In memory of Becky, June 18, 2009

I first met Becky in 1993 when I was in uni. An American m Paul introduced me to Dave who just arrived in Changchun, China and who needed to buy some clothes for the coming winter. We went to an open street market downtown together. Unfortunately we lost each other and we did not have mobile phones!! Giving up hopeless searching, I went back to their flat at late dinner time, starving. Dave was still nowhere to be seen. Becky answered the door and asked if I would like a cup of tea. “Yes, thanks.” I said. At that time in China when somebody you know bumps into your home at meal time, we usually ask the visitor to eat with us. Having served me the first cup, she asked if I would like more tea. “OK, thanks”, I said. But what I really wanted and expected is food! I forgot if I finally got the food, but that’s how we first met – in a hard way. It’s Becky that gave me my first culture shock - at home!

To many people, Becky was usually quiet, reserved, not outgoing at all. Sometimes strangers may even feel distant when they first meet Becky. But after becoming friends, she may become very active, revealing her adventurous nature. And sometimes it went crazy.

Summer 1995 Dave, Becky and I went to Summer Palace with two other Chinese friends, Scott and Hawk. When boating in the lake, somebody got an idea - Why don’t we jump into the water? Summer Palace used to be Chinese emperors’ retreat place like British Queen’s Winsar Castle and is the most visited tourist site. That day, I strongly believe, Becky became the first, and the last foreigner who had swum in that former Chinese emperor’s lake.

From 2000 to 2003, Becky helped proofreading my translation of two pieces of news on China’s coal industry every working day. Sam and Tom told me the other day she even mobilized them to get involved. Her consistent support became a foundation stone of today’s China Coal Monthly, which became a joint venture between our company and our English partner in Petersfield, Hampshire in 2004, and I proudly believe, is the world’s best English newsletter on China’s coal industry. John, the managing editor of our partner in Hampshire called me up Tuesday to pay his respect to Becky. Isn’t it interesting a former English nurse became a Chinese coal specialist?

Becky, and Dave, are never loud speakers nor stars but quiet doers. To me, they told the good news more with their hands and feet than mouths, more with their real daily life than fancy strategies and techniques, more with being and doing Christians than talking Christians. They may not have influenced a large number of people and may not boast the quantity of the souls they won, but they do have touched the hearts of a small group, deeply, including me. And the impact will be life long.

An interesting phenomenon I found is that while the western countries have kept sending out ms to the less developed world, Christianity has become less and less appreciated at home. It seems that there is a huge need of ms within the western countries themselves. Perhaps one day China should send ms to Europe and North America. Why this happened? How can it be changed? It must be very complicated. But I think Christians and ms like Becky, who have both the vision of great mission and real Christian life stories, are one solution to the problems.

As a 17 year long friend of Becky, and her Chinese brother across the oceans, all I want to tell you my friends, both those who have supported them and what they have done and those who may not have understood them and what they have done, is that Becky’s passing is not a waste but a high price she paid for her faith, for what she is convinced to the ultimate truth of life. Here I am to give the testimony, to give my sincere thanks to her and to celebrate her life.

Becky, we love you and miss you. And we will move on. After this temperate separate, we will join you in eternity.