Over breakfast the four of us hardly stopped talking with one another. We switched off on who we were talking to, but the girls were particularly warm and joyful. This is the third time we have met together as a group. I used to meet with Carol alone, but after trying to partner the two girls with her without much success, the four of us began to meet together. Today was the most relaxed and fun-filled time of them all. FL shared that she's meeting with a lady to go to the Rose Parade. Since she is new in her walk, I asked if the lady was a believer. She said no. I am glad she is meeting with her, and the lady has been quite helpful and kind to her, but I do hope FL will continue to grow.
After breakfast I took the girls home. It was particularly saddening to realize this may be one of the last events I have with R. R. will fly out on July 15th and look for jobs back in her home country. Although I hope I can visit her there someday, this closes another chapter.
After dropping them off, R. ran back out to the car. "I think I left my keys at the restaurant," she said. I told her I'd return in a few minutes and we would go look. I did, and thankfully, they were at the restaurant.
R. was lively in conversation as we headed back to the house. At one point in the conversation she said, "I'm so thankful for you, and Ping-Yi and Loren. I will always think of you when I think of my experience here."
As I pulled into her driveways she asked me, "Do you want to come in?" I knew we both had things to do, but since I was counting the days left with her I couldn't say no. Inside she gave me some milk and some Chinese pancakes she and another classmate had made and we sat outside in the sun (at my request) to chat. We chatted for a whole hour. The time flew by! R. shared about her concerns for future job hunting, the value systems of China with regard to girls and work, English and Chinese learning and her experience here as a student. We have had plenty of conversations over the past two years, but this is one of those that is at the top. At one point, as she shared her anxiety about job hunting, I prayed for her. Afterward she said, "I feel more peaceful after this prayer. You know, I am not a Christian, but you know when I get on an airplane I find myself asking God to protect me. Some people say they are Christians but don't act like it. I'm not a Christian and yet sometimes I do things like a Christian. I don't know why I don't yet want to become a Christian, sometime it just feels like it is not ready yet."
I assured her that this was okay, sensing that now was not the time to badger her with questions about her reasons for not believing now. (I think she honestly doesn't know either.) "Seek and you will find," I stated.
"I didn't really know how Christianity was different, but after living in a Christian environment for two years, I can see the difference."