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

When the Dancing Stopped

A factory authorized repairman came to look at our dancing washing machine. He opened the back, removed three hard blocks of plastic, and handed us a bill for repairs. The machine was not meant to operate with the shipping blocks in place. They were only meant to keep the drum from getting damaged during delivery. The people that installed the washing machine didn't know to look for something inside that kept it from operating properly.

We've had hundreds of people view our video on YouTube showing our washing machine jumping, dancing and I'm sure, making the neighbors below us wonder what in the world all the noise was about.

Here's my take on it - when there's something inside that shouldn't be - life doesn't go well.

Going home.

For 2009, the very end of January through the first of February is Chinese New Year. It changes each year depending on the new moon. Without question it is the biggest holiday in China. It is a time of celebrating family, the past and the future. Millions of people return (if possible) to the home of their birth. For one week industry shuts down to allow families to come together and embrace their family heritage.

On New Year's Eve, it feels like all of Shanghai sets off fireworks from sundown until the early morning hours. Apparently there are no restrictions on where fireworks can be launched since someone even set them off on top of our apartment building!

On New Year's day, Deb and I flew home to Oklahoma to visit the kids, grandkids, and to see the newest additions to our family - Piper and Riley, twin girls born to our daughter, Jennifer and our son-in-law, Judd.



Our American culture may be different from that of China, but regardless of where you live, families are worth celebrating. Yes?

The Spin Cycle Test

Our Chinese washing machine is a little different than we are used in the States. No matter how many clothes we put inside, when the spin cycle starts, the dance begins! Shake, rattle and roll!

I shot this video so that I could explain clearly to the repairman just how violent the machine gets. This video is the short version - the longer version is located on Youtube and shows the machine actually walking backwards also. We've had the thing come all the way out from under the counter with the hose stretch far out into the kitchen.

Yesterday, the repairmen came back and put large rubber pads under the feet. Apparently, when the machine begins to spin, there's not enough to keep the machine's feet planted and stable.

Life lesson: In life there is always a spin cycle. Always. And the shaking can be an indicator of what is out of balance in your life.

"He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock." - Luke 6:48

What you are standing on, trusting in, shaping your life with, will determine the effect the shaking has on your life. God's Word IS a firm foundation. Yes? YES!

Getting Ready for Chinese New Year

Recently Debbie did some shopping and took these pics which reveal some of our life in Shanghai.

About two miles from our apartment, Hongquo Road ends at one of the busiest intersections in our part of Shanghai. The Grand Gateway Mall is located here across the street from an 8 story tall electronics mall called Metro City. Next door to that huge area is a four story Best Buy. Walk across a pedestrian bridge and you will be at yet another huge department store/mall.

I find the mix of old and new very interesting in this great city.

The buildings not only reflect the sky, but reflect the changing culture as "western" music, clothes, and money influence the present and future of China.

(These men pound a special dough which will be used to make a dumpling prepared especially for the New Year celebration)

The Chinese New Year will soon be upon us as 6 billion people celebrate, what is to them, one of the most important holidays of the Chinese year. It is connected with the lunar new year. Each year is connected also with one of twelve animals whose traits reflect mythological characteristics for people during the next 12 months.

2009, in China, is called The Year of the Ox.

Listen to what is being said of this year: "We will feel the yoke of responsibility coming down on us this year. No success can be achieved without conscientious efforts. The trials and tribulations the Ox year brings will be mainly on the home front. It is a good time to settle domestic affairs and put your house in order. The OX or Buffalo sign symbolizes prosperity through hard work and fortitude."
It's an interesting bit of advice, but one that would do well for us to observe every year. To my way of thinking, it has little to do with the ox, and everything to do with man's nature to get out of control and to want something for little or nothing.

Chuck Colson, noted former political insider, and now Christian minister indicates in a column he writes for Christianity Today, that in his opinion the mess the US, and even the rest of the world is in financially will probably not be fixed by politicians. He believes that the problem is a spiritual one that has to do with self gratification and greed.

At the Taoist Temple entrance above, throngs of people stop by on their way to shop near the YuYuan Garden and old town shopping area. This temple was built just after Columbus discovered America in the early 1500's.

Just inside the gate is a courtyard where those seeking something "more" burn incense and face the north, south, east and west hoping to cover their bases in honoring the town god. In the inner building a large golden image of the "god of Shanghai," which is, historically, the god of money watches over other gifts of fruit. Here the red faced, bearded town god stands - empty, cold, and without answers.

There is something inside these worshipers, down deep in their inner being that speaks of a truth that may not be logical to the natural mind. It is deep calling unto deep - from somewhere inside and yet out "there," which says, "You need to turn to your creator, to the God who made you for the answers.

Red lanterns already begin to be displayed getting ready for the culmination of the Chinese New Year, the Festival of Lanterns.
Children enjoy more modern characters which will be represented as lanterns,too.

In old times, only the Emperor could afford lanterns that were brightly colored, while peasants could only have plain, simple lanterns.

The Lantern Festival marks the end of the lunar New Year celebration and is held under a full moon. The celebration is 2000 years old.


In one such legend, the Jade Emperor in Heaven was so angered at a town for killing his favorite goose, that he decided to destroy it with a storm of fire. However, a good-hearted fairy heard of this act of vengeance, and warned the people of the town to light lanterns throughout the town on the appointed day. The townsfolk did as they were told, and from the Heavens, it looked as if the village was ablaze. Satisfied that his goose had already been avenged, the Jade Emperor decided not to destroy the town. From that day on, people celebrated the anniversary of their deliverance by carried lanterns of different shapes and colors through the streets on the first full moon of the year, providing a spectacular backdrop for lion dances, dragon dances, and fireworks.

In the western world in which I was born, we have little understanding or belief in a Jade Emperor who would destroy a town for the sake of a goose.

But isn't it interesting that a culture has created a way to fill the longing deep within for their creator God. Theirs is not a God of love, but one which must be tricked with lanterns to keep the "bad luck" away and bring good luck for another year.

Different from our beliefs, yes, but at its root cause I believe it is once again, deep calling unto deep. (ref. Psalm 42:7) The Spirit of God calling out to the spirit of mankind; the Creator to the creation.

Sunday, the pastor of Shanghai Community Fellowship church and the Pastor of the Prayer ministry lead the congregation in a "concert of prayer."

They're message was that regardless of what a person faces, there is ONE to whom we can go for help. Jesus Christ has paid the price for such an opportunity.


Prayer is not only possible, but vital if we are to find our way through the challenges set before us individually and as a nation.

"...and (if) my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health." - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (MSG).

You can shop till you drop, but there is no way to buy your way out of the pressure many people feel due to the economy, work, or hurting relationships.

The answers begin only when we take God's Word seriously and use it as a road map for our lives.