Food, rest and China church - Day three.

We woke early Sunday morning after about 5 hours of sleep. We went to the apartment of some fellow Americans and had some great time in the Word and worship in their home…..and they had coffee…halleluiah. Apparently, they don’t “do” coffee in China. Didn’t get that memo.

After we left there, we walked a pretty good way, got on a bus, and then walked some more to a restaurant. The buses here are neat. And by “neat” I mean “packed like sardines with people who can’t recall their last shower and if you don’t get on or off in about 1.3 seconds you WILL be left behind”.

The restaurants are weird because they have rooms with room numbers, sort of like a hotel, but it has a table for a group to sit in the room. They have big round tables with a lazy Susan in the middle. We had everything from Chinese “meatloaf” (actually really good), to potato noodles, garlic cucumbers, eggplant, fried green beans, rice and some more stuff I couldn’t identify…but ate anyway. Thank goodness I already knew how to use chopsticks, because those who didn't nearly starved. There are no forks. It was a huge feast and it was awesome!

Mandi trying (and not succeeding) to teach Sarah to use chopsticks.

Steaming hot water.

Tons of food! And it is SO cheap!

Corn situation with sugar.

Funny rooms you eat in.

Then we spent some time preparing as a team for the English camp. Lots of details to still be worked out, but we start tomorrow and I think we are ready! I think…..

We walked through the University campus (which is beautiful) along the “path” to our hotel. It isn’t a path so much as it is a 30+ minute walk through sketchy areas, markets, piles of trash etc. Once we got back to the hotel, we walked some more, hopped on another bus and went to a restaurant that has caramelized fruit. It is crazy because the restaurants don’t have doors, they have long plastic panels you walk through, like you would see in an industrial size freezer. To get to our “room” in this particular restaurant, we walked through one section, out more plastic panels into a shady alley way, then back in to another part of the restaurant to eat. But, it didn’t matter one bit because caramelized fruit with egg fried rice is the business.

Caramelized fruit. You have to QUICKLY dip it in water and then put it back on the plate so it doesn't all stick together.

We put all the best chopstickers on the job.....you can see Sarah smiling and watching in the background :).

We are now back at our hotel and in the bed. So exhausted.Like falling asleep in mid conversation at dinner exhausted.

A few observations about China:

-Apparently, a long time ago, some China grandmas realized that the water was making everyone sick, so they boiled it and it stopped making everyone sick. So now, they won't drink water unless it is steaming hot. Seems they never figured out that once you boil it, it is safe. It doesn't have to STAY hot. So all the water here is steaming hot. Very, very steaming hot.
-Lots of designer, well groomed dogs roaming the streets. Didn’t expect that one.

 

-Unlike Africa, these people really hang on to their kids. In Africa they seemed to just roam free (I guess because there were so many more of them) but here they are always holding the hand of an adult or being carried if they are small.

-The streets are crazy with buses, motorcycles, cars, bicycles, and people

-Tons of watermelons. They are everywhere. Apparently they are the only way to stay cool because they have very little air conditioning. And more fruits and vegetables being sold in all the street markets than I have ever seen.

Literally trucks filled with watermelons everywhere.

-The women just seem to be out an about for a normal day, but they are all snazzed up in high heels and short dresses.

-Everyone smokes. Except for the babies. Or at least I didn’t see any smoking babies.

-Africa people are so excited to see mzungus. Even if they don’t care about what we have to say to them, they just think we are awesome with our light skin and hair. These people seem completely indifferent to the fact that we are even here.

Journey to China - Day One....and Two.

14.01 hours is long time on plane.

30+ hours, 4 airplanes and 1 van later we are finally here! Our trip has been blessed with on time flights, and no lost luggage…..so that alone is wonderful!

Tofu on a plane (morning or otherwise) is a very bad idea.

First glimpse of China.

It has been dark since we arrived so not much to tell about the city thus far, except that it looks a lot like any downtown, just with a lot of neon lights…..that all say something or another in Chinese. The roads are normal and paved (a nice change from Africa) but they drive even worse than New York cab drivers.

We will be staying in a hotel off campus, rather than on campus as we had planned. However, this is China and so these things happen. Apparently it isn't legal for foreigners to stay in certain hotels in China. They want them all in the nicer hotels to give the world a good impression of the country. So, the accommodations are much nicer than what we expected (aside from the beds that feel like a coffee table with a sheet on top)......but we are not going to complain!

View from our hotel window.

The mountains here are beautiful!

PLEASE NOTE: For security purposes, I won't be posting any specifics about the city we worked in, the University, or the American teacher we worked with. So, some of the posts may seem vague.....but it is vague for a good reason!

Ready to rest and get started tomorrow!

Blessings!

jennymo

China!!!

Hello all!

Just wanted to drop a super quick line to let you all know we are fine and safe! We are VERY busy every day and have hardly any access to internet or phone, which isn't what we expected. But, things are great and I will update here when we get back to Korea on Saturday!

Blessings,

jennymo

The good news and the bad news. And the good news. And the bad news.

The devil (or the debil as my kids call him) has been working HARD on me this week friends. BUT, that tells me that I am doing something right or else the old debil wouldn't be paying a bit of attention to me! ; ) So, I have compiled a list of the bad news and the good news......a pros and cons list of sorts.......to show you (and me) that even when the debil is after you, the good usually outweighs the bad!

The Bad News:

-My mom broke her foot on Tuesday. While I was at work. Trying to get a lot done before I leave the country. It is I can't put any weight on it except to go to the bathroom broken. So, needless to say, she has required A LOT of my help this week. Like I had to drag her from our garage to the front door in the wagon because she couldn't get in the house. Can you say bad timing? It reminds me of the time I had my gallbladder removed and was sooooooooooo looking forward to a couple of days of outpatient surgery earned rest, when she decided it would be a GREAT time for her appendix to almost explode....but I digress.

-The kids and I went to the ortho doc to get MY knee looked at on Monday. It has been hurting more and more since my 5K, and since it has been operated on before, I wanted to be sure I hadn't done something major to it. I went back for the results today, and I have a stress fracture. In my knee. A big one. Doctor says wear a brace, which isn't nearly as bad as the boot I wore for 5 weeks....remember that?!?! It seems like sooooooo long ago. ; ( Anyhoo, he says stay off of it for 4 weeks and I should be good to go. How will I resume my training 4 weeks before the marathon and pull it off? Great questions. Let's talk about it after I get back from CHINA. Where I am going tomorrow. The day after now.

- While trying to rush around and get work done, doctor appointment done, and get home to take care of my 2 kids and 1 ailing mother, I locked my keys in the car. I haven't done that in forever. Luckily, I was on the phone with my BFF Gina while I had a bit of a come apart.......in the parking lot......in the rain.......and she came and got me. We found my spare key and all was right with the world. Just a really bad time to loose......time!

-I haven't packed. Not one thing. But I am just about to start shoving this mountain of stuff into that tiny red carry on size suitcase in the background. Wish me luck.

The Good News:

-I am blessed to be a part of a GREAT team going to China tomorrow and once I get out of my house, preferably with all of my stuff, and get to the airport I will become totally stoked! Please pray for our team!

-I really thought my MRI results would show something that would put me out of the marathon all together. It is a huge praise for me that I still have a really great shot at finishing this thing with my team.....well.....waaayyyyyyyy behind my team. BUT, I said from the very start that if I could get up to 5 miles I knew I could do it, and I reached 5 miles right before my knee became to painful to run. So that is a blessing. I may finish last.....but I just want to finish and I am super stoked that it is still a possibility. I AM STILL IN THE GAME!

-I MET MY PRE-CHINA FUNDRAISING GOAL! This is huge folks. I have become CONSUMED with fundraising and training because God has made my heart CONSUMED by this cause and the children and families that it will help! I knew I couldn't fully leave this behind and focus on China if I felt like I was behind on my fundraising. God is great and I not only met my goal but exceeded it!

-I have an amazing family and amazing friends that I know will take care of things while I am gone. I have stuff lined up for Friday & Saturday for the kids, and then they will be with their dad all next week, which will give Emmy some much needed down time for her foot to heal.

-I have a wonderful church family and an amazing small group. I feel so blessed by them all!


-My cousin Rhonda told me that what I am doing with my life right now would make my gradmother, Gera Mae Clark, proud. That is the best news I could have gotten. <3

-The debil may try and try to keep me down, but I have a KING who died so that I might live. So I'm gonna keep on keeping on as long as He allows me to do so!


See? The good always outweighs the bad!

Please pray for us as we travel and for my mommy heart and my kiddos while I am away.

And if you are one of the few people who actually read this blog, could you leave a comment and let me know you read this? I could really use the encouragement right now!

Blessings!

Watch out Asia, here comes jennymo!

P.S. If you were to happen to want to donate to my marathon fundraising for Project Hopeful while I am gone, just click the link below : )

Why a bean burrito is not a wise choice, and other lessons I learned from my first 5K

As part of my training program for the Chicago Half Marathon I am supposed to run a 5K. However, where it falls in my timeline, happens to be when I will be in China. I don't think they have 5K's in China, so I decided to just find one on a random weekend when I could make it work and DO IT. I decided not to tell anyone, because of the VERY HIGH probability that I would do one of the following:

1. Show up 10 minutes after the "ready set go"
2. Not show up at all
3. Show up at the wrong place
4. Fall directly on my face
5. Pass out
6. Finish very last
7. Run 20 steps and turn around and walk back to my car

I could go on. But basically i figured, if it goes well, I will say "Surprise! Look what I did today!" and if it was a disaster, I would keep it to myself and pretend it never happened.

As it turns out, I showed up at the right place, on time, didn't forget anything, and felt REALLY good when I sized up this competitor

but then I overheard she was only going a little way and then coming right back.....slacker.

So, I was ready to run and to be honest I felt pretty good about it......until the guy said "ready set go"......and I went. It was downhill.....nope uphill........ from there. Here are just a few of the lessons I learned:

1. When "they" say eat something the night before that will "stick with you" and don't eat anything on the morning of the race, THEY DO NOT MEAN A BEAN BURRITO. And a soft taco. Just trust me. Seriously. Please.

2. When your friends tell you that running on the treadmill is very different than running on the roads.....believe them. And don't make your first time to run on a road EVER also your first 5K. As soon as I started running, my joints started screaming obscenities at me.

3. Don't assume your running shorts have the handy dandy key pocket inside that you have never had to use.

4. If your running shorts don't have the key pocket, and you can't fit it in the key in the teeny tiny pocket on your handy sports arm band phone holder situation, then inside your sports bra is NOT your next best option. Not. Pin it to your number......learned that after the race.

5. People who say they have a beer the night before a race "for the carbs" apparently are joking. And even if they aren't....it is A beer. One.

6. If the race starts at 7am, and you figure it will take you 30 ish minutes, don't plan to be somewhere by 8:30. They have to tally up the results, and at this particular race, give out many, many "door prizes" some of which included a coffee mug, a kids over the door basketball goal, and a flashlight......with no batteries....which I am proud to say I took home.

7. It is really hot outside. A really really lot hot.

8. I hadn't thought about the high probability that on any 5K course, there will be a few hills.

9. I hear most "real" races are located in places where you have to use port-a-potties and possibly have to wait in long lines. I am eternally grateful that was not the case at this race.

10. If you run a race that no one else runs, you have a really good chance of placing and winning a super sweet......... certificate. Printed on blue paper. Card stock. And a flashlight too....... if you are really livin' right. ; )

So, I finished in 31:15 and actually got 3rd place in my age group. Don't ask me how many people were in my age group. I am actually pretty happy with this time especially considering I walked up EVERY hill....and a couple of slight inclines that I decided could pass for hills.

Friends, I have a LONG way to go....and right now, all of my joints from the waist down hurt. BUT, I am going to keep on keeping on, because this cause is worth it, and that is the ONLY reason I am doing this!

Please consider donating! My MAIN MOTIVATION is the fact that I am GOING TO raise $2,000 for Project Hopeful, AND spread the word about this wonderful cause......and by raising it $20 at a time, I am locking arms with so many friends in the process!

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO is click the logo below, click on "donate" above my name, and it will take you directly to Paypal! SO EASY!!!!

 



Blessings!

jennymo

Forget about the Gospel, just get 'em to church!

Let me say right off that I KNOW I am going to step on some toes with this post. It is in no way my intention to hurt anyone's feeling or offend in any way, but God has heavily laid this burden on my heart over the past few weeks and I know it won't go away until I do what He says! Plus, only 30 people actually read this blog, so here it goes! : - )

During the course of our meetings to prepare for our trip to China, our leader has had a HUGE emphasis on the Gospel. At first, I honestly thought "We are all Bible believing, Christ following, mission trip going adults, we got this Gospel thing, lets move on and focus on the details of what we are going to DO on this trip". However, my eyes have been opened to a number of things as she has stretched us all in our ability to share the Gospel in a variety of different contexts, as well as how to most effectively share our testimonies.

This made me realize a few things. First I realized that when I was growing up, we never used the word testimony in our church (I think that was simply a "Baptist" word so we skipped that whole part). We also talked very little about the Gospel. I know that sounds crazy that a church could talk very little about the Gospel, but it is true. Mind you, I knew all of the facts of the Gospel, it just was never packaged in such a way that is was something that stood alone, much less something that should be shared.

I was taught to invite people to church. And to VBS. And to "gospel meetings" (ironic). I knew all the appropriate answers to why we didn't have instruments in our church (don't get me started), why we did communion every week, how short your shorts can be and still get into heaven (side note: most of the ones I have seen IN CHURCH lately don't make the cut...but I digress), and how dancing causes you to have a baby. I knew that between the ages of 9ish and 13ish all kids should get baptized or else your parents would start to worry about you. I knew all of the details of every child friendly part of the Bible, memorized hundreds of verses and could say the books of the Bible at warp speed. But there was SO MUCH that we missed.


The honest truth is that until about 2 years ago I could not have effectively shared the Gospel with anyone, because I had never learned how. If you asked me specific questions, I could have answered them, of course. But if I was faced with a person who had never heard of Jesus, who needed to know the saving truth of the Gospel, I truly don't know what I would have told them.....I probably would have said "You need to find a church".

If I walked up to most people I know, my friends, I wonder how many of them would be able to effectively share the Gospel on command. With no practice, or time to study. Would you?

So, I am going to share my version of the Gospel with you (all 30 of you), and maybe we will all be better equipped....because the simple truth of the Bible is that all the world WILL HEAR this great Gospel.......the question is, will you and I be a part of sharing it with the world?

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14

The Gospel: "The Good News". There is only one true God and He is a good God. He has always been and He created the world and everything in it. He created everything you see. He created me, and He created you too and He loves us. When God made Adam & Eve (the first humans He created) He gave them one rule, one command, and they broke that rule. This first sin is what separated us from God. Almost the entire Old Testament of the Bible, is the story of God trying to draw His people back to Himself. But people kept sinning. Since God is also a just God, there had to be payment for that sin. So God sent His one and only Son to this earth, to live as a man, just like you and me. Except he was a perfect man. He has no sin, He made no mistakes. And God chose to pour out all of His wrath, for my sin and for yours, on His only Son Jesus. He allowed Jesus to be brutally killed, so that our relationship with God could be fixed. And because Christ died on the cross for our sins, we are now able to be reconciled before God and He forgives us of our sins. All of them. But the story doesn't end there! Unlike every other man in the history of the world, Christ died, but He did not stay dead! He rose again after being dead for 3 whole days. Now, if we put our faith in the one true God, and His Son Jesus, then we can spend eternity forever with God. We must turn away from our old lives and our old selves, and trust God with our whole life. We must allow Jesus to do what we could never do on our own, which is to make us right before a Holy and just God. Jesus came to this earth once and die and to save us from the wrath that is due our sin, but when He comes again, He not. On that day we will each be responsible for whether or not we decided to put our faith in Him, and where we spend eternity will be based on that choice. Will you put your faith in Jesus today?

The 5 Threads of the Gospel (David Platt)

The Character of God (Romans 1:18-20, 2:1-16, 3:22-24; Isaiah 43:6-7)
The sinfulness of man (Romans 1:21-25, 3:9-20, 3:23, 6:23)
The sufficiency of Christ (Romans 3:21-26, 4:25, 5:6-10, 5:18, 8:10-11)
The necessity of faith (Romans 1:17, 3:20-31, 4:22-25, 6:11-14, 8:10-11)
The urgency of eternity (John 3:14-16, 36; John 10:27-30, 17:3; I Timothy 1:16-17; Hebrews 9:12; I John 5:11-13)


Ok, so that it my version of the Gospel, in my own words, plus the 5 threads of the Gospel (make sure you don't miss any of them), now it is off my chest, and in your hands.

Bear in mind that many people, all over this earth are sharing this great Gospel, some at the cost of their very lives. But, we in America have the freedom to study to Word and to share the Gospel freely.....and now that we are equipped to share it............will we?

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
Matthew 28:18-20


Blessings!
(I feel better already)

jennymo

Fundraising Progress

As I said in my update a couple of days ago, I only need 28 friends to donate $20 In the month of June, and I will be well on my way to reaching my $2,000 goal! Will you be one of the 28!?!?!?!

 


 

Click the logo above to pitch in your $20 via Paypal for Project Hopeful (just click the "Donate" button above my name-Jenny Clark)! My goal is to get 100 of my 600+ Facebook friends to donate $20 each....what a big impact we could make on the lives on HIV+ orphans a children around the world together!

(if you are old fashioned and don't "do" paypal, feel free to send a check made out to Project Hopeful to my home address 6166 Eagle Point Circle Birmingham, AL  35242)  

Also, please don't forget to VOTE for Project Hopeful in the Cultivate Wines $50,000 giveaway! Between your votes and $20, we could together raise $52,000 for a great cause! WOW!


http://www.cultivatewines.com/cause/28670/


Thank you!


jennymo