Brad’s Ataxia Blog

Chong Yi Church in Hangzhou

October 26th, 2008

Today is Sunday and Brad and I wanted to worship at our new friend’s church in Hangzhou. This church was written about in Billy Graham’s Decision magazine after Franklin’s visit to China in May.  It numbers about 7,000 members.  We dressed and checked out of the hospital.  The taxi drivers in this section of the city were not interested in taking us across the river to a church.  Repeatedly we were told no.  Finally one of the 20th floor drivers appeared and asked where we wanted to go.  He reluctantly told us OK but wait.  Another driver appeared and we were on our way.  Upon arriving to the church, Mr. Chung drove up to the front steps (like on the sidewalk!).  We were met by a Chinese church member who wisked Brad in the wheelchair up a ramp (which I was so thankful to see!) and into the sanctuary.  We were told the service (traditional at 7:30AM- more contemporary later) started at 9:30 AM.  The traditional service went over so we participated in the end of this service.  I stood there with tears streaming down my face singing “And I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able” in English while the Chinese made a glorious praise to our Lord.  The believers there shone with the love of God.  They brought me a Bible and I showed them ours.  A beautiful young woman sat beside me and we tried to converse before the second service began.  She wrote down her name in Chinese and phone number.  Then she wrote down a question and asked me repeatedly.  I gave her the business card I had with the hospital name on it.  When the second service began a praise and worship team led us in praise songs…I hummed along and clapped.  Then we turned to the Scriptures.  I saw “33″ one of the two screens on either side of the pulpit so I looked at my new friend’s Bible.  I thought it looked like she should be in Jeremiah so I turned there.  Brad and I were reading this until one kind man brought us a Bible written in both Chinese and English.  We were in Psalms 33-Ha!  They made me stand up (and I whispered-visitor- they shook their heads-yes).  Then we prayed. The Scripture was read again and a gentleman showed me that we were reading in Genesis about Joseph and Potiphar’s wife.  After the sermon, we sang “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”.  This time a hymnal was given to us that was all in English so I sang all 3 verses.  What a delight to worship with other believers.  My soul was thirsty for this.  As we left I was encouraged to go up front, but our driver was there to pick us up at 11:30 right in front of the front steps again.  Someone told me, “God Bless You (in English)” as I followed the kind man who was wheeling Brad down the ramp again.  I  was almost embarrassed as our driver blew the horn loudly at the church members who were exiting their church walking down their steps and sidewalk to the bus stop.  All the drivers beep at each other constantly.  Once when I was pushing Brad in his wheelchair and needed to be heard I said BEEP myself!

On the way back to the hospital I pulled out a magazine called “More”.  There is a website called www.morehangzhou.com  Until I read this article I had no idea just how popular this city is to the non-Chinese who come here to learn Chinese.  This includes Americans, of course, but apparently there are many nationalities represented.  One article said to this group of young people, Beijing is too expensive;  Shanghai is too polluted.  Hangzhou is a recreational area for this group to exercise (biking, running around the West Lake), is a shopping paradise (in that the prices are very reasonable) and is diverse enough to offer great dining and friendly atmospheres to meet others who want to expand their knowledge of China. This reminded me of the sign I saw in Beijing upon departing the plane.  A hugh banner from the Olympics read, “One World, One Dream”.

Brad’s last SCT is tomorrow, IV in his hand.  He had a rash today.  Dr. Mary told me that she did not give him any dexamethasone with the last lumbar since it was his own marrow.  She said she would observe it.  We pack Tuesday, go to the hotel Wed. and leave Thursday. RBC here we come!

Entry Filed under: ataxia,Uncategorized