The Great Wall of China

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. Psalm 18:35

I have been on some good field trips over the years but NONE like this. We went to the Great Wall at Mutianyu! Eat your heart out BOCES! After a two hour ride, we finally arrived. The boys and I went with two teams up working at Shepherd's Field. One team was from Detroit, Michigan and the other was from Memphis, Tennessee. To get up to the wall, you get to ride a chair lift up to the top. Let me tell you, it is alot easier to get off one of these with skis on!

I just stood at the top in awe. When I went to a different area of the Great Wall over the summer, the weather was awful. It was foggy and raining. You couldn't see the landscape though you could see how majestic it was. I was amazed then as I walked up each hand carved step. This time, I was speechless. For any of you that know me, you would agree that doesn't happen often!

This one is for all of you who keep asking "Where are pictures of you?"

Nate and Zack
"Miss Dawn! Do you have to take another picture of us?"

Do all 11 year old boys always look this thrilled when getting their picture taken?

The Great Wall was originally built to protect China from the Nomads crossing in with their horses and stealing from the Chinese. Work on the wall started as early as the 5th Century BC. It was then built with stone, dirt, wood or whatever was available in the area. This is part of the reason that many original parts of the wall no longer exist.

This area of the wall is known as Mutianyu. This area was constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1620). It is primarily made from quarried limestone. In other locations they also used quarried granite or fired brick. Walls were erected with earth and rubble fill placed in between with a final paving to form a single unit. In some areas the blocks were cemented with a mixture of glutinous rice and eggwhite.

The Great Wall is the world's largest human made structure running approximately 4000 miles long. During its peak, it was guarded by more than 1 million men. It is said that between 2-3 million Chinese died building this centuries long project.


It has been said that if you took all the stones/bricks from the Great Wall and laid them out in a line, it would circle the earth 27 times.

When we were done with our walk on the wall, we got to ride a toboggan down to the bottom. It was a riot!

While on the wall, there was discussion of the holes placed in the walls. What do you think they were put there for? We found some amazing symbolism there. We all have holes in our lives that WE are trying to fill. The holes in the wall allowed you to see through to both sides. We all have this opportunity to look at situations in our life this way as well. We can look through one side and see things how the world sees them. On the other side, we can see how God looks at things. Gods way may not make any sense at times but He tells us "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on our own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6 The world's way may be enticing at times but His way is always best. A friend of mine also remembered when she felt like she had a hole in her heart. People thought she was crazy. After she came to know Christ, she found out He filled that hole. Even if people thought she was crazy, she knew something was missing. I understand what she felt like and I am so glad He filled mine too.

While I was in the shower this morning, God challenged me with a few questions. "What Great Wall stands in your life? Do you have a wall up that is keeping someone or something out? What is keeping you away from something I have planned for you?" We ALL have walls that need to be taken down so we can live the life God has planned for us. Some of them are great...some are small. So I will in turn ask you this question. What Great Wall is in your life?