September 13, 2005

Two Pounds of See's Chocolate

"You are my representatives," Christ said.

The road was littered with accidents and rescue vehicles, leaving us two hours late for our dinner appointment in Kaohsiung, China. We fretted, Yew Chong and I, unable to do anything except pray for a clear road. Our prayers were answered till after 7pm, bringing us to the Ambassador Hotel well after the meal was to have been over.

But the hosts were still waiting. A Taiwanese senator, numerous local dignitaries, and us, two representatives from a Seventh-day Adventist college in California. We had come, at their request, to negotiate a long-term partnership between our college and a large university in Kaohsiung. It would be a good agreement, sharing prestige and students.

The meal was a multiple-course feast, including a porker with an apple between his teeth, three varieties of fish, and piles of veggies for me. The hosts washed every dish down with toasts of Taiwanese beer. Yew Chong and I joined in the toasts, drinking gallons of sweet Taiwanese orange juice.

The food was delicious, and all of us drank too many toasts: "To our friendship." "To your health, to your wealth, and to strong children waiting to be born."

Exhausting the orange juice and beer, we polished off the desserts and tripped toward the Ambassador's giant staircase. At the bottom of the stairs, like a line of Chinese Rockettes, stood six or seven lovely women of the night. The senator steadied himself on my shoulder, and waved expansively toward the women.

"We have a gift for you," he said, "in honor of your visit to our city. Take one, take two, take all! And have a wonderful night."

I stared down the stairs and missed my wife.

Yew Chong, wise in crisis recovery and always quick with sage counsel, whispered urgent Mandarin words to the senator. "He is a Christian. A pastor."

Instantly the girls were whisked away and a costumed concierge ran up the stairs, bowed and handed me a familiar box. "See's Chocolates," the label read. A 2-pound box of my favorite milk chocolates!

The senator bowed. I bowed. Yew Chong bowed---and stifled his laughter.

"You are my representatives," Jesus said, "here and in the distant parts of earth. Use your lives to teach everyone the truth about me. Paint clear pictures of my love." Acts 1 - paraphrased.

Yew Chong and I shared the candy. It was delicious!

Dick Duerksen
Assistant Vice President
Mission development
Florida Hospital