After a pretty solid sleep for both Jon and I on Sunday night, we spent Monday having breakfast with Global Partners as well as a time of prayer and a devotional Ian had prepared for us. Then it was off to the races: Sabina GAO and her wonderful husband Josh took Paula Wilma, Phil Human (pastor from Omaha), Jon and I to the “Forbidden City” past the current government buildings and to the huge compound where the residences and official buildings of the emperors had been during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
It was certainly fascinating to see the elaborate lodgings, many throne rooms and even the large places where the hundreds of wives and concubines lived. It is interesting that the statues and carvings are literally everywhere in such detail! The lions poised at the entrances of buildings we were told are a male and a female. Josh asked us to guess which was which, would you care to try? The male has a ball under his paw and the f
emale has a
cub under hers! 
At every turn there are persistent vendors both authorized and well… Josh actually stepped in to intervene when one group would not take “no” for an answer from Phil. It was very interesting to see Josh take charge of this and all is well! No international incidents this time! We were fairly close to Tiananmen Square at that time. The root word of Tiananmen actually means heaven and the neighborhood just past that area has the name for earth.
Josh’s neighborhood from birth until about four years ago was in “earth” and is now becoming a historic shopping and tourist district. We walked with him through winding streets and very narrow alleyways – it was great! I love that kind of thing and it was nice to see the place where his parents home was right next to the river which incidentally was only used in ancient times for the emperor – it was his river! Josh’s parents home was purchased from them and they have relocated, but Josh has fond memories of the area though at that time he was a “naughty boy” as Sabina has said and as he tells, he was quite angry. What a transformed and gentle man this is now who can firmly avert a potential confrontation and yet gently bundle up his wife from the cold.
What a wonderful day we had and then in the evening the best part of all was spending the evening with several potential leaders of the very beginnings of our women’s ministry here in Beijing! Even with translation necessary for me to understand the words, it’s amazing how the hearts and passions of these young women need no translation as we talked of the desire they have to reach out to other women for the Kingdom! “Wendy” spoke of not feeling able to do what needed to be done but that in praying about this, God had made His call quite clear. Isn’t it great for all who serve that He calls and then makes us “able”!”
Blessings to all,
Peggy
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