Thursday, October 30, 2008

Suzhou (earlier in the week)


After we visited the orphanage a few days ago, we went into the old city. Suzhou is pronounced Sue Joe. It is where the orphanage is and where AJ was found. It is evidentally an affluent area. It is located on a river and in the past they used boats to transport people and cargo. They still use boats for tourism.

They have a well known candy shop in Suzhou and we went there with the boys. AJ of course was yelling something we couldn't understand and our guide said that he was yelling candy, candy. Candy is kind of pronounced like "tung". We bought the kind that our guide recommended at it was very interesting. It wasn't super sweet like at home. My favorite was the pine nuts covered in sugar. Yum. Neither Aron nor AJ liked it so I got the whole bag to myself. AJ loved the plain old lollipop best.





The candy shop

We also went to a beautiful garden in Suzou. It was built 600 years ago by a rich family who wanted a beautiful place to walk and rest. It was really neat. It was this green, lavish garden stuck right in the middle of the city. We didn't feel like we were in the city. It was a zig zag shape and must be on a hill because we climbed steps. The garden is actually pretty small but the layout makes it feel larger. AJ had a good time running around there.




Suzou garden









musicians in the garden

The musicians in the garden were very good and the man was singing in the Wu dialect, which is what AJ would speak if he grew up here. Aron really enjoyed the instruments. He wanted to ask if he could try them out but refrained. Bummer, I kind of wanted to see him in that nice little dress.

We were happy to see Suzou for AJ's sake. We can kind of tell him about the city and he can see the pictures of where he's from. I wonder at all the little children in the orphanages and what they could be. I wonder if there is the next astronaut there or the doctor who finds the cure for cancer or the next Billy Graham or a missionary to a remote tribe. It's hard for me to think of all the possibilities the children are missing. Most of all, knowing the Lord and living for Him. After a trip like this, it makes you realize just how small the world is and how very blessed we are to live in the USA . I know that we have our problems, but we have our freedom. Freedom to go and be anything we want to be. Opportunities to share our faith and meet together. Things we take for granted every day of our lives. Don't knock America. Pray for it. We have a unique nation. One we need to preserve and support. Thank God for all you have and his provision for you. Be content, because let me tell you, we have all we need. We are not begging on the street. We can get the surgeries we need. We have a vehicle we can get to work in. If we don't have work we can look for more. We have opportunities. Take them and go for it. There are those who need help and I hope that I will be more proactive in helping those in need. Every country has needy souls and I know that in my own life I want to make it count. Make it count. Be a light to a world that is so desperate. Blessings to you all. We'll see you soon!!!

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