Diary of the construction of Daoming n.2 (Zhangpojiao) - 6

This trip has been an unforgettable experience and also a thanksgiving trip. From the moment that the Li family invited us to accompany them to Zhangpojiao to participate in the opening ceremony of the Daoming primary school, we were looking forward to the arrival of this day. Looking back now, really I have to give thanks to God, for it is He who has given me the opportunity and chance to meet Mr. Li, an old Christian from Hebei, and the two members of the Foundation "Pukongying" that, although they are not Christians, with their collaboration made me realize the true meaning of the word "" Love "".

The journey was full of joy, and the contemplation of these landscapes made me forget I was traveling with people I just met. In the city of Kaiyuan we had lunch and bought a few things and then ... Back to the road! Twisty mountain roads are not a problem, the problem is the state of the road, because after rain had turned into a muddy bumpy. Of the two cars that we had, one is the SUV type, with higher chassis, but the other car was a normal car, and although Domingo Li is a good conductor, the bumps in the road frequently caused friction with the underside of the car and we were risking breaking the car in any of them. Every blow to the underside of the car put us on edge. To make it worse, the road was extremely slippery, so we had to abandon one of the cars in the middle of the trip and we had to call to Zhangpojiao to ask them to come out to meet us with their oxen carts and take us and the material. So our two-car convoy suddenly became a long convoy of oxen carts carrying books for students and other supplies, several specialists in agriculture and fisheries and several brothers and sisters. Although our Miao brothers invited us up to the carts, some of us prefer to walk this journey with them, and offer this small sacrifice to God. In the city there are very few opportunities for exercise and also Margarita Chen had provided us with good boots for the trip. Although I was born and raised in a mountain village, never seen so much mud in a road. The effort to walk in the mud made our body was immediately covered in sweat and full of pain. Perhaps it is a test of our patience, or maybe it's that God is using this opportunity to show us the way to grow. But the difficulties of the road and could hide our feelings of joy and happiness. The songs were released without stopping: "" O Lord God, convert us into an instrument of thy peace ...... "" and so, singing, I discovered how hard the road was no longer important, and well, singing, we to our destination.

Zhangpojiao, we have finally arrived! How should we respond to a people emerging to greet whole? Everyone without exception want to shake hands and greet us nonstop. When I saw the faces of the children and their little hands, I had a sense of shame, because I remembered that when the news had spread that the Hepatitis B, highly contagious disease was spreading among the Miao people of this area were 7 girls they decided to offer their lives to God and live in community to help and yet I, when I saw their faces yellow for malnutrition inside I was thinking whether it would be Hepatitis B and unwittingly hand was avoiding them. But seeing that others were doing it warmly, I suddenly came to mind the words of Jesus, "" Without the permission of my father, not even a hair of his head fall to the ground. '" I could not keep my face redden. Of little faith! Really, Lord, what you said is true. Our faith is not bigger than a mustard seed!

The school is very beautiful, and contrasts sharply with the rest of thatched houses is around. I also saw the new water tank. Heavy rains had filled with water the ground around the tank, but if the water is cloudy and dirty outside, the inside of the tank is clean and sweet. I could not resist to take a drink and really is sweet and clean. When I saw the grin of Miao brothers and children jumping and running in the class, I realized the tremendous contrast with life in the big city: in the city have lost and lost feelings of mercy and we have filled coldness and inhumanity. Ah, our materialism is so sad!; Let us thank God that allows us to find our lost feelings!

The dinner was very tasty and plentiful. Several chicks killed. In a town where almost no child has shoes, such as one can enjoy dinner in celebration of Chinese New Year, however, have done just to welcome us. The next time you come, I'll bring me food to cook for them. Otherwise, we will end soon with chickens. Best to use the hens lay their eggs to give some extra vitamins to your children or to exchange them for something else they need in their daily lives. After dinner, Paul took the kids to school to sing and Li Shu and I stayed with the brothers Miao around the fire discussing a topic: Faith causes a difference in the lives of people? Even the teacher of the Foundation "" Pukongying "" was participating in the meeting. Some said yes and some said no. This is not blame them, poor and backward that only have two concepts: the continuation of the faith of their ancestors and that we must pray every day in the morning and at night.

In fact, from pastoral work "" The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few "" is obvious here, but you need to change. These changes can not be made too quickly, but only step by step. Our conversation shifted to another topic in this village of 17 families, only 2 families do not believe in Jesus. Why faith of most families has not been able to convince these two families? The root cause is that these two families do not see that Christian faith causes a significant difference in sud lives. Thus, encouraging them to live their faith as a task of evangelization to convince these two families and praying together finished our day's work. The roosters crowing greeted the new day, the day of the inauguration Daoming Elementary School. After a simple breakfast, all began their tasks. Shu and Chen Li Li and teachers were busy moving tables and preparing everything to distribute textbooks and other things. The agriculture and fisheries specialists Foundation "" Pokongying "" with some villagers, were examining the ground and the weather situation and Li Shu, me and Paul we deal with small nail on the facade of the four major Daoming School bronze letters "" DAO MING XUE XIAO "".

According to soil quality, agricultural experts say is good for planting grapefruit, but as we are all born in villages, on the way back each express our own opinions: also walnut and honeysuckle plant (medicinal herbs) so as to have more diversified production. Diversification is the best way to prevent problems in agriculture. The hoisting of the national flag and singing the national anthem began the opening ceremony Daoming elementary school. All the villagers were there, young and old, women and men. Although the number is limited, but all of them involved with one heart and with a genuine smile and deep, while the children were with the same smile open their textbooks and school uniforms Daoming.

From now, this village also hear the voices of the children studied, and the number of illiterates is reduced by the amount of children study in this school. From now, the parents of these children may have a hope for them. Between now and in the near future, the children will say goodbye to the third grade (highest course to be taught at this school) and may go to other schools without shame. From now, the future can be better. Really, I can only give thanks to God! We also thank God for the wisdom he has given to Margaret Chen Li to avoid all unnecessary problems. In front of the camera impeccably explains: "" Daoming "" means that the road will become brighter and brighter, that we will walk more in the darkly. May we all find that way!