Jun 16

Written by: author
6/16/2008

    

     Saturday morning there was a dedication ceremony for a new Cafe that we work closely with. I'm particularly excited about this Cafe because it is about a five minute walk from my new school so this is where I'll be having activities and such. 
     Anyway, our team was in charge of food for the 120+ people who were attending. So, I spent most of Friday afternoon making 40 chicken salad sandwiches for the occasion. Friday night, three other teachers and I headed over to our leaders' house for a late-night mashed potato making party. (We got some really strange looks from the shopkeeper when we went in and each of us bought two bags full of potatoes.) Then, we were back to the house to put everything together. I think we got to bed around 12:30AM! 
     We were up at 5AM though to finish the task and be out the door before 7 to head over to the Cafe. Our "kitchen crew" of four people spent the next four hours busily putting everything together, cutting up sandwiches, making punch, and reheating dishes. (Did I mention that it was over 90 degrees and we had two ovens going?) 
     I say all of this though because this weekend definitely ranked as one of the best experiences I've had here in China. Sure, the work was hard and frustrating at times, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to serve, not only my teammates, but also the dear people we work with in this way. 
    

    We were able to make it upstairs for most of the ceremony where, again, I was greatly encouraged and thrilled to be a part of it. It was one of those experiences that got me refocused on what I'm doing here and the value of my labor.

~Lisa

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