The Girl In the Window

This story is based on real interviews and observations of people in Shanghai. Names have been changed and the photos are not the characters of this short piece of fiction. Life in China is not easy for most. It is improving, though. Hard work is required and expected. No one expects to be handed something for nothing. There was a day, not that long ago when those who came to the new land of America also knew that if they were going to make it - even survive - it would take hard work and creativity.

Annchi was doing the laundry when she got the call from her husband, Li, that he would have to work most of the night. The spring weather brought sunshine, but that also meant more people chose to walk. Li would now watch carefully for workers leaving their offices. The wealthy foreigners from the United States or England always paid a little more than the fare. Yes, he would keep his eyes moving for the wave of their hands toward his taxi. Later, in the early morning hours, he would drive past the more famous bars and music clubs where, perhaps, tonight, a tourist would stagger to the curb for a ride with him. Li would work all night, if need be, and nap in his taxi. Money was scarce and the cost of living in this huge city, expensive.

Annchi leaned on the windowsill, taking a moment from her labor to talk with Li. If only she could do something to make his work a little easier. Together they had dreamed wonderful dreams when they first fell in love in high school. But now, even after ten years in the military, Li faced the harsh reality that employment options for a civilian had diminished due to the economic downturns in Shanghai.

Tonight, Annchi would only have the company of their six-year old son, Wen. With that thought, she glanced toward the pavement below her second-story window and the sound of his familiar laughter. The clothes would not wash themselves, she thought to herself, but for a moment longer, she watched Wen playing with the wooden top his grandfather gave him when last he visited from Mongolia.

In Search of God

Longhua Pagoda is the one of the oldest pagodas in Shanghai. That's amazing in itself, I'm sure, but when you realize that it was first built in 242 A.D. and has stood on this site ever since, then it gets VERY amazing! It was completely renovated in 977 A.D. when the Buddhist Temple was built, but since then has only had repairs to replace rotting wood.

There are 16 pagodas in Shanghai, many of which, were built during late 900's.






The entrance gate to the Longhua Buddhist Temple complex - across this walkway from the Pagoda.

We paid our 10 RMB to enter, and found folks who were lighting incense sticks and bowing as a way of honoring the various "gods" who are enshrined here.


I don't say that with dishonor in mind. Quite the contrary. I say it to describe the beginning of their rituals.

One of these gods is suppose to be particularly good at getting souls out of Hell, one is good at helping people financially, one is more for health issues, and one a god of war. There were people occassionally kneeling at all four locations.

These buildings and rituals were very interesting and outside of my previous observation. However, I did walk away from this visit with the reminder of how deeply people try to look for the Creator, the Maker of all things. They also look for answers for how to deal with the eternal question of life after death.

In a discussion we had in a cell group of people who were studying their Bible beliefs and how to share them, one person remarked that it is through logic and answers to questions that help people become interested in knowing Jesus. Another said that it was heart or emotional issues that often help to open people to meeting Jesus.

I think both have their place. However, when faced with the eternal question of life after death, and the reality of a living Christ, I have found that Jesus is very good about making Himself revealed in a person's life who is looking. The Holy Spirit moves in ways that are beyond logic and/or pure emotion. If we express the Love of Christ by our words and actions combined - the seed is planted.

The Word of God - the Bible - indicates that we are to be faithful witnesses of the presence and reality of the risen Savior, Jesus. We can be certain of this fact: if we plant the good seed of the Word of God, and water it with prayer, God will make certain that life that is in the seed WILL GROW! It will produce a harvest.

One of the claims to fame of the Longua temple is the legend that says that some of the ashes of the original Buddah were placed in it.

Our faith, our core belief, is that Christ's tomb was empty, the stone having been rolled away supernaturally. He lives!

And because He live - I, too, can and shall live forever with Him in heaven. Yes?

In Honor of Piper and Riley

from the poem, "Baby Feet" by Edgar Guest

Little feet, so rich with charm,
May you never come to harm.
As I bend and proudly blow
Laughter out of every toe,
This pray, that God above
Shall protect you with His love,
And shall guide those little feet
Safely down life’s broader street