We have luggage and go when we next get an opportunity. We will let you know our 'future' plans!

Thanks for joining us on the journey!

QINGDAO RETURN

More Good Food and Fellowship

After five days in Weifang, we took the bullet train to Qingdao, a coastal city where we taught 27 years ago. The city has mushroomed and few places look the same except for all the German architecture from the turn of the century. The beaches have been developed with beautiful boardwalks and seaside parks.

German Castle at Beach #2

Lunch at historic restaurant with former students

Visit to international school

NORTHEAST CHINA NOW

ON TO WEIFANG

After a good visit with family and friends in Kunming, we flew to Qingdao where we were met by two friends and taken to Weifang. Our roots in Shandong Province include two years in Qingdao (1987-89) and three years in Weifang (1998-2001).

Weifang has changed extensively since we lived here but we have been able to find a few familiar places. All five of the original buildings left of the North American Presbyterian Mission that were on my "Eric Liddell Walking Tour' are still standing!

Our friends have been hosting us and filling us with the best of Shandong cuisine. I will not want to get on a scale when we return to the States.

Dave arrived in Beijing yesterday and hopes to join us in Qingdao. We will be taking a train to Qingdao Thursday.

 Memorial on the site of Weishen Civilian Prison Camp where Eric Liddell died and American paratroopers liberated the prisoners at the end of WWII

 Celebrated Mother's Day with Mark Song and David Chen at Wanda Plaza

Welcoming banquet attended by 16 people. I usually count the dishes served but was overwhelmed by the number and variety of food. 

Mark Song's mother let me watch her cook this meal. The last dish was homemade jiao zi (dumplings) that were delicious. 

Return to the Motherland

BACK TO KUNMING

When we arrived in China 30 years ago, my first impression was the country was one big construction site. It is the same now. High rises are going up all over Kunming. We arrived a week ago for a two week visit before going on to Weifang, Qingdao and Beijing.

Kevin, Emma and Ingrid met us at the 'new to us' Kunming airport.

Delicious Shandong jiaozi with former student

Jane with CI recipients from 2005

GOODBYE HONG KONG

LAST BLOG FROM HONG KONG

Our three weeks in Hong Kong just flew by! We have had wonderful visits and enjoyed working with the great staff at Bethany Ministries. The weather has been unusually mild with low humidity! Our last blog from Hong Kong includes candid photos around the territory.

Hearts & Hands Booth

Craft Sale This Weekend

Come to St. Joseph Parish this weekend for their annual fair trade event. Since I am in Hong Kong, the FTE committee members have volunteered to serve at the Hearts & Hands booth. My thanks to the ladies for making this possible. Come support many worthwhile causes that make a difference in the world.

Don't Miss This

Book Signing Time at International Christian Assembly in North Point

We will be at the 

this Sunday (26 April)to visit/share and sign/sell books.  Please come and join us.

We will be selling the following books, plus we plan to have a few of the latest book, The House, available.

Do drop in and let us see your smiling faces.