It is interesting watching the perspective from the English News on Central Chinese TV-5 and the local newspapers. I see President Obama wearing Traditional Chinese Garb and bowing to retired Asian Leaders. There is also a good discussion on who has the correct definition of Capitalism. The USA Team says the Chinese system is not a purely Capitalist for the currency does not float. The China Team counters with, "We have Capitalism with tighter Government Control." It seems, the USA is growing closer to the Chinese and the Chinese is growing closer to the USA! Regardless of the direction, it is all in very big Government and Corporation control.
Losing the Iron Rice Bowl: With Capitalism gaining steam here in China, it is means losing the Iron Rice Bowl, the stalwart rule of the early Chinese Liberation in the 1950's. The Iron Rice Bowl meant that everyone would be taken care of from "Cradle to Grave." Although, it may not have been much, it was something and it was secure. Now, or it has been occurring over the past 10-15 years or so, the Iron Rice Bowl is being dismantling for Free Enterprise, which is good if you are the Upper Manager, but the for the average worker it is very insecure. Many are very nervous about their future and we know this all too well as our good friend Fred, the one who helps me with the taxes and company renewal is feeling this with his company. He is a Quality Control Inspector at a State Run Cable Factory and they are now in the process of privatizing. It will help the company become more efficient but many people will be losing jobs and their lifetime pensions in the process.
Visitors: We were glad to have some visitors here to Kunming. Pete and Shirleen from Florida come most every year for a day or 2. We get together for some meals and then a Holy One! This time Pete prayed for healing for Elaine and our friend Xiao Li. Xiao Li has a problem with her ears and no one seems to figure out the problem. She has no money to get the proper care. She is almost 40 and she has been working with us for 10 years.
Coffee Update: Floating Towards Boston: On October 22, 528 pounds of Raw Coffee Beans was packed and wrapped for shipment. I was told last week it is now on a ship heading to Boston. It should arrive sometime around Christmas!
Also, our friends Peter and Du are planning a trip to Coffee country in the next few weeks. Peter is an excellent photographer, so he should come back with some good photos. The Coffee area is also where many Dai live and it is an area that has not been given much or any attention by Christians. A decent portion of the Coffee Bean farmers are Dai!
Organic Rice: Sometime this week I will pick up a 2 pound package of Organic Rice. It comes from Dai farmers in the Western Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture. This area is know for this particular type of Rice, so we will see if it is any good. It is supposed to officially stamped with the "Organic" label, but we will see.
Unplanned Expense: Peter and Du asked me to join them in their trip to Coffee Land, but we were surprised by the USA Consulate that our whole family is required to be present, with photos, when verifying that our children, Clara and Colman are truly ours. They need new Passports and apparently the new rules require both parents to be present. So, there is an unplanned expense! I am sure they will take one look at us and think, "Wow, we just wasted their money!"
I am also in the throes of the Company Renewal, so traveling to Coffee Land would not be easy. Fortunately I have Fred, my Pit bull, working with this. It will save some money if he does it. Upon successful completion, I hope to resign from the usual company that has done this. This will save $70-75/month!
Western Dai Update & Requests: We have been able to meet with Mr. M a couple of times this past month. The latest was today. It is amazing what is happening in his area! In March 2008, I visited him with Don Engstrom and Colman. We met and prayed with a group of about 20 Dai who were reaching out to their own people. Since then, around 30-40 families or around 100 Dai have become members of the Church.
Elaine and I hope to visit Mr. M and these new Dai believers this Spring.
Mr. M also is hoping to purchase a $6000 Van to help with this on-going work. It would make everything easier. Currently, they use bus, tractor, feet or anything that can get them to the villages and back.
Another request is $3000 for Rice Money for the School. The new semester starts in early January. There will be around 250-270 mouths to feed.
Request Visitation People: Everyone here hopes that there will be some who will want to come here and do Visitation with Mr. M, the Dai and others here in Yunnan. Below are some pricing for flights. These are based on current pricing and can change!:
Beijing (Great Wall)-Xi' An (Terracotta Soldiers)-Kunming-Beijing $654/person
Beijing-Xi'an-Kunming-Guangzhou $566
Inside Yunnan the cost will range from $240~$300 for round trip flights depending on where one flies to.
Food can be very inexpensive, especially if eating local. Western food can also be affordable. It just depends on the ambiance one wants.
Hotels: Outside of major cites the price ranges from $15-25/night for a nice clean place with hot water. A 5-star hotel in Kunming will be around $80.
The main cost is airfare.
If interested contact Don Engstrom.
Family News
English Club: Elaine and I have particularly enjoyed the last 2 English Clubs. The topic has been Old Kunming vs. New Kunming. It is incredible how much Old Kunming has virtually disappeared since our arrival in 1999. There is just little pockets that are left and the expansion has been incredible.
As always, there are 2 views on this and the sides are very clear. Those not from Kunming see the "progress" as good since Kunming People are lazy and backward and need to improve. Local Kunmingers say, "We are not lazy, just laid back! We also liked our dear little old city and it is sad it will never return and there has been no concern to preserve the history." It was a good and lively discussion.
This past Saturday, we went around to some of these remaining historical spots. Elaine and I and this time Clara, learned a lot. We were introduced to some famous Kunmingers and buildings and history we never knew and could only know by walking around talking with these young professionals. We also got into other conversations regarding China/USA economics, culture and other things generally interesting.
Clara's Studies: Clara has been studying the Transcendentalists in English and early Muslim History in World History. It has been fun reading Emerson, Thoreau and Wordsworth with her. Not so much for her for she asked dad to get involved and then had to tell him to step back. Dad's can get excited sometimes. She nailed her essay on the early history of Islam from Muhammad and the first 4 Caliphs. She is a good researcher and writer.
Boy Scouts: Colman is still very keen on the Scouts. He had another 2 Day camp out this past weekend. He has got some important Merit Badges lined up so he can get to the next level. He is hoping to get his Eagle in the next couple of years. He passed his First Aid test and now is working on his Camping, Environmental Science and Physical Fitness Badges.
If you anyone is interested Boy Scout Popcorn ( it makes good Christmas gifts) please let me know and I will forward the instructions! Colman will also make some on it for his Scout needs.
General Wish List:
1. We ask that we will be able to smoothly pay our Full Year's Rent in January.
2. The Company Renewal and Visa Extensions will go well and everything completed in good time.
3. We will be able to visit Mr. M and our new Dai friends in the Spring of 2010.
4. Have the finances to return to the USA next summer.
5. Be with the school and and the Dai workers as they continue to grow in all ways!
6. Coffee Sales for this goes toward projects. Tea and hopefully Organic Rice will be added to this.
That is all!
Doug, Elaine, Clara and Colman Culver
