To: China ~ With Love
From: Timothy’s mom
Dear China,
I got you a special gift and I am sending it to you today. Well…actually…if the truth be told…it is a re-gift. It is a gift I received over 29 years ago but Fr. Brian thought you could use this gift. He thought it was something you needed. Actually, God (the creator of the original gift given me) thought you could use this gift too. So…although I hate to part with the gift (I’ve loved it since the day I knew I was getting it.) I am sending this special gift to you today.
The gift is self sufficient, there are no tricky directions, parts to assemble or operating instructions; however, the gift does come with special accessories you should be aware of.
- The gift has a missionary heart. From the time the gift was fairly new he told people that when he grew up he wanted to “go to China and teach others about Jesus”. He didn’t read about that in a book or from his “uncle” Brian who was a missionary priest in Africa at the time. It wasn’t part of a commercial, on a poster or mentioned at church one Sunday. The idea of coming to China to teach others about Jesus came from his heart. It’s been there probably since before he was born. I am thinking his creator put it there.
- The gift comes with extra wisdom. All the books, all the classes, all the presentations, all the religion degrees have given him the wisdom of a young theologian. His books are worn, and highlighted and decorated with notes. None of the wisdom is for him alone, he is meant to share it. In fact, he can’t wait to share it. He has worked hard to share it. He has plowed through more than books. He has plowed through darkness, adversity and obstacles to share it. It’s his vocation to share it.
- The gift comes with a passion for teaching. From the time he was 5 years old he just couldn't believe that there are people out there who have never heard of Jesus…that they don’t know about God sending us Jesus…that they aren’t aware of His glorious birth, His miracles, His sacrifice on the cross…that they don’t know of Mary’s great faith and the saints intercessions for us. He is eager and determined to help fill the void they must feel. He is eager and determined to serve them. He is eager and determined to TEACH them. One person…one heart…at a time.
- The gift has high hopes. He made one trip to the Rosary Shop and then this week he went back again for more. What did he need? He needed prayer cards and medals and crosses and rosaries just in case someone he taught decided they wanted to learn more about God. That someone wanted to follow Jesus. That someone wanted to become Christian. He bought Baptism gifts and he brings them with high hopes. High hopes of giving one away…higher hopes of running out of these special gifts for the newly baptized.
- The gift I am sending has been fighting a disease since the day he was born (probably even before). He is so healthy now (thank you, God) but he knows your country and he knows that CF doctors and CF medicine are not there. He knows fighting this disease is an even bigger battle now. He knows that the pollution in the city he will call home is horrible and some days it is even worse than that. Please be gentle with him…and his lungs.
- The gift I am sending is from America. Being in a communist country will be (pardon the pun) “foreign” to him. He knows his blogs may be censored. He knows there may be a spy in the classes he teaches at the seminary. Please realize, he means no harm. His words, his teachings, his beliefs comes from his Holy Spirit heart. They are not shared with your citizens out of malice or a bigger governmental plan. They are shared out of the biggest plan of all. God’s plan. He is just trying to do God’s work on earth. Nothing more. Nothing less.
- Lastly, the gift I am sending already loves you. He was been with you before and with your beautiful country and your even more beautiful people. As much as Fr. Brian says you need Tim and all he has to offer, Tim needs you. Tim has been longing for a place to unwrap the gifts God gave him and he has been longing to return “home” to China ever since he fell in love with you several years ago.
With more love, hope and prayers than you know,
Timothy’s mom
By the way…you don’t have to send a thank you note. I saw the smile on his face as this plan for China unfolded. That smile…it’s thanks enough.