THEY MADE IT!

After 24 hours of travel, Brodie and the kids have finally made it to Beijing!

 

 

With Elka's ear infection, we had prayed for her flights and

although she had pain, she made it! What a trooper she is!

 

 

The sights, the smells, the language, it's all so different.

 

The culture shock is definitely a large part of the whole experience. I know this trip will influence Brodie and Elka's young hearts and draw them to the Lord. For that I am extremely grateful...and it keeps me going each day here at home as I miss my babies far away.

 

 

We stumbled into a surprise that the Wi-Fi only works in the lobby of their hotel.

Ugh. That was unexpected and will surely minimize our communication. We have to

trust that this is part of God's plan and try not to be too discouraged by the news.

 

It really is pretty though...

 

 

Brodie just found out that they get to go to an acrobat show tonight. A happy surprise this time!

It was a good plan to have the extra day before meeting Bea TOMORROW...a day to rest,

soak in the surroundings, and prepare for a life changing moment just hours away from now.

 

We're praying for Bea's little heart as she prepares for this transition so foreign to her as well.

The sights, the smells, the language, they'll all be so very different for her too.

And so we pray and lift our daughter's heart before the Lord today,

knowing just hours from now her life changing moment is on it's way as well.

 

Father, please be with our Bea today as she anticipates tomorrow too.

Please prepare little Beck's heart also. His moment is one week away.

You've planned this all for good. For them. For us. 

From the beginning of time, you'd planned it.

 

"For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them."

Psalm 139:13-16

. . . . . .

 

We finally got to Skype this afternoon. It lifted everyone's spirits to see each other.

 

 

It was good to see Brodie and Elka laugh after a long day. Elka took us for a virtual tour through the

glass round about  in the lobby with the computer and got stuck inside! Everyone loved that of course!

 

 

India kept yelling Bea Beck?! and kissing the computer screen.

I can see that she will be just the comic relief antidote for homesickness.

 

 

 . . . . . .

 

 Day 1 in Beijing began with a breakfast buffet as part of their hotel stay.

 

(Just a little different from Brodie's freeze dried meals on his trip to Congo for Noble and India.)

 

Then they went out for some sight seeing with their guide, Flora.

 

 

Apparently the kids' coloring has drawn them a bit more attention than they're typically

comfortable with, but I'm sure they will get used to the stares along the way.

 

(Their first crowded subway...stares and all.)

 

 

 While they were out and about today, they were able to buy an adaptor that allows them to have Wi-Fi in their room now!!

Thank you, Lord!!! That will help so much with communication. What a blessing!

 

In the evening they had the opportunity to see an amazing acrobat show!!

 

 

 

After a full day, we were able to Skype (in the room, yay!) at 3:30am my time. Hey, it was worth missing some sleep. :)

Then off to bed they went, ready to meet our little Bea bright and early tomorrow morning!

 

What a nice first day in China.

 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened,
and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9