I’m in China! We’re staying at the YMCA in Kowloon just across the harbor from Hong Kong. I’m on the 16^th floor and have the most amazing view of the harbor and the buildings in Hong Kong are all lit up. Good job Jared!!

The flight over was wonderful – Cathay Pacific business class is like no business class I have ever seen. Of course we only fly business when we have enough miles to pay for it and we are flying over an ocean so I’m far from an expert. But let me tell you it certainly was worth the less than $100 in taxes it cost! I watched 3 movies, listened to ABBA, the Beach Boys and the Carpenters on the Bose headphones, had supper just after we left Chicago and had supper again just before we arrived in Hong Kong and even got a couple hours of sleep in my seat that transforms into a completely flat bed.

Flying at just over 500 miles per hour, we flew 7769 miles in just under 16 hours. Amazing! We flew through Canada, northern Alaska, over the northern island of Japan staying just off the east coast of Russia and Korea (I waved to Jamie as we passed South Korea but not sure she saw me), down past Beijing and Taiwan into Hong Kong. I was able to watch our progress on the TV.

Thank you for your prayers about getting from the airport to the hotel. It had crossed my mind that it would be nice if Jared would just meet me there but I knew I couldn’t ask that. He not only has a group of students he is responsible for but I’ve been asking young people, including my own children, to step out of their comfort zone and trust God for many years now. It’s not that I haven’t “stepped out of the boat” before in my life but this time I really did it by myself without having everything lined up and settled before I left. I was apprehensive (Parker and Peyton, that means scared in kid’s speak) but I was also excited about being able to go through with it knowing that God is always there to help. Being brave doesn’t mean you count on your own abilities, it means you know you can trust God to lead you through whatever is before you. The bus desk was just outside the security area, my name was on their list because I had a reservation here at the Y, the cost is charged to my room so no need to find Hong Kong dollars, I was told where to sit until a man came and led our group through the airport to the bus pick up area (He was wearing an orange shirt but I smiled because the only thing we were missing was a little flag for him to wave. Asian tour group leaders always have a little flag they wave so you only have to remember the color to know where you are supposed to be.), and when we arrived at the Y the bus driver carried my luggage inside to the reservation desk where Jared was waiting for me.

It’s been a great day and I am very humbled to be able to be back here in Hong Kong after 24 yrs and back to China after 10 yrs.

Only 2 days now to the beginning of my great adventure! Sunday night when Jared said goodbye, he added something that made me smile because it sounded so unbelievable: see your Friday night in Hong Kong!

Our family has had such amazing opportunities to travel but I have to blame my brother Jim for at least some of my "wanderlust." When I was in high school and college, he was in the navy and sent me postcards from around the world. I remember the post card he sent me from the top of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong and thought how exciting it would be to visit that place. A little over 20 years later I did just that in 1988 and now I will be standing at the top of VP again this weekend. God has created a beautiful world filled with wonderful people. How blessed we are to know Him.

Ok, Parker and Peyton - if you have any questions or would like to see anything in particular, just let me know. I'll try to upload pictures from the market - that's truly a unique experience.

Dear Family and Friends,

Grandma’s great adventure begins in less than 9 days! It will be a FAITH journey (Fabulous Adventure In Trusting Him). Why – well because life itself is a faith journey but there are some specifics on this trip that I am placing in the Lord’s hands and would like your prayers as well.

 First, I’m traveling to and from China on my own. Eldon doesn’t like the long flight to Asia so he’s staying home. When I arrive in Hong Kong I will have to find my own way to the hotel to meet up with Jared and his group. And I will be in Beijing an extra day after Jared and his students leave.

Eldon has always handled the money in foreign countries – hopefully I can keep it all straight. Especially with the exchange rates. When a 100 Yuan bill is worth a little less than $16 US you can see the possibilities! :o)

I am visiting two orphanages and will have to hire drivers to get me there and back. If the driver gets lost I’m not going to be much help!! Plus, I want to be able to connect with the children for the time I’m with them. I’ve read their stories and printed off their pictures so hopefully I will be able to recognize some of them. These are Christian orphanages and there have been some miraculous answers to prayer for these sweet little children. Most of them have serious medical problems that need surgery but then some of them are adopted.

Finally, I’m going with Jared and his group on a 4 hour, 6 mile hike on a less traveled section of the Great Wall. Everyone is 27+ yrs younger than me so I’ve been climbing stairs and walking so that I will be able to keep up with them – hopefully!

I am looking forward to seeing how the Lord works these issues out, one by one. I’ll let you know. It’s exciting to consider and it will be fun!

Love you all.

Bonnie, Mom, Grandma