THE INCREDIBLE SEARCH FOR UNCLE RUSTY

May 14, 2014 – 7:30pm

The Depot – Beijing

Here is the story of the incredible search for Uncle Rusty.

On April 24^th I was in a rush to get to school in the morning and made a lazy choice. I parked Uncle Rusty (my faithful retro steed) underneath the Wudaokou subway. Even though there are hundreds of other bikes there, it’s technically illegal to park your bike on the sidewalk. But like many things in China, rules are known but rarely followed. Usually I parked Rusty in the bike parking, but today I didn’t because I wanted to save two minutes.

A passle of bikes being moved the week after
Rust was taken. 

In trying to save two minutes I lost hours and my faithful retro steed.

Also you should know, this isn’t the first time I’ve made this mistake. It happened last year in December I believe. But tardiness is often a memory shrinker.

I got off the subway in the afternoon and saw the sidewalks clear of the hundreds of bikes that had been there in the morning, my heart sank like Jack Dawson’s frozen corpse. Kayla (my lovely Lady) was coming the next day, so I had things to get ready before her arrival and no time to go to the other side of town to fetch Uncle Rusty. He’d have to wait for me.

Kayla left last week Tuesday, and since then I’ve been riding Margaret’s small pink broodmare. Every I pedal my knees almost hit my chin (hyperbole). People tend to giggle when large bearded white dude pedals back on a small pink girl’s bike.

But today was the day I was going to reclaim Rusty. Today was the day! I made sure I had nothing planned in the afternoon so I could find where the 城管 cheng guan – the city managers (the bullies who heartlessly carry out the government’s orders) had taken had taken Rusty. I copied down the phone number they posted. They only reference point I had was the name of a bridge – 苏州桥 su zhou qiao. No address, no directions, just the name of a landmark. Next time you’re looking for a restaurant in Chicago and someone says, “Lake Michigan.” You’ll know how I felt.  

I called the number 17 times and only talked to a real human once. But he growled, “Just go to the red green light. Go to the red green light.” “Which one man? There’s eight different intersections here!” I was getting pretty frustrated at myself and at China at this point in time. I had been walking for about an hour and was about to give up when I saw a police car. There were two ladies in it. One officer and one pedestrian. I told them my story. And for the first time, someone actually went out of their way to help me rather than just point me to someone else. The officer made some phone calls and said, “Get in the car kid.”

And that’s how it happened that I got escorted by a policewoman in my search for Uncle Rusty.

Only in China!

Her name is Lu Jing. She was very dainty and looked more like a backup singer for Barry Manilow than a law enforcer, but man was she helpful.

We drove from one office to another to another. We drove to the place where they took rusty in December, but the lot was empty. We drove together for about two hours. I couldn’t believe what was happening! Neither could the Chinese pedestrians. When they saw a pale-face riding shotgun in a Chinese police car with flashing lights (oh yeah, did I mention she turned those on), they couldn’t help but gawk and yell, “老外!” lao wai – foreigner. Some faces were genuinely concerned for me, but after I smiled and gave them a thumbs up, they giggled like a two-year-old watching Teletubbies.

I could just imagine the causes they were forming in their brains upon seeing this spectacle:

·      "His visa probably expired and in a fit of rage pressed all the buttons in the elevator.”

·      “He probably sprinted into the Forbidden City wearing only a pair of tighty whities.”

·      “He probably started singing, “God Bless America” on the subway.”

·      “He probably teaches at an underground Christian homeschool and finally got caught.”

Here's Lu Jing and our ride.

Midway through our ride, I figured out why I was in this situation. She asked, “Why did you come to China?” I took a sip of water, not sure what to say. Should I tell her? Should I hide? But I said, “After graduating from college, I was looking for an adventure.” And I stopped there, took a few breaths and then told her. But she didn’t seem to care. Here’s a snippet of our conversation in Chinese…

“Lu Jing, who is Jesus?”

“I’m not sure, but I now he suffered and died.”

“Why did he do that?”

“I don’t know.”

 “Well, he did it for us.”

“Oh, so you’re saying he is our substitute?”

“Exactly!”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

I love looking at your life in rewind and having a, ifgi moment (I finally get it!). God totally used my forgetfulness and laziness to get the Good News to this lady. Abba took my problem, turned into an adventure and then made it meaningful.

We didn't find Rusty and I doubt I ever will. But I'll never forget this afternoon! It was worth losing Rusty to gain this memory and have this conversation. 

Life is good. God is better.

Brain Tai Chi #2

Every morning from 8:15-8:30 in my little classroom, you will see twelve black-haired students quietly scribbling down their thoughts to my random questions. Here are a few golden ones...

 

Please describe football in five sentences.

"I think foot ball is a little dangerous. Because they are letting eachothers down. And I think there rules are messy. cause I can't remember. That's what I'm thinking." (Truman)

"football is a dangest game. Awlays some people are ill, some can't walk, the football people must tall and starger than other people. They can 撞 [zhuang - collide] than can stra........  in this game you are a man's man! are you rigde to be a Football man" (Sam) 

"I have a word for football that is, 'CRAZY!!!' I gave that word is because it is super crazy when it's playing. And I don't know why they are poshing each others? I do not want to play football, if I play maby I will be died when I finish the rase." (Andy L.)

"Those people are like wild people. When they start the game, they came down the moutatin like wolfs. But when they cach the ball, they looks profassinal. I don't know thy the people was in chrage of the football was unhappy." (Andy P.) 

What advice would you give 2^nd grade Mr. Ricke?

Mr. Ricke, you can learn more harder! You can increase your math skills! I think your math will be perfect if you practice. You will love 串. You will be a teacher. (Lancelot)

 

If I see little Mr. Ricke I will said to he, “You are so cool! But I can’t see you are Mr. Ricke. You have no bread. You have no big nose.” Si I didn’t think you are Mr. Ricke. (Andy L.)

When I saw Mr. Ricke, I will say hello to him. Then I will ask he a question. That question is, “Do you know a girl called Kayla?” I think this is a great question. Then, what will the answer be? (Truman)

I will says Hi! My name is Mary Wang. What school do you study in? Do you like your school teacher? Last is do you know God? (Mary)

I think you are very good at class. But I think your math is not very good. I think mabey you Eingulish is very very good. I wish you math can be beter and good. God bless you of your math. (David)

What is this gorilla thinking about?

I think this gorilla think about or look at a betaful woman gorilla. He also like a man like woman. He think how to strike up conversation with this woman gorilla. (Sam)

I think he was thinking about when can I eat bunana. And maby he is think where is my fend. Also maby he was thinking about what dose the fox say. (歌) The gorilla is very big and strong. He can thinking about anny thing because he is God made it. (David)

I think this gorilla think about, “I want to eat that bnaner.” And he was think how to get that frute. Then he get the frute. (Bill)

Please write your own prayer to Jesus.

Dear Jesus, Thank you God for the wonderful day. And Thank you gave us a nother day. pleas don’t let me have no missing. And please let us have good hand and popkoon. In Jesus name I praie Amen. (Wendi)

Thank you Jesus for this great day, thanyou Jesus let all the student in school. tankyou Jesus give we a great teacher Mr. Ricke. But have many people in the world do not know have God. Let we in school today is very good, and let the people do no know you, you can let them know you is God, don’t let them to the other god. for Jesus name amen!!! (Mary)

Dere god thankyou for a fun shoolc and a tether name Mr. Rick he is the best tether ever. I am saree that I liye and disobayoue. plese bo not let me liye. plese let me fit in this shodc. plese let me and my sitsers de helthee and sterang and Jesus name wperae. (Kylie)

Dear God, thankyou to gave us the fresh air and kan let as play. And God plece let my sins go away from me. God and let me REPENT to you and fowlow you. God and I wish we have fun But not hert ennyone. In Jesus name aimen. (David)

Dear Jesus, thank you for the wonderful day. I ask that you san forgive me. I sin evry day. I don’t deserve to go to heaven. You saved me. I ask that you will forgive me. In Jesus name. Amen. (Alison)

What does marriage mean to you?

Marriage means now you’re a family. Just like Beryl, a family with future. The future is God. Your children will be your hope. And you give them, The love without reason. (Lancelot)

Marriage mean to me is make more people because God told us make more people. God told Aberham he kane giave you the son of star’s so we need more people. God love us people love God that is a famuliy. God also gave our love and joy….. God have every sing in his hand. (David)

Marriage meant to me is have a baby. It mean to me is I’m a dad. It mean I have a big job. I have to work for them. Marriage is not a fun thing. (Joseph)

I think marriage mean, “I have another!” And I know Mr. Ricke will marriage Kella some time. And when someone marriage. The man and woman are 1 person. I think that is marriage.” (Andy L.)

I don’t know! Because I’m not marriage! You can 百度一下 (Google it). But you can marry with you girl friend. You is adult, and you girl friend is a adult? (Sam)

I don’t know! But I think Mr. Ricke can marry Kala. Because you all belive in Jesus. So there’s no problem between it. I don’t acully know it! J (Wendi)

Marriage is a man (Mr. Ricke). And a woman (Kayla). They merryed. And they give birth to a baby. And they live happily and ever after. (Truman)

Would you rather be smart and ugly or stupid and beautiful / 帅(handsome)?  

I want to be smart because that can help me play hockey play gooder. Also can help me be good and let my 学习 (study) be good. I don’t want to be bad to hert people. I just like smart because that can do more thing. I wish i can smart at what is my riting to pray God and serv Him. (David)

I will choose to be ….. sm… and ug…. Because God looks into our heart not our face. Sometime we are Ugly and God loves us still! We may be smart be sometimes but ….. God doesn’t care! (Andy P.)

I will choose smart and ug…. Because I can study by knowledge not 帅. And God loves every person. Even someone is not very 帅. (Truman)

What is one thing that has happened to you that has changed you?

I think that can changed me is I have bpized. I’m belive God, I have a new life, new Facher new powerful. I’m God’s kid. This is changed me. (Sam)

I didn’t have anythings that changed me in me life…. But I know I will when I’m big. Mabe it will be a hug thing or a little thing. But I know, God can change me. God can change me as He could. (Andy L.)

Thing that has change is that I come to this school. Because the last school I was, has no M (missing assignments) this thing. In this school, I learn how important an M is. And how bad a M is. Thank you for FOC! (Truman)

Please tell me a corny joke.

onec a tim. the saten Fart and he die ed. do this is fun? (David)

Whut dow you want freum the horse. I want a jakit freom the horse. (Kylie)

once apon a person named ice, He lives in north pole. One day, when he walk outside, he melt. (Truman)

If you can see Great Wall in space, why can’t we see it in Beijing? Because the pollution is too bad! (Alison)

If you use baozi (a steamed bun) to hit baozi, it will not come bake. (Joseph)

How do you know God loves you?

I know because I read the Bible I can know that God loves me. God give his own son to give we to forgive our sin so that we can not die. God like childrend, he lite the lisalites go out to red sea. And be give we a big good world. so I know that God is loves me. (Mary)

How can I know God loves me? I can know God loves me. Because I belive in him. Because I belive in him, I can know God loves me. So I know God loves me so much. (Andy L.)

I know God loves us because Jesus. He let his Son came down. Jesus because us to die on cross. He can choose heaven, but he choose us. He loves us. (Joseph)

Every time I think about why I’m belive God. And every time I know I’m God’s kid. he give me food and every think make me smile everyday. thank you God beliseme! (Sam)

God loves me because he protects me. He loves every person on the Earth. And God loves us and make the bible to let us read. He loves us and gives comments to us in the Bible. Our God is an awesome God! (Truman)

I know God Loves Me. I knew it because the Bible said it. And God makes promesis to us. God looks after us evry day. God is amazing. (Alison)

God love my can in the pray. Also can in your sleep. when some time in any place. And He was love us every second. God love us me every time. (David)

If you had a son what would you name him? Why?

I think I name my son named Ricke, because If I ready my sons name. I know Mr. Ricke. That cool, two have same but not berther. I want don’t foreget Mr. Rick. (Sam)

I will name my son Skipper. Skipper is often used in movies. And Skipper is always the powerful character. So God is powerful. Skipper is called Skip too. (Lancelot)

Do you think Mr. Ricke should shave his beard?

I think Mr. Ricke need to have his bear. I think that can be more 帅 (handsome). I think Mr. Ricke can make a long bear. And I think Mr. Ricke can make a stille with it. I think that will be fun. Mr. Ricke’s bear can be menny kind but this is my I dear. (David)

I think Mr. Ricke wake 有特色’s (a very unique) bread. Not like every people’s bread. And this bread must good and best in word, Mr. Rick! (Sam)

I think do not shave his beard. Because no beard Mr. Ricke is not butiful. And Mr. Ricke is very ugly. so I think d not shave beard. It is ver ugly. (Bill)

No. beause he revebe luks ok. and he luks funny. and rile kull. and madee it will take one day fo him ot shave becuse he has a dig deard. (Kylie)

If you could give the sun a new name, what would it be and why?

I would name the Sun The lightbulb of the world. It means the sun give light everday. Jesus is the real light. The sun is Just a bright thing. Jesus is brighter. (Alison)

Please write a prayer to Jesus.  

Dear God thank you for my every thing, thank you for my a good teacher Mr. Ricke. Thank you give me belive God faith. I can be your son Am. (Sam)

Dear Jesus thank to giving me a good life. And think you to caring me every day. And thank to get me from away from sin. And I thankyou let your olnly sun to let for us die. And thankyou for every day. In Jesus name amen! (David)

I will say thank you God give we aveday is very good. Thank you God let other people do not find this homeschool. But let God do not angry, because have some people do not love you. Let your face shine on your servants. This is my prayer. (Mary)

Dear Jesus, think you for a wonderful day. please let us have a happy day. And please let everyone get 100% on our BBB (our Bible Bullet Book). And I’m so soury I always spit on you. But afiter that you gave us grace. (Wendi)

Dear Lord, thank you for the blue sky. We ask you to keep the sky blue. thank you for giving a Savior to us. Our sins are forgiven. Please help me study for our BBQ (Bible Bullet Quiz), and help evry one get a 100% on BBQ. In your name. Amen. (Alison)

THANKS MAO

I just had an amazing China moment.

I was at my friend Charlie’s company office a few minutes ago. He’s a fearless entrepreneur who has created his own English teaching company using Apple technology. He uses videos, iPads and engaging vocabulary and pronunciation methods to help improve kids’ English. Two years ago, I introduced him to Miss Gao (a teacher friend of mine). She loved his work and since then 20 schools across Beijing are using his product. That’s 5,000 kids he’s reaching every week!

I go to Charlie’s office and will shoot some English training videos for him about twice a month. He pays me $30 an hour and I enjoy it.

Charlie is not only successful, he’s also in the flirting stage of his faith. I’m not sure what he believes, but he is curious. He hasn’t been to Bible study in a very long time, so one day I thought, “If he can’t come to study, I should bring study to him.” I told Charlie this and he said, “Yeah!” But that was the same “Yeah!” that I heard when I invited him to study.

But then came today.

After shooting an hour of video, Charlie surprised me by giving his five employees half an hour of Bible study time. Three girls joined Charlie and I at the table – Emma, Miley, and Shuang. What an incredible surprise! I thought he had forgotten about my request. In money-hungry China, giving your employees a free half an hour to learn about God is unheard of!

We went around the table and I asked them, “What do you know about God?”

The three ladies stared at their hands for a few seconds and then Miley spoke up. “We know nothing. We have no idea. Please teach us what you know.”

Thank you Mao and thank you Holy Spirit.

Thank you Mao for wiping China’s soul clean, for picking out the weeds of Buddhism and religious tradition during the Cultural Revolution. You deleted the faith of millions, which was your goal, but by doing so two generations have grown up starving for something more … like Miley.

Thank you Holy Spirit for being an amazing Guide and Gardener. For guiding me to China and keeping me here. For giving Charlie and I friendship and opening up this incredible door for sharing Your truth. Thank you for being a creative and careful Gardener. For giving the gift of faith for free in the most miraculous and mysterious of ways.

I love China.