Mary Horn

My friend Mary was able to visit China a few weeks ago and I finally have a chance to put up some pictures. Blogger is terribly slow. It takes hours to post on this thing, thus my infrequent postings. My apologies. Here are her thoughts on China in length. I asked her to share some initial reactions. The remainder of this post contains her words.


I recently had the privelage of experiencing a phenomenal week with Caleb in China. Wherein I learned many valuable lessons, including but not limited to: bring your own TP and follow the natives—they know where they are going. When every toilet you enter lacks tp and even a tp holder, you don't need anyone to expound on the situation further, simply adjust. Following the Chinese, particularly when crossing the street, proved the most practical bit of information I gleaned. Since Chinese people like crowded places, quiet places must not be worth visiting. "Drive it like you stole it," accurately describes taxi and bus driver's approach to public transportation, something I expected to encounter; however, nothing could have prepared me for the scooter. Mr. Scooter Man took the right of way whenever and wherever he wanted; it seemed most dangerous to me when he felt free to drive through the underground sidewalks, and how is that a good idea? Aside from a few quirky details about everyday life, there were a few major cultural differences that stood out very clearly in my mind. First, the people appear much more personable and hospitable than Americans. Secondly, the apparent lack of a middle class. And finally the way students approach their studying.

-Mary answering a student's questions in my class-


I immediately noticed how nice the Chinese people treated me. Even the businessmen on the plane seemed genuinely interested in me. Every place we visited the people were quite nearly flawlessly hospitable. In part, I came to understand this as cultural and that serving me was their duty. On the other hand it I quickly learned Chinese people seem to possess an insatiable desire for America. These people absolutely love America and desperately desire more of her culture, they want to know about movies and sports and places, many people dream of a day when they could afford to visit the US, knowing the near impossibility that they will ever undertake a venture of that magnitude. Most obviously, Chinese people want to speak English; often people would stop and talk, simply to practice their English. Chinese people also want America's wealth; consequently, by virtue of the fact that I am American, they targeted me as wealthy. People treated me differently because I have white skin and honestly I did not appreciate that; then I realized that compared to most Chinese I am immeasurably wealthy. I am thankful for the friendliness of the people as well as for those who tried to charge the Americans more because it made me realize how much I really have to be thankful for.


Secondly, to my very American mind the lack of a middle class proved a most boggling observation. Throughout the country beautifully manicured buildings grow up in the midst of dingy living quarters. In one block one can find both abandoned shacks and glorious hotels with no segway between the two. The dichotomy between old and new, rich and poor permeated the landscape. I found it both beautiful and upsetting. To live simply and not in bondage to material possessions is beautiful, but people unable to feed their families or heat their homes is unsettling. The most beautiful building products adorned little businesses, I could not understand granite or marble KFC, but now I have been there too. Holding fast to tradition and preserving history is beautiful, but when the past inhibits potential growth it ceases to be profitable.
The extent to which Chinese students take their studies astounded me. Chinese tradition requires the children to take care of their parents and grandparents, a duty which they take very seriously. In order for one child to support his family and perhaps his wife's family as well he must get a good paying job and because many more students graduate from college each year than jobs that open, they must excel above their classmates. Chinese students appear absolutely driven to learn and perform perfectly; they remain under an intense amount of pressure from their parents, themselves and each other, simply another part of their culture. By 7am students dispersed themselves around campus to begin studying for the day and a large percentage of them take advantage the opportunity to practice their English. I wish that I was as desperately driven to know the Father as these students are to master the English language.

-Mary by a grave in the country-


I find it most fascinating that people in every culture have the same basic needs, the main difference lies in how they seek to meet these needs. Poverty then, exists when the means to meet any given need proves insufficient. When poverty presents itself men will seek to alleviate the need, even if their efforts will only serve to temporarily ease its sting. So whether the poverty is financial, mental, emotional, physical or spiritual, once identified it must either be met or suppressed, either way something will fill the void left by the reality of poverty. People driven by need, without sound moral constraints, engage in corrupt competition, justifying it as merely a means of survival.
I loved my time in China, receiving the Asian hospitality, learning the Chinese culture and experiencing university life. Know that Caleb maintains beautiful relationships with different students. These students want America and he can teach them English and culture, but what a brilliant avenue for him to show them love. The challenge then lies in showing these very capable and driven students their needs run deeper than intellectual or financial, fortunately that remains His business. If you get a chance stop in and visit Caleb; I recommend the Nan Chang noodles, a ride on the 208, visiting the fountain and at least one badminton lesson."