Location: Datong, China
Although there were several attractions in and around Datong, we had no desire to go spend time outside in the cold when we had a warm hostel room to stay in. Aside from getting groceries, we pretty much were boring tourists and just stayed indoors.
Right in the beginning of our stay an upsetting situation developed regarding some family issues that I will not get into here. Nonetheless, we were quite troubled and distressed about it all and ended up having an agitated discussion that attracted the attention of a Chinese guy staying in one of the nearby rooms. He came out and politely asked in very good English if there is any way he could help out. He told us that he remembered us from the hostel in Pingyao were we shared a dorm. Of course he could not help us at the moment but his genuine care and offer of any assistance may we need it was touching. Despite that though, we had a very down day. I could not see a solution to the problem and continually prayed for help and wisdom. It was the only thing I could do.
Eventually evening rolled around and we decided it would be good to go get some food. We were about to get ready when that same guy (Walter) came into our room and asked us if he could invite us out for dinner. He said he had gone to this nice restaurant the night before and not enjoyed the meal because he was lonely. He also believed that it was fate that we had ended up in the same hostel again so today he wanted to treat us to a nice evening out at this beautiful restaurant. We needed a distraction so we accepted.
Walter, was in good spirits and there was such a comforting air about him. The restaurant he took us to was the amazing Fenglinge Restaurant. Supposedly, on of the Chinese emperors once fell in love with a beautiful girl who, if I remember correctly, worked in a restaurant which was in the location of the present day Fenglinge. The emperor married the girl but she died soon after. He was so devastated that he tore down the restaurant where she used to work and rebuild a gorgeous, new restaurant. This original Fenglinge has long been destroyed but the one we went to was a rebuild of the original funded by a very wealthy Chinese who has made this place his little hobby. The building took many years to finish because every part of it is hand made. The interior is decked out with the most extravagant story-telling wood carvings, all of which are hand carved down to the most intricate detail of a tiny figure's pupils. The approximately 2x6 meter wall carving in the foyer depicting the old city of Datong and its surroundings took ten years to complete. Wow!!!! Nicely dressed ladies greeted us at the door and then walked us down a romantically lit hallway to a stunning dining room. It was like a dream. Walter ordered several specialties for us to try, including the delicate, flower shaped dumplings which this restaurant is known for. Just delicious!!! The whole evening felt surreal. Walter was the perfect company that evening, we had very interesting conversations and he openly told us about himself, his hopes, dreams and struggles. We found out that he has been dealing with a very similar family situation like the one we were in at the moment which was very surprising to us. Obviously we humans often share similar joys and woes but when we are in a bit of an emotional hole we tend to forget that the person next to us may be in almost the same situation. Some of Walter's comments sounded like they had been tailored just for us and although we were still troubled, we could not express our awe in how the Lord had brought us in contact with this kind man and treated us to this evening which was beyond anything we could have imagined at the moment. After the meal, Walter arranged a short guided tour for us around the building, which is so beautiful that it is not just a restaurant but also an art museum in itself.
When we got back to the hostel, we still could not see a way out of our situation and fear, worry and anger swelled up again but we could not deny that this unexpected evening was not a coincidence. By the shear beauty of it we knew it was God's hand that had arranged it all as though he was trying to give us a glimpse of his glory reminding us that our little worries here on hearth are no match for his power and love. Comforted but still a bit shaken up by the day's events we went to bed.
By the last day of our stay in Datong, this situation which had loomed over us like a giant mountain had miraculously resolved itself, or in other words, God had untangled it somehow. We also got to pick up our renewed visas on the day we were promised for only $16 each, which was fantastic. What a roller coaster these days had been but what an encouraging experience. God sees beyond the sharp curves life throws at us and can steer us around them safely.
Although there were several attractions in and around Datong, we had no desire to go spend time outside in the cold when we had a warm hostel room to stay in. Aside from getting groceries, we pretty much were boring tourists and just stayed indoors.
Right in the beginning of our stay an upsetting situation developed regarding some family issues that I will not get into here. Nonetheless, we were quite troubled and distressed about it all and ended up having an agitated discussion that attracted the attention of a Chinese guy staying in one of the nearby rooms. He came out and politely asked in very good English if there is any way he could help out. He told us that he remembered us from the hostel in Pingyao were we shared a dorm. Of course he could not help us at the moment but his genuine care and offer of any assistance may we need it was touching. Despite that though, we had a very down day. I could not see a solution to the problem and continually prayed for help and wisdom. It was the only thing I could do.
Eventually evening rolled around and we decided it would be good to go get some food. We were about to get ready when that same guy (Walter) came into our room and asked us if he could invite us out for dinner. He said he had gone to this nice restaurant the night before and not enjoyed the meal because he was lonely. He also believed that it was fate that we had ended up in the same hostel again so today he wanted to treat us to a nice evening out at this beautiful restaurant. We needed a distraction so we accepted.
Walter, was in good spirits and there was such a comforting air about him. The restaurant he took us to was the amazing Fenglinge Restaurant. Supposedly, on of the Chinese emperors once fell in love with a beautiful girl who, if I remember correctly, worked in a restaurant which was in the location of the present day Fenglinge. The emperor married the girl but she died soon after. He was so devastated that he tore down the restaurant where she used to work and rebuild a gorgeous, new restaurant. This original Fenglinge has long been destroyed but the one we went to was a rebuild of the original funded by a very wealthy Chinese who has made this place his little hobby. The building took many years to finish because every part of it is hand made. The interior is decked out with the most extravagant story-telling wood carvings, all of which are hand carved down to the most intricate detail of a tiny figure's pupils. The approximately 2x6 meter wall carving in the foyer depicting the old city of Datong and its surroundings took ten years to complete. Wow!!!! Nicely dressed ladies greeted us at the door and then walked us down a romantically lit hallway to a stunning dining room. It was like a dream. Walter ordered several specialties for us to try, including the delicate, flower shaped dumplings which this restaurant is known for. Just delicious!!! The whole evening felt surreal. Walter was the perfect company that evening, we had very interesting conversations and he openly told us about himself, his hopes, dreams and struggles. We found out that he has been dealing with a very similar family situation like the one we were in at the moment which was very surprising to us. Obviously we humans often share similar joys and woes but when we are in a bit of an emotional hole we tend to forget that the person next to us may be in almost the same situation. Some of Walter's comments sounded like they had been tailored just for us and although we were still troubled, we could not express our awe in how the Lord had brought us in contact with this kind man and treated us to this evening which was beyond anything we could have imagined at the moment. After the meal, Walter arranged a short guided tour for us around the building, which is so beautiful that it is not just a restaurant but also an art museum in itself.
When we got back to the hostel, we still could not see a way out of our situation and fear, worry and anger swelled up again but we could not deny that this unexpected evening was not a coincidence. By the shear beauty of it we knew it was God's hand that had arranged it all as though he was trying to give us a glimpse of his glory reminding us that our little worries here on hearth are no match for his power and love. Comforted but still a bit shaken up by the day's events we went to bed.
By the last day of our stay in Datong, this situation which had loomed over us like a giant mountain had miraculously resolved itself, or in other words, God had untangled it somehow. We also got to pick up our renewed visas on the day we were promised for only $16 each, which was fantastic. What a roller coaster these days had been but what an encouraging experience. God sees beyond the sharp curves life throws at us and can steer us around them safely.
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