I heart China

Tonight I was at my Korean friend's house playing Balderdash with people. His Chinese roommate walked in, and I realized that I am a bit too eager when I meet a Chinese person. I meet a new Chinese person almost every day, but I am still like this. I automatically speak to them in Chinese, and then they answer me back in their perfect English. I practically attack them. He was once again from the big city of Chengdu. I have yet to meet a Chinese person here from a "lesser" city like Nanchang.

Like I said in another post, most of the Chinese who come to study must be quite well-off. Remember my Chinese friends Grace and Jian? Well, they're going to... Hawaii for our very short Thanksgiving break. Hawaii. Yep, they're rich. I've never known wealthy Chinese people. But they're still in need of friendship and a Savior.

And remember some of my baby students, who could only dream of flying on an airplane, let alone going to Hawaii? A lot of them still keep in touch with me through email or Skype. Thanks, Father, for technology that bridges the ocean! My business English students are now in their third year of college, meaning they're basically done. Most of them are leaving this month for internships in far away cities. I'm extremely proud of them, but also anxious for them. I know many of their "internships" won't be much better than toiling in a factory. Some of them might end up in factories. But I hope and pray that they'll remember there is a Father who loves them more than they could imagine, and a Redeemer who will get them through the toughest days.

One thing I couldn't quite imagine was being a Chinese believer. I happened to be a believer in China, but that was nearly totally different. I didn't have all the constraints and obstacles that most Chinese believers have. I remember hearing a pastor recently say that sometimes people need "less exhortation and more encouragement." I could exhort my fellow Chinese believers, but often they just need a whole lot of encouragement to keep running the race!

A case in point is my dear Chinese sister "R". We email nearly every week and talk frequently on Skype. It nearly broke my heart to leave her, but she needed to be able to fly on her own and with the help of fellow Chinese sisters and brothers. I have just tried to encourage, encourage, and encourage her. She has recently broken up with her non-believer boyfriend, is being engaged with her fellowship, and growing in the Word. I didn't judge her or lecture her when she had that boyfriend or often didn't go to fellowship. She needed to make her faith her own. And she needed a lot of encouragement to keep living in Him. I don't know what it's like to be a Chinese believer, but I can love them and pray for them... He's the One who changes hearts.

Please continue to think of our Chinese brothers and sisters!

I'm leaving you with a precious picture my old students sent me last week. It was their last picture (in the shape of a heart, of course) before they all left the university to find work. So sweet! Father, watch over them...