Western Jurisdiction 
United Methodist Volunteers In Mission

Back        

By Jin Ming Ma

When we lined up among the students to buy our lunch on the first day in the farm school, some students were intimidated; others wanted us to be ahead of them to get the meal; some were rather shy and silently watched us. As soon as I bought my lunch, two girls came and invited me to eat with them at their dorm. I followed them to the second floor and sat at the edge of the bed beginning my lunch. The room was crowded with ten girls, but quite tidy and clean.

As ten girls were sitting on their edge of the bed and eating the lunch, our conversation began. "Do you all get along by staying together in this dorm?" Almost in the same voice they answered, "Yes!" As our dialogue went on, one girl asked me a question with curiosity and anxiety, "Why do you want to build a shower room for us in our school?" I answered quickly, "Because we are your friends." They all looked puzzled, and then the girl blurted, "But you even do not know us at all, so why do you want to do it?" "Well, I have learned from my American friends since they have helped me in many different ways when I first arrived in United States." I moved on sharing how American friends helped me when I was in KY and now in WA. Ten girls’ exchanged a look; the same girl said with a sad expression, "Oh, you are so lucky to have such wonderful friends in the USA. My mother did not get help from any strangers when my dad died in an accident except family members and close friends." "I am so sorry about your dad." I replied with my deep sympathy and gave her a warm hug, and then I learned her name is Bright Moon.

"By the way, are these American friends your closer friends?" Bright Moon questioned. "Well, you cannot believe that ten of them I just met at San Francisco airport before we came and two of them I met once before." Ten girls could not help themselves by saying, "Wow! They are strangers also!" I smiled back to them, " They are not strangers to me at all, and I wish I could tell you all details; maybe someday. Now I want to share with you how American strangers have helped me through their love." I shared with them two stories about when I attended college in KY, and then I added, "I hope you all to remember these two stories of love I have received from American strangers, now I believe it is my time to return their love to you." After I finished, there was a long silent pause. Bright Moon looked at me with her big brown eyes glittering, and with a deep sigh, "It is amazing to know that love can change strangers into friends."

I hope I could share openly with them that in God’s love there is no stranger; but I believe that someday they will hear again and understand.