A CURIOSITY...

"I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask

a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift,

that gift should be curiosity."

Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Oh boy...I think my mother did just that and did she ever get what she asked for...more than!

She got me...one curious, very happy little girl complete with a road map...she even gave me a curious name...how about that? 

Everyone would ask her, "Hazel, how in the world do you answer all that little girl's questions?"  Gracious, I myself wonder.

Fast forward to Michael...he is now the reluctant recipient of all my questions.  He's smart and also quite cagey; he can wiggle out of more answers than almost anyone I know...the two of us laugh a lot.

While it's true that 'curiosity killed the cat' (or so it's intimated) curiosity also may lead to something incredible...like following a string, or a path...to a most unexpected surprise.

In my case...curiosity began an adventure, an experience that is growing much richer with time! 

There are other instances I could write about but this one is probably a 'stand out'.  How do I know it's a 'stand out'?  Because it 'stands out'.  Michael and I have a running joke about 'stand outs'.  Important.

We had been in Changsha for six months; we had four months remaining on our contract with the University.  While we thoroughly enjoyed teaching and working with the students and our friends...we had no desire to remain with the school...the powers were all about making money no matter what.  Education was not their purpose or focus so we thought we'd probably return to the States in the summer...we were done.

I've written about some of this, I think...maybe you'll not remember and that's good because I'm repeating myself.  Mail...snail and air...was/is slow in China, no matter what.  The church had sent us a Christmas package and of course, it didn't make it until February 1st.  To say we were excited about its arrival is a huge understatement.  And eureka!  It was packed w/papers...in English...whoop!

I flattened out every single piece, read and re-read over and over.  Even the ads...the tiniest ones!  Aha, what's this?  A little three line ad in an old Christian Chronicle for English speaking teachers at a Chinese Christian language school.  Ooh, I wonder, I really wonder...could this be up our alley?  Curiosity reared its head.

Well, we didn't see (because I didn't mention it to Michael) but I e-mailed an answer to the ad and sure enough...Eureka again!!!  The owner of the school e-mailed me and wanted to fly us to Qingdao; could we come soon?  Of course I then had to tell M what I'd done; he took the ball and ran with it.   

Must tell you about the Spirit stepping in (again)...M and I were the Lone Rangers at the school; everyone was gone for China's big holiday.  M had to pick up a package of prescriptions that had arrived for us from the States...get some money...buy plane tickets for our look-see/interview in Qingdao...and...we had no one to assist us aka no speak Chinese...know nothings.  Not even any taxi's during that time.  What to do?  Oh Lord, what to do?

Michael geared up...leaving me in our apartment with 'look for me when you see me coming' and out the school gates he went.  Standing...walking...praying for a taxi?  Aah, prayer works and finally one lone taxi approached and thankfully stopped.  Gesturing, pointing...you get it...he got the driver to stop at 'our bank'...just the nearest bank 'cause he had to have Chinese money for our tickets!  Yes!

Next stop...post office.  All the regular post offices were closed for the holidays so M had to go to the Main one.  How to get that across w/no language skills? 

While trying to figure out the next move, M almost passed out when the driver turned to him and ever so slowly said, "I study English in Middle School"...oh, thank you God.  This guy broke the ice...he not only was understanding...he took charge...100%.

He got M into the Post Office and when they argued w/M, driver said who knows what...got the package and they were off again...like the Lone Ranger and Tonto...M was Tonto. 

Next stop...driver parked the taxi...led Michael into the Airline office and proceeded to purchase the tickets; he took no sass...done...over...home to an anxious Vasca and the apartment loaded with all the necessities.

That taxi driver was so excited and thrilled that he was able to help this poor foreigner...mind you, he stayed with M all those hours.  He didn't even want M to flood him with money...he just wanted to help...he was thankful to help and made our day...oh, did he ever.  That was a God-thing, all the way!

Following my curiosity leading us to Qingdao...there was one Chinese Christian...one...a start, and God used us as a conduit for His living water...established an underground church which led to more Christians...led to educating Ken and Debbie to work full time there (a work which is still growing and once again needs more room or another flock placed elsewhere)...oh boy...curiosity is great.

The other curiosity is very recent...like this week.  You know about Andrew and what has/is taking place in his life, yes?  Tweak your memory to a couple of prior posts.

Andrew is now working in Beijing away from his wife and Thomas; both he and Sunny (his wife) are away from little son Thomas who is being reared by her parents.  Not a good situation but necessary for them.  Andrew is lonesome, a Christian w/o relationships and needing something important...God.

Earlier this week on Amy Chumbley's Facebook I read a comment from a friend of hers who mentioned she would soon be returning to China.  Aha!  Curiosity got the best of me...again.  So I commented on Amy's Facebook to Katherine (the girl) asking why she was going to China.  You probably are guessing the rest...yes, I know you're the clever ones.

Katherine and I established 'a relationship'; I gave her his contact information and she has agreed to reach out to Andrew...seems she has been working/living in Beijing for four years and was in the States on leave, so to speak.

I e-mailed Andrew:
'I have given K your e-mail address and she may be contacting you when she returns to Beijing where she has worked for four years.  I hope you do not mind; I don't believe you will object.  You know how Michael and I feel about putting you in touch with His family and she wants to do that.  This will give you much needed mental peace & strength...you need those around you who care about you & your life.

Trust Michael and I to help you with some of the struggles you have these days in your life.  We love you very much and want the best for you...you deserve that.  Lovingly, Vasca.'

Two days ago this e-mail from Andrew:
'Thank you for always thinking about me.  It makes me feel warm in my heart at such chilly weather in Beijing.

(From Vasca...a side-note:  Just as it was while we lived in China, the government does not turn on the heat...any heat until November 15th...period.  Trust me, it's miserable...imagine shivering 24/7...brr!
The pollution now is horrible...Andrew says the polluted air is the ninth miracle...affecting their daily lives and their health.  I think the 9th miracle comes from Beijing being rated #9 out of the top 10 most polluted cities in China.  Michael says maybe it's like one of the plagues in the Bible.) 

There is a colleague of mine in Walmart who is also a Christian.  He took me to the *church (this is probably 'the government church')...during the weekend.  He is my tour guide and takes me to taste the delicious food in Beijing.  If Katherine is available, we can learn the Words together.

This winter will be the coldest winter I ever had, but with your love it is nothing.  Andrew'

"Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning."

William Arthur Ward

 

So you see...curiosity can lead to amazing things...and keep the light burning while learning! 

There are so many around us who need the light and the warmth that God provides. 

 

"From my grateful heart I thank you Lord for helping us walk in your light and shining it everywhere...you truly are most magnificent."

 

From my heart...to yours,

Vasca