Life In Yi Ling Village

We rode out of Nanning City for about an hour to get to Yi Ling Village. It was as if we had traveled back in time. We turned down a dirt road that led to the village. All around us there were people walking and traveling by scooters to the fields to work. They were tending crops of pumpkins, leeks, tomatoes, and other vegetables, farther back there were rice paddies flooded with water. This man smiled and made motions to the children as he passed. His face was weathered and worn from long hours in the fields. Mary told us that even though they work very hard they are free from the stress that city life brings.
This woman was busy picking baskets full of leeks. Each section grew different things. The Chinese people keep themselves covered as much as possible because they want their skin to stay light because this is beautiful to them.
I am not sure what kind of machine this was that passed us pulling this man. He was very friendly and smiled and waved to us.
This man is in a reservoir of water. He is washing his clothes by hand. It really makes me appreciate my washer and dryer at home, no more complaining about doing laundry!!!! He sprinkled powder on his clothes and then brushed them and rinsed them. How time consuming!!
An ox driven cart. What a way to travel. She was also headed to the fields.

Hanging out with a Water Buffalo while he had lunch!! They use them for so many things. They were everywhere in the village. We walked by pigs, dogs, ducks and chickens. The roads were dusty and the air was thick with the smells of different animals. We felt like we were in a documentary from National Geographic. It was truly amazing to see that people still live like this. We are so spoiled with all that we have.
These sweet women and little girl came along and gave us a handful of peanuts still on the plant and fresh from the ground for us to snack on. We thought it was such a kind gesture for them to share what they had with us. Then they rested in the shade of the trees.
Sweet baby and more kind faces from Yi Ling Village.
While we were snacking on peanuts these three boys came up smiling and laughing. We gave them gum, I wish we had thought ahead to take candy to give away. I couldn't resist having my picture made with them.
Typical street in the village the buildings along the sides house people and animals. Such a special place. We are so grateful to have been able to visit there.

Now about our little Emanuiel, Feng Feng. There are things I must tell you about his personality. He loves music. When Clara Beth and I sing he sings right along and does the motions. He is very observant and very smart. He lets us know when he has to go to the bathroom because he immediately starts to take off his shoes, next come the pants so you better be ready to find a place to go! He is used to a squatty potty so we have to hold him over the toilet(so hard on my back, this little guy is heavy)when he's done he shakes his little feet up and down, all through!! Last night in Wal-Mart(yes, we went again) he had to go, he's in the stroller and off come the shoes, oh my, Paul hurried him to the restroom. It was a squatty,Paul tried to hold him over it, he had a fit, he had to get down and do it by himself!!! Then he was happy again. He will eat anything!! Put it in his bowl and it's gone. He loves to have his food in one bowl( I don't even want my food to touch)then he eats it. When he's ready for more he points and talks. He doesn't like a mess around his bowl, he rakes it all up and tries to clean up when we are finished. He is really getting comfortable with us now. He woke up this morning very happy. Last night he climbed in his crib by himself and went to sleep(I hope he teaches CB how to do this)and climbed out this morning and came into the bathroom where I was and smiled at me!! So sweet. If I get out of his sight I hear him yell MaMa. Then he's fine once he sees me. If we talk to other Chinese People or they get on the elevator with us he squats down and hides behind Paul. I don't know if he thinks they might take him from us or if he is hiding for some other reason. It is so different with an older child. We have learned so much during this process. We have been shown once again about God's perfect plan. I know without a doubt that this child, like my others was chosen especially for our family. We are praising God for His wonder!! Tomorrow we leave Nanning for Guangzhou. Please pray for safe travel, this will be Emanuiel's first flight. Thankfully it is a short one. Until next time..................We love and miss you all!!!