After the emotional day at the orphanage, on Wednesday, we enjoyed a day out at the Shaolin Temple. This was built over 1500 years ago as a pillar Buddhist headquarter type of thing. We drove about an hour up into the mountains and began our day. This place is huge! Also, there are hundreds of boys here for school, like boarding school. They study martial arts as well as school. This is where Jet Li trained and was Kung Fu champion... it was very crowded (even on a weekday), so I took it as a bucket-list item for many Chinese buddhists and tourists.
Both boys love snacks… and one of these badly needs a haircut…
These buildings are thousands of years old… hard to fathom. I've never really been interested in Far East history… but now want to read all about China during Jesus' time on earth and before that…
Lunch like locals!
Samuel wants to be held (naturally), but also wants to hold hands with Silas or Avery… so sweet. And talk about a bicep burn!
We watched an exhibition by some of the students there at the temple - so impressive. One couldn't have been older than 12 or so, used his head to break a bar of metal, then threw a nail through a piece of glass to burst a balloon, and all demonstrated Kung Fu moves with jumps and sticks and well, it was impressive.
The kids did great. We did ALOT of walking up hills and had a traditional lunch outside. The temple itself was truly amazing. Monks still live here and practice their rituals daily... for their entire life. Silas and Avery were very curious about all the incense and people bowing down, but we just took pictures and enjoyed the scenery. The symbolic nature of Chinese culture is fascinating.
If we Americans revered our ancestors and country's founders like the Chinese, we would be a totally different country. They talk about the Emperors every day and all know about history.... and respect it. China is becoming a very modern country, but history is revered and respected, and much symbolism remains...
If only we Christians talked about Christ like they talk about Chairman Mao, et al... wow what a different view others would have of us.
We enjoyed the "executive floor" of the Hilton Zhengzhou for breakfast, lunch, and dinner all week... and so far all the kids have slept so well. Silas and Avery are absolutely amazing with Samuel. They have loved on him and been so patient with them... not jealous, not selfish, truly exemplifying Christ.
No wonder Jesus says in Matthew 18:3, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven…"
You know, we brought Silas and Avery with us for several reasons:
1. We didn't want to be away from them for 2 weeks
2. They are of the age where they can begin to comprehend the Gospel... and we want them to look back on this and see the Gospel being played out in our family. We pray God uses little things and big things to bring honor and glory to Him... and to magnify Him in every step. This is NOT about us gaining a child....this is about God's love for His children... we are all His children and all adopted into His family as joint heirs with Christ.
3. With such a life change taking place, we felt adjustment would best happen for all three children if we did this as a family unit. Together.
We brought them with us, hoping to teach them about God's love. And now we've been here a few days and I've learned more from them about God's love than I every thought I could... funny how the Lord works.
On Thursday in Zhengzhou, we went to an amusement park. It is a very old park in the middle of the city with beautiful trees and funny rides.
The kids had a blast... after being attacked by the mob of sweet older ladies exercising in the park....
They rode "games" - funny water games that shot ping pong balls at clown looking creatures, mini roller coasters, etc... it was a fun afternoon.
(notice the recurring pose of Avery's hands in air…)
Thursday afternoon we worked on fine motor skills (ha, played!) and enjoyed time together in the room.
Friday, David picked up Samuel's passport and we headed to the airport to fly to Guangzhou. On to phase two of our trip! Last stop before we can go home.
Samuel's first selfie!
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