Day 7 – A Sunday Unlike Any Other: Off to Beijing
It’s Sunday—but it sure doesn’t feel like it. Why? Because we’re boarding a plane in China, heading to Beijing. Take one, take two… I think I can safely speak for all of us: if you had told us a year ago that we’d be in Beijing today, we probably would’ve smiled politely and said, “Oh okay!”—but deep down, we wouldn’t have believed it.
Yet here we are. Today, we fly to Beijing—and we’re ready to hit the ground running.
Check-in went smoothly, and everyone handled ticketing like pros. I’m genuinely proud of how our group is showing up for each other—supportive, present, and growing with every step.
One major advantage of traveling city to city in China is that we’re not alone. Our translator, coordinator, and helpers are right alongside us, making everything seamless. Their calm and care have made a huge difference.
And then there’s the plane. You couldn’t miss it—the signage is everywhere: in the airport, at the gate, inside the terminal, even on the outside of the plane itself. Everywhere you look, reminders of our shared mission: “Sing for Peace.” It’s surreal. A whole plane filled with choirs from across the world? Honestly, I'm surprised no one broke out in song right there on the tarmac.
But here we are, wheels up—headed to Beijing, hearts open, spirits high. New city. New day. New mercies.
Beijing Arrival
When we landed in Beijing, the red carpet treatment continued—whether literal or not, the feeling was unmistakable.
I forgot to mention a thoughtful detail: green tags were placed on all our luggage before we boarded, meaning we didn’t have to touch the baggage claim belt at all. Our luggage would be retrieved and delivered to our hotel for us. That’s VIP service.
Even more, we received custom Pure in Heart luggage tags—branded keepsakes that helped us spot our bags and reminded us of the purpose behind our journey. These small things weren’t small at all. They were signs of intentional care—someone thought through every step of the journey so we could focus on being present.
We got off the plane, onto the bus, without a single concern for luggage. That kind of ease? It doesn’t go unnoticed.
Next stop: the Radisson, where a beautifully prepared lunch was waiting for us. We ate until our hearts were full—both literally and emotionally. The dining area even had Pure in Heart Foundation signage prepared ahead of time. That moment hit different. We were being recognized on an international level in multipel cities. It may seem small to some, but for us, that was major.
As lunch wrapped up, we slipped into an impromptu rehearsal right there in the dining area. Music, fellowship, and flow. Then it was off to our next adventure.
We took a scenic drive to a picturesque area near what we believe was the Forbiden City. There was a peaceful lake, charming boat rides, and an unexpected flash mob performance near a tranquil koi pond. We began with a boat ride at Dragon Boat Pier, part of the iconic Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This wasn’t just any boat ride—this was on one of the elaborately decorated boats, which once ferried royalty across Kunming Lake. I dont like dragons so the boat ride was ok lol. As we glided across the water, we were surrounded by traditional Chinese architecture, willow trees, and the peaceful rhythm of ancient Beijing. The views were postcard-perfect but every was like get me some air a cold sprite and dont let this boat sink because I cant swim lol.
Our next stop was Wulong Pavilion, nestled within Beihai Park, one of Beijing’s oldest and most revered imperial gardens. Right nearby is the famous Nine-Dragon Wall—a massive glazed-tile mural featuring nine vividly colored dragons in full motion. It's one of only three such walls in China and a backdrop for our filmed performance wich included an original piece by Pure N Heat entitled "Change The World" and also a popular song "You got a friend in me". Even thogh we were singing in front of something so ancient and symbolic of Chinese power and culture, we knew our asignent was to drop our sound rooted in Gospel Music where ever we went.
We closed the evening with a meal at Shan Restaurant, located within Beihai Park. This restaurant isn’t just known for its imperial-style cuisine—it has served empresses, diplomats, and heads of state for generations. Inside.
By the end of the day, we were hot, sweaty, some a little sick and slightly overwhelmed—but completely invigorated. We were officially in the capital of China.
Selfies. Group pics. Live streams. Laughter. Awe. We were letting it sink in: we’ve now set foot in not just one but TWO cities in China—all in under two weeks.
We finally checked into our new hotel where a new week awaits us—a week full of adventure, challenge, faith, fun, tears, and victories.
A Night to Reset
On this same night, I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a reset for us. A pause. A call to recalibrate.
Two students weren’t feeling well, which delayed us some—but those same two students turned out to be MVPs, continuing on with strength in the days that followed.
That night, God reminded us: He is the only star.
This trip isn’t about spotlight moments or big stages. It’s about serving, learning, and loving. It’s about keeping the main thing, the main thing.
Empathy became our anchor. Our PPPP framework—Presence, Patience, Perspective—came alive once again. It wasn’t the most comfortable night, but it was necessary. That night, I became a better leader. A leader more committed to protecting what matters most: staying humble, teachable, empathetic, and aligned with the shared, sacred purpose of this journey.
I’ve said it before—this is a fancy mission trip. Honestly, none of us fully knew what to expect. We came here calling it a mission trip, but when we got to China, it felt like we were guests of honor—welcomed like dignitaries, treated like family, celebrated like winners.
Whether it felt like a government reception, a high-level church convocation, or even an international award show—the care, the effort, and the details were second to none.
And through it all, we remember: Every good and perfect gift comes from above.
Today… was a good day.
Professor Anderson