April 26

April 26:  Our morning began with a summons to the phone during breakfast.  We must leave immediately for the American Consulate because Helen is 14 she must be fingerprinted.  Thankfully, I had finished my 3 cups of coffee and was feeling up to the task.  Our guide told us to take the hotel bus to the train station and the consulate was across the street.  I felt much better when fellow Buckeyes got in the bus, but they departed after 10 minutes to go shopping.  We continued another 40 minutes through rain across a very busy city where I have yet to figure out the traffic rules.  Daily I am amazed at the fact I do not see fender benders every block.  The fact is, I have yet to see a traffic accident.   After more slippery sidewalks and escalators, the task was completed and a driver was called to take us back to the hotel.  Tomorrow, I take the American citizenship oath for her and receive her Visa to the United States.   We find that at the end of every trip to China, the silliness breaks out.  Today was the day.  The girls raced the wheelchair through the lobby.  They rode in the wheelchair together as I would run down the middle of the street with them in the rain.   The good thing about the construction here on Shamain Island is the streets are finished, but the cars have not returned.  Sidewalks are not usable for pedestrians right now.   In the evening we shopped with our other friends from home and peels of laughter could be heard from American children as they tried on souvenirs in the shops.   Our day closed with a bowl of our favorite hand pulled noodles, fried bananas and apples in sugar glaze that you then dip in cold water to harden.  Hallgarths and Wallens agreed the bananas were the best.   Finally, what do American kids do to end the day in China? They play spoons!   It has been a blessing to meet our friends here in China.  Helen is scared of America and scared of Americans.  After our friends leave, she always comments.  They are nice. I like them.  Only the Lord could have planned this trip so that she would be able to become friends with kids who live less than a mile from our home while still in her home country.  She is still very unsure about the rest of you, but she knows the Hallgarths will be her friends.   Thank you for continuing to pray for us.  We leave Tuesday for Beijing.  I expect this leg of the trip will be very emotional, as Helen will say goodbye to her very loving foster family that has cared for her for five years.  Please continue to lift us all up during this time of transition. PS.  I love these little mangos.  I eat 4 of them a day!  They are so sweet; after you peel them the whole thing fits in your mouth.  The seed is about 2 inches in diameter and flat as a piece of paper.