There’s a point on the Great Wall north of Beijing where it ends. It doesn’t end completely, but the refurbished part of the wall ends and beyond that is rubble. Someday, I expect to find that part of the wall refurbished too, and the wall will go on.
The summer program in Beijing has ended. The classes are done, the learners dispersed, and all the teachers have gone home or on to other programs. That doesn’t mean it’s done, just done for now. I expect to go back next year and find that God has kept on building in the lives of the learners who were touched this year.
For us, the directors, the journey home was like many others. Pack out of the hotel early in the morning, warm goodbyes to our administrators who come to see us off, taxi to the airport, check in, immigration, visa checks, and out to the gate.
Then it’s boarding the plane and a long, long journey across the ocean.
On this end, there’s disembarking from the plane, immigration, customs, baggage pickup, and a ride home. Then the bags are unpacked, stuff sorted, load after load of laundry put through. Piles of mail to sort and read. Phone calls to family and friends to reconnect.
The first night is always a little hard. Every time we wake we think we’re still in Beijing. But by morning today we were feeling almost home. I say almost because part of us never comes back.
It’s impossible to invest so deeply in life in another part of the world and just leave it behind. There are relationships that will keep going and notes that will pass back and forth across the Pacific. Already we’ve heard from several of the administration and the learners.
“Sincere thanks again for all you have done for the program. We all agree this is the best ever. We'll miss you as our best friends.”
“You accompanied us during the last two weeks. Thank you for your help in our class. Your elegance and David’s humor leave everyone a deep impression. Wish you happy and healthy!”
“I appreciate all your hard work, it means so much to me. Thank you so much for your time, expertise and patience. I hope we'll meet again some time in the future.”
It’s these kind of relationships that keep teachers returning year after year to Beijing. This year we had more seekers asking questions, asking for books, and attending church with us than any other year. Despite the difficulties we encountered, we saw God at work week after week.
The Beijing Wall blog will end for 2010, but what God is doing in Beijing is just beginning.
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