A Journey to Last a Life Time (Vicki)

Through the years I have heard bits and pieces of the Sung family history. It took me a while to figure out that Sung was Song in China and was the same family. (OK, I may be a little slow, but remember, I'm just a 4th generation farm girl from the Willamette Valley.) Stories of factories, missionaries, tough times, Argentina and of a man that was Dave's grandpa were all jumbled in my mind. I didn't know his first name or what he looked like, but understood (I thought) what kind of man he was...a very intelligent businessman, father of many kids and his wife was the heart of the home. All of this is true, but it is only a shallow description of the heritage of Song Feiqing.

I am humbled and contemplative as I think back over our two weeks of travel through China. What fun we had sharing much (including sniffles and massages), laughing together, and at other times quietly absorbing the beauty of natural China and her people. How can one describe the sight of a perfectly formed man made out of terra cotta from 200 BC or the smiles and giggles I shared with a little 4 year old and his grandma in the KFC at Huangshan? My heart has been touched and changed by this country called China, and most of all by a family named Song.

Thankfully, I had read HIS DREAM so the foundation of who, what, when and where had been established. Though again, as soon as it went into my brain it seemed to jumble all the names and places. But the parts that stayed with me were the lives of wonderful people that have entwined to bring us to that little village of Songwang we visited on October 21, 2010.

What a humble village, but such open and friendly faces. So much is said without speaking a word. Though we live in two different worlds, we were bound by love for these amazing Song men generations earlier. At the time I was torn between wanting to just sit and listen to these sweet people, (OK, Steven or Darryl would have had to translate) and being nervous that we were there and worrying that maybe their life would be affected by all of us tromping in. But when we walked to the grave site, it all came together. They were not worried, because their lives and families had been touched by those we honored in the graves, and they wanted us to share in that.

It was such a long drive back to the village where the church was. Did he really push a cart with firewood that far with his young son? Did that missionary ever get tired of sharing God's love with people walking by? Did he know how God was going to change the Song family for generations to come? What a lesson for me to be obedient to God, for we don't know what His ultimate plan is! At this point in our journey, I truly realized what an amazing gift Aunt Roberta had given to us. We were able to travel to where the incredible family story began.

What fun to climb the stairs in the family home and peek into Aunt Roberta's and Aunt Rebecca's bedroom. We heard such great stories of brothers and sisters just living life with two loving parents. Such generous and unassuming people Song Feiqing and his wife were. Their generosity and care for all, no matter their status, is probably the greatest souvenir I took home with me.

Song Feiqing lived his dream and built a successful company. That alone is accomplished by so few. He suffered unwarranted and devastating setbacks, but never lost who he was. This is the truly inspiring and humbling aspect of his life. It might be the story behind the story, of how he lived each day with grace and character, no matter the circumstances surrounding him. Synonyms for the word CHARACTER are: COURAGE, HONOR, INTELLIGENCE, REPUTATION, UPRIGHTNESS. That is this man Song Feiqing, who you have the honor of calling Father, Grandpa, Great Grandpa. I, too, feel a part of this great heritage. Thank you!