Wednesday, May 23, 2007 (back to top)
Travel Day
Thursday, May 24, 2007
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Travel Day - arrive in Korea
Tour Journal- Thursday, May 24 (Pearl Shangkuan)
"We arrived safely in Busan via Minneapolis and Tokyo/Narita earlier this evening (Korean time). Everyone is doing well and in good spirits. Tomorrow we're doing 2 chapel services, a workshop and a full concert, all at Kosin University. Busy day!"
Friday, May 25, 2007
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11:00 a.m. - Chapel Service at Kosin University Music Hall
1:00 p.m. - Chapel Service at Kosin University Music Hall
2:00-3:00 p.m. - Workshop for music faculty, local church choral directors and students working on degrees in church music led by Dr. Shangkuan and the Chorale.
5:00 p.m. - Joint Concert in Kosin University Music Hall with Kosin Chorale
Tour Journal- Friday, May 25 (Darlene Meyering)
" We arrived in Busan on Thursday after a long plan ride with good spirits, but tired bodies. We all enjoyed a good night of sleep and had an 8 a.m. breakfast together before a 1 hour bus ride to Kosin University, located right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean -- hilly and impressive!
What a busy day -- arrive at 10 a.m., sing in chapel at 11 a.m. (preacher was John Vander Hoek from Chilliwack, BC -- a Calvin grad!), then to lunch for a traditional Korean meal with administration from the University. Back for a 1 p.m. chapel (repeat of first) -- both had nearly 700 students and faculty present. Then led a 1-hour workshop for about 200 music students and faculty from 2-3 p.m. on choral tone and musicianship followed by an hour of rehearsal on stage before a 5:15 p.m. concert for about 300 persons -- mostly students but some staff and even Grace Kim (2007 grad) and her father! Some time to visit and then on to a lovely restaurant for an incredible meal with college adminstration, complete with speeches and gift-giving. Then a 45-minute drive to our hotel -- arriving after 9:30 p.m. On the bus from the restaurant all the students fell immdiately to sleep. Dr. Peter Tigchelaar quipped as we adults all looked back at the sleeping students..."to look at all of them, I'll bet their total heart rates don't exceed 72!"
Today was a good but exhausting day what with jet lag and 4 performances. Blessings abound. All are well and in good spirits.
Thanks for your continued prayers."
Saturday, May 26, 2007
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Sightseeing in Busan - Some of the places to visit include: Taejondae Park, Jagalchi Fish Market, Nampodong and Gukje Markets, Yonggungsa Temple, Busan Tower, Contemporary Art Museum, and Bexco Convention Center.
Tour Journal- Saturday, May 26 (Bob Meyering)
"It was a lovely day in the neighborhood of Busan today with Pearl's Girls enjoying their first day without a concert or workshop. We all got to sleep in a little longer, and then got on the bus with our favorite guide, Joey, who is endearing herself to us more each day. The first place we visited was the APEC House, a modern structure built a couple of years ago for an economic summit at which President Bush was present. We saw the conference room where the dignitaries met as well as a number of photos and items having to do with the meeting. The APEC House is located on the shore of the East Korean Sea which provided a beautiful setting for the structure.
Then back in the bus and on to lunch, again hosted by our own dignitaries from Kosin University, who have been extremely generous to us in their care and feeding of the group. Having already had a couple of experiences with typical Korean food, our guide decided that this noon we needed something more familiar, and we exited the bus in front of a Pizza Hut. However, while the pizza certainly resembled what we are used to in West Michigan, it also had its own unique elements, such as a ring of sweet potatoes around the outer edge. It was delicious.
Then, back into the street and an hour of walking the lanes of an outdoor market to get a view of what the average Korean can buy from the myriad of vendors featuring clothing, leather goods, trinkets and baubles, fruit, men's suits, ties, women's dresses, pottery, etc. A few people bought a few items, but our tour guide reminded us that there would be a better selection with better prices when we reached Seoul in a couple of days.
Back to the bus and a trip to the local Buddhist Temple located on the rocky shore of the East Korean Sea. No one lost their faith after visiting the Buddha, partially, I'm sure, because of the 108 steps that needed to be climbed to leave the site. But, it was a good introduction to the traditional religion of Korea and much of Asia.
Then on to a traditional Korean restaurant which means tables about 12 inches high next to which men sit cross legged and women sit with legs to one side of the other. Again, many small dishes of Korean food selections, enough to make everyone quite full. Pearl's Girls are adventurous and willing to try the new foods. Great fun was had by all. The meal concluded with gifts being given to the representatives of Kosin University, who again hosted us very well. Traditional large cups in which our rice was delivered to the table became a souvinir for each student and adult to take home.
Back to the condominium hotel, some stopping off at the local store for breakfast goods, and then a night of sleep. Tomorrow it's church time, and a little free time between services. A good day was had by all."
Sunday, May 27, 2007
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11:00 a.m. - Worship service – Bumin Presbyterian Church
5:00 p.m. - Worship service/concert – Somyung Presbyterian Church
Tour Journal- Sunday, May 27 (Pearl Shangkuan)
"We have arrived at Handong University. Later this afternoon, we'll give a short teaser concert followed by an hour long workshop (which I'll lead with the singers serving as the demo choir), then a full concert this evening.
The tour is going on VERY well. The students are singing very well and the response from the audience in every site has been incredible! On Sunday we sang at the Bumin Presbyterian Church in the morning toward the end of their service for about 25 minutes. When we began singing Psalm 121 in Korean, the congregation started clapping along (even though this wasn't a fast piece) and some mouthed the words. Over and over again people came up to me to say how much they were moved by the choir singing the psalms in Korean.
After a huge Korean meal, we visited the Busan Contemporary Arts Musuem on our way to Samyung Church. At this church, the pastor shortened his sermon to 5 minutes and asked the choir to sing for one full hour! The response was tremendous! The congregation clapped at the end of every single song and when we got to the Korean psalms, they clapped throughout both pieces! One of the pieces ("Ohoradiya") accelerate in tempo throughout the piece and with each change of tempo, they were right there with us!! When I announced that we would sing two Korean folk songs, they went wild! There were loud and expressive responses all throughout. The singers were both stunned and energized! Their faces lit up and inspite of the heat (they turned off the air conditioning the whole hour we were singing to hear us better but we were dying up there!) sang their heart out!!
Parents, I can't tell you how VERY proud I am of your children. All the adults traveling with us, the local tour guide, all our hosts in the various places have consistently told me how impressed they are by the genuine care the students have for each other. They have all been adventurous, eating all kinds of exotic foods we've been fed and with metal chopsticks (!)...and being very game in using the "squatty potty.":)
We have been so blessed by the kindness of all our hosts and by fine weather that has allowed us to visit various tourist sites. We've burned up lots of calories trekking up and down some temples. Please continue to keep us in your prayers."
Tour Journal- Sunday, May 27 (Bob Meyering)
"The day began with church, as it should. We arrived at the Bumin Presbyterian Church for the 11:00 worship service. After arriving, doing a sound check and getting familiar with sanctuary, we waited for the service to begin. We sat through the entire service, all in Korean, of course, but the Bumin people were very helpful. They had prepared for us an English outline of the service, including the words to hymns many of us knew from our own churches. So, we sang right along in English with our Korean brothers and sisters. And also the sermon...we had it in English and followed along. Then, the choir was introduced and did a 15 minute set of songs. It was, of course, highly appreciated by the congregation, many of whom bought CD's after the service.
The minister said, "Amen," and we were led downstairs to a room prepared for us and for our lunch. Seaweed soup, very good, followed by steamed rice and an assortment of Korean food. We are all becoming more and more familiar with the Korean cuisine and making our choices from bulgoge (spelling?) chicken or beef to kemchi.
We left the church for a visit to the Museum of Modern Art in Busan, and it was a fine activity for a Sunday afternoon. A variety of art work was available, all of it stimulating to the eye and the imagination. One collection revealed many expressions of oppression, anxiety, and loneliness. It all made a little more sense when one of our Korean hosts explained that it had to do with life under a dictator a few decades ago against whom the people rose up and removed, substituting free elections in place of the dictatorial government. In addition, there were paintings dealing with the landscape of Korea and other more pleasant subjects.
Then on to Somyung Presbyterian Church for a concert, which was preceded by 15 minutes of music from the praise team, and 15 minutes to introduce a dozen new members to the congregation. The concert began. One number in the repertoire is an old Korean folksong sung in Korean. It is, of course, a favorite of the Korean audiences. But especially at Somyung, where we noticed older people in the congregation singing along with the choir, broad smiles on their faces and loud and long applause when the song was finished. That, along with another song sung in Korean, made the evening much appreciated by the audience. It didn't hurt CD sales either.
Well, we have had a few Korean meals, interrupted with our visit to Pizza Hut. Tonight, we ended up at Out Back Steak House for Ribs from the Barbee. In this case there were no Korean characteristics. Except for the choice of green tea, you wouldn't have been able to tell it apart from the Out Back in Grand Rapids. Nevertheless, it was very, very good, and all enjoyed the food. Our tour-guide, who has, we think, secret powers to obtain goodies for her charges, provided all of us with a bag containing a loaf of bread from Out Back, the same bread we had been served as soon as sat down to await our ordered food. It will help Pearl's Girls with their breakfast tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow morning will come very quickly. Wake-up calls will be at 5:30. The bus will leave at 7:00 for our next site at Handong University in Gyeongiu. Packing is happening tonight, a quick breakfast and loading await us tomorrow.
By the way, I forgot in yesterday's notes to mention that we also visited the Busan Tower, a high structure on top of which we had a platform with a 360 degree view of Busan, Korea's 2nd largest city, and largest sea port. It was truly spectacular to see the entire city, the fishing boats tied up after a mornings outing, and numerous ships, large and small, steaming into or out of Busan Harbor. God has blessed us with friendly and generous people here in Busan. Now, it's on to the next venue."
Monday, May 28, 2007
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Sightseeing on the way to Handong University
3:00 p.m. - Short concert – University Student Union
4:00 p.m. - Workshop/master class led by Dr. Shangkuan and the Chorale
7:30 p.m. - Concert – Calvin College Women’s Chorale and the Handong University Choir
Tour Journal- Monday, May 28 (Bob Meyering)
"We left Busan this morning at 7:00 to begin our journey to Handong University. On the way we stopped at two Buddhist Temples. To know Korea, says our tour guide, one needs to know the Buddhists temples. Well, we're certainly getting to know Korea. What is also interesting is that some of these temples are not simply tourist attractions. There are Buddhist monks chanting at several of these temples, apparently repeating a line or two and interspersing the verses with a wooden ball-like instrument with a handled devise used to repeat a rhythm over and over. And always in front of the statues of Buddha. One of the temples today featured a singing monk doing prostrations before the Buddha over and over again. The Buddha sat before him, upon a table or more likely an altar, looking calm and serene in its gold covering, but still a lifeless image made of wood or stone or whatever. It made me think of the tables or altars in Christian churches where the living Christ is present in the wine and the bread, giving life to his people.
Handong University is a Christian University deliberately seeking to be an international school to train with academic excellence those who will go into the world to be an influence for good. The vast majority of students speak English. We have been told any remarks we make will not need translation. All will understand.
This afternoon the chorale provided a workshop to Handong students focusing on vocal technique. This evening, in about half and hour, the concert will begin with two musical groups from Handong opening the concert before the Calvin Women's Chorale takes over. It should be, as all their concerts have been, a moving and beautiful experience.
What will not be so beautiful is to leave again in the morning at 7:00 am."
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
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3:00-4:00 p.m. - Workshop on Choral Artistry led by Dr. Shangkuan and the Chorale
6:00-7:30 p.m. - Concert with Chorale and Baekseok University Choir
Tour Journal- May 29 (Peal Shangkuan)
"Our wake up call today was 5:00 AM! Tough to get up especially after a very busy day yesterday at Handong Global University where we did a workshop followed by a full concert, again to a VERY appreciative crowd. They just about roared after every piece we sang especially the pieces in Korean, and the loudest clapper was none other than the president of the university!
We took a 3 hour drive from Pohang where Handong University is located to Cheonan this morning. On the way, we visited the Independence Hall and learned about the history of Korea in particular that of the 20th century struggles with Japan. We enjoyed an added bonus of watching a folk troupe perform outside of Independence Hall.
Our lunch was hosted by Baek Seok University - another HUGE meal of traditional Korean dishes eaten with metal chopsticks and seated on the floor. With each of these big meals, it gets harder and harder to get up from the floor!
This afternoon, we did a workshop on "Choral Artistry" which was attended by almost 300 people! After that we were fed sandwiches before singing a full concert. We were joined by the university concert choir. Their choir is made up of music majors, in particular voice performance students. Our performance was very well received. (Mrs. Hart, the audience always cheer very loudly for Cassidhe after her solo on City Called Heaven.) Today at the concert, Laura and Hope spoke about two pieces in the program. Last night, Emily, Sara M. and Karianne spoke about other pieces. The audiences love hearing the singers share their thoughts on the pieces.
We've also had open mic time on the bus for everyone to share their thoughts about what they're experiencing in this tour. Some wonderful insights and observations from the students! The adults/non-students are the more mischievous.:)
Tonight's concert was followed by yet another huge meal, and with take home cookies! It seems most of my report has been on food! Everyone is in good spirit and eating well and enjoying every day! We're now gearing up for some shopping time in Seoul. I think the students take after the professor the avid shopper. :)"
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
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Travel to Seoul
7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Service in Seminary Chapel (Kwang-Jang Presbyterian Church)
Tour Journal- May 30 (Pearl Shangkuan)
"Today we arrived in Seoul, the capital. We were let loose in a shopping area for about 3 hours (to the delight of the women and their conductor!) and came back to the bus full of bags! We were all very proud of our haggling skills and discounted purchases.
This afternoon we visited the Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary, an institution very much like Calvin. We sang this evening in chapel for 30 minutes. Again the response was trememdous! The congregation shouted for encores which we did with the Korean folksongs. Things got a little wild as people began singing along and waving their arms - many wannabe conductors! Our final performance in Korea, this was truly a memorable evening!"
Tour Journal- May 30 (Bob Meyering)
"We've arrived at the capital city- Seoul. The day was cool, the shopping was cool, the accommodations for tonight, and the next two nights are very cool. Tonight the choir sings at the Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary. If the previous concerts are any indication, the choir will do an outstanding job. Despite the long plane ride and the busy schedule and the travel, the choir has given outstanding performances at all venues.
While many expected photos to appear with these on-going reports, it isn't happening. For the time being we're running into a technical problem, a lack of compatibility between a couple of the technical pieces. Meanwhile, many photos are being taken by all, and especially by amateur photographer Dr. Peter Tigchelaar who plans to make all of his photos available to the students once the tour is complete.
The next two days will be filled with sight-seeing, shopping, and general rest and relaxation.
Today on the bus as we traveled to Seoul, the "open mike" time was devoted, in part, to student reactions to the visits to Buddhist temples. It was obvious that students have thought about their own faith when confronted by a faith with totally different sources and beliefs than Christianity. It appears also that their own faith is being strengthened and that compassion for those outside the Christian faith is being generated."
Thursday, May 31, 2007
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Sight-seeing in Seoul- Gyeongbok Palace, National Folk Museum, Insadong Antique Market, Namsan Hanok Village, Namdaemun Market, Seoul Tower, Han River Cruise, Changdeok Palace
Friday, June 1, 2007
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Sight-seeing in Seoul
Tour Journal- June 1 (Darlene Meyering)
"We have all been enjoying three days in Seoul and it is particularly wonderful to stay in the same hotel for three nights.
After the first busy six days -- singing 11 times in 6 days, these days of sight-seeing and shopping are a welcome relief and much enjoyed.
The final concert for the Kwan Jang Presbyterian Church, which meets in the chapel of the Presbyterian College and Seminary was a wonderful and emotional experience for Pearl's Girls. They were tired from travel and much singing but they rose again to the task and sang a wonderful set of songs in the Wed. evening worship service. Again, the service was preceded with congretational and choir singing -- very lusty and spirit filled, and the choir of the church was about 40 women! After about 15 minutes of singing the choir of women moved down to the front five rows opposite our women. The pastor, Pastor Oh, had asked me at dinner to bring greetings from the college and a message from scripture so he would not have to give a sermon! So, I told him I would speak on Psalm 121, since the girls sing two settings of that Psalm, one from Mendelssohn's Elijah and one in Korean. I had about 1 hour to prepare and jotted some notes, also taking some ideas from one of the a.m. devotions that happen each morning on the bus. The pastor translated and our dear guide, Joey, told me after the service that he was our best translator yet -- he translated my talk word for word and also infused it "with the Holy Spirt, because he was a pastor!" (direct quote).
We had a tremendous student at the Seminary, a young senior named Chris, who is considering Calvin Seminary for an advanced degree. Chris was enthralled by the girls and they with him! The church provided us with another traditional Korean meal and the College and Seminary presented us all with a lovely tote bag (already well used for the shopping expeditions yesterday!)
Then on Thursday we visited the Gyeongbok Palace -- with only a fraction of the original buildings still preserved out of hundreds -- due to invasions and burnings over the past centuries. The scope of the place and the beauty of the design was amazing. Then to the National Folk Museum -- beautiful and most interesting. We could have spent much more time there.
Then we headed to the Insadong Antique Market for one hour -- we ALL wanted more time there, but had to move on. That was the first real time for shopping of ethnic handicrafts. We then went to a large and busy area with huge shops that specialize in fashion. Joey (our guide) thought the girls would enjoy it -- we also had lunch on our own there. It was fun, but not as much fun as the marketplace, so Joey will take us to an even larger one today.
Then we enjoyed a peaceful one hour boat tour on the huge Han River which divides the city of Seoul. It was a great time for visiting, watching and reflecting on this busy city, our past days of singing and community with our Christian brothers and sisters in South Korea. Then back to the hotel for dinner on our own. Many were tired so some ordered pizza, some walked to nearby stores to pick something up, and a few of us walked to the University street to find a tremendous Chinese restaurant.
In a few minutes the group will again gather to get on the bus for a full day of sight seeing and shopping and then enjoy our final dinner together in Korea -- Joey has arranged it at Tony Roma!
We leave in the a.m. (Friday), for China and new adventures. Please continue to remember us in your prayers. So far, we all all healthy and well and in continued good spirits. God is good and these young women are tremendous. The a.m. devotions are always thoughtful and moving."
Saturday, June 2, 2007
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Fly to Beijing, China
Sight-seeing in Beijing
Tour Journal- June 2 (Darlene Meyering)
"Well, we had a lovely day of sight-seeing for our final day in Seoul and in Korea on Friday. We started out with a visit to a traditional village perserved in the middle of the city -- Namsan Hanok Village. These were not peasant or farm homes, but rather the homes of ranking officials, but most interesting to see the way the people lived during the Choisin Dynasty. Then to the Busan Tower for a tremendous view of the huge city of Seoul. It was a bit hazy, but stunning none-the-less. We then headed to the largest city market in Korea -- Namdemun Market for 2 1/2 hours of walking around, shopping, and finding interesting things to eat from the street vendors. It was much fun and a great adventure. I actually spent over an hour exploring on my own, as long as you keep a few focal points and markers, it is quite fun and you do not get lost! In fact, we lost no one along the way and all enjoyed it. We then headed back to our favorite market from the previous day -- the Insadong Antique Market for another hour and 20 minutes. It was a special request to go back there and our dear Joey arranged for it. We all loved it. It is a smaller market but a mixture of traditional crafts, wonderful art galleries, and incredible antiques. Our last stop was the largest of the palaces of the Choisin Dynasty and a place where the Korean royal family continued to live until the dissolution of the dynasties in the late 20th century. Again, only 30 percent of the buildings on this massive property remain, due the destruction during various invasions by the Japanese. The buildings were traditional in style but they were the first we saw with furniture with a more western influence. It was very interesting but loads of walking with tired bodies. The Chorale stood in the lovely "Secret Garden' and Pearl led them in singing "Arirang" -- the traditional Korean folksong, to the great appreciation of the many tourists -- Korea, Dutch, and from many other countries. Peter Tigchelaar quipped, "I should have brought CD's -- could have sold a load of them!"
We then headed to our final dinner of ribs and chicken at Tony Roma's -- arranged by Joey -- and there the girls sang her favorite song, Psalm 23. It was most moving. When the staff heard that they girls were going to sing, they closed the screens on our two door so as not to interrupt the other guests, but when they heard the singing, the opened them again because everyone thought it was so beautiful!
I must tell you a bit about our Joey. She is a vivacious 30-something and is a pro as a tour guide. We believe God chose her for these girls and put us with her for a reason. Her grandfather was a preacher and she had some negative history with the Christian faith. But what she has felt and heard from these young women, in their singing, their morning devotions on the bus, their prayers, and their behavior has touched her heart and she has touched ours. Today it will be difficult to say goodbye to her. You likely wonder about her unusal name. Her Korean given name is Choi. She spent some of her school years in middle school in an exchange program in Australia. She is very vivacious and after a few weeks her "host mother" said, "You hop around like a happy baby kangaroo, so I will call you Joey." The name has stuck and she fits it perfectly.
We leave in just a few hours for China for new adventures and learning. We pray that all will continue to be well and that we again find wonderful new friends in the churches in China. We love you all"
Sunday, June 3, 2007
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9:30 a.m. - Worship Service – Beijing International Christian Fellowship
11:00 a.m. - Worship Service – Beijing International Christian Fellowship
Tour Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven
Monday, June 4, 2007
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Sight-seeing
Board overnight train for 2-day trip.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
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Sight-seeing
7:00-8:00 p.m. - Concert in Xi’an
Tour Journal- June 5 (Pearl Shangkuan)
"Dear family and friends,
We've not had a chance to update you since our arrival in China. On Saturday after a flight delay, we arrived in Beijing. It's been one HUGE meal after another, but we've also burned off a lot of calories walking around the many tourist sites. On Saturday night, we watched a kungfu show, filled with amazing feats. On Sunday we sang at two services at the Beijing International Christian Fellowship - a church for foreigners only. Our local tour guide couldn't even join us for worship since she is a Chinese national. The congregation in both services were very appreciative, clapping along when we sang our theme song "Music Down in My Soul." After a hefty lunch, we visited Tianamen Square, stopping by the official Beijing 2008 Olympics countdown site. Then we walked briskly through the Forbidden City - an endless and breathtaking structure. This was followed by a visit to the Temple of Heaven - what an incredibly beautiful structure. All three sites elicited oohs and ahs from the choir members and LOTS of picture taking! We ended the day with a Mongolian dinner complete with singers dressed in Mongolian attires. Whoa, what a busy day! But hey, we can't end such a day without shopping - so off we went to a store that sells pearls. To all the moms, your daughters shopped very happily for you! They are now truly "Pearls" Girls!:) We tallied how much we spent but I won't tell you, to prevent some heart attacks!:)
On Monday, a sunny but breezy day, we visited the Mutianyu part of the Great Wall where we were about the only visitors early that morning. Many of the girls climbed up to the top and the rest of the older:) folks enjoyed the scenery at a more relaxed pace. When we all met back at the entrance, the choir sang Mendelssohn's "Lift Thine Eyes" looking out to the Great Wall. We were choked up with emotions as the words of Psalm 121 came to life in that breathtaking view. The song poured out from our hearts to Heaven. Words cannot describe that worship experience. I have conducted this piece throughout my career, but the experience that morning is one I'll never forget. There was no need to conduct the choir as we all lifted our hearts in worship in one voice and spirit!
After this mountaintop experience, we had another huge lunch (we do not suffer for food in this tour!) and then off to the Summer Palace - another jaw dropping site! Lots more pictures. This visit ended with a short boat ride aboard a "dragon" boat. Then we watched a tea ceremony and tasted different kinds of tea...and spent a lot of money buying teas! Families,
great tasting teas coming your way! This day ended with a Peking Duck dinner. Preceded by 10 courses, by the time the duck came, we were ready to fall off our chairs from gluttony!
We took an overnight train to Xian (where I am writing from). Four people squeezed into tiny compartments. Lots of squeals and laughter as we kept bumping into each other in the tight quarters! We arrived in Xian early this morning and soon after checking into our hotel here, we took off to visit the ancient city wall, then to the Forest of the Stone Tablets where we saw tablets and epitaphs from as early as hundreds of years BC! This was followed by a short visit to the Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist temple. Unlike the Buddhist temple in Korea, we didn't have to climb hundreds of uneven steps each way. If we had to, it would have looked like the Death March as we're starting to run low on battery.
To pick up our strength, we had lunch at good old McDonalds!:) Then we returned to the hotel for a much needed rest and freshening up. After dinner, we went to a 3-self church. Way before we arrived, the place was already packed and buzzing! We had to warm up in front of the audience - always a strange experience. After the incredible response in Korea, this kicked it up another notch! They clapped after every sentence I said (some which I spoke in Mandarin) and after each piece and even during the singing!! When we got to the Chinese folksong, the audience went absolutely WILD!! I had told the singers during the warm up to stay with me no matter what - an advice that came in handy as the audience singing and clapping along was louder than our singing and Linda playing the piano! At the end of the gospel set, we sang a Chinese blessing. The congregation in turn sang "We are one in the bond of love" in Mandarin as we left the sanctuary. I was mobbed on the way out by people who told me how moved they were by the singing and in particular by our singing in Mandarin. Our local guide, a Buddhist, told the choir that now he wants to read the Bible after hearing the concert tonight! To calm the totally wired singers, Pete Tigchelaar bought all of us ice cream and we ate and chatted at the hotel lobby, reflecting on the incredible experience we had tonight. In a place with no air conditioning, sitting on hard wooden benches, a standing room only crowd, sweat trickling down the faces of the singers... we felt the overwhelming love of God and our brothers and sisters in this part of the world...how does one put into words such a deeply moving experience?"
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
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Sight-seeing in Xi-an
Overnight train back to Beijing
Thursday, June 7, 2007
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Sight-seeing
7:00 p.m. - Final concert – Gangwashi Church in Xidan
Friday, June 8, 2007
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Travel to Los Angeles, California
Free day for sight-seeing
Tour Journal- June 8 (Pearl Shangkuan)
"We arrived in Los Angeles this morning from Beijing via Tokyo. Everyone is doing well and glad to be back where we can actually read and understand the signage! We have 4 performances yet for this weekend although we're taking things easy today and tomorrow morning.
Just as we thought things couldn't get any better, our last day in Beijing was another unforgettable day! We arrived in Beijing from Xi'an aboard an overnight train on Thursday. After a quick shower, we were off to visit a Hutong Village. These are small villages of the old Beijing before the days of high rise buildings. We rode on rickshaws, zipping through the narrow streets of this village causing some of the girls to shriek! Then we were taken to the Silk Market and let loose to shop and shop we did! The Silk Market is a building of 5 stories with all sorts of stuff that one can bargain all the way down to 10% of the original price. We have some tough negotiators in this choir! Everyone came out happy with all kinds of stuffs to show each other and compare prices.
After an early dinner, we arrived at Gangwashi church. As in Xi'an, by the time we arrived (60 minutes before we were scheduled to sing) the place was already half filled. So we had to warm up in front of the audience. The audience responded just like in Xi'an. Again we could barely hear each other when they clapped louder than our singing during the Chinese folk song! We later found out that in addition to the standing room only in the main hall there was an overflow crowd of about 450 more in another room where they watched us via a TV monitor! Even though the singers were all very tired by then in addition to singing in a very crowded and small stage area and with no air conditioning, they sang their heart out. "Music Down in My Soul" just rocked!!
On the way back to the hotel, our local tour guide spoke and wept as she told us how she felt listening to the choir for the first time that evening. Tearfully, she told us that all this time her main purpose in life had been to make money but that evening she saw that there could be a different purpose for one's existence and that it is found in a relationship with Jesus. A Buddhist by upbringing, she described that her "heart felt pure" for the first time ever as she listened to the choir. Her powerful and tearful testimony stunned all of us. (Our local guide in Korea had told us the same thing. Our last two performances there, she would cry as we sang. Another Buddhist, she told us now wants to look into the Christian faith. Our local guide in Xi'an, yet another Buddhist said he wants to read the Bible now that he's heard the Psalm texts we sang.)
As we were getting ready to leave Beijing, we had our morning prayer (each morning led by one of the students) near our departure gate then we sang Mendelssohn's "Lift Thine Eyes. Right in my sight line I saw a man watching us closely and as we began to sing, he began crying. Later he approached me and told me that his 15 year old daughter had died suddenly the year before. She was a Christian and loved singing in her choir. Hearing us at the airport was the first time he'd heard a choir sing since her death. We marvel at the opportunities large and small that the Lord has given us to minister through our songs.
Fow now, we're going to lay low and get over our jetlag before we start singing again. And we can't wait to see our families at the airport on Monday morning in GR!"
Tour Journal - June 8 (Darlene Meyering)
"Well, we all landed safely in LA at about 9 a.m. LA time with loads of extra luggage from lots of shopping. We had very limited access to email in China (and little time to find places with a very busy schedule).
This is a quick message from the LA airport where John Witte, Bob and Darlene left the group to come home yet tonight for the weekend activities of the CRC 150th anniversary. The Chorale and adults will have a good day and night of rest at a nearby hotel and then tomorrow (Saturday) will be picked up by the church bus from All Nations Heritage Church for host homes and Dinner Saturday night and then singing in two a.m. worship services. The All Nations bus will then drive them to Bellflower for the 6 p.m. service and dinner and then on to the airport for a midnight flight. THe spirits are great and the stories of the past 17 days are amazing. The three churches in China were unforgettable, particularly the Sanctioned churches in Beijing and in Xi'an. The Women's Chorale touched many hearts and lives through their music making and through their loving and sweet spirit. And the Christians of Korea and China touched our hearts deeply. Again today they had devotions in the airport in Beijing and then sang Lift Thine Eyes. An American man was sitting in the large crowded waiting room and began to weep. He later told Pearl that his daughter was in a choir and she died on November 21 after competing in a swim meet. He had not been able to listen to a choir since, but the music lifted him and spoke powerfully to him of God's presence.
There are many amazing stories like this yet to come, particuarly about our three guides in Korea, Beijing and Xi'an. Blessings abound. Thanks for your prayers.
We are certain the LA stories will be just as wonderful."
Saturday, June 9, 2007
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Sight-seeing and free time
Sunday, June 10, 2007
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9:30 a.m. - Worship Service – All Nations Heritage Church
11:45 a.m. - Worship Service – All Nations Heritage Church
6:00 p.m. - Worship Service – First Bellflower CRC
Monday, June 11, 2007
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Travel Day- arrive back in Grand Rapids
