Volume #1 Issue # 3 December 2004 - A Banquet with Governors

The other day the government of the country celebrated its 55^th year in power.  As part of the festivities they hosted a “national Day Reception for Foreign Experts:.  They invited all native English speaker and some of the outstanding local leaders to attend.  For me it was a night of subtle humor as I counted the large number of foreigners I knew to be believers in Christ.  This government was choosing to sup with so many Christians!

The first part of the banquet included speeches and awards that seemed to drag on since they were in two languages.  The local authorities where thanking all foreigners for their contribution and participation in using their “expertise” to advance the local economic and social state of the YOU Autonomous Region.  I had to laugh because my faltering language ability could hardly be considered expert, much less a contributing factor to national growth.  The speeches also took note of the more than twenty different nations that were present at the event.  The orchestra then played an hour long concert including many famous pieces, one of which is the turn of a famous hymn.  You could see a number of the foreigner’s heads nodding and a few people even mouthing the words.  While dinning with local dignitaries I was brought to a point of doxology.  Finally the meal was served.  Let’s just say this government sure knows how to throw a party.  The dishes at the banquet continued to arrive for over an hour – with more food being put out on our table long after we had all reached out fill.