In Good Hands

 

Like a good firm hand shake be someone who puts others at ease.

 

 

It was approximately this time one year ago when my family and I boarded a plane headed for China.  The reason we had flown half way around the world was so we could finalize the adoption of our youngest daughter, Lia, and subsequently bring her home.  

My wife, Amy, nine year old daughter, Sianna and myself knew this would not be a vacation, however we were pleasantly surprised to know God was along for the ride.  Over three years of prayer and much faith had brought us to China. However, you can prepare the best you know how, but on a trip like this you must place your trust and sometimes even your very life in the hands of others.

I believe God knew long before we ever arrived in China that we would need many special people to help us out on our journey. Here is the story of one of those special people we were so very blessed to have in our lives, if only for a week.  His name was Mr. Wong, a middle aged Chinese man with a big smile, a good firm hand shake and no idea how to speak English.  Yet his actions spoke directly into our souls.

Our initial meeting was nothing auspicious, but rather tense and uncomfortable.  It was the third day of our adventure when we arrived at the train station in Tianjin and were greeted by our translator, Linda and her driver, Mr. Wong.  We then proceeded to the parking garage where we were quite literally squished into the backseat of a Honda Accord.  This begged the question, where would our newest daughter, Lia sit the next day when we picked her up at the orphanage?

Consequently, Amy and I began to discuss what we should do next.  Since there was no other apparent option, I needed to address the situation. So, after a long pause, I asked Linda if she could relay our concern to Mr. Wong with the hope he could get a van for the next day.  In China doing such a thing could be misconstrued as arrogant, or possibly even dishonorable. 

  

Therefore with great reservations, I listened as she asked Mr. Wong my dubious question.  He said little, but seemed a little disturbed.  Before we got out of the car Linda gave us the impression that Mr. Wong would see what he could do.  Some men rise to the occasion when they are challenged and I was hoping Mr. Wong would not disappoint.

The next day with a big smile, Mr. Wong arrived at our hotel with a used van that had plenty of room to accommodate.  I was pleased.  Then, being the skilled driver he was, he weaved his way through the crazy traffic that is driving in China. You know the kind of traffic that makes rush hour in New York City look like a joke.  

  

Throughout the five days or so we spent together with him and Linda we grew to love this man’s company.  Many people we ran into were cordial, but not personal like Mr. Wong, who happened to be a grandfather.  He gave me the impression that he loved my girls almost as much as me.  He even went out of his way to talk to them. He made Lia feel especially comfortable by speaking in Chinese to her and treating both the girls with kindness.  On one occasion when Sianna’s luggage got caught in a revolving door he came running to her aide.   He even offered me a cigarette as a kind gesture one day. Security cannot be understated when you are half a world away from your comfort zone and often at times literally scared out of your mind. Mr. Wong made us feel safe.

My favorite Mr. Wong moment had to be the day He and Linda took us to a park that resembled Who-ville, taken directly from a Dr. Seuss book.  We had been having a tough time being in a smog filled city of eight million or so people.  We felt like we were out of sorts and out of our element.  Our newly blended family needed a day to catch our breath and relax.  During the day Mr. Wong rode on the rides with the girls when they need an adult and then carried Lia’s teddy bear in her back pack as we walked through the park.  It couldn’t have come at a better time and was just what we needed.

Knowing Mr. Wong and Linda was a shared experience that my wife and two girls will always cherish.  As we said goodbye at the airport Mr. Wong bought us a whole bag of special Chinese treats to remember him by.  Even now I can still see him.   There he is smiling, standing next to  Linda waving goodbye to us with tears in his eyes, till we could no longer see him. 

A cherished memory of how one person can make a difference.  God knew we were in good hands with Mr. Wong and I’m so glad he did. 

 

Kindness is a language we should all learn to speak fluently.

Swavel