Letter from Lucretia Meece in China
May 19, 2008
Dear Friends,
It’s surely an unusual time here in China, with the heartbreaking tragedy of the earthquakes and the extreme joy as the Olympic torch relay passes through Nanchang.
Emotions have been confused, to say the least. The painted faces and decals, T-shirts proclaiming joy and pride for the torch, banners unfurled on the sidewalk to sign, and 50 yards away, student-manned donation boxes for contributions for the victims. Two students with tears in their eyes asked me what we can do for the victims. There is also concern for the rescue workers and the hazards they face.
I am hoping there will be no problems getting my visa for the remaining two months. My teaching visa expires in early June, so I must have another visa to finish the term; it can’t be a tourist visa since I can’t work with that kind of visa. The process has become more complicated since fewer visas are being given this summer. If all goes well, I finish classes in mid-June, then go to Nanjing to assist Amity with their Summer English Program, where volunteers come to China for a month to teach middle school teachers. Participants have responded to my requests for teaching-workshop presenters, so that is going well. At some point I’ll be able to make my plans for traveling home, returning via Australia and New Zealand, if things go well.
As I continue my “bus adventures” each week I am reminded that I have such a short time left here and so many routes I haven’t taken. It is a fun, safe, and cheap way to see the city, sights, and life in the city. During a speech in class, one of the students who lives in the city gave statistics: There are 3,000 buses, 3,500 taxis, and over 100 bus routes. I have been on a good many, but won’t manage to travel on all of them. Occasionally I get surprised when a route number has an “a” and a “b: route unknown to me, and I get dumped out in the hinterlands. With my trusty map and a fair sense of where I thought I was going, it turns out OK.
This three-masted sailing ship, located far from the nearest body of water, was one of the unexpected discoveries Lucretia made during one of her weekend bus excursions.
Actually, I have had some great experiences during these surprises. Last week, the route of one bus was not what was marked on the map, and after a long ride along the river, we ended up in my own backyard, so to speak. Actually I think I said “Well, I’ll be” out loud. Out the window on one trip I saw the bushes lining the bank of a canal formed in a musical staff and notes, for about a half a mile. It’s too far to walk or I’d go back and see if I can figure out the tune. One route took me past a full-scale replica of a three-masted sailing ship. I went back later and walked around it to see if it was shops, restaurants, or what. It seems to be none of the above, just an attention-getter, and apparently a successful one. There aren’t many shops around it yet, so nothing to see but this landlocked vessel ready for the high seas.
Another surprise was to find a beautiful lake south of the city, with arched bridges, island temples, caves, more temples, statuary, etc. called “Longevity Monastery on Elephant Lake.” Another look at the map showed the image of an elephant head and trunk. Who knew? Across the street was a very large, traditional building, but new construction. It turned out to be the Nanchang City Museum. Gotta love these ‘bus adventures’. I’m known to some friends as the “go-to gal” for questions about Nanchang’s bus routes. The students are shocked that their foreign teacher can know more about the city than they do. I keep reminding them that I’ve lived here almost two years and they have been here eight months. Now, if you have a question about shopping, the students are the “go-to folks.” They love to shop. Oh my! Don’t they, though? When I told them of the “spirit” T-shirt I bought, they approved the price.
Optional "craft day" at English class.
Last week we had our “craft” afternoon, in which I bring beads, hemp twine, jewelry closures, a few samples, and instruction books on making macramé necklaces, pendants, bracelets. Some of the guys were stunned that they could do this. One said he has never made anything in his life. He made two beautiful necklaces to give to his mother. Another guy was abnormally quiet as he knotted and strung beads. I asked if he was OK, and he said “I’m not very interested in this.” I said “Why did you come? (this class is optional). He said, “I want to hear you speak English more.” His necklaces were for his wife and 5-year-old son. The women knotted away, finishing more intricate twists, and patterns, and took beads and copies of the directions to complete more pieces on their own. They really created beautiful jewelry. I told them that if I pick up the paper some day and see that “former teachers become jewelry artisans” I’ll know where they got started.
It’s raining tonight, with occasional thunder, very peaceful after an emotionally exhausting week. Earlier, I heard some laughter outside my window and looked to see a girl and boy stomping in the puddles in the grass, splashing each other, each lunging to drag the other in, running, sliding, dirty, and totally soaked. It did me good to watch the playfulness. When they were through, he picked her up and carried her off, walking through the puddle and out the other side—the warrior and his lady. The lightheartedness and fun was a welcome sight, a gift to me.
Fellowship this morning was particularly meaningful, as we were in groups and instructed to pray for specific things: God’s almighty greatness and goodness; those suffering injury, disease, hopelessness; tragedy in countries known to the worshippers, disasters, civil wars, hunger, and the caregivers, to whom victims turn. We represent ten or twelve countries. It was good to take that time corporately.
I am grateful that I was unaffected by the quake in Nanchang.
Blessings to you all, in each day of your walk with God.
Lucretia
The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 99
