Our Thanksgiving Dinner in 2008 included two couples from China, whose names have been changed...

by Denny Rigstad “Mingler”

Our Thanksgiving Dinner in 2008 included two couples from China, whose names have been changed in this article for their privacy.  Since that Thanksgiving, both couples have given birth to girls.  We have had continued contact with both couples at our home, their apartments and at a restaurant.  Both came to the Living Nativity (www.LivingNativity.org) with us.

This year both couples had a group of friends who wanted to come to the Living Nativity.  As it turned out one group could come on Saturday night and the other on Sunday night. 

The Saturday night group included 11 adults and 4 children.  Included in this group were two visiting scholars one of whom is a Radiologist and the other a Neurologist.  Another student is working on brain imaging.  The fellow (“C”) who rode “shot gun” is earning a PhD in Chemistry so he can return to China and teach.  On the way over, “C” was not very talkative.  I didn’t know whether it was a language issue, he wasn’t into small talk, or he didn’t want to be there but his wife talked him into it. 

Urmas and Leslie (who had hosted both couples this Thanksgiving) came with me to pick them up.  The students had asked if we could go to a buffet for dinner before Nativity … enter Old Country Buffet.  John joined us for the meal before he left for his part in the Nativity.  There was a lot of conversation as well as American foods being sampled. 

Arriving at the Nativity, we had about a 45 minute wait in the Worship Center. 
A number of them went to the front to take pictures of the performers and the Christmas decorations. Some of the children played with American children in the front (it is a very informal atmosphere). 

As we made our “Journey to Bethlehem,” many pictures were taken.  Several asked to pose with Pastor Jim (in costume) in Bethlehem.  (By the way, we just “happened” to be in the same group as a fellow Naval Academy Alum whom I had invited to Nativity 4 or 5 years ago … I had not seen him since but he and his family were back for their 2nd visit). 

Back in the gym after their “Journey back in Time” they thoroughly enjoyed the hot chocolate and cookies.  They all enthusiastically expressed to me how much they enjoyed the production and their appreciation for being able to come.  Even more significantly, most of them told me about the spiritual impact that the Nativity had on them.  One comment was “this helped me so much understand the history of Jesus.” (I think a few were believers but most are seekers.)

On the return trip, “C” again rode shot gun.  As soon as we pulled out of the parking lot, he told me that the Nativity was very inspiring.  He also told me that he has a Bible which he reads some times but has a hard time understanding it.  The rest of the way back we had a lively conversation about the Bible, the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, and many other topics.  I told him of the book Song of the Wanderer, which has had a significant impact on Chinese intellectuals.  He said he would like to get a copy of the book.  On Monday I received an email: “I was glad to talk with you about Bible at the van last Saturday. This is my mail and look forward to seeing you again.” 

The Sunday group wanted to come to my house.  They brought Chinese food for a “pot luck” and I broiled hamburgers and hot dogs for an American flavor.  The weather provided a disappointment by raining out the Nativity.  However, I knew everyone in this group so we are able to have a great time just “hanging out” together.  We had a great dinner and watched some of the Jesus Film with the Mandarin sound track.  A number of excellent conversations that dealt with the heart of the gospel followed. 

Going forward, I am planning to send each of them the Jesus Film DVD as a Christmas present and then to get together with them when I return from Texas in January.  I would anticipate being able to have serious conversations with a number of them. 

It is exciting to watch how God is working in the hearts of these individuals and to be a conduit by which God communicates His grace to them.