Why are we here?

So why are we here? One day in language class, we used a Chinese phrase “it is said.” I tried to think of ways to use the phrase. I thought of all kinds of references but finally settled on “it is said, Beijing has lots of foreigners.” I opened up myself to questions. The teacher has asked me “then why are you here?” My Chinese language doesn’t progress as quickly as some in the class because I go home and speak English to everyone. My Chinese only helps me stumble around. I can shop and travel but not hold a conversation. Our teacher thought I hung around Americans all the time therefore my Chinese didn’t progress. I tried to explain that actually we hang around Australians or South Africans, etc. However, now I do have a specific situation to explain why we are here.

About a month ago we met 22-year-old Mexican Leslie at Tiananmen. (See a previous post.) For a few weeks, we had been texting to find a time to reconnect. It turned out the the only time she had available was Sunday so we invited her to join us for worship then lunch afterwards. She expressed a great willingness to do so and came to BBC then lunch this past Sunday. Then Sunday night she called us in distress. 

She had come to Beijing as an au pair for a Chinese family. However, basically that Chinese family tossed her out of their home Sunday evening. According to Leslie, the host mom has been very difficult to work with lately, virtually treating her as a slave. Leslie has tried to accommodate the host mom’s wishes but finally that host mom just didn’t want to make the situation work. The host mom had the family driver take Leslie to a hotel, but apparently it wasn’t a very good situation and Leslie didn’t feel safe so she called us. She came to us to spend a few days until she can get another placement with her au pair agency. Here we have an opportunity to show Chr-like love and serve a needy person. Leslie is sweet, kind, gracious,helpful, etc. Yet when I asked what led her to come to China, she admitted she was looking to fill a void in her life. May G fill that void. 

I missed both language classes Monday while we hung out together, went grocery shopping, made lunch, took a walk when Mark came home, and had a friend Sara over for dinner. We had already scheduled Sara to come for dinner so I texted her to let her know we had an additional guest.

It was great catching up with Sara, whom we met last spring. Sara spent several years in the US and in April was having a difficult time adjusting back to China. She shared about her summer and the difficulties she went through yet testified of G’s faithfulness to her throughout the challenges. We talked about all kinds of subjects – relationships, work, family, church. Leslie listened intently as she shared her heart and her trust in the L.

In addition, Thursday night we join a Mexican family that we met at Temple of Heaven to eat Beijing Duck together at Hua's Restaurant. That family came to Beijing with the dad's work and since the work is finished, they are sightseeing together.

I believe the Lord has us here for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14) To reach out to ex-pats in this big city. They could be tourists passing through. They could be 22-year-old young ladies like our own daughters. Our times and our friendships are in G’s hands.

Remember times such as these.