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  • Taking the Long View

    Taking the Long View

    If I had first moved to China in the digital age, the face smack emoji would have punctuated many of my communications with people back home as I experienced a culture quite different from my… Read more

  • Table Talk

    Table Talk

    My family lore includes a story about a nephew. When he and his family pulled into the driveway at my parent’s house one American Thanksgiving Day, he was first out of the car, first into… Read more

  • A Seat at the Table

    A Seat at the Table

    A few years ago, deep in the heart of rural China, I was sitting in my student Ling’s home. While her mom and sister-in-law prepared lunch, Ling, her dad, brother, and nieces entertained me. Once… Read more

  • Here I am. Send me.

    Here I am. Send me.

    An old song came to mind the other day. It’s based on Isaiah 6 when God was commissioning the prophet to be His spokesperson. Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord,and he said, “Here am… Read more

  • Positively Jealous

    Positively Jealous

    The Chinese language has two words for jealousy, one negative and the other positive. The first, 嫉妒, is similar to the English word. It’s an envy that veers toward hatred. Instead of celebrating another’s success… Read more

  • Mutual Giggling

    Mutual Giggling

    On my way to work in the mornings, I enjoy exchanging greetings with my neighbors. Most of them are elderly and unfamiliar with other cultures. Still, I often follow my American customs and greet them… Read more

  • The Battle

    The Battle

    Sometimes teaching feels like a battle. This school year my colleagues have been talking a lot about a lack of motivation in their students. We’ve come to the conclusion that our students may be struggling… Read more

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