October 15, 2004
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Introducing My Teammates from FWC.
Dr. Eric. One of the two “white” guys on our FWC team, he was the one who made our celebrity walks a celebrity walk. He was also our unofficial photographer. After awhile, it seemed that the camera became an extension of his hand. But aside from pic-taking, I was really impressed by his tenacious efforts to understand the culture by asking a bazillion questions with a very humble learning attitude and how he tried to create common ground with the locals by speaking the language and showing great admiration/appreciation for their foods & customs. Rather than creating an “international incident” like he feared, I believe he won their hearts instead. He certainly won mine and I applaud him for it!
Doug. I’ve never had a “mean” older brother before, but I guess you could say that on this trip, I landed one! Kind and caring, protective and concerned – these are definitely qualities that impressed me about him — but towards me?? it was always masked in height and age jokes. But no offense taken. It was nice to have an older brother. Nobody tell him this, but I’ve already missed the teasing.
Jocelyn. I knew when I heard her using words like “moot” and other such precise (what some would call “SAT”) words with a kind of unassuming nonchalance (as if everybody uses it) that I had made a friend. Something about her from the beginning made me feel quite at ease. Maybe because she’s a journalist and I’m a wannabe writer? — or maybe it’s ’cause of her heart — her heart to be changed by God and touched by Him. I really appreciated her sensitivity to Christ, and I benefitted from her listening ear to all the heart troubles that would sometimes spill out of me…
Mary. Her grasp of the Chinese language and fantastic food ordering skills was our saving grace. She has this fast-paced speaking speed that I soon discovered was a reflection of her wonderfully quick wit. She often made these quips that would simply amaze me. You know when someone is witty when they are able to make you think, “Wow! That was good!” Mary was also the one who made “pointy elf shoes” famous among us.
Lucy. She was our main food orderer and Chinese expert. I really appreciate her openness to waiting on God’s leading for wherever God might lead her and her husband to in ministry, post-early retirement. At a time in their lives when they could just sit back and do nothing and live comfortably, they’re choosing instead to follow God. I really applaud them both! I was also very impressed by Lucy’s way of winning the hearts of the locals. Something of her sweet and warm personality (and her ability to speak the language of their hearts) always allowed her to make connections with individuals everywhere we went. What a gift from God!
Roger. I really admired Roger for making the decision to follow Jesus to China. Because, like for most of us, it was definitely a step out of comfort zone. A man of prayer and a man open to God’s shaping of him, I got to witness how God can really touch a man’s life. I will never forget how he said, “It’s only been a week, but I am really falling in love with my students.” That declaration really choked me up with awe. Praise God.
Art. Our excellent team leader. I really appreciated Art’s leadership. He was always very attentive to details, thinking and planning far ahead, so that everyone would know what’s supposed to happen – inasmuch as was possible. I think also that he was the right man for the job — with all the toasts and handshaking and speeches with all those FWC officials and administrators. And aside from being our team leader, Art was also my teaching partner. One thing I got to observe and appreciate about him in all our time serving together was his humble ”learner” attitude among our students and all the locals. (Case in point: here he is eating FWC “mooncake”.)
All in all, what I really appreciated about this trip was how I could see visibly how much God had touched the hearts of my teammates and opened their eyes to new things. They were so open to God working in them that He was able to do exactly what He needed to do. For His glory. May I learn to be so open as well. Amen.
