As a parent, I appreciate this thread very  much. Thank you!

Thanks so much for this informative and interesting post. As a person who is fascinated by China, married to a Chinese, and who worked on the mission field there for five years, your post is very intriguing. I talked with a Chinese minister during my second year over there about similar themes. It is all quite fascinating, as is the ancient Chinese language.

Just a few words to introduce myself.

I am a married Christian, living right on the border of Alabama and Tennessee. My wife, who is Chinese, and I have lived here for almost four years now. Prior to that, we served as tent maker missionaries in China for over five years. We both worked as English teachers at a university in south China. These were without a doubt the most rewarding years of my life. I love China and am still actively involved in making vital links with Chinese Christians, both in the recognized church and the underground house churches. Missions to China is my calling and my passion.

We have a daughter, Salina, who will be three in May. She was both a surprise and a blessing that God placed in our lives shortly after our return from the mission field. I work as a writer, publishing columns in a local newspaper on a weekly basis and doing steady free lance work for magazines. I am also working on a book of essays on spiritual formation.

I could say so much more, but there is so little time right now. I enjoy this forum very much and hope to learn a lot from all of you.

May the peace of God rest in your hearts,

Chyna

Thanks to all for the warm words of welcome. Our daughter came to us as a total surprise. At the time my wife found out she was pregnant, we were totally in shock as we had been together many years and had pretty much decided not to have children. I guess God had other ideas!

Now that she is on the scene, Little Salina is the greatest gift we could have received. She is such a special blessing, one that we treasure deeply.

So true, and sometimes He loves us through little children. I have a daughter who will be three in May. Sometimes, when I look into her eyes, I see God looking back at me.