Next Stop, Zhengzhou

We are leaving bright and early to Zhengzhou, with our awesome group, on a plane. I, unfortunately have been awake since 3:30. With the big day so close, I am finding it nearly impossible to go back to sleep.

I am laying here thinking about how blessed we are to live in a free country. I think we take that for granted. We all know about the one child policy here, but have you ever thought about it? I mean, really thought about it? Our guide, Cindy, told us of her family story. Her father wanted more than one child so they conceived Cindy's little brother and when he was born sent him to live with relatives in a village, far from their home in Beijing. They longed for their child so much that after 5 months they brought their new son back to live with them. The government discovered this and punished their father by keeping his next two years of income. Wow.

If you want to drive yourself to work around here by motor vehicle, you must first apply to buy one. You would get approval in roughly six months. But now, you must apply for a permit to drive it. That's about another six months. Now that you are driving, you can only drive that vehicle on certain days of the week. Your license plate number indicates which days of the week you are allowed on the road. If you are caught, you pay a hefty fine. Dispite all these efforts, it is bumper to bumper traffic here. With a population of over 24 million in a city, I guess you'll have that.

We are having trouble with our VPN. That's a virtual private network. We need that in order to access Facebook and blogger. Why? Because the government blocks these websites from their citizens.

Cindy also informed us, you have to show your passport to get into a Christian Church here. This way, they are assured none of "their people" are attending.

I am grateful I live in a country that puts their trust in God.

Blessings,

Misty