|
|
|
Information on International Pilgrimages with Youth
|
China Pilgrimage Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Today we had a treat – a western breakfast. There were a few jokes about how to use the, utensils, but all in all it was good. I think it was a bit of a reminder that home not so far away and we are nearing the end of our pilgrimage here in China. But, there is little time to contemplate for it is off to the bus to visit Quin’s Terra-Cotta Army factory.
We watched in awe as the workers at the factory carefully prepared the clay for molding. With precision the skilled hands scraped away excess clay and added fine details to the faces, armors, hands and feet. Our guide explained each step and we watched a piece of clay become a perfectly formed soldier. A quick stop at the gift shop and we were on our way, little knowing we would be bombarded by merchants at the pits later trying to sell us imitations. Leaving the factory we passed workers in the entry path, carefully preparing clay, and with the same precision their skilled hands scraped clay in such a fashion as to leave behind a perfectly formed brick shape creating a walkway. The result is the same regardless of the task – quality.
It is difficult to know where to begin to describe the Terra-Cotta Army. At first blush, this museum and site is an obvious tourist attraction. There were masses of people entering and leaving, scores of vendors (from rabbit hides to rabbit soup, and of course miniature Terra-Cotta Army figures). The smells of the cooking pots were inviting and the vendors beckoning us to look at their wares (we resisted) added to the excitement as we walked to the gate to enter this treasured space – this considered the 8th wonder of the world by many. In very little time we realized it was much, much more.
A cheerful, quick-speaking, museum guide met us at the entrance and we began our 1.5 hour history lesson. We learned that of the 5000 years of recorded history very important person was Qin Shihaun the first emperor of China. Inside each building was an excavation site, or a pit, opening an army of soldiers, horses, chariots, weapons and a deeper understanding of Chinan history- all hidden from human eyes since before the time of Christ. This 22,200 square meter site houses over 8,000 warriors and horses is really part of Emperor Qin’s mausoleum. One if the main pits was discovered by a farmer digging a well in the early 70’s. This old man was on site for autographs and pictures, frail yet alert, he accommodated all requests.
Greater than the beauty of the pits was the significance of this man’s achievement. He brought the 7 countries together unifying what is now China. The tomb bears witness of his combining the best of each army to make one – an unbeatable force. It is with great joy our Chinese friends speak of this man who unified China and began their quest to keep it so joined. Deeper understanding of China’s history validates our journey here.
The day continued with a walk through the stone tablets. Ancient history and all significant knowledge of art, music and science were captured on stone tablets over 10 feet tall. I stood there wishing I could read these texts – wanting to learn more and realizing (again) how young in many ways is our country.
Our last stop before lunch was a brisk walk on the East side of the city wall. Wide enough for 6 cars wide to pass, we seemed so small as we stepped toward the distant tower of the northeast point. Ben could not resist and removed his shoes to feel the cold stone – as we walked we saw the city ancient and modern pass by us – brick by brick we were walking through history – filling another day of our journey with images and events to discern.
(My thoughts are turning more and more toward home realizing our pilgrimage is drawing to an end.) peace, Marylou Anderson
************************************************************************
After a busy morning of visiting some of China’s cultural wonders, we had lunch and drove across town. The drive itself was fascinating. We have grown to expect the main avenues of Chinese cities to look a certain way: roads densely crowded with cars, bicycles, multitudes of pedestrians all moving about in a complex and well choreographed web of movement, shop fronts boasting bright billboard signs above them, windows or open store fronts crowded with merchandise. But during this trip, we crossed into the Xi’an high tech district. Here the streets were all brand new, wide with almost no traffic. The buildings were huge 3-4 story glass and steel constructions that would look at home in any new American high tech commerce park. This world was so orderly as compared to the hustle and bustle we had seen elsewhere. Driving on further we abruptly left the pristine high tech district and turned onto a road that passed by a city block 4 feet deep in brick and cement rubble. A dozen or so worked were standing on the remains of a 2 story building, hacking it to pieces with pick axes and shovels. Another worker sorted through the debris and made piles of unbroken bricks. It appeared that the entire demolition of this city block was being done by hand.
We drove through the middle of this demolition zone to reach our next stop: the Shaanxi Bible School. As always were we greeted warmly and ushered into a receiving room, introductions were made, we were served tea and had an opportunity to ask questions or Rev. Zhu and Rev. Zhang. We have enjoyed many of these formal receptions and it seems to me that certain themes have arrived: there are simply not enough trained pastors in China, and Chinese pastors need to be able to address the spiritual needs of the growing numbers of academics and business people. We learned that the entire operating budget of this Bible College/seminary with 66 students was 25,000$USD a year! It amazes me how the Church in China does so much with so little. Before we left the Bible College we were able to view the living quarters of the women residents. Four women shared one small plaster walled room with two sets of bunk beds. There were a couple pieces of furniture and no closet. A few items of clothing hung on hangers from a wall hook. There few personal items were lined up on the dresser and bench. These modest accommodations were made bright and cheery by pasting wrapping paper on the wall and the use of cheerful bed linens. It made me think of the spacious apartment I lived in while at seminary with its kitchen, wall to wall rug and my own bedroom, dresser and desk. I thought, these women must be highly motivated to learn and serve God.
Then, off to dinner, off to the airport (again.) We are now in Beijing ready for another adventure. I go to bed tonight concerned about rumors that the US plans to attack Iraq. My heart is sick about this. Tonight we will all be praying for peace. I hope you will join us!
In Christ, Sheri Anderson |
|
Send mail to: webdesign@auce-educators.org with questions or comments about this web site. |
