Why we Have NO Regrets

Coming to China has been an experience like no other.  I know I've posted mostly just places we've been able to visit....which has been astounding.  But we've had many personal experiences as well.  Teaching these college students is a lot of work but being in the classroom with them is invigorating.  They are so eager to learn and they have hearts as big as gold.  But today we had an experience that wasn't on campus but it was these kinds of experiences as well as our every day rubbing shoulders with these wonderful people that makes us glad that we came. 

We were on our way to the store to buy a couple of things.  It was a beautiful warm spring day and many of the locals were out with their children and grandchildren.  As we walked through the square, a couple of young girls raced by us on their scooters.  When they passed us they stopped, turned around and said "HI!"  We were a little surprised since they were so young.  So of course we said hello and asked them their names and how old they were.  The smaller girl didn't understand us but the bigger of the two understood and told us they were 6.  I'm not sure the smaller girl was 6 because she was quite a bit smaller, but you never know.  Their mother was there and helped them with the English a little.  They scooted around us as we walked and smiled and counted to 10 and showed us their English.  Then they stopped and sang us a little song.  It was the cutest thing ever.  As we walked away I got a little emotional as I turned to Kim and said, "This is what makes it worth coming to China."  It made our day. 

Then we decided it was getting late so we stopped to buy us some noodles and a sandwich.  They were quite busy and the girl in front of us turned to us after she ordered and asked what we'd like to order.  She was so darling.  We didn't ask for help but since we stand out as foreigners she just decided to help us out.  We told her what we planned on buying, she ordered it for us and then said that she thinks there are some dishes that we might like better.  Haha!  How cute is that?  She had a heart of gold.  Again..."This is what makes coming to China worth it!"  There are lots of challenges but there are many silver linings...all along the way. 

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