Chapter 16 - A Chinese Funeral

The kids were sent home early this Friday because something very sad happened. A teacher at our school passed away :-( Due to a car crash. There are no safety belts for passengers. :-( To celebrate, the Chinese do a very long mourning period, almost 5 days straight. Well on the last night, the one I got to attend, is the day to say their thanks and prayers. Everyone is wearing black and the close family members of the lady that passed away were wearing a white cloth around their head.
This symbolizes that holy spirits may watch over them. White is the most popular color when it comes to death for the Chinese. They fear death because they believe that once they die they are just food for the worms. So white is a holy color that they may be saved. So the family members wear the white head bands to show that their loved lived a great life and want to be saved. I was told that's why all their hospital walls are white...to show the spirits they are grateful and wish to not lose any to death. Well a guy led a massive prayer and everyone (including I) bowed after almost every sentence. Then music started and the music's tone was strong but yet very heart warming. It started out so slow and began to build than it grew until it reached t he climax and the fireworks were going off like crazy! After that the 3 sons gave their thanks and then everyone got in line and walked through some cloth drapes into a room where he coffin was located! As they walked out the family of he person that passed away were in a line. They got to see everyone walk out in tears and people would say something to he family members!
These are some of the decorations that alot of the chinese people give the family to show that they care! There were like 15 of these at the party/funeral. Different shapes and colors but all had the same symbol and the symbol is memory or remembrance Oh almost forgot, I was given this pin to attach to me. It's white and had some Chinese characters which translated into "just mourn" and I think people keep it on until they were done mourning!
Some people were taking them off and throwing them in the fire. Others kept them on so I don't know what the purpose or meaning behind them is.I decided to keep mine and put in my journal. After the whole ceremony there are games, dancing, drinking and lots of other fun activities because remember the Chinese fear death so on the last day they do fun things to bring happy spirits to the dead before they bury them in the ground the folloowing day! Oh and they party ALL NIGHT!!!!
Very cool experience, but sad to see that they fear death. I don't fear death because of the church! I am so thankful for the church and all that it teaches me! I wanted so badly to tell the people that we will be with them again someday (but it's not allowed) :-( Sad to think that the Chinese would be so much happier if they had the church in their hearts! I hope some day that China will accept the church because once it's happens many souls will be saved and so many great things will happen from it! Once the missionaries get into China they will change this country and really start to reveal it's true beauty!
I love everyone so much!
Love, Jordan