EAST MEETS WEST...

Seek always to do some good, somewhere.
Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth.
You must give some time to your fellow man.
For remember, you don't live in a world all your own.
Your brothers are here too.

Albert Schweitzer

 

TIME TO WED
MICHAEL & VASCA

TIME TO WED

PEARL & YIZHU



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pearl is my most precious friend...we met in June of 2003 and were together until the close of 2004.  She is Chinese, now married to a Korean and the mother of two beautiful little girls.  Her English is excellent...and she has a wonderful personality...she sparkles.

 

She was appointed to watch over M and me upon our arrival in Qingdao...and watch us she did...like an angel.  We loved every moment of it...she felt the same and was so eager to please. 

 

One day she and I were alone in our kitchen and she said, "Vesca, I want to ask you a question."  Okay, what?  "Well, what do you think about a couple living together when they aren't married?"  Hmm, okay.  But now, before I answer, remember you brought this up, I didn't.  She nodded okay.  "Personally, I don't think it's good...I don't like the idea and I don't believe Father approves."  Pearl smiled a little and said, "I thought that's what you would say."  That was that. 

She was totally in love with a Korean, Yizhu.  He was/is very personable, hard working but he is a serious diabetic who is an alcoholic and definitely doesn't take care of himself.  But love him she does.  She became pregnant and they married...that's common and socially acceptable.  

One summer when Michael and I were back in China for a visit we spent quite a lot of time with Pearl...we were thrilled (putting it mildly) when she decided to put on Christ in baptism. 

 

You realize China is extremely different in more than a multitude of ways; religion not being the least.  There is only one recognized 'church' and that is strictly government controlled.  There are others that are 'underground' or 'under the radar'...so if one is a Christian seeking a place to worship and experience spiritual maturity?  Look for a needle in a haystack, so to speak.

 

Pearl lives quite a distance from the place where Ken and Debbie and the Faith Hope Love fellowship is situated.  It takes lots of bus changing, money and lots of fortitude with two little ones!  I think you get the picture...and she must do it by herself.

  

There are some Korean churches so she has been meeting with some...we've visited a couple and they fill a gap.  

 

We write each other...since I'm the avid writer I'm always ahead of her...she'll go for months; sometimes longer and just when I think I'll never hear from her again she drops in out of cyberspace!

 

Here's the thing that gets me...every single time.  Always surprised when I see her e-mail in my box...I begin to cry.  Michael asks, "What's the matter...what's the matter?"  Like someone died or something and 'it's just Pearl'...and he totally understands.

 

There's something about our relationship that is stamped on my heart and I shed tears just thinking about her.  She has never, ever asked me for anything material...she asks me about things of the heart and that's what matters so much.  That's the bond between us...and it cannot be broken.

 

I received this from her two weeks ago and I know she won't object to my sharing it with you. 

 

Dear Vesca,

It's been a long time. sorry I did not put my thoughts of you two on words like this , but you are in my life and mind every minute . When i am mad ,happy , thinking or making an important decision , I would ask myself , what would you tell me to do if you are here with me ? Then I will do it ..
 

Living in china sometimes could be very troublesome if you have to have some *paper work for the police and you lost one of them .. I am always losing things and did not organize my stuff well at home, that 's why I have to run here and there try to explain...try to make it work , but guess what? They wouldn't listen , *I have to pay a bunch of money to buy them to let me pass on this... like Michael describe me as a hamster running on the wheel.

 

My mom is having a hard time with her daughter in law who is a cold lady who wants my mom work for her, cook for her and take care of her baby.  She is lazy and always spending money on this and that . my brother is a nice guy ,but he is afraid that she may run away and left his son without a mom... before they live together ,but now my parents have to move out . my mom can not put up with her anymore and they are planning to build a new house.  Now they are living in some friend's house for a while , it was very old and I came back a few days ago and try to make it look ok. Still it hurts me to see them have to live like that in such an age ..

My husband is getting famous here , he has a website for Korean to get all kinds of information here in the city .and he speaks for Koreans here in the Embassy.. kind of cool .. but that will leave our little girls and me more time waiting for him , he is always eating outside.  He must have this kind and that kind of dates. He is trying to make as much as money he can . and I am working in an English school in the afternoons. Life is not hard but I am not sure about his health , it's like a exploding ball getting closer and closer ... I am scared to death if that day come soon...

There is a good sister in the church where I go.  She told me a lot about how to be a real Christian and I know He is there, watching me, looking out for me and Olivia and Mattie. We all know we have him. That's the only thing we could hold on in our life ...
 

Life is not just hard but sometime could be really joyful.. like today.  I was shopping for the mid-autumn festival in a mall and some lady called my name and I hardly recognize her.  She was a coworker four years ago and now she has a pretty daughter and I have two...ha, ha, ha, ha, I win.  We talked , although things changed but we are not...I mean not the face but the hearts.. 

 

Dear friends , tell me some good news about there ..I would love some words from u soon .

Love you two .  Pearl

 

A Vasca comment here...*Lots of paper work and at times grease palms!

 

My words don't do justice to this friend, this rare and precious Pearl.  But I think you get the picture...she's special and she is trying her best to please our Father and I am doing my best to help her grow in Him.

 

"Let friendship be the bridge to have a better nation and a better world."  Unknown

 

She's my friend...here's to our bridge building!

 

From my heart...to yours,

Vasca