Day of Germans…..
Some days have themes you
cannot predict. I (Mark) write this first-in-a-long-time blog post listening to the
song “Fear of Isaac Comes” which was written by a friend of friends of ours. I
am so encouraged by the powerful hope of grace for us here in Beijing. Good lyrics
help to infuse that grace into the webbing of our souls….
Today was a day of Germans.
So it seemed. First, as Cheryl and I headed to our Chinese lesson in east
Beijing, I spotted an obvious foreigner on the train. I always use this
question, “Where are you from?”
Invariably I am gifted with a conversation from whomever I direct this question
if asked well. Jean Philippe from Munich was my first German interaction and
benefactor to this question. We talked for over 25 minutes from Bagou to
Sanyuanqiao. Jean Philippe, Cheryl, and I talked energetically about China, GDP
(Gross Domestic Product), his four children from ages 3 to 12, Chinese wife,
cross-cultural differences, etc. Curiously, JP has lived in China for 18 years
between Shanghai and Beijing. I gave JP a business card with hopes that we see
one another soon. “Nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò?” (你做什么工作?) or “What do you do for work?” always brings a
varied reaction. Any time you tell someone you are a pastor of an international
Christian church, you must be prepared for any response.
Next, I was in line to buy a
coffee at a restaurant owned by believers in eastern BJ. “我喝一杯美式咖啡, 可以加牛奶吗？“Wǒ hē yī bēi Měishì kāfēi. Kěyǐ
jiā niúnǎi ma?” I’ll drink a cup of American coffee. Can you add milk?” I
looked to my left and saw a young girl who again was obviously a foreigner.
“Where are you from?” Answer: Germany. “What city?” Answer: Berlin. “Oh, I’ve
never been there.” Smile. Me: “Do you like Beijing?” “Yes, and you?” “I do as
well.”And off I went.
Last interaction: Cheryl and
I were sitting with a young couple talking through relationship issues in the
same restaurant mentioned above. Maybe I was a little animated. All of a sudden
up comes a German father (WA) with his sweet 9-year-old daughter (A). He
excitedly asked, “What are you doing? What are you selling?” Stunned, we didn’t
know how to respond at first. Something about what he observed in the
conversation with Cheryl and our two friends caught his eye. We chatted for a
few minutes, him again asking what we were doing or selling. Then I asked him
if he would talk with my German friend Sascha. They talked for maybe 30
seconds. WA asked his daughter to write down their phone number and name and
give them to us in my notebook. I will contact them tomorrow. For me it was a
very Psalm 8 moment, a moment to connect with another human being made in His
image and likeness. To see this father bring his daughter over and make the
introduction was brave, beautiful, and hopefully a chance to make new friends
in Beijing.
Day of the Germans….who know
what tomorrow might bring! J
