The swat heard around the world

I know I just wrote a blog post yesterday, but I'm back for another fun filled entry!

Earlier I was reading my friend Ashley's blog about how Obama swatted a fly on television. PETA apparently had problems with his actions. That reminded me of how I even heard about this really un-newsworthy event all the way in China. (I didn't hear about PETA's reaction--nobody cares about PETA in China--but I got to hear how the American president so heroically slayed that fly). In case you didn't know, people are absolutely in love with Obama here. They have no clue what he actually does as president or what he stands for, but they think he's very polished and eloquent. That's all that matters for a leader, they believe.

Okay, I could go on, but I probably shouldn't. I'll talk about something else. How about the neighbors who are drilling holes in the concrete walls and hammering things at 10:31 p.m.? Okay, I won't even talk about that. What should I talk about then?

This morning Jodi and Shannon and I jumped on the bus to go downtown. It was extremely hot, hazy, humid, and polluted. But it still was a blessed time. We had to go pick up some t-shirts Jodi had designed for us. The place to pick them up was down the city's shopping district, which is filled with swanky shops, rich people, and plenty of beggars.

Some of the poverty you see in China is unbelievable most of the time. There are human beings literally on the doorstep of death, writhing at the passerby's feet. For the most part, people just walk by these people without so much as a backwards glance. I have seen paralyzed people, elderly people, little children, and severely burned people begging, all while people go about their clothes and electronics shopping.

So whenever we go downtown, we make sure to carry extra change, because you're bound to have plenty of people to give it to. Jodi and Shannon (who are roommates) had been collecting their loose change this past year in a Ziploc bag. While we were walking, they found one person to bless with this gift. And they found that man in the midst of shoppers ignoring his presence.

He was an old man shuffling aimlessly around in a tattered shirt and raggedy pants. He had a bit of wiry, gray hair. His face was leathery from the years of harsh weather, and his eyes were big and sad looking. In his hand he held onto a single white little baggy, which probably contained all his worldly possessions.

Jodi quietly walked up to the man and gently placed the bag of money in his hands. He was stunned, and couldn't say anything. It seemed that he gave a little laugh of incredulity. He had that look of, "Is this for real?" Jodi just smiled her big, gracious smile, and the man's eyes filled with tears. We walked away, and he remained there--rooted to the spot. No one probably ever noticed him or ever gave him more than 2 mao (about 3 cents).

Despite the surrounding chaos and extreme heat, I only could think of that man and the look on his face. That's why the Son came. He came for the poorest and weakest. He came for the outcast, downtrodden, and downcast. He notices people that others do not.

I was just thankful for being able to witness that moment. For some reason it was very powerful for me. We've been able to bless people in a lot of different ways since we've been here, but watching Jodi and Shannon and the man seemed incredibly significant.

We can't help everyone. The needs are endless, especially here. It can be extremely overwhelming, even paralyzing, to see some of the crushing poverty and injustice that surrounds us every day. But He knows we can't help every single person. We are still limited in a lot of ways. But He does call us to help the people He puts in our path, even if it is just serving one person in a seemingly small way.

Thanks to Him for getting me out of my self-centered mode today!

In other news, I went to eat dinner with Jodi and some of our Chinese friends. We ate at a little Korean restaurant, which basically was a dirt floor with tin scraps for a roof. Three shirtless men cooked the food right in the room with us. We had to maneuver around dogs and children going to the bathroom in the middle of the street to get there. But the food and company was grand.

We've been doing other little activities, but I think I've thrown enough words at you for now. Enjoy your weekend!