Where do they come from?

Growing up in a small all white farming community, my eyes were blinded to many things. I really thought that being racist meant not allowing black folk to sit at the front of the bus. I knew shipping everyone with Japanese decent to a "camp" was wrong, but that stuff doesn't happen any more. I thought that as long as you know that everyone is the same you are doing your part in the battle of race. Man, have I learned how wrong that is.

I now have been exposed to folks from all over the world, people from different ethnicities, varying religions, cultures and backgrounds. And above all I have learned that we are not the same and to say that we are actually is as ego centric as saying that as a white person I have more right to a seat on the bus than someone who is brown.

So I struggle often knowing how to help my children and my community embrace differences in a more educated way. I really think the fight is with ignorance.

An Asian American university student attended church with us recently and was greeted by several kind and loving people in our congregation. The number one question they asked, "Where are you from?" For someone who grew up in mid-Michigan the question was completely offensive. Rather than a greeting of welcome, the message was clear to this student. "You don't look like us, so you must be from 'somewhere else'". Rather than greeting her they actually were saying you don't belong.

I haven't decided what my part is. Can I really change any of this? What I can think of right now is passing on what I learn. There is a great article in PARENTING magazine that talks about the struggles of a mom of a bi-racial daughter. Read it. Talk about it. Live with it and see how you and your family can help.

The article can be found here.

One more thought....
Last year Sam and I were picking up a family from Africa to take to our weekly playgroup. We don't have many African students involved with our group so Sam was a bit surprised. "Why is his skin so dark?" Sam asked me as we helped him into the car seat. I started to explain that people from around the world all look different and people here look different depending on what their parents look like. "For example you don't look like you friend Tom who is from China." Sam's reply..."I don't?"

That is the type of ignorance that bring joy to my heart. I hope that my children grow up not thinking that we are all alike, but thinking that all people are equal.

Blessing

Sometimes I feel like I should only post things that are deeply profound, interesting, or exciting especially in regards to our move to China. But, to be honest even though a good portion of our time is being used in one form or another to get ready for China - we still are just living life. And my life isn't overly exciting, profound, or interesting...but I do feel like it is blessed. I am reminded of that often through my family and friends.

One person who adds to the immeasurable blessing of my life is Yoon. She is a Korean professor at MSU and a dear friend. We often meet for coffee on Saturday mornings and I look forward to that time of my week. She challenges me with her questions, motivates me in my faith, and convicts me with her generosity.

I am sure each of you have several folks in your life that bless you like Yoon blesses me. If not, I will start praying that you find one. A good friend makes life so much sweeter!

Friends all around the world

One of the best parts of our job is meeting GREAT people from all over. Today we enjoyed getting together with a couple of staff members and an alumna from our first China trip. It was great to catch up and remember out experiences together. Last time Ana (alumna from Mexico) had seen Ruthie she didn't have any hair! By the end of the afternoon Ana had invited us to visit her family in Mexico and we were trying to convince her that a trip to China would be good in her future! I often think about how blessed we are to literally have friends all around the world. Just another perk that comes with the job!