Life in America

So, how has my adjustment back to America been?

For starters, I do really miss China. I met a lot of amazing people there, many who I will probably not ever see again - at least not in this life. I am happy to be back in America and am really noticing all the amenities we take for granted. For example, having running water with hot and cold and water pressure, also air conditioning and a car to drive. But even lacking all these things, China is a great place to be because of the people. Walking through a busy city like Chicago or New York I would never have met so many friendly people. In Beijing, even though there is more people - they were friendly, everything was cleaner, everyone was quick to help.

One of the most difficult things I have had to deal with is my sleeping schedule. When I arrived in China I was so busy during the day that I had almost no Jet Lag. Here, I am having trouble resetting my clock. But by the time school starts on Thursday (already so soon!!) I should be good. And it has kind of been nice staying up late at night because I have gotten to talk to some of my Chinese friends. Many of them have left me messages of FaceBook (an online community). There comments are all so sweet and cute. Because their English skills are still being developed they tend to say things in ways that are particularly touching - like "I will remember you in my heart forever". I believe that my time in China did touch their lives, they learned more about Christianity and Love - I am more proud of that than any English they learned (although I'm proud about that too!)

I also have a pretty amazing story that unfolded on last day in China and my first day at home. This story is about Ricky, the volunteer Chinese who was with me the majority of my time in China. I'll try to give you just the major points, but there is a lot that makes this story truly amazing. First off, Ricky is not a Christian, but he respects the faith and the Bible. So Ricky was leaving New Day by train on Monday (the same day I left). He was kind of worried about making it home because he only had 200 quay left to pay for everything - it would probably be enough, but he might have to skip a meal. Then on Saturday night he received a gift of 100 quay from a team of volunteers at New Day for all his help. He accepted it as a payment and was relieved that he would have enough to get home. Later on, he received an anonymous card from an American with a gift of 300 quay. I was with Ricky when he opened this, he almost started to cry (as in America, most Chinese men do not cry). He had never before been given such a gift and it is really unheard of in the Chinese culture. He couldn't believe it. He called his mom to tell her and she told him that he must give it back. Chinese culture would never allow him to keep such an extravagant gift. So it was up to me to try to explain to Ricky why he should accept this gift (besides the fact he didn't know who it was from). I talked with Ricky for 15 minutes explaining how in America we sometimes give gifts to our friends, about Christians blessing others and how it is a compliment. He still wasn't totally convinced. We then ate dinner with my American roommates and yet again I spent 10 minutes with them trying to help him understand the meaning behind it. It was hard because not only were we crossing cultural lines, we were talking about religious blessings. Finally, by the end of dinner he had a look of understanding and acceptance on his face. He was not as joyful as we wished, but he understood the meaning and would accept this gift from our culture and religion. I felt satisfaction that night, knowing that Ricky had learned more about Christianity and felt he was very close to becoming a Christian. Sadly, I would not see him again and I could only hope God would continue to work in his life. Fast forward to my second night here. Ricky has posted a note of Facebook labeled "I met angels at New Day". Excitedly I opened up the note, but I was disappointed by the first paragraph. He was talking about the amazing people he met, but that he didn't think God sent them to New Day. But then I read the second paragraph. He explained that as he got on the train to travel home, they announced that his baggage was overweight. In order to take his luggage home he would have to pay a fine of . . . 299 quay. Without the gift he had received of 300 quay, he could not have paid it. Ricky wrote that, he knew God was looking out for him and was truly touched. I could not believe it. God was looking out for Ricky, tugging at his heart, providing him a way home - even if Ricky hadn't yet accepted him as his savior. I have gotten to talk to Ricky about it and he is still amazed at what happens and does believe that God set things up to work. However, I am saddened to write that he has not yet accepted Christ as his savior. So I ask that you keep him in your prayers. Ricky is an amazing young man with a lot to offer this world - I pray that he will continue to feel God's direction in his life as he lives in his hometown, in an environment plenty lacking from everything New Day provided.

So will I ever go back to China?

I don't know. I would love to go back and visit my friends. But, first I would like to go to Africa. I've had Africa on my heart as long as I can remember. I am leaving it open to God's will however. Wherever he sends me, I will go. There are so many Ricky's in this world, across oceans and here at home. I want to remember to live everyday here at home as purposefully as I lived everyday in China. If we all treated our hometown as much as a mission field as China or Africa, America would be a better place. It wouldn't be filled with so many hurting people. So, as for me, I will continue to look for the hurting people in this world, they need love and I can give them that - so can you.