April 20, 2005

Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and pilgrims to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.
1 Peter 2:11-12

Lao wai was the first Chinese word I ever learned; it means “foreigner.” I hear it cried out in surprise when I pass people on the street. Others say it in hushed tones when they think I don’t understand. Even my students use it freely rather than my name. For the three years I’ve spent living and working in the Middle Kingdom, I have been constantly reminded that I am a foreigner.

To Chinese people it’s very obvious that I’m not one of them. With my white skin and blue eyes, I look different from them. My mannerisms also set me apart: I write with my left hand, I shower in the morning rather than the evening, and I even walk around barefoot at home. Granted, I have adopted some of their customs, such as wearing five layers of clothes during the winter and eating rice with every meal, but I will never be Chinese—and I don’t mind. In fact, as much as I love and respect Chinese people, I don’t want to be Chinese. I’m proud that I’m American, and I want to retain my American-ness because I believe that the ideals America stands for are among the most noble on earth. There is even a part of me that hopes some of my Chinese friends will see the advantages of the American way of life and adopt the finer points themselves.

While we live and work alongside others who are not of our kind, we do sometimes have the same habits as they do. Regardless of their faith, most people I know brush their teeth daily and, given the option, would choose peace over war. However, there should be distinct qualities and lifestyle choices that differentiate believers from non-believers. Others love with an earthly love, while we share the love of God. They rely on themselves whereas we draw on the Lord as our main source of strength. And secular people choose their own earthly priorities in life, but our one true desire should be to do His work in the world. A tribute to a Christian’s life would be if these attributes could be as easily identified as a white person in a Chinese market.

Peter also states clearly that there will be times when we as Christians will be criticized for our beliefs and actions, but still we should persevere. As much as some of my Chinese friends think it is a waste to wash dishes with hot, soapy water I continue to do it because I know it is cleaner. In the same way, we as Christians should not submit to the relativism of the world when we know that the way of Christ is purer. Not only is God an omniscient supreme being, He is also our father and wants what is best for us. In the Bible He has made clear His expectations for His children and His requirements for being included in the book of life. Despite what the world hopes to convince us is acceptable, we must remain true to His teachings. We must maintain our Christian-ness even in the light of condemnation and endeavor to reveal its righteousness for all to see.

In preparing for the end of my time in China and my subsequent return to the United States, one of the things I look forward to most is never hearing the word lao wai again. But just because I will be back among people with whom I can relate on a cultural level does not mean I will be going home, for my true home is in the Kingdom of God and it is that citizenship that I honor above all others.

Rebecca Montgomery