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Jan Barranco-Grams is a well-traveled, professional business woman in the travel industry. She is currently on assignment at the Olympics in Beijing. Jan will post Blogs, “Bites from Beijing,” exclusively for HOFN.com that will keep us abreast of her fun lifestyle while in China during the 2008 Olympic Games.
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Our group had tickets to see men’s tennis play today. As a tennis player, I would have loved going, but it was my turn to hold down the fort, plus I had work to get done. Also, having gone to Opening Ceremonies plus Gymnastics, I was okay about staying back.

The irony is that it was Sunday morning when I traditionally go to the “Church of the Tennis Court” with my favorite tennis pals. So after the group left for tennis, my friend, Claire, asked if I wanted to join her at BICF – Beijing International Christian Fellowship Church. While a welcomed idea, it was difficult seeing the broken hearts of the Volleyball Team.

I’m trying to be “PC” and not talk politics or religion, but this was a wonderful experience that I have to share. As most of you must know, religious freedoms are squashed in China, so to attend church you must be a foreign national or an international visitor. You must present a passport to enter and go through security screening. This church was huge, more like a big multi-tiered theater. When we entered, there was a great band playing….none other than the Gatlin Brothers! They played a handful of songs, then the “house band” came on, who were equally wonderful. When the minister came out, he asked the audience to turn to their neighbors and introduce yourself. I met people from Hong Kong, Chicago, Singapore, and California. It truly was an international church – and a very comforting morning. I had a good cry, prayed for peace and healing, and I left with a lighter heart. I was where I was supposed to be this morning.

And, btw, tennis got rained out – and James Blake was scheduled to play. …So, all-in-all, I’m feeling a whole lot better now.

In the afternoon, we headed up to the Great Wall to prepare for our dinner at the old school house – and walked up The Wall to set up our party. We had previously worked out the details, with a timeline that was down to the minute. We had darling little girls who danced, plus men dancers who did the traditional Dragon Dance. Unfortunately, plans changed multiple times, as it continuously rained. However, it was still a great night!

Time for bed. As I predicted, once the games began, sleep and workouts would be minimal.

Wan An!
Jan